Nest Camera Upgrade

[jeffsch]

I have Nest gen 1 (wired) cameras.   They're probably 8-10 years old.  I'm looking to upgrade to new Nest cameras.  All I can find is "battery" cameras.  I got very little help on this from Best Buy.  They told me they "thought" the battery cameras can utilize a plug in wire, but they weren't sure, and also didn't know if they would plug into my current cords or if I'd have to buy new. 

Again, just looking to upgrade old cameras.  I live in northern MN, so would like to have wired cameras (get's below zero here frequently in the winter).  

Thoughts?

Jeff

[MplsCustomer]

@jeffsch 

We live in the Twin Cities and purchased a 2nd gen battery camera in Sept. 2021--along with the optional power cable--because Google Nest's discontinued its 1st gen Google Nest Outdoor Camera that month.  We also purchased a camera shade to partially protect it from rain, sun, and snow; I think that also helps a little with the temperature.  It's been online and active ever since (including a few instances where it's gotten down to -20 Fahrenheit).  However, it works only in the Google Home app (which is still inferior to the Google Nest app), so we've been using 2 apps ever since.  (We migrated our Nest Account to a Google Account in 2020, and our Nest Aware Plus subscription covers both 1st and 2nd gen cameras and doorbells.)

The optional power cables for the 2nd gen battery doorbell (https://store.google.com/product/nest_cam_weatherproof_cable?hl=en-US) are NOT compatible with the cables for the 1st gen Google Nest Outdoor Cameras.

[jeffsch]

Thanks for the reply!  So, you're using the 2nd gen camera with battery, or power cord?

Jeff

[MplsCustomer]

@jeffsch 

We've had it plugged in from the start with the optional 10-meter power cable. In a cold climate, the camera cannot perform well in battery mode:

"For wired installation setups with a Nest Cam (battery), the wires power the camera directly. A t temperatures below freezing, the battery won’t charge, but as long as the wired power source is available, the camera can operate in temperatures down to -4°F (-20°C).

If you’ve connected your Nest Cam (battery) to the Wasserstein Solar Panel, the panel doesn’t directly power the camera. Instead, the battery is trickle charged by the panel, and the camera runs off the battery charge. At temperatures between -4°F (-20°C) and 32°F (0°C), the camera will continue to work, but the battery will drain because it can’t be charged. If the battery drains completely, the camera will shut down."

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/11830989

As I mentioned, ours has been online and "Live" since we plugged it in on Sept. 2021.

[jeffsch]

I can't thank you enough for your information - taking the time to respond!   Jeff

[mdr2]

You may want to think twice about staying with Google  nest cameras.   There are plenty of things missing in the Google Home app you will be forced into using.    And the other thing is the newer google cameras are WAY behind the other companies in picture quality and especially day-light night vision.    Also Google just increased the prices on their subscription.   They now charge $200/year (up from $150) for the Nest Aware Plus.    When other companies are offering a home-base unit that records all your footage locally (in your house) so there is never a yearly subscription fee.   Check out cameras from TPLINK, EUFY and REOLINK.  There are many youtube video reviews of these products.  

Hope this helps.