Arlo Q Plus is a new version of indoor IP camera with high resolution of full HD 1080p in addition of previous Arlo wire free outdoor camera. Which one is suitable for you between Arlo Q, Vimtag P1 and Amcrest IP3M-954E outdoor POE camera?
Arlo Q Plus
Netgear introduces new series of Arlo smart home camera i.e. Arlo Q and Arlo Q Plus. The ‘Plus’ is the option of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) adapter instead of Ethernet only connection. With POE support, you can run a single UTP network cable (either CAT5e or CAT6) to facilitate power cable integrated into video data cable instead of running separate data cable and power cable to your network (with POE Switch or POE injector). This way you can reduce the wire clutter, it’s a good thing when there is no power outlet available in the location where you place the camera.
Most outdoor cameras come with POE support for easy installation such as outdoor POE PTZ cameras or some models of Dome and bullet outdoor cameras such as Amcrest ProHD 3MP camera and the higher resolution version of Amcrest and Hikvision 4MP cameras.
What this product does
The original model is Arlo with free-wire model that means you can place the Arlo camera anywhere without running a single cable to the base station even no power cable is required since the camera is powered by Lithium battery. It’s really easy to install camera you can DIY and place it anywhere within the wifi coverage indoor or outdoor. it’s a small weatherproof camera you can hide it even hanging on a tree with flexible magnetic mount to help you monitor your home from every possible angle. See also comparison between Arlo and Amcrest kits.
1080p resolution
Arlo Q Plus is not designed for outdoor like it’s original model, it’s for indoor usage. You can add this unit as an add-on camera for existing Arlo system. So what are the differences between the original model and this one? The significant difference is the higher recording resolution for this new Arlo Q model, full HD (1080p) resolution as opposed to standard HD (720p) resolution.
It comes with wide angle fixed lens with 130 degree field of view, it reminds me with the Auto-Vox M2 dash cam with wide angle lens of 140 degree angle of view on front cam, ideal for landscape view recording while driving.
Original Arlo Vs Arlo Q
In a nutshell you can see the brief comparison between the two models in a handful comparison table as shown in the following table.
Table 1 Arlo Vs Arlo Q
| Arlo free wire | Arlo Q Plus | |
| Resolution | HD 720p (1280 x 720 pixels) | Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) |
| Placement | Indoor – outdoor | Indoor |
| Night vision | 850nm IR LEDs – up to 25 ft | Yes |
| Field of view | 110 degree | 130 degree |
| Connection | Wireless N standard | Wired with POE |
| Power | Four (4) Lithium CR123 Photo with battery level indicator | Power adapter
POE adapter |
| Storage | Cloud storage
no local internal storage |
Free 7-days footage cloud storage
Optional local storage with SD card slot |
| Audio | No | Two way audio with built-in mic and speaker |
| Alert | Motion alert | Motion and sound alert |
The higher resolution and two way audio features are good things for your consideration should you upgrade your existing Arlo system, however the indoor only model is the drawback. There are bunch of indoor-outdoor models available from different vendors out there such as Amcrest and Vimtag. See also comparison between Foscam R2 Amcrest and Vimtag.
Highlights
- High resolution 1080p video recording
- Stream live from anywhere using your Android or iOS mobile devices
- Sound and motion detection and receive alerts on your mobile devices
- Free last 7 days cloud storage and upgrade option is available to allow you view, share, download the recording footage
- Internal SD card slot is available for local storage
- Connection options wired Ethernet, wifi, or POE
- Two way audio with built-in high quality Microphone and speaker
- 130 degree Wide field of angle
- Enhanced night vision
- Easy DIY setup using free Arlo mobile or web app
All the features sound great for indoor surveillance with capability of remote viewing and free cloud storage for the past 7 days recording. Should you feel 7 days storage is not enough, options for longer cloud storage plan is also available.
