Improve Upon the MyQ Smart Garage Security Camera Experience
I have a specific set of preferences when it comes to indoor security cameras: compact design, long cables, the option to turn off indicator lights, remote pan-and-tilt capabilities, good night-vision, and zoom. Among the brands offering these features, Blink stands out with its affordable indoor pan-and-tilt camera for $39.99; Wyze boasts the best-performing pan-and-tilt camera at just $31.90, albeit with some security concerns; and PetCube has a 360-degree camera for $10.49. Any new indoor camera would need to surpass the functionality provided by these brands. I doubt the myQ Smart Garage Security Camera ($29.99) by Chamberlain, famous for their garage door openers, can do that. Although the camera operates smoothly, there are other options that give you better features for the same price. Even if you already have myQ products, you can seamlessly integrate them with other brands' cameras, making it unnecessary to stay in the same ecosystem.
Conspicuous design
The myQ Garage Security Camera is a lightweight, one-piece device with a four-by-four-inch camera face. The built-in stand can be used horizontally or vertically. The set-up process was simple as well: Pairing the camera with the myQ app through Bluetooth took no time. Once you've installed it, you can place it on a flat surface or stick it on the fridge or garage door motor with the help of a magnet in the base.
While the camera isn't notably different from any other indoor camera, myQ promotes its usage with garage door motors. This allows users to check if their garage is open or closed, monitor their garage, and even communicate through the camera. However, with a 130-degree field of view, more than half of the garage is out of view, making it easy to evade being filmed. Furthermore, the camera's size makes it quite noticeable.
The camera is often marketed for use with the Amazon Key In Garage Delivery program. This feature enables Amazon to access your garage, deliver your packages in your presence, and then close your garage, all for an extra $1.99 per delivery. However, participation in the program only requires a smart garage, not a specific camera. Many other smart cameras, like Ring, are also compatible with the program. Therefore, the myQ camera's compatibility with Amazon's program shouldn't be considered a unique feature.
Be cautious of subscription costs
The myQ app allows customizing the camera's settings, similar to most other cameras. Although the video quality is as good as any other 1080p camera I've tried, you'll need a subscription after the 30-day free trial expires if you want to save videos. Plans start at $3.99 per month, which seems reasonable compared to competitors. However, Eufy offers an almost identical camera for $28.97 with the option to store videos locally without a subscription. Additionally, Blink cameras can even use local storage.
Lack of movement means much of the area is out of range
Using the myQ camera made me realize how much I depend on the remote pan-and-tilt features of other cameras. Unless you place the camera in a corner at the ceiling, you'll struggle to capture an entire room. To view a specific area, you'll need to zoom in and manually scan the room. My Wyze camera, for example, follows motion, so it always focuses on the activity. With the myQ camera, I often found myself looking at live video only to realize the camera had missed whatever I wanted to see.
Annoying software update issues
I encountered another problem with the myQ camera - frequent software updates at a specific time every day. The camera started making clicking sounds and flashing lights at exactly 11 pm, and wouldn't stop until I unplugged it. The app showed the camera was updating, but the process never ended. I even received a replacement camera, which experienced the same issue. Cycle the power a few times, and the problem resolves, but it's more trouble than what I'm willing to deal with.
Not worth the price
In all the ways I could think of using the large, stationary myQ Smart Garage Security Camera, I couldn't think of any situation where a smaller, pan-and-tilt camera wouldn't be more suitable. Attached to a garage door motor, a 360-degree camera could capture the entire room and be situated high enough to be difficult to reach. At the current price, you could purchase a smaller pan-and-tilt camera that doesn't require a subscription and connect it to your smart garage opener through automation.
myQ Smart Garage Security Camera Product PageBlink Indoor Pan/Tilt HD Security Camera ListingWyze Pan Cam DescriptionPetCube Bites 2 Automatic Pet Feeder and Camera Pet Care DeviceEufyCam 2 Pro Home Security CameraBest WiFi Cameras for Your Smart Home in 2021Eufy Security HomeBase 2K Touchscreen Homebase for Home SecurityThe Best Outdoor Wi-Fi Cameras for Your Smart Home in 2021Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery Service: How It WorksBlink Outdoor Wireless HD Security Camera, 5x the Viewing AreaWyze Cam Pan 360 Degree Wi-Fi Security CameraRing Indoor Cam (2020) 2nd Generation - 1080P Security Camera
Read also:
Despite its lightweight design and easy setup, the conspicuous size of the myQ Smart Garage Security Camera makes it stand out in a garage. Even for Amazon Key In Garage Delivery use, many other smart cameras are compatible with the program. When it comes to tech products, staying within the same brand ecosystem might not always be the best choice, especially if the competition offers better features at the same price point.
