Does anyone have a Ring doorbell? - YouLookFab Forum

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Does anyone have a Ring doorbell?

rachylou

Veteran

Hey! Do any of y’all have a Ring doorbell? It’s a WiFi enabled doorbell with a camera, etc. Painters took down my mum’s doorbell and never put it back up... well, that’s a long story. Friend’s bum step son did the job (half a job more like).

Anyways, the old doorbell is way off to the side, just above waist height and the door is a big wide one. I’m wondering if such a doorbell could be hard-wired installed way over there and if you’d still get a good view. Otherwise, guess battery operation and installation on the doorframe would have to be it.

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16 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

From what I've seen in other peoples videos from those doorbells, I think the cameras have good depth of focus. It's a good idea to get one now, if she might start having regular visits from caregivers, or if she develops dementia.

MsMaven

Veteran

We have a Ring doorbell. DH installed it in a new almost eye-level location. Our old doorbell also has a camera, but it usually cuts off people's heads. The main problem is that our front door faces west--not due west--but at certain times of the year the sun hits the camera.

We also have cameras around the outside of our house. Almost everyone in our neighborhood now has a Ring camera. Package thieves and burglars now wear hoodies and masks when they check out a house. So they know there are cameras.

I think it's a great idea for your Mom. You do have to recharge the battery every few weeks.

rachylou

Veteran

FashIntern, I think it’s a good idea... esp when I’m at the door! Lol. She’s got a funny lock - if you set it just so, the key won’t turn.

That’s great info, MsMaven! Thanks! Esp since the house faces directly west. Would never have thought of that. HSN says the battery is supposed to last two months!

Anonymous

Our Ring doorbell is hardwired. You can set the range or area to view on the ring app. I like that I know when a package is delivered even when I am home since the delivery people seldom ring the doorbell. The nice feature is when they do ring your doorbell, you can communicate with them from anywhere without having to answer the door. There is an annual fee associated with it, but well worth it imo.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh hey! That’s good to know too. They didn’t mention anything about subscription services on HSN!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Have you shopped around to look at different models? I know, from discussion boards for my old neighborhood, that there are various features, but idk enough to give you advice. There are also cameras that gives alerts but are not doorbells.
https://www.netatmo.com/en-us/security/cam-outdoor

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

So I decided that last post was too clueless and went to ask for recommendations on that board. I'll tell you what they say when they've had some time to answer, but here's one interesting response:
"If she has an Alarm company, most offer their version through their company! We have ADT and their “ring” system."

rachylou

Veteran

Pretty sure my mother would prefer a higher-tech, easier install way. Not an ADT.

Anonymous

In case you did not know, Amazon bought Ring over a year ago.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh man. Did not know. Should I just give in totally and let Amazon deliver me groceries from the Whole Foods? I’ll never have to leave home again. Lilypup can walk herself around the block...

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Lol, Lilpup can be the runner delivering meds & whatnot. Also, you can get the floodlights version to send each other Batsignals.

OK, here's what the old neighborhood said: Everybody likes what they have. Hardly anyone picked up on the idea that it was for an elderly person, unfortunately. Here are some comments. There are sure to be more.

*****************

We love Ring! Although I admit I didn’t do any research before buying it so I’m not sure what (if anything) is different from the others.

I work for vivint I’m a smarthome pro I would love to assist you in showing you the pros and cons between all systems and let you guys decide for yourselves. Ring is great for recording crimes happening but if someone enters the home it kind of doesn’t do anything to protect you. Is she looking for just a doorbell camera that only records or does she want home security with it ?

Ruth Gray We have ring. There is an app that lets you get notifications to your phone. I get clear and vivid video stream to phone. Only drawback I find is that with a wider angle, I get notification of every vehicle that passes my house! (There is an option to turn off notifications)

Kathy LaChapelle-Goley Ruth Gray Wade you can change the motion zones but since Ring only records when motion is detected that may not be preferable.

Ring is good. I paid 200 and it comes with an app for your phone. Any time there is movement, you have a notification. Actually, yes, exactly what Ruth Gray Wade said ^^

I opted for the nest doorbell over the ring. Main reason was because I have a nest thermostat and I can work both the doorbell and thermostat from the same app.

Does ring have additional cameras or just the doorbell?

COSTCO has a Ring system that includes cameras

We have skybell and it's great. The app is pretty
straight forward, you get a notification and it goes straight to video
when you select the notification. The sound is very good on both ends. I
chose this 1 for 2 main reasons, (1) it works off the existing door
bell wiring and door bell chime (2) it doesn't require a monthly fee to access the videos or app like other brands. It was really easy to setup and wire to the existing wiring. For an elderly person I like the idea of it not needing batteries and will always work without maintenance. 1 draw back that I easily fixed. My router was located on the opposite end of the house which slowed my connection down between the doorbell and router. I bought a linksys wifi extender a plugged it in to the outlet closest to the front door and can now see everything in 1080p.

Have used Zmodo and Ring. Both have things I like. *correction * a third option (agreeing with Hawk) going with Nest would simplify things with one app. Ring has their 'neighborhood' for sharing. Zmodo has a clearer picture and not as bent. And unless I am using Ring incorrectly, I like the playback on Zmodo much better. It is not events. It's a continuous video and you can slide the timeline to view when you want. Recording is not triggered by motion, only alerts are. So, I can narrow my motion zone and only get alerts if something is close to the door but go back and look at everything that occurred if I want. I haven't dug into either fully so I might have missed that Ring has that option as well.

We have SkyBell and we love it! If they don’t have a smartphone then that would be difficult because the app sends you notifications when motion has been detected and when someone has actually rang the doorbell. The great thing about it is you can check the app on your phone before even walking to the door. It’s user friendly though so if someone set it up for them. It’s pretty easy for any age to use. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have other questions.

We have had a ring pro doorbell for almost 2 years now. We also added the ring floodlight cams outside and the alarm for the inside. Everything has been great and when we need help troubleshooting customer service was helpful and knowledgeable.

Why are people always asking "for someone else?" Who cares? Just ask the question.

People at different life stages have different needs; video doorbells are supposedly helpful for elderly people who
have dementia &/or have care givers coming & going. You're
right that it doesn't matter whose mom, but Idk how old she is.

- exactly what one of ours was used for! Between zmodo and Alexa we have more peace of mind!

rachylou

Veteran

Wow! That’s great info! Nice to know what else is also out there. Mostly I think my mom would like to see who’s out there and when packages come. And also, she’d like a doorbell again.

I don’t know that we need cameras for the whole house. We like to live on the edge. And also, lot of animals roaming.

The position of the router, that’s something to think about. I don’t think it’s a problem, but... my brother always sets up his stuff at the opposite end of the house and it always works, so should be ok. But in one of my apartments, things were weird, and I did have to get a booster.

Anonymous

Rachylou, we have a range extender in our home and it has helped immensely. Plugs right into an outlet.

rachylou

Veteran

Good to know danusia!

cloud9

Veteran

I don’t have ring but someone at work was showing it off to me. If the camera range is too wide, you can freeform draw the perimeter that you want coverage that would trigger notification. I believe that is the feature that he chose ring over others.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, that’s really interesting. I’m thinking about that west-facing afternoon sun...