Arlo Q Vs Amcrest Vs Vimtag
Original Arlo model is unique with free wire design, ideal for hidden camera you can place anywhere to get the best possible angle. However for the new Arlo Q series you have some competitive similar products. Without prejudice to how good this new Arlo Q series is, I thing you need to know other similar products that could become competing products you may consider to purchase such as Amcrest ProHD and Vimtag P1 Premium. Or you may also consider surveillance kits such as Amcrest or Zmodo 8 channel with 8 cameras, or probably you require larger image detail with more channel such as GW security and LaView 16 channel system should you require more spots to monitor.
Comparison table
To help you make up your mind whether Arlo Q is your best choice to meet your business need, or one of the other two competing products either Amcrest ProHD or Vimtag P1 is best to meet your need, the following comparison table might help you decide your choice.
Table 2 represents spec comparison table for Arlo Q Plus and Amcrest ProHD IP2M-841, and table 3 represents spec comparison table for Arlo Q plus and Vimtag P1 premium.
Wide angle view
You can see that Arlo Q provides incredible wide view of angle compared with the other two products. No wonder that this product doesn’t facilitate panning and tilting capabilities since the angle of view it supports can cover most comprehensive view.
Cloud storage
Vimtag P1 offers you single monitoring view with free cloud storage up to 60 days in addition of local internal SD Card memory storage. Compared with free 7 days cloud storage offered by Arlo Q and only 4 hours free cloud storage offered by Amcrest.
Have a thoroughly look at the two following comparison tables below to help you make up your mind deciding which one to meet your need.
Table 2 Arlo Q Plus Vs Amcrest IP2M-841
| Arlo Q Plus | Amcrest IP2M-841 | |
| Lens type | Fixed lens | 4mm Fixed lens with Sony IMX 322 image sensor |
| Resolution | Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) | Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) |
| Placement | Indoor only | Indoor only |
| Night vision | Yes | Yes – up to 32 ft |
| Field of view | 130 degree | 90 degree |
| Pan and Tilt | N/A | Remote panning and tilting capability |
| Connection | Wired with POE | Wired Ethernet and wifi 802.11b/g |
| Power | Power adapter
POE adapter |
Power adapter |
| Storage | Free 7-days footage cloud storage
Optional local storage with SD card slot |
Free 4 hours Amcrest cloud storage
Internal SD card storage Amcrest NVR |
| Audio | Two way audio with built-in mic and speaker | Two way audio with built-in mic and speaker |
| Alert | Motion and sound alert | Motion alerts |
| Remote view | Yes | Yes with free Amcrest view app |
| Price (Nov 2018) | $149.99 | $70.95 |
Table 3 Arlo Q Plus Vs Vimtag P1 Premium
| Arlo Q Plus | Vimtag P1 Premium | |
| Lens type | Fixed lens | 3.6 mm Fixed lens with CMOS image sensor |
| Resolution | Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) | HD 720p (1280 x 720 pixels) |
| Placement | Indoor only | Indoor only |
| Night vision | Yes | Yes – up to 8 meters |
| Field of view | 130 degree | 70 degree |
| Pan and Tilt | N/A | Up to 350 degree panning and 65 degree tilting capability |
| Connection | Wired with POE | Wired Ethernet and wifi 802.11b/g /n |
| Power | Power adapter
POE adapter |
Power adapter |
| Storage | Free 7-days footage cloud storage
Optional local storage with SD card slot |
Free 60 days Vimtag cloud storage space, up to 4 cameras per box
Internal SD card storage Compatible NVR |
| Audio | Two way audio with built-in mic and speaker | Two way audio with built-in mic and external speaker |
| Alert | Motion and sound alert | Motion alerts |
| Remote view | Yes | Yes with QR Code scan support |
| Price (Nov 2018) | $149.99 | $70.95 |
For more detail information including spec and current price:
- Click here for Arlo Q Plus details and shop in Amazon
- Click here for Amcrest Pro HD and shop in Amazon
- Click here for Vimtag P1 Premium and shop in Amazon
Summary
With Arlo, you can scale up to 5 cameras with free cloud storage from the past 7 days with a single app and can be upgraded up to 15 cameras. It is a wide angle camera with high resolution of 1080p and supports night vision. For single monitoring view, you may consider more economical products such as Amcrest ProHD and Vimtag P1 premium.
