AOSU C9C-4H SolarCam D1 Classic Kit Review: Solar Pan Tilt Wireless Surveillance Cameras

I have previously reviewed the Aosu Video Doorbell Ultra and was pleasantly surprised at its performance.

Aosu has now sent me the C9C-4H SolarCam D1 Classic Kit to review. This is a four pack of wireless security cameras which have a solar panel built in and a 2K pan tilt lens capable of panning 360° and tracking people it detects.

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Specification

• Resolution: 2K
• Field of View: Pan 360° / Tilt 90°
• Automatic Tracking: Yes
• Spotlight: Yes
• Battery Life: Lifetime with Solar Power
• Video Storage: 4-6 Months Usage, 32GB EMMC
• Night Vision: Colour & Infrared Night Vision

Features

No Monthly Fee with Homebase

With Homebase, you can enjoy secure and cost-effective surveillance as all recordings are encrypted and stored locally, eliminating the need for a subscription or hidden fees. The system offers 32GB of storage, capable of holding up to four months of video in a loop. This ensures that even if cameras are damaged or stolen, your data remains secure. Additionally, Homebase provides instant notifications and reliable live streaming, keeping you connected at all times.

Enhanced Surveillance with AOSU

AOSU introduces a new level of security with advanced features:

1. Cross-Camera Tracking: Automatically links videos from the same event period, making it easier to review footage.
2. Multi-Area Live Streaming: Monitor up to four different areas simultaneously on a single screen, enhancing the capabilities of your wireless security camera system.
3. Unified Control: Manage the status of multiple outdoor security cameras with a single click, allowing for more efficient operation beyond merely turning cameras on or off.

Solar Powered, Sustainable Security

The built-in solar panel ensures that the battery remains charged with just three hours of sunlight daily, guaranteeing continuous operation even on cloudy or rainy days. Installation is straightforward, requiring only three drill holes and five minutes, making it convenient to place the camera in any location.

360° Coverage & Automatic Motion Tracking

This pan and tilt outdoor camera delivers comprehensive security by providing 360° coverage, eliminating blind spots. The camera automatically tracks and records any movement within its designated area, ensuring that no activity goes unnoticed.

2K Resolution for Clear Day and Night Vision

Capture every detail around your home with crystal-clear 3MP resolution. The camera is equipped with four LED lights, doubling the light source compared to traditional two-LED setups to provide superior colour night vision. This enhanced lighting ensures that your surveillance is effective and clear, regardless of the time of day.

Unboxing / Design

The AOSU C9C-4H SolarCam D1 Classic Kit comes well-packaged, including four cameras, mounting hardware, a quick start guide, positioning stickers, and USB-C to USB-A cables for initial charging. The Homebase unit is also included, along with its power cable and an Ethernet cable for router connection.

The design of the AOSU D1 Classic differs from some other models in the market. The solar panel is integrated into the body of the camera, creating a sleek, one-piece design. This integration eliminates the need for separate solar panels and connecting cables, resulting in a cleaner installation.

It features two adjustable Wi-Fi antennas and an integrated solar panel angled for optimal sun exposure. The pan and tilt mechanism is smooth and responsive, allowing for precise positioning.

On the front of the camera, you’ll find the lens, spotlights, IR sensor, and microphone, along with an indicator light. A weather-sealed cover protects the power and reset buttons, which are used for initial setup and pairing with the app.

The bottom of the camera houses the speaker, and the rear features the mounting area. A rubberized, weatherproof cover on the underside of the mount conceals a USB-C port, providing an option for connecting a power bank or permanent power source if needed.

The Homebase unit is relatively compact and lightweight. It features an LED indicator light, a speaker, an Ethernet port for router connection, a USB port, power port, and a sync button.

Set Up

Setting up the AOSU C9C-4H SolarCam D1 Classic Kit is easier than average. The cameras can be easily mounted using the included hardware and positioning stickers. Each camera requires just three screws to secure the mount to the wall, after which the camera unit simply slots into place.

The Homebase setup involves connecting it to your router via the provided Ethernet cable and powering it on. The AOSU app guides users through the process of connecting the Homebase to their network and then pairing the cameras.

One notable aspect of the setup process is that users only need to connect the Homebase to their network. The cameras automatically connect to the Homebase, simplifying the overall setup process. However, this does mean that camera placement is limited by the range of the Homebase, which could be a consideration for larger properties.

Auso App and Settings

The AOSU app is the control centre for the SolarCam D1. It offers a clean and intuitive interface that allows users to manage their cameras and view live feeds easily.

Key features of the app include:

1. Multi-cam View: Users can view live feeds from multiple cameras simultaneously, enhancing overall situational awareness.
2. Video Quality Settings: The app allows users to switch between UHD (2K) and standard definition resolutions, balancing video quality with storage and bandwidth requirements.
3. Two-way Audio: Users can communicate through the camera using the app, useful for deterring intruders or communicating with visitors.
4. Manual Controls: The app provides options for manual recording, taking snapshots, and controlling the camera’s spotlight.
5. Customisable Alerts: Users can set up motion detection zones, adjust sensitivity, and customise notification settings.
6. Scheduling: The app allows users to schedule when cameras are active or in sleep mode, useful for balancing privacy and security needs.

The app also provides access to advanced features like human-only detection, which helps reduce false alarms, and cross-camera tracking.

