4G Solar Security Cameras: Best Security Option with No WiFi & Power

A remote site without reliable power or internet can be hard to monitor from far away as they likely have little to no power source, except probably for the sun.

This is when 4G solar security cameras come in the handiest and this guide will help you decide if a 4G solar security camera suits that spot and which Reolink model is the best for you.

What Is a 4G Solar Security Camera?

A 4G solar security camera, also called a solar camera with a SIM card, uses a cellular network instead of WiFi or a cable. It sends motion alerts to your phone and streams live video wirelessly. 4G LTE is the same kind of mobile network that phones use. The camera gets its connection from a SIM card, which is a small chip that gives it a mobile data plan.

The camera runs on a rechargeable battery. A solar panel keeps that battery charged, so you do not need to visit the site to recharge it. Some bundles include the panel and others sell it separately.

It fits best when a site has no power outlet, no WiFi and nobody nearby to swap batteries.

Benefits of Using 4G Solar Cameras

1. No Cabling Needed & Money Saving

Picture a barn at the far end of a property. It has no power outlet and no WiFi. Running a power cable and a network cable out there means trenching or a long cable run.

A 4G solar camera skips both. The solar panel keeps the battery charged, and the SIM card connects the camera to the mobile network. You also skip the cost of that cable work. An average of 10 minutes of solar charging a day is enough to keep a camera like the Go PT Ultra running.

2. No WiFi Network Needed

The camera does not depend on your WiFi network. It sends video over the cellular network instead. It works anywhere that a supported carrier has 4G coverage.

Check the camera's supported carriers and LTE bands for your country on its spec page before you buy. LTE bands are the radio frequencies that carriers use.

3. Sensitive to Motion

Reolink's battery-powered 4G cameras have a PIR sensor. PIR stands for passive infrared. The sensor detects the body heat of people and animals as they move. On the Reolink Go PT Ultra it works up to 33 ft (10 m).

The camera records only when the sensor detects motion. That saves battery and fills the microSD card more slowly. Smart detection on the Go PT Ultra also tells people, vehicles and pets apart, which cuts false alerts.

4. Remote Live View & Notifications

Live view lets you check the site at any moment, not only after an alert. You can see how a job is going or what is happening on the property without a trip there. On a pan-tilt model you can also steer the camera from the app.

Live view uses cellular data. The sub-stream is the lower-quality video feed. On the Go PT Ultra, 1 GB of data covers about 3.5 hours of it, so use it for quick checks.

5. Record to SD Card

A 4G solar camera records to a microSD card inside the camera. You do not need to run cables back to an NVR or DVR, which are the recorder boxes that wired systems use. The Go PT Ultra takes microSD cards up to 128 GB.

You do not need to visit the camera to watch the footage. The Reolink App plays recordings back from anywhere. Recording to the card uses no cellular data. Remote playback does.

How to Configure 4G Solar Security Camera for Live View

A 4G solar camera needs a SIM card with an active data plan. Reolink includes a Reolink SIM card with its 4G cameras, though the box contents vary by country. You link that SIM to your Reolink account and buy a data plan for it.

The Go PT Ultra also works with a SIM card from another carrier. Choose a nano SIM that is not tied to a contract or to one device. Each camera needs its own SIM card. Reolink explains how to choose the right SIM card for its 4G cameras. You can also learn more about SIM card security cameras.

Here we take the Reolink 4G solar security camera as an example to show you the details.

Step 1. Insert the nano SIM card into the camera's SIM slot.

Step 2. Insert a microSD card if you want to save footage on the camera.

Step 3. Switch on the camera. Wait for the light to change from red to blue and for the voice prompt "Network connection succeeded.

Step 4. Download the Reolink App and tap the plus icon. Scan the QR code on the camera or type its UID. The UID is a 16-character code that starts with 9527. If the camera came with a Reolink SIM card, the app asks you to activate it first.

Step 5. Create a login password, name the camera and tap Next. You can then open live view in the app.

You can then keep an eye on your remote property anytime and anywhere, with the 4G solar security camera live, instant notifications and the motion footage.

Cost of a 4G Solar Security Camera

The cost of a 4G solar security camera revolves around 3 main components. These are the camera, the solar panel and the data plan.

The camera and solar panel. Check whether the solar panel comes in the box. Some Reolink bundles include it and others sell it separately. See the current price of the Reolink Go PT Ultra with solar panel.

The data plan. The carrier or data plan provider sets the price, and it differs by country. Reolink lists its US plans in its subscription cost guide. For typical use, Reolink recommends about 2 GB of data a month for the Go PT Ultra. One GB covers about 3.5 hours of live view on the sub-stream. The main stream uses more data. Recording to a microSD card uses no data.

