Today, is just going to be a quick update about my Reolink Argus…actually, this video is about a month late..just didn’t get to edit and post it around the first week of January…
So, after around 3 months and few days…I got the low battery alert from my Reolink Argus…My use of the camera is I consider lower than average and it is mostly in standby mode. I initially used it a lot for the review and testing purposes but after that, it has been mostly on stand by mode and with the PIR motion detection off. Reolink says that the battery should last 180 days or 6 months in stand by mode or 840 minutes or 14 hours if running continously.. I guess if the battery dies in between that range, then that is just how it is.
For me, I wished I could have squeezed out some more but eventually you will get multiple alerts daily about needing to replace the battery. Even with the low battery alert, the camera still works and records..you can still access live view. It has been more than a week since I received the initial low battery warning..so we will check and test how drained the batteries are …
We will open up the back side and I know it has an included tool for easy removal of the back…but I already forgot where I placed them so with a little bit of pushing on the tab…I’ll still be able to open it up.
These are the original batteries that came with the camera and I know now that they only last 3 months with my use…So, I’ll be checking and trying out other brands and see if they last longer and hopefully not shorter.
Reolink Argus Wireless WiFi Security Camera – amzn.to/2Eef1u8
Reolink Argus Review – youtu.be/jToIHcXz-LA
SureFire CR123A Lithium Batteries – amzn.to/2FEIBWO
Keenstone Rechargeable CR123A Batteries and Charger – amzn.to/2DWoPFR
I don’t have a battery tester for this type of batteries but I can give you a visual on how drained the batteries are by putting them on my flashlight that uses CR 123 batteries.
Let’s see if it can still turn it on…
Yup.. it still can but it is pretty dim..and it is dying..done…
Well, the batteries are pretty much used up.
Time to go to Amazon and check out CR123A batteries…These are not cheap BTW especially if you buy them in big box stores… At Lowes, they are 12 bucks for a 2 pack which boils down to 6 dollars a piece..that will hurt you in the long run..
At Amazon, you can get them cheaper…but you have to check and make sure that they will work for the camera. Basically, the cheapest CR123s that you will find is not going to work and most manufacturers add it to their title like this one.. a 16 pack which will be good for 1 year for only 20 bucks..but the title says it will not work for Arlo cameras.
This one right here is a pretty good deal too..a 40 pack for 45 dollars..that’s a dollar and change a piece..but if you look at the reviews…you will already see that it is not for security cameras..it will only last for a few days as per this review.
The keyword here is Arlo..because the first generation Arlos uses the CR123 batteries too..
So, check the manufacturer’s listings or the customer’s reviews first and make sure it will work.
I ended up purchasing the Surefire brand for 23 dollars which boils down to less than 2 bucks a piece. So, I’ll have 12 of them that should last me at least 9 months and hopefully I can make it last longer than that.. we will see.
Another option which has some investment initially would be rechargeable batteries. Generally, the charge will not last as long as the non-rechargeable ones but in the long run, you should save some money.
So, the surefire batteries came in..
Replacing the batteries on the Argus is pretty easy. Just pop the old ones out and put the new ones in.
All your settings are still saved…
… and if you go to the battery settings, you will see that the battery level has reset and is now full…so let’s see how long this set of batteries will last.