Reolink Home Hub with Argus PT Ultra Review: Pros, Cons, and Why It's Worth It

Protecting your home or business is easier than ever with DIY security camera systems that are both affordable and reliable. The Reolink Home Hub, paired with the Reolink Argus PT Ultra camera, provides robust monitoring without expensive monthly fees. This review takes an in-depth look at how this bundle performs for property coverage, video quality, intelligent alerts, convenience, and overall value.

Note: You can choose between the 2-camera and 4-camera versions of the bundle to best suit your requirements.

Reolink Home Hub: Key Features and Compatibility

The Reolink Home Hub serves as the central control station for your security cameras, providing encrypted local storage and over-the-air management.

Wireless Security Center

The Home Hub creates a dedicated management and storage center for your Reolink cameras. When all your Reolink cameras and the Home Hub are connected to the same network, you can manage all your cameras through a single interface on your Reolink app. This ensures reliable connectivity and keeps security data segregated.

Local Storage and Encryption

All recorded video from connected cameras is stored locally on the Hub's built-in microSD card. Expandable up to 2x 512GB SD cards, this eliminates recurring monthly fees for cloud storage subscriptions. Video data is encrypted for privacy and protection against unauthorized access.

Multi-Camera Management

The Hub allows centralized monitoring and management of up to 8 Reolink cameras simultaneously through the mobile app. This enables convenient access to live feeds and playback from all connected cameras in one place.

No Monthly Fees

The lack of any monthly fees for cloud storage or video hosting is a significant advantage over traditional security systems. Ongoing costs are limited to periodic battery replacement or solar panel maintenance.

Up to 16MP Resolution

By supporting up to 16MP camera resolution, the Home Hub can record very high-definition and detailed footage critical for identifying persons or objects. This ensures video quality keeps pace with camera technology advancements.

Reolink Argus PT Ultra: Specifications

The Argus PT Ultra camera packs robust capabilities into its weather-resistant housing for comprehensive property coverage.

4K 8MP Resolution

With a high-resolution 8MP sensor, the Argus PT records exceptionally sharp 4K Ultra HD video. Tiny details can be discerned even when zooming into the footage. This ensures critical evidence is captured.

Smart Detection

Instead of just motion detection, the camera leverages algorithms to distinguish between people and vehicles. This reduces nuisance alerts from blowing leaves or other objects. Verified intrusions prompt push notifications to your smartphone.

Color Night Vision

In contrast to traditional black-and-white night vision, the Argus PT retains full-color imaging even in low-light scenes. Vivid color footage makes identifying clothing, vehicle color, and other visual characteristics easier.

360° Monitoring

The pan/tilt mechanics provide a vast 355° horizontal pan and 140° vertical tilt range. This comprehensive field of view can encompass driveways, yards, and entry points without multiple cameras.

Flexible Power Options

The Argus PT Ultra is suited for indoor and outdoor applications thanks to battery or solar-powered operation. Batteries recharge faster with supplemental solar, making remote locations equally viable.

Installation and Setup

The app conveniently guides you through each step, including optional settings for motion zones, scheduling, and more. Setup takes less than 10 minutes for an initial single-camera installation. Expanding coverage is equally straightforward by adding more Reolink cameras to the Home Hub system.

Connecting the Home Hub and Argus PT camera takes just a few steps:

Home Hub Configuration:

1. Insert included microSD card for local storage

2. Connect Hub to home Wi-Fi router via Ethernet cable

3. Complete the initialization process in Reolink mobile app

Adding Cameras:

1. Open the Reolink app and tap "Add Device"

2. Scan the Argus PT camera QR code and follow the prompts ( you can also click the "+" button on the home hub management area)

3. Position the camera and adjust the pan/tilt to set a field of view

Performance Review

In testing, the Reolink Home Hub and Argus PT Ultra deliver reliable performance for home monitoring with intelligent alerts and crisp footage.

Video Quality

Boasting 4K 8MP resolution, the Argus PT Ultra records exceptionally vivid and detailed video in any lighting. Daytime footage reveals subtle textures and colors, while night vision maintains accuracy. The wide dynamic range adeptly balances bright and dark areas. Footage holds up well to zooming while remaining sharp.

Detection Accuracy

The camera reliably detected people and vehicles while ignoring swaying branches, small insects, and passing headlights. Customizable motion zones let you define high-traffic areas to suppress unnecessary alerts. Person/vehicle detection helps validate notifications of actual security breaches rather than false alarms.

Color Night Vision

Unlike most cameras, the Argus PT Ultra renders color night vision using an advanced CMOS sensor. This retains critical visual details lost in traditional infrared black & white footage. Subject clothing colors, vehicle types, and other characteristics are easily discernible.

Pan/Tilt Control

The Argus PT Ultra provides exceptionally smooth panning across a wide 355° horizontal range. Tilting elevation spans 140° degrees, which is impressive for a battery/solar-powered camera. The Reolink app makes it easy to set preset positions to quickly scan areas of interest.

Mobile App & Alerts

The Reolink app enables convenient remote monitoring and control with live view, playback, and alerts. Push notifications and emails contain thumbnail images of detected activity. Playback quickly locates these events tagged with timestamps rather than just recorded segments.

Pros and Cons

While the Reolink solution delivers substantial capability, given the affordable price point, there are some tradeoffs to consider.

Pros:

• Excellent 4K/8MP video quality
• Accurate person and vehicle detection
• Local storage without monthly fees
• Black-and-white and color night vision
• Battery/Solar power options
• Smooth 355° pan & 140° tilt
• Easy installation
• Third-party integrations

Cons:

• Limited to 8 Reolink cameras per Home Hub
• Can't review footage across multiple cameras simultaneously in playback mode
• The camera battery is non-removable

Ideal Use Cases and Applications

The Reolink Home Hub with the Argus PT Ultra is a good choice for various applications. Here are a few scenarios where it stands out:

• Large Yards and Outdoor Spaces: You can monitor broad outdoor areas with the pan and tilt camera that can run on battery or solar power. The camera's wide-angle coverage reduces blind spots.
• Homes Without Wired Infrastructure: If you do not want to deal with running cables, the battery-powered Argus PT Ultra can still send footage to the Hub via Wi-Fi.
• Rental Properties: Landlords or tenants who cannot install permanent wiring can benefit from the quick setup. Also, there are no monthly fees, so it fits many budgets.
• Small Businesses: If you own a small office or store, the Reolink Home Hub allows you to manage multiple cameras in one place and store recordings locally.
• Vacation Homes or Cabins: The camera's solar/battery power, plus local storage, means you can set it up in remote places without electricity.
• Monitoring Driveways, Garages, or Gates: Thanks to the camera's person/vehicle detection, you get accurate alerts when someone arrives, rather than constant false alarms.

Verdict: Is the Reolink Home Hub with Argus PT Ultra Worth It?

The Reolink Home Hub and Argus PT Ultra offer tremendous value as an easy-to-install outdoor security solution. Exceptional high-resolution footage combined with intelligent alerts provides comprehensive monitoring. The flexible battery/solar-powered camera can be placed effectively anywhere. At the same time, the Hub enables seamless management of up to 8 cameras. For homeowners and businesses seeking DIY surveillance without expensive monthly subscriptions, the Reolink bundle warrants strong consideration.