The Ring Spotlight Cam is a chunky, rectangular-shaped outdoor camera that measures 4.96 x 2.72 x 2.99 inches / 12.6 x 6.91 x 7.59 cm (h x w x) and comes in black or white. What it lacks in appearance, it makes up for in functionality, with a large two-way speaker beneath the main lens and two bright spotlights either side and one below. A mounting plate on the back of the unit can be turned around depending on how you want to instal the security camera. Ring also includes a drill bit and raw plugs for drilling screws into the brick wall, as well as a double-headed screwdriver for mounting the bracket. Ring recommends positioning the device about 10 feet / 3 metres off the ground. However, you must use the correct side of the screwdriver because the bracket to which the security camera is attached has an unusual Torx screw head rather than the more common Phillips screw head used for the wall mount. Ring claims that installation takes about five minutes, but it took us closer to an hour once it was properly angled. Open the space beneath the camera where the sensor is located to reveal two batteries. The camera will work with only one battery installed – in fact, only one is included in the box; if you want to extend the time between charges, you’ll need to purchase additional batteries. When the batteries need to be charged, they can be easily clipped into place or removed. When it comes to performance, we had no complaints about the Spotlight Cam. The full HD footage was clear and detailed during the day, but the images after dark were not the clearest we’ve seen. The two-way audio, on the other hand, was very loud and clear, and the lights were powerful enough to illuminate the entire garden. What’s really nice about the device is that you can turn on the lights manually or automatically, so that when you’re conversing with anyone in the field of view, you can see them clearly. When the camera detects motion, as previously stated, you can either view a live feed from the camera or review the footage it stores at a later time. When motion is detected, 30 seconds of video is recorded by default, but this can be increased to up to 120 seconds, which will deplete the battery faster. It’s also simple to send them via text, social media, or download them to your devices.
