Basic pre-purchase questions (comparing to ring)

[DeputyDawg]

I have had a ring doorbell for years and its worked perfectly. I got it specifically to detect cars in my street, which is approximately 40 feet from the doorbell.  Once I upgraded to a better ring, it barely detects anything.   HOURS of calls with support they say it's not rated past 30 feet.  I kept saying but the older one always worked shouldn't the new one?  They just keep their stance its rated at 30.   The original came with a wedge kit to angle slightly down.  I did the same with the newer model, but still barely picks up anything in the yard or street.

SO... i'm going to ditch ring obviously.  But before I go with nest, can someone share given my setup it will pick up vehicles that pass my house in the street.  Some more setup info:

House is on a slight angle with door being above looking at a slight down angle to the street.  There is a landing area with 6 steps on the left. There is also a wood banister railing.   

Other question(s):

I would want a subscription to keep videos.   What is the retention period?  Can I share and download them?

Is there a desktop version to review footage

Not happy you have to take the whole thing off to recharge (ring and removable batteries - I had 2 so when one ran out I had another handy to pop in.

I already have nest protect and thermostat, why do I need another app - cant it be built into the nest app?

How is the night quality?  My original ring was horrible but the new one I got was amazing; is night events in B&W or color?

Thanks

[gilleslibre]

Hi!

The retention period with the Nest Aware subscription (200 $ Canadian) is 60 days of continuous recording. You can download the videos and then you have the option of sharing them. 

There is a desktop facility to review the footage. 

For your cellphone, you will need to use the Home app to view your doorbell videos which is apart from the Nest app and has been available since a number of years. 

The night quality is very good from my exprience, and in black and white. 

[gilleslibre]

[gilleslibre]

The fuzzy stuff that you see on the ground is snow that we had this night. 

[DeputyDawg]

Thanks, very helpful.

What about distance - would it pick up a vehicle in the street approx 35-40 feet away

Snow looks great btw, looks like alot

[gilleslibre]

Not much snow this year and the last. Before, at this time of year, we couldn't see the street from the house as for the snowbanks in Quebec city. 

At 35 - 40 feet, it is a bit far. Myself, I'm approximatly at 30 feet and it captures them easily. Thinking about it, yes, it would pick them up as the camera picks up pedestrians on the other side of the street.