Lorex LW2702 Wireless Camera And Intercom Installation And Review:
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What You Get For The Money:
The LW2702 includes a 7" LCD monitor with built-in wireless receiver, two all weather night vision cameras with motion sensors and microphones, power supplies, 2GB memory card, and remote control. Although the cameras are meant to be installed outdoors, by all means you can install them inside, as well. You can also purchase additional cameras from Lorex designed for indoor use. We purchased our 2702 at Home Depot for about $450, but we've also seen this model as low as $285 at Amazon.Com, for example. As always, be sure to shop around for the best price.
The LW2702 includes a 7" LCD monitor with built-in wireless receiver, two all weather night vision cameras with motion sensors and microphones, power supplies, 2GB memory card, and remote control. Although the cameras are meant to be installed outdoors, by all means you can install them inside, as well. You can also purchase additional cameras from Lorex designed for indoor use. We purchased our 2702 at Home Depot for about $450, but we've also seen this model as low as $285 at Amazon.Com, for example. As always, be sure to shop around for the best price.
Installing The LW2702:
First, install the camera mounts at their desired locations. Then fasten the (included) antennas onto each camera, and attach to each wall mount. Plug in each camera's power supply and you're halfway there. FYI, many homeowners are disappointed when they read "wireless" on the package, but still need to plug in hardwired power supplies. Unfortunately, this is common with most of these "plug and play" surveillance systems and cannot be avoided.
The monitor can be attached to a wall, placed on a table to resemble an electronic picture frame, or installed under a counter or ceiling using the included mount. Now you only need to install the memory card, apply power, and turn on the monitor. Your cameras will automatically "find" the monitor/receiver. In our test, the cameras were communicating with the monitor in seconds. You can now use the remote to adjust picture options, set the time and date, schedule a recording, etc.
First, install the camera mounts at their desired locations. Then fasten the (included) antennas onto each camera, and attach to each wall mount. Plug in each camera's power supply and you're halfway there. FYI, many homeowners are disappointed when they read "wireless" on the package, but still need to plug in hardwired power supplies. Unfortunately, this is common with most of these "plug and play" surveillance systems and cannot be avoided.
The monitor can be attached to a wall, placed on a table to resemble an electronic picture frame, or installed under a counter or ceiling using the included mount. Now you only need to install the memory card, apply power, and turn on the monitor. Your cameras will automatically "find" the monitor/receiver. In our test, the cameras were communicating with the monitor in seconds. You can now use the remote to adjust picture options, set the time and date, schedule a recording, etc.
Testing The Video And Audio Quality:
Before we began our test, we disabled any devices that could interfere with our signal (i.e. cordless phones). Since we had issues with the wireless signal in Lorex's LW1012 entry-level system, we weren't sure what to expect with this higher end model from the same company.
Our first impression of image quality during the day was generally positive. The wireless was crystal clear but the color of the image seemed a little washed out, and the picture too bright. Adjusting the brightness level through the monitor's interface easily solved this issue, and we ended up very pleased with the quality of the image. You should know that brightness is the only aspect of the image that you can adjust. There is no way to "fine tune" or focus the image manually, and since each camera has a fixed lens, you cannot zoom in or out as you would with a varifocal lens (although you can digitally zoom in or out by 50% from the monitor). Despite all of this, we felt the picture was excellent no matter where we placed the cameras.
Regarding night vision: One of the biggest complaints about cameras with infrared illuminators is that the infrared does not extend far enough from the camera. For example, some cameras only have night vision from zero to twenty feet in front of the camera, meaning the camera cannot "see" past twenty feet in darker environments. Lorex has included cameras with superior night vision (they have not disclosed each camera's IR distance, but we estimate it to be ~30 feet) that works almost too well. By this we mean that faces or objects even 5 feet away from the camera are saturated with infrared light and appear completely white. We did solve this issue by installing the camera around 8-10 feet away from our focal point, the front door. After the adjustment, the night vision was outstanding.
Audio quality was excellent from every location, regardless of the distance or number of obstacles between the monitor and cameras. The intercom feature was easy to use.
Before we began our test, we disabled any devices that could interfere with our signal (i.e. cordless phones). Since we had issues with the wireless signal in Lorex's LW1012 entry-level system, we weren't sure what to expect with this higher end model from the same company.
Our first impression of image quality during the day was generally positive. The wireless was crystal clear but the color of the image seemed a little washed out, and the picture too bright. Adjusting the brightness level through the monitor's interface easily solved this issue, and we ended up very pleased with the quality of the image. You should know that brightness is the only aspect of the image that you can adjust. There is no way to "fine tune" or focus the image manually, and since each camera has a fixed lens, you cannot zoom in or out as you would with a varifocal lens (although you can digitally zoom in or out by 50% from the monitor). Despite all of this, we felt the picture was excellent no matter where we placed the cameras.
