Nest Camera Outdoor/Indoor ranged plugged in vs battery

[Rockbottom8]

I'd like to provide feedback on the camera range. I think I found a thread about this before but cna't seem to locate it. Google, please fix the range of the battery version of the nest outdoor/indoor camera. I have a camera in my garage. As soon as you walk into the garage, not motion alerts. Then when i walk around my car closer to the camera it works. This isn't the case when the camera is plugged in and charging. I have read the range is much closer when its on battery vs when it's plugged in. Is there a reason for this. I have no other location to put this camera so ideally I'd want this to work.

[Rockbottom8]

Anyone else have these issues?

[MplsCustomer]

@Rockbottom8 

The impression I get from reading other customer posts is that, when the Google Nest Camera (Battery) is running on battery power, it is in "Idle" mode and has to "wake up" when it detects an event, and so is slower to recognize events then when the camera is plugged in.  Ours is plugged in all the time with the optional power cable and so is comparable to our other older Nest cameras in detecting events.

[Rockbottom8]

Even if it takes a while for it to wake up doesn't make sense as to why when I'm walking in the area for 5 minutes, nothing happens. no alerting nothing unless I get closer to the camera. When it's plugged in however it's alert right away in the same area that doesn't get alerts when on battery. I would think the range would be the same.

[Brad]

Hi there, 

I apologize for my late response and thank you for all of your patience while waiting for a reply. I can definitely understand how frustrating your situation must be, but I wanted to make sure that your issue was addressed. Do you still need help with this issue? I know that there's been a delay in response since you posted.

Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best Regards, 

Brad.

[Rockbottom8]

i think it's a range issue. even though the motion range is set to max, when on battery it doesn't utilize the full extent of the range of motion.

[MplsCustomer]

@Rockbottom8 

Thank you for clarifying.  I should have read your earlier comments more carefully. Maybe @Brad  or another Google Nest Community Specialist could address whether the Google Nest Camera (Battery) has less motion range when running on battery.

[Brad]

Hey folks. 

What are your sensitivity settings set too? As far as I am aware, there is no such difference on Battery vs. plugged in on the motion settings. It will just depend on the motion settings, and the individuals scenario. 

Best regards,

Brad.

[Rockbottom8]

i have left them as default. have not touched them.

[Brad]

@Rockbottom8

Then I would suggest you lower your settings, and then restart your device. You can also set specific Activity Zones that you can adjust the sensitivity up higher for so that you can get specific events from an area that you want to focus on. Please let me know if you need anything further.

Best regards,

Brad.

[Rockbottom8]

@Brad , i actually changed these settings to high sensitivity and that didn't even work. How do you restart the device itself? I've been looking at the options via the google home app and can't seem to find them like you can on the mini speakers and hubs. I'll try to unplug it again to run off battery to see if anything changes after a reboot.

[Brad]

@Rockbottom8

I am sorry that changing those settings didn't work for you! Here is a link to learn how to restart each of our cams and doorbells. Look through it and then it will tell you how to restart your device. 

Best regards,

Brad.

[Rockbottom8]

Thanks. I will give it a try.

[Rockbottom8]

@Brad this is interesting. I unplugged the camera and then did a reboot. Checked the settings and wake up is set to high. What's interesting is even though this camera has been plugged in for 2 months it's saying the battery is at 84%. I wonder if there is some trickle charging that happens? Any ideas? I then ran a test where I walked into the garage and still not working till i get closer to the camera. I had do almost do a full walk around the car for it to wake up.

[Rockbottom8]

I just tried something. I clicked on More Recording setting under battery usage to see if that would help. Nothing. I also noticed after reset I wasn't getting notifications so I turned it off and on again. Still have to be closer to the camera for it to wake up.

[Brad]

@Rockbottom8

Are you still having this issue? I would suggest you reaching out to Support to get some additional troubleshooting with them.

Best regards,

Brad.

[Brad]

Hi there,

Just checking in to see if you still need assistance with this issue. Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best Regards,

Brad.

[Rockbottom8]

It's still an issue but I can bring it up with support. Thanks. 

[Brad]

Hey Folks.

Support would be your best bet as I am unable to assist you with this issue in the forums. At this time, I'll go ahead and lock this thread. If you're still experiencing problems, feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.

Best Regards,

Brad.