Wireless Netgear Arlo Webcam is a Game Changer

These little guys (about actual size!) may be the future of security and weather webcams:

Cute, aren't they? Outdoor/waterproof? Check. Streaming? You bet. Wireless? Completely. Cloud Storage? Included. Motion Detection? Absolutely. Phone app? Sure.

With the "Arlo" line of cameras, Netgear has figured out how to do a wireless outdoor security camera. I mean *completely* wireless -- not just Wi-Fi. Like other security cams, it records motion and alerts you when doing so.

But now, instead of having to run a power or ethernet cable to the outside of your parcel of land, you just pop these adorable little eggs in wherever you want (they are even magnetic!). The range is amazing, I put them at either end of my property and they still had 3 out of 4 bars!

Tricks that enable this wonder of tech include Netgear's own proprietary router, as well as the use of lithium CR123 batteries (which you'll be familiar with in you have a Davis Weather Station). It includes four batteries per camera; replacements are $5 each at Wal-Mart, but you can get about two dozen for around $15 on Amazon.

Because it's wireless, If you stream 24/7, your battery life could be measured in days, but if you only stream occasionally, and let motion detection do the rest, it'll be months. I noticed that the motion sometimes started recording too late into the event, especially when the motion was in the distance -- but this isn't a surprise, considering they need to conserve battery life -- they can't pre-cache the video.

One disadvantage might be these little guys getting stolen. That's not something I have to worry about in my neighborhood, but I think it's a good idea to camouflage them when you can. One idea is a bird house; you just have to make sure that the hole is big enough for not only the lens, but the light sensor and infrared LEDs, if you want to be able to see at night.

The truth is, there's really no competition for this type of camera right now so the pros out weigh the cons.