Poor range on nest camera (only 10 feet)

[Deljollz]

I have 2 nest cameras. I installed them looking out into my yard with the specific purpose of finding the neighbor who is using my yard as his dogs personal litterbox, and to offer some security as well. I've set up all the zones I can, and set events to alert me to people and animals, and even upped the sensitivity on these cameras and they STILL DONT GET TRIGGERED until the person is WITHIN 10 FEET. 

I refuse to believe that this is as good as it gets but I'm completely out of ideas at this point. The side walk isn't even 20 feet away and it's missing EVERYTHING. In fact, the neighbor left another turd on my lawn right in front of the camera within 12 hours of my installing it.

[MplsCustomer]

@Deljollz 

Is your battery camera running on battery power? We've had a battery camera for 19 months now, plugged in with the optional power cable. But if we unplug it, and walk in front of it to test it, it does not detect and record the event. When running on battery power, the camera is normally in "Idle" mode and has to wake up before it can detect and record an event.

[Anonymous]

Yes i found the same the sensor only triggers at 10 feet. Useless when you think about it they're simply not fit for purpose. However i have found once "some cameras" i have 8 now unfortunately are "awake" after a long state of idleness they may activate up to 20 feet. Thats the entirety of the range though. I have heard users say when plugged in they perform better i doubt it though as these cameras and associated home app are simply not fit for purpose at all.

[MplsCustomer]

@Anonymous 

Since our battery camera is plugged in, it does as well as our older wired Google Nest cameras, and with a Nest Aware Plus subscription it records events it doesn't detect. But the Google Home app is nowhere near as good as the Google Nest app.

[EmersonB]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for reaching out here in the Community. Nest Cameras determine when something moves based on how much an image changes over a short period of time. So, your Nest Camera may not send an alert if the following is true:

• The activity is out of your Nest Camera’s field of view.
• An object is blocking the Nest Camera’s view.
• Your Nest Camera is very far away from the activity.
• The lighting in the scene is dim or washed out.

You might have to move your Nest Camera, change your camera’s angle, or change something in the scene so that you don’t miss important activity. Looking forward to your response here.

I appreciate the help, MplsCustomer and Fraa.

Regards,

Emerson

[Anonymous]

How did you go? Mine still dont work.

[Juni]

Hi folks,

I just wanted to follow up if you were able to try the steps provided. Please let us know, as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have

Regards,

Juni

[Anonymous]

Ive tried everything multiple times nothing has worked the maximum activation field is 6 meters or 20 feet thereabouts

[Juni]

Hi Fraa,

Got it. Try to reboot your Nest camera and observe if it will make a difference. This keeps all your settings, and it should reconnect to the same Wi-Fi network. This is helpful if it ever becomes frozen, has trouble connecting to the internet, or isn’t working normally.

Check out this link for more information. 

Regards,

Juni

[Juni]

Hi there,

I just wanted to follow up if you were able to try the steps provided. Please let us know, as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have

Regards,

Juni

[Deljollz · Accepted solution]

Yes. I've tried rebooting, restarting, disconnecting and reconnecting, and working with your associates via telephone to troubleshoot the issue but the limitations persist.

Ultimately it appears that it is a limitation of the device -- whether software or hardware -- and isn't something to be fixed. I regret my choice to use the Google Nest camera products as there appear to be other, more effective, and more affordable products on the market. I would suggest anyone looking into Google Nest Cameras to consider alternative options as my experience with these has been so disappointing. Again, I regret my decision to go with Google Nest Cameras.

[Anonymous]

Yep I'm hearing you loud and clear and totally agree 100%. The cameras are not fit for purpose. Any prospective buyers of google cameras out there take heed. The cameras are pathetic a total and utter waste of money. Walk away and buy another brand.

[Juni]

Hi Deljollz,

Thanks for the additional info you've shared. We'd be happy to take a look into this for you. Please fill out this form with all the needed information, then let me know once done.

Best,

Juni

[Deljollz]

The form appears to prompt me to fill out an additional ticket for a chat which I've already done repeatedly without a solution. I'm already hours into this and I don't care to use more time for the same outcome. I've been a Google user since the Nexus days and recent performance of Pixel phones, headphones, Google home automation, and now these cameras has disappointed me to the point of considering Apple. So, yeah. No thank you

[Anonymous]

How wearing are the generic replies? Its beyond a joke how pathetically inept google support are...

Fill out this form bahahahaha oh **bleep** like really yer right how many more forms and hours constantly repeating myself with no outcome whatsoever do you exoect me to endure google? Google are truly pathetic and when dealing with support or making a complaint their pathetic ineptitude just shines through so brightly.

[Juni]

Hi Deljollz

I understand how frustrating this could be. Could you provide us with the case number when you contacted our support team so we can check for you?

Regards,

Juni

[Dan_A]

Hey there,

I wanted to follow up and see if you still needed help. Please let me know if you are still having any concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Regards,

Dan

[Anonymous]

Ive tried everything. 10-15 feet maximum no matter what. On 7 different cameras