I’ve just watched a video on ARMDevices.net about Enlaps Tikee solar powered device designed to take timelapses over several days and transfer the pictures / video over WiFi, 3G, or 4G. The project has been fully funded on Indiegogo at the beginning of the year, and shipping is scheduled for Q4 2016. It looks like an interesting device for a niche market, but since I’ve noticed some products launched on Kickstarter already exists in one form or another in China, I’ve decided to have a look on Aliexpress, and I found Wanscan HW00269-4 solar powered camera with 3G/4G connectivity, and while it addresses a completely different need, as a 720p IP security camera, I still decided to have a closer look.
Wanscam HW0029-4 specifications:
- SoC – Hisilicon Hi3518E ARM9 processor @ 440 MHz
- Storage – Built-in 16GB, expandable to 128GB
- Camera / video recording
- 1/2 1MP Star light CMOS sensor
- 8mm high definition lens
- Build-in IR-cut, no color cast; night visual range is up to 80/100 meters
- H.264 main profile encoding up to 1280 x 720 @ 30 fps; second stream: 640×352 or 320×176
- Motion detection with up to 4 independent detection areas, night vision, real-time video capture and recording
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, WiFi 802.11b/g/n AP mode, 3G/4G support, ONVIF protocol support
- Battery
- 2x 12,000 mAh battery
- Battery life – no sunshine: 32 hours, rainy days: 20 hours, temperature!? above 33 degrees the camera can work continuously.
- Power Supply – 5V/2A (as backup?)
- Dimensions – 370x290x110 mm
- Weight – 3.7 kg
- IP Rating – IP66
- Operating Temperature Range – -10 to 70 degrees Celsius
The IP Camera runs embedded Linux and ships with a bracket, a power adapter, an antenna, an Ethernet cable, a disk and 4 screws, as well as a user’s manual in English. It can be configured via a web interface from your PC, as well as “e-view7” mobile app for Android or iOS, but reviews rather mixed on Google Play. There’s very little info about 3G/4G support, and GearBest staff – in their “customer questions & answers” (which is not always correct to say the least) – answered there’s no support for SIM card to one of their customers, so it could be that you’d need to connect a 3G or LTE USB dongle if you need this option.
The IP camera is sold for about $570 on Aliexpress including Fedex shipping, but I also found it on GearBest for around $400, and at first I thought one seller sold it for $239 on eBay, but then I realized there are HW0029, HW0029-3, and HW0029-4 models… with some differences in IR filter, connectivity (no 3G/4G), etc.., and HW0029-4 is usually $200 more, so it could mean 3G/4G is really built-in, as I don’t see much other features that would warrant the large price difference.
More details for HW0029 and HW0029-3 models (not not HW0029-4) can be found on Wanscam outdoor IP camera page.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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