Optional cloud storage. Reolink Cloud is available in selected countries. You do not need it for alerts, smart detection or microSD recording. Reolink 4G cameras do not require a camera subscription, so the data plan is the only required monthly cost.

Best Reolink 4G Solar Security Cameras (No Subscription)

Go PT Ultra

The Reolink Go PT Ultra is a 4K 4G camera that pans and tilts. In the US, it is sold as a bundle with a 6W solar panel and a SIM card.

It records to a microSD card with no subscription. The only required monthly cost is the cellular data plan.

The Go PT Ultra turns to cover more ground than a fixed camera. It pans 355° and tilts 140°. You can save up to 32 preset positions, such as a gate or a window.

When it detects someone, a siren and spotlights can warn them off. It also has two-way audio that lets you talk to a visitor through the camera.

For night vision, it has two modes. The first one is color, which uses the spotlights and Black and white uses infrared.

The SIM card in the package connects to AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile, whichever signal is strongest. It starts with 100 MB of free data so you can check how much data you use.

The box also has a wall bracket, a ceiling bracket, a strap and a USB-C cable. So, you can get the camera running straight out of the box.

Go PT Plus

The Reolink Go PT Plus is a 5MP 4G camera with pan and tilt. Its resolution sits between the 4K Go PT Ultra and the 4MP cameras below.

It pans 355° and tilts 140°, and you can turn it remotely from the Reolink app. You can also save up to 32 preset positions for the key areas you want to check.

A siren and a spotlight can warn off an intruder, and two-way audio lets you greet a delivery person or speak to someone on site. Infrared night vision reaches 33 ft (10 m), and the spotlights add color night vision.

It comes with the same SIM card and 100 MB of free data as the Go PT Ultra. The solar panel can attach to the camera or stand alone at a distance, which helps when the best view and the sunniest spot differ. The camera also sends a low-battery alert when the battery reaches 10%.

Altas Go PT

The Reolink Altas Go PT has the largest battery on this page at 66 Wh. It is also the only camera here with continuous recording.

This camera can last up to 180 days of battery life on one charge, though real battery life varies with settings, use and temperature. It records on motion, on a schedule or non-stop, and the 12W Solar Panel 3 is the one to pair with non-stop recording. Pre-recording saves up to 10 seconds from before the camera detects motion, so a clip does not start late.

It pans 355° and tilts 90°, and once it detects a subject, auto tracking follows it. A built-in siren warns off a threat, and two-way talk lets you speak to anyone on site through the Reolink app.

Its 940nm infrared lights are invisible, so night vision stays discreet. An included Reolink SIM card connects to the strongest signal, and you manage the plan in the Reolink app with no contracts or activation fees.

TrackMix LTE

The Reolink TrackMix LTE has two lenses. A wide-angle lens that shows the whole scene and a telephoto lens that shows a close-up, both on one screen.

The close-up view tracks and focuses on a moving subject using pan and tilt and 6X hybrid zoom, which switches between the two lenses.

It pans 355° and tilts 90°, stores 32 preset positions, and lets you set your own motion zones. It also has Smart Detection which can tell people, vehicles and animals apart to reduce false alerts, and two-way audio that lets you converse during an alert.

Its infrared night vision reaches 100 ft (30 m), and you can turn the spotlight on for color night vision or off for black and white.

It comes with the same SIM card and 100 MB of free data as the Go PT Ultra. The camera works with a 6W Reolink Solar Panel 2 for continuous power. The box has a strap, a mounting template and a quick start guide which prepares you to get the camera up and running without a need for any additional parts.

FAQs

1. How does a SIM card work in a solar security camera?

The SIM card connects the camera to a mobile network. That allows remote live viewing and alerts without relying on WiFi. Recordings stay on the camera's microSD card unless you add cloud storage.

2. Can 4g solar cameras record continuously?

It depends on the model. The Reolink Go PT Ultra records only when it detects motion. For all-day footage, choose the Reolink Altas Go PT. It also supports scheduled and continuous recording to its microSD card. Pair it with a 12W solar panel to keep continuous recording on.

3.How long can a outdoor 4g solar camera work without sunlight?

The built-in battery keeps the camera running when the sun is low. The Go PT Ultra's battery can power it for up to two months on cloudy days. Real battery life varies with settings, use and temperature. A bigger battery lasts longer, and the Altas Go PT has the largest battery on this page at 66 Wh.

Conclusion

A 4G solar camera swaps a power cable for sunlight and a network cable for a mobile signal. That means a remote spot does not need power or WiFi, but it does need sun and signal.

Before you choose a model, stand where the camera will go. Check that your phone shows a 4G signal there and that the sun reaches the spot for part of the day. If both are true, the spot suits this kind of camera, and the model comes down to how you want it to record. All-day footage needs continuous recording, which a camera that records only on motion cannot give you.