One good way of protecting your home against possible invasion is through the use of a reliable security system, such as a video surveillance system.
Thankfully, there are various categories of home security camera systems that you can choose from to match your security application.
There are a couple of good and fairly inexpensive security cameras on the market that will do the job, without breaking a bank. Therefore, securing your home does not have to be difficult.
In this article, we will review the HeimVision HMD2 wireless camera and see what it has to offer. We are also going to analyze the basic features to see if this system can be selected as an option for home security.
Review of:HeimVision Security Camera
Last update: 05.08.2020
Effectiveness
A standalone wireless security camera with good basic features.
It is a camera with an amazing price point.
Usability
Setup is as easy as pie, it is completely do-it-yourself.
Support
Basic tutorials available on the support page, and technical support through email or live chat on the homepage.
We Like
Small form factor
It has a wide field of view
Uses very powerful 18650 Li-ion batteries
HMD2 is very reliable
Has cloud and internal storage
Really easy to install
The strong magnet mount
Does not support 5GHz wireless band
Only records when PIR sensor is triggered by movements of human body
It lacks the option for smart home integration
Does not have motion zones
About HeimVision
HeimVision is a product line of Shenzhen VanTop Technology & Innovation Co., Ltd, a company based in the mainland of China.
VanTop Technology was founded in 2016 by a team of professionals and technical experts who came from Lenovo and Huawei. Their mission was to control the supply chain very well and release more products every year.
HeimVision wireless camera run off a rechargeable battery, it means you don’t have to worry about running additional power cable.
HMD2 may fit into your video surveillance application, you can use it both indoor and outdoor. HeimVision HMD2 can also be used as a Ring video doorbell alternative to secure your front porch.
Main Features of HeimVision HMD2 Wireless Security Camera:
- 1080p Full HD Resolution
- 5mm Wide Angle Lens
- 130° Field of View
- 2-Way Audio
- Cloud and MicroSD Storage
- PIR Motion Detection
- IP65 Weatherproof Rating
- Infrared Night Vision
Overview of the Product
One of the vital features of a good security camera is its resolution. With a good resolution, you won’t find it difficult to recognize and identify a subject of interest. A 1080p full HD streaming at 25 frames per second would provide a sharp picture than a 720p.
If you are more concerned about image detail, then you should consider a 1080p resolution.
The field of view is equally important as resolution, it comprises the value of a vertical and horizontal field of view in degrees.
In fact, this is one of the features you wouldn’t want to skip when buying your security camera. A field of view of 130° and wide-angle lens of 2.5mm will provide enough depth of vision.
It is believed that the higher field of view a security camera has, the wider the image that will be produced. HMD2 will produce a large area of coverage within the scene.
The two-way audio on HeimVision wireless camera will allow bidirectional communication. You can talk to your loved ones, visitors, or even pets through the built-in audio microphone/speaker on the camera and via your mobile device concurrently.
You can also use the two-way audio feature to prevent a possible theft in your home, by simply telling the thief to get-off your property, and I believe they will respectfully leave because they wouldn’t want to be arrested by the police.
Unlike other wireless security cameras on the market, HeimVision thoughtfully included an option for local video storage via the microSD, so that you don’t have to be tied to the cloud storage plan.
HMD2 supports up to 128GB of microSD card, which can accommodate your video files for a long period of time since your camera does not support continuous recording.
You can also have solace in the cloud by subscribing to the cloud plan, this will enable you to have remote access to your security camera whenever you are away.
HMD2 uses PIR technology for its motion detection instead of the regular motion, which only detects changes in pixels from one frame to another.
PIR helps to reduce false motion alerts. Therefore, your camera will only start to record when it detects movement from emitted infrared energy, which is produced from heat signatures on humans and animals. You will never have to worry about flying insects or swinging leaves across your security camera anymore.
With IP65 weatherproof rating, getting your HeimVision wireless camera to work under all weather conditions won’t be a stumbling block. IP65 prevents haze, dust, water, or even condensation from getting into the camera because the enclosure is tightly sealed.
Capturing night footage is inevitable, you surely want your security camera to have a night vision, to help you keep an eye on the night activities in your home with or without security lights on. HMD2 has a built-in infrared night vision that can capture images up to 30 feet distance in total darkness.
Design of the Product and its Installation
HMD2 transforms the core motivation of VanTop Technology, which is making the world a safer place by providing exceptional security devices on a low budget.
Installation and setup of the HeimVision HMD2 security camera won’t take you long because it’s 100% wire-free.
Head on to your respective mobile app store and install the HeimLife app, follow the on-screen instructions and grant the app necessary permission(s).
Sign in to the app or register a new account using your email. Never use your regular email password for the HeimLife app, use a strong password combination comprises of alphabets, numbers and symbols.
After you have logged-in, tap the “+” sign and proceed to add your HMD2 by tapping the “Battery Camera”.
Carefully follow the in-app instructions to successfully set up your HeimVision wireless camera.
Insert your microSD card into the camera if you want to record to local storage, long-press the power button at the back until the red indicator located above the camera lens lit.
Tap next on the app, then use the included reset pin to long-press the camera reset button for 5 seconds until the light indicator starts flashing red.
Tap next on the app again to sync your camera to a 2.4GHz wireless network. Select your preferred network name and enter the corresponding network password and tap next.
At this point, you will be presented with the QR code on the app. Carefully capture the QR code by placing your camera lens directly in front of the QR code, maintaining a distance of 5 – 8 inches. You will hear a beep sound if the pairing process is successful.
Tap the edit icon at the top right corner to rename your camera device if needed. You can start exploring the features to get acquainted with the HeimLife app.
Now that you have successfully set up your wireless security camera, it is time to find a good spot and install your security camera.
Make sure your security camera is installed at eye level, it means it should not exceed 8 feet for better performance.
Additionally, choose the best location where facial recognition won’t be a bottleneck for your application.
There are two included mounting accessories that you can use to secure your camera to the wall or horizontal surface.
If your application is outdoor, do not use the magnetic mount because the camera could be easily stolen, use the metal stand wall mount.
If HMD2 is used for indoor applications, it’s important to note that you have to keep taking down the camera to recharge whenever the battery is low.
The only way to maintain a permanent position for the camera is to connect it to a wall outlet, via a regular 5V/2A USB power adapter.
User Experience and Performance
HeimVision HMD2 wireless camera is one of the security cameras on the market with the easiest setup. The in-app voice prompt added to the amazing user experience.
Lots of verified happy users established that the setup was simply effortless, both the setup and installation took them nearly 10 minutes.
This further proofs that you do not need to read the user manual to set up the HMD2 camera.
It delivers stunning image during the day, and the night vision also appears good in total darkness, there is no noticeable grain over the image.
Few users complained that they could not get the HMS1 solar panel to charge the wireless camera, and the battery kept depleting. But upon closer examination, they could be getting the solar panel orientation wrong.
The best way to install your solar panel is to find where the sun shines most of the day, and align your solar panel to the direction by tilting the panel with 20 – 30° orientation.
HeimVision Solar Panel (HMS1)
If you are going to install HeimVision wireless camera outside your home, then you might need to consider adding HMS1 solar panel to your budget.
You wouldn’t want to bring down your camera every time it needs charging. What if something goes wrong while you are charging your camera? Then the purpose of securing your home with HMD2 is defeated.
HMS1 has 5.5V and 3W power output that is enough to keep your camera constantly charging. The HMS1 will totally eliminate the stress of manually recharging your camera.
The 13 feet long cable gives the user the opportunity to extend the panel a bit farther from the camera, according to the direction of the sun.
The solar panel will continue to trickle charge your battery as long as it is positioned directly to the sun. Even if you are out of the city, your camera will continue to operate, and you can be able to access it.
HeimVision solar panel has IP66 weatherproof rating, this means it can operate under all weather conditions. The solar panel is protected from high temperature, it is neither affected by dust nor cold.
HeimLife App
HeimLife app is intuitive and user friendly. One thing that clearly distinguishes the app is the voice prompt. The voice prompt will guide you on the set of instructions to follow sequentially, you can never get stuck.
HeimLife allows you to communicate with people around your camera by simply touching and hold the intercom icon.
You can perform other tasks from the app such as taking screenshots, manually record videos to your mobile device, or checking history to see the sequence of motion-triggered videos.
Cloud storage plans for HMD2 are exclusive, and subscription can only be done via the mobile app. You can’t find the cloud storage plans listed anywhere on their homepage.
To see the list of what you can do with the app, tap the 3 dots at the top right corner.
It is impressive to see that HeimLife has scored 3.5 of 5 ratings on Google Play store, and 3.2 of 5 on Apple store so far.
We believe HeimVision will continue improving on its HeimLife app overtime by making it bug-free and adding more features.
HMD2 Batteries
One of the reasons why you would want to consider buying HMD2 is the quality batteries the camera is built with.
HMD2 uses two numbers of 18650 battery and each one is rated at 3000mAh. 18650 lithium-ion batteries are known to deliver maximum efficiency.
18650s are used in laptops, vaping devices, flashlights, mobile power banks, electronics, and even some electric vehicles due to its high current.
The major manufacturers of 18650 batteries are Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, LG, and Sanyo.
The cycle life of 18650 cells can reach more than 500 times in normal usage, an amount that is more than twice of ordinary batteries.
Cloud Storage Plan
Cloud storage is essential especially if you plan to go on vacation. It is the only way you can have remote access to your security camera, and go through the important recorded video clips.
There are 3 categories of budget-friendly plans you can choose from below.
What’s in the box?
Everything you need to get HeimVision wireless camera installed is included in the box.