Regarding night vision: One of the biggest complaints about cameras with infrared illuminators is that the infrared does not extend far enough from the camera. For example, some cameras only have night vision from zero to twenty feet in front of the camera, meaning the camera cannot "see" past twenty feet in darker environments. Lorex has included cameras with superior night vision (they have not disclosed each camera's IR distance, but we estimate it to be ~30 feet) that works almost too well. By this we mean that faces or objects even 5 feet away from the camera are saturated with infrared light and appear completely white. We did solve this issue by installing the camera around 8-10 feet away from our focal point, the front door. After the adjustment, the night vision was outstanding.
Audio quality was excellent from every location, regardless of the distance or number of obstacles between the monitor and cameras. The intercom feature was easy to use.
Bottom Line On The Lorex LW2702 Wireless Camera System And Intercom:
Pros: Relatively low cost, Excellent wireless quality and range, Excellent picture quality, Motion detection feature, Excellent night vision, Easy to use and install, Cameras can be installed indoors or out, Intercom feature.
Cons: Fixed lens (i.e. no optical zooming in or out) , No focus feature, Can only adjust brightness, No remote internet viewing, System only comes with two cameras instead of four, Can only record from one camera at a time, Cameras still need to be hardwired to electrical outlet.
Verdict: The wireless signal strength with these types of systems can be hit or miss, but in this case, Lorex has hit a home run. The picture quality, easy installation process and intercom feature definitely add value. Even though we purchased our LW2702 at over $450, we still feel it was well worth the money. Definitely more value for the money than the LW1012.
Pros: Relatively low cost, Excellent wireless quality and range, Excellent picture quality, Motion detection feature, Excellent night vision, Easy to use and install, Cameras can be installed indoors or out, Intercom feature.
Cons: Fixed lens (i.e. no optical zooming in or out) , No focus feature, Can only adjust brightness, No remote internet viewing, System only comes with two cameras instead of four, Can only record from one camera at a time, Cameras still need to be hardwired to electrical outlet.
Verdict: The wireless signal strength with these types of systems can be hit or miss, but in this case, Lorex has hit a home run. The picture quality, easy installation process and intercom feature definitely add value. Even though we purchased our LW2702 at over $450, we still feel it was well worth the money. Definitely more value for the money than the LW1012.
Below:
Top image recorded with receiver is about 50 feet away, going through three interior walls, and one exterior brick wall. Bottom image is the same view at night.
Top image recorded with receiver is about 50 feet away, going through three interior walls, and one exterior brick wall. Bottom image is the same view at night.
Below:
The same location, using the camera's night vision feature.
The same location, using the camera's night vision feature.
Above:
The top image was recorded at the system's highest brightness setting, the bottom at the lowest brightness setting. At the time, the monitor (and wireless receiver) was in the same room as the camera, about 5 feet away.
The top image was recorded at the system's highest brightness setting, the bottom at the lowest brightness setting. At the time, the monitor (and wireless receiver) was in the same room as the camera, about 5 feet away.
The LW2702 is a motion based surveillance system and door intercom in one easy to install package. Images can be stored on a 2G memory card (included), and viewed on the 7" LCD monitor included with the system. If you want to view images on your computer, all you need is a low-cost memory card reader (most newer computers already have one built in). You cannot access this system through the internet, nor can you use software to view and/or find recorded activity. This is all done through the included monitor's interface.
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Above:
The Lorex LW2702 Wireless Quad Surveillance System And Door Intercom.
The Lorex LW2702 Wireless Quad Surveillance System And Door Intercom.
Recording Options:
You can set the monitor to record on certain days or times, only when the cameras detect motion, or manually. Remember that images can only be recorded one camera at a time. For example, if you have the system in "quad mode" on motion recording, you will see all cameras at once. But the system will only record from the camera that detected motion. This will be the case no matter which recording method you choose.
How Many Recordings Can The Memory Card Hold?
This depends on the size of the card and the resolution in which you record images. For example, a 2GB memory card at the system's highest resolution (640x480) will support up to nearly four hours of recording. The same card at the lowest resolution of 320x240 will provide about five hours of recording. During our test, the resolution was set at 640x480.
You can set the monitor to record on certain days or times, only when the cameras detect motion, or manually. Remember that images can only be recorded one camera at a time. For example, if you have the system in "quad mode" on motion recording, you will see all cameras at once. But the system will only record from the camera that detected motion. This will be the case no matter which recording method you choose.
How Many Recordings Can The Memory Card Hold?
This depends on the size of the card and the resolution in which you record images. For example, a 2GB memory card at the system's highest resolution (640x480) will support up to nearly four hours of recording. The same card at the lowest resolution of 320x240 will provide about five hours of recording. During our test, the resolution was set at 640x480.
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