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Performance, Bluetooth, and Verdict
Performance
Using either the app or the Web site, you can view a live feed of the Dropcam Pro and zoom into one of four screen quadrants (or the center). Here, you can set up alerts for unusual motions or sounds, set the camera to begin or end recording at a certain time or talk through the camera’s speaker.
The Dropcam Pro boasts both a microphone and speakers. Although both are perfectly functional, neither is anything to write home about, and both exhibited a few seconds’ worth of lag during our tests.
One noteworthy feature is the Dropcam Pro's night vision. We tested the device in both low-light and no-light conditions, and the results were very impressive. If the lights go off in a room, the camera automatically switches to night vision mode (you can also activate and deactivate it manually), which turns the feed black-and-white and makes it more sensitive to motion.
In both the low-light and no-light settings, the camera captured this reviewer in very clear detail walking in front of the camera and making hand motions. Although the detail was not as precise as the camera's regular color feed, the face was perfectly visible. This level of detail would certainly come in handy if you wanted to show footage to the police.
Bluetooth Potential
One interesting feature of the Dropcam Pro is that it can connect to other devices via Bluetooth. At present, this functionality only works for setup via the mobile app, but in the future, Dropcam would like to integrate the Pro with other smart objects.
In the near future, you may be able to sync the camera with lights, electronic locks, thermostats and other devices to help you monitor and control your home from afar. The Dropcam Pro could function as a hub for other objects, allowing you to not only control electronics in your home, but see them turn on and off in real time.
Verdict
While the Dropcam Pro isn’t cheap at $199 (plus more if you want cloud recording), it offers a lot of value. Not only do its features work well, it’s incredibly user-friendly, and makes home security more accessible to the less tech-savvy. Add in clear audio quality and an impressive low-light mode and you have one of the best ways to monitor your home on the go.