- 1x HeimVision Battery Powered Wireless Camera
- 1x Metal Stand Mounting Bracket
- 1x Waterproof Rubber Stopper
- 1x Magnetic Mount
- 2x 3M Adhesive Pad
- 1x USB Cable
- 1x Reset Pin
- 2x Package of Screws and Wall Anchors
- 1x Quick Start Guide
Advantages
- It is truly wire-free, you don’t need to run additional wire.
- HeimVision does not ask for your personal information during registration other than your email address.
- The magnetic base has a strong holding force, and it makes the camera more perfect for indoor use.
- HDM2 is very reliable with its intuitive mobile app.
- The 130° field of view captures a wide HD image.
- It delivers a crisp image during the daylight with a good color rendering.
- The ability to bypass cloud storage makes the camera more advantageous to buy. The 128GB storage size will hold a lot of video clips for several months.
- The app gives you the option to toggle off the alarm to stop receiving alert notifications.
- HeimLife app allows you to share your camera with colleagues and family members. This way, you will have the opportunity to authorize your friends or loved ones to keep an eye on your property, whenever you are not available to attend to the notifications.
Disadvantages
- When compared to Wyze Cam V2, HMD2 night vision image in total darkness is not as clear as expected but that is not a deal-breaker.
- The app does not have two-factor authentication (2FA) that could prevent unauthorized access to your cloud account, in case your mobile device is lost or stolen.
- It does not have a motion zone which can help cut down unnecessary alert notifications from the camera.
- Does not support 5GHz wireless band. You are forced to use 2.4GHz band which is susceptible to interference from other 2.4GHz devices. (Example of 2.4GHz devices include but not limited to garage door openers, baby monitors, and old cordless phones. Interference can occur if your home router happens to be set on the same wireless channel with other wireless networks, in your proximity.)
- There is no continuous recording, this means HMD2 is always on sleep mode until there is a motion to wake the camera. On the other hand, the sleep mode will minimize battery consumption.
- HeimVision does not support web browser for local and remote access.
- It does not support smart home devices. This means you can’t integrate your camera to work with Alexa, Google assistant, or even use it with IFTTT to trigger some actions when the camera captures movement.
The Warranty
HeimVision battery powered wireless camera comes with one year limited warranty and 3-month refund policy.
However, if you must return the camera, you must do so by providing all the included accessories and must be in the original packaging. Hence, the warranty may become void.
HeimVision does not offer theft protection if your device is stolen, and you can’t claim a refund on non-quality related issues after 30 days of purchase.
FAQs and Troubleshooting with HMD2, HMS1, and HeimLife App
HeimLife app shows Wi-Fi signal strength as 75% but the camera still suffers intermittent disconnection.
The least signal strength recommended by HeimVision is 80%
The only possible reason for the intermittent failure is the distance between your security camera and the router, it should not be more than 100 feet.
Try changing the position of the router or internet modem by bringing it closer to the camera.
If for any reason you can’t change the location of the router, try to amplify the signal by using a Wi-Fi extender.
I no longer receive notification alert from my camera.
When body detection is turned on, you receive a motion detection notification alert. But when it’s turned off, the notification alerts stop.
Body Detection is turned on by default but might have been accidentally turned off. Tap the icon until it changes from highlighted black to blue.
You might also need to check the Receive Notifications to see if it’s turned on. Navigate to the settings menu by tapping the 3 dots at the top right corner of the app, and toggle on the Receive Notifications.
I receive an excessive number of notification alerts from my camera.
Try adjusting the body detection sensitivity from high to medium. Also, make sure there is no reflection across the camera lens.
Whenever I close the app, I can still see the icon on my phone.
If you do not want the app to run in the background when you close it, just drag the notification bar of your mobile device downward, and you will see “Off”. Simply tap it to finally exit the app.
I have installed HeimVision solar panel but it doesn’t charge the battery efficiently despite the bright sunlight all day.
If you do not want the app to run in the background when you close it, just drag the notification bar of your mobile device downward, and you will see “Off”. Simply tap it to finally exit the app.
My HMD2 can’t connect to my existing Wi-Fi network.
Ensure you are connecting to 2.4GHz and not 5GHz wireless network. HeimVision battery powered wireless camera does not support 5GHz network.
The Final Verdict
Can HMD2 be selected as an option for home security?
Yes, but you can only use it to compliment your main video surveillance system. We won’t recommend it to monitor high-sensitive areas.
If you are considering installing the HeimVision wireless camera for a business application, HMD2 does not fit into the category. It is a low budget camera (that doesn’t mean it’s not good) designed for users who are only looking to install a 100% wireless security camera with basic features.
Conclusively, you can’t rely on the HMD2 camera to provide major security tasks because it lacks the advanced features of a surveillance camera.
If you have any questions or related issues regarding your HMD2, HMS1, or HeimLife app, don’t forget to use the below form and we will be glad to help you with it.