Wyze Cam Pan: Smart Sense Essential?

The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is a security camera that can be used indoors or outdoors. It offers 360-degree panning and 180-degree tilting, providing a full view of the room. The camera has a range of smart features, including motion tracking, two-way audio, and automatic motion detection. It also offers colour night vision, with a starlight sensor that allows the camera to see in colour in low-light conditions. The camera can be controlled via the Wyze app, which allows users to access live video, take photos, record videos, and activate various settings. The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is an affordable option for those seeking a feature-rich security camera.

Does the Wyze Cam Pan v3 need a smart sense subscription?

The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is a smart security camera that offers a range of features, including 1080p resolution, colour night vision, and the ability to pan and tilt to point in any direction. It can be used both indoors and outdoors and has a weather-resistant rating of IP65.

While the camera offers a lot of features without a subscription, there are some additional benefits that come with signing up for one of Wyze's subscription plans.

Wyze Subscription Plans

Wyze offers a few subscription services to enhance the functionality of its cameras, including Cam Plus, Cam Plus Lite, Cam Plus Pro, and Home Monitoring. These plans offer varying features and price points, with Cam Plus being the most popular.

What You Get Without a Subscription

Even without a subscription, the Wyze Cam Pan v3 offers a range of features, including:

• Motion detection
• Sound detection
• Smoke and CO alarm alerts
• Snapshot of motion and sound events
• Local storage on a microSD card

What You Get With a Subscription

With a subscription to one of Wyze's plans, you can unlock additional features, including:

• Cloud storage for video recordings
• Advanced AI detection that differentiates between people, packages, vehicles, and pets
• Facial recognition (coming soon)
• Unlimited video length storage
• Access to recordings via the Wyze Web View interface

While a subscription is not required to use the Wyze Cam Pan v3, it can enhance the functionality of the camera and provide additional benefits. Without a subscription, motion detection and video recordings are limited, and you won't have access to cloud storage.

Ultimately, the decision to subscribe to a plan depends on your specific needs and budget. The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is a great value proposition even without a subscription, but if you're looking for more advanced features and functionality, a subscription may be worth considering.

What are the features of the Wyze Cam Pan v3?

The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is a budget-friendly security camera with a range of features. Here are some of its key specifications:

• It has a mechanical pan and tilt control, with a 360-degree view and 180-degree tilt, providing a full view of any indoor or outdoor space.
• The camera is weatherproof with an IP65 rating, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
• It offers local and cloud storage options, with a microSD card slot and cloud storage plans available.
• The camera has a 1080p resolution and features colour night vision with a starlight sensor, providing clear and detailed images even in low-light conditions.
• It supports third-party integrations with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, allowing for voice control and smart home functionality.
• The camera includes motion and sound detection, with the ability to set custom detection zones and receive instant alerts on your phone.
• It has a privacy mode, where the camera lens tilts down towards the body, obstructing the view.
• The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is easy to install and can be mounted on a wall, ceiling, or outdoor soffit.
• It offers smooth and responsive performance, with quick and easy installation via the Wyze app.

How does the Wyze Cam Pan v3 compare to the Wyze Cam Pan v2?

The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is a redesigned indoor/outdoor camera with a 360° pan and 180° tilt range, doubling the tilt range of the v2. The v3 is also 52% quieter when rotating and is the first Wyze IP65-rated weather-resistant pan camera. The v3 has a Privacy Mode which points the camera lens down towards the camera body, obstructing the view. The v3 also has a starlight sensor that allows the camera to see in colour in low light conditions.

The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is a wired camera, powered by a 1.8 m USB cable. It has a resolution of 1920 x 1080p Full HD and records at 20 frames per second during the day and 15 frames per second at night. The camera is compatible with Android 9.0+ and iOS 15.0+ and integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.

The v3 has a built-in speaker and microphone, providing 2-way audio with noise and echo cancellation. It also features automatic motion-tracking, allowing it to detect, follow, and record moving objects, people, or pets. The camera can be controlled remotely using the Wyze app, allowing users to set up to four custom waypoints for the camera to patrol.

The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is a significant upgrade from the v2, offering improved tilt range, weather resistance, privacy features, and low-light performance.

What are the pros and cons of the Wyze Cam Pan v3?

The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is a budget-friendly, feature-packed security camera. It has a range of pros, including:

• Motorized pan and tilt controls, giving a 360-degree view of inside or outside your home
• Local and cloud storage options
• Third-party integrations with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT
• Weatherproof
• Privacy mode
• Colour night vision
• Motion tracking
• Affordable price

However, there are some cons to the product:

• Some features require a subscription
• Lacks HomeKit support
• Only records in 1080p, not 2K
• Requires a Wyze Outdoor Power Adapter v2 for outdoor use

How do you set up the Wyze Cam Pan v3?

To set up the Wyze Cam Pan v3, follow these steps:

First, ensure you have downloaded the Wyze app on your smartphone or tablet and connected your device to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. Then, unpack your Wyze Cam Pan v3 box, removing all plastic and packing materials. Plug the camera into a power source using the provided USB cable and power adapter. The camera's status light will turn solid red when powered on; when it begins flashing, it is ready for setup.

Now, open the Wyze app. Tap 'Home', then the '+' sign in the top left corner. Tap 'Cameras' and then 'Wyze Cam v3'. Keep your camera plugged into a power source and tap 'Next' in the app. Pull the base from your camera and single-press 'SETUP' under the camera; it will say "Ready to connect". In the app, check the box next to "I heard, 'Ready to connect"''.

Select your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, enter your network password, and tap 'Next'. Scan the QR code in the Wyze app by holding your camera up to your phone screen, ensuring the QR code is displayed. The app will say, "QR code scanned, please wait" and then "Setup completed". Check the box next to "I heard, 'QR code scanned'". Tap 'Next', and you're almost done!

Name your Wyze Cam v3, and tap 'Finish'. If you want to share access to the camera with others, tap 'Share Device'. Otherwise, tap 'Maybe later'.

Note that most Wyze devices only work on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks, so if you are connected to a 5 GHz network, be sure to switch before setting up your device.

Frequently asked questions