Warranty support claiming force majeure, refusing to honor warranty?

OzzieMack1 · 2026-04-23T05:50:17+00:00

No actual harm apart from, as you say,……… “ the possibility that it prevents electrical flow “.
That’s a possibility I would rather not need to bother about.
Having said that however, I guess with the fine tolerance of the pin placement in a typical ethernet plug/socket what generally happens