Motion Detection

The motion detection capabilities of the AOSU C9C-4H are generally effective, with some unique characteristics due to its multi-camera setup. The system uses AI to differentiate between humans and other moving objects, reducing false alarms.

The cross-camera tracking feature is particularly noteworthy. When enabled, the system can track a subject moving from one camera’s field of view to another, creating a series of linked video clips. This feature provides a more comprehensive view of events on the property but can result in slightly delayed notifications as the system processes and links the footage from multiple cameras.

Users can adjust the motion detection sensitivity and set up specific detection zones within each camera’s field of view. The app also allows for scheduling of motion detection, enabling users to reduce notifications during times when regular activity is expected.

Day Time Video Quality

The 2K (3MP) resolution of the AOSU C9C-4H provides clear and detailed daytime footage. In testing, the cameras were able to capture clear images of faces and license plates, even at a distance. The wide dynamic range helps balance exposure in challenging lighting conditions, such as when facing direct sunlight.

The pan and tilt functionality, combined with the AI tracking feature, ensures that moving subjects remain in focus and well-framed. This is particularly useful for monitoring larger areas or tracking activity across a property.

Colour reproduction is accurate, and the overall image quality is suitable for both security purposes and general monitoring. The high resolution allows for digital zoom while maintaining detail, useful for identifying specific elements in the recorded footage.

Night Time Video Quality

The AOSU C9C-4H offers two-night vision modes: standard infrared (black and white) and colour night vision using the built-in spotlight.

The standard infrared night vision provides clear black and white footage, with good contrast and detail. The camera’s AI tracking and face detection features continue to work effectively in this mode, ensuring that important events are captured.

The colour night vision, activated by the spotlight, offers improved detail and makes it easier to identify the colours of clothing or vehicles. While the spotlight is not as bright as some dedicated floodlight cameras, it provides sufficient illumination for most residential settings.

In both modes, the 2K resolution ensures that important details are captured, allowing for effective identification of individuals or vehicles even in low-light conditions.

Battery Life / Solar

Battery life and solar charging performance are critical factors for solar-powered security cameras. The AOSU C9C-4H demonstrates mixed results in this area, depending on placement and usage patterns.

In optimal conditions, with good sunlight exposure and moderate activity levels, the cameras can maintain a near-full charge. One test camera, placed in a location with less frequent activity, consistently maintained 90-100% battery level, even through a Canadian winter with overcast skies and storms.

However, cameras placed in high-traffic areas or with less optimal sun exposure may see more significant battery drain. A test camera in such a location saw its battery level drop to around 16% during winter months with frequent overcast days.

The integrated solar panel design, while sleek, does limit the ability to optimize panel placement for sun exposure. This could be a drawback in locations where ideal camera positioning doesn’t align with optimal sun exposure.

AOSU claims that the cameras can operate indefinitely with just three hours of daily sunlight. While this may be true in ideal conditions, users in areas with frequent overcast weather or in locations where cameras can’t be optimally positioned for solar charging may need to consider supplementary charging options.

The USB-C port allows for connection to a power bank or permanent power source, providing a backup option for locations or seasons where solar charging may be insufficient.

Price and Alternative Options

The AOSU C9C-4H SolarCam D1 is available as a two or four-pack.

For the two-pack, the RRP is £300, and during Amazon Prime Day, this dropped down to just £200

The four-pack has an RRP of £400, and this was available for £330 on Prime Day.

Reolink has some alternative options:

• The Argus PT 5MP and separate solar panel for just £95.
• The Argus Track is a dual-lens camera with 8MP for its main sensor, and this is also available with a solar panel, it is listed for £180 but with 30% off, taking it down to £126.
• The Argus 4 Pro+Reolink Solar Panel 2 is £148. This doesn’t have pan-tilt but is a dual-lens design with a 180-degree field of view.

Eufy has the Eufy Security SoloCam S340, which is a dual-lens camera with pan-tilt and has an RRP of £180 but was available for £130 during Prime Day.

Verdict

The AOSU C9C-4H SolarCam D1 Classic Kit is a decent feature-rich solar-powered security camera solution. I was impressed with the image quality, advanced AI features like human detection, pan-tilt tracking and cross-camera tracking, and the included Homebase for local storage without monthly fees.

The integrated solar panel design contributes to a clean aesthetic and simple installation process. However, this design choice may limit optimal solar charging in some installations, potentially affecting long-term battery performance.

The system’s motion detection and night vision capabilities are impressive, providing clear and useful footage in various conditions. The pan-tilt functionality and AI tracking features enhance its ability to monitor large areas effectively.

The AOSU app provides a user-friendly interface with a good range of customisation options, allowing users to tailor the system to their specific needs. Features like multi-camera viewing and easy access to recorded events enhance the overall user experience.

The four-pack I was sent costs £125 per camera at RRP or £82.50 when discounted. This undercuts the alternative options from brands like Reolink and Eufy, but those cameras will likely provide superior performance.  I’d say the AOSU C9C-4H is priced just about right.

Potential buyers should consider their specific installation locations and local weather patterns, as these factors can significantly impact the solar charging performance and overall battery life of the cameras.

Overall, the AOSU C9C-4H SolarCam D1 Classic Kit is an excellent, feature-rich, solar-powered security camera system. It offers high-quality video, advanced AI features, and a user-friendly experience.

Last update on 2024-12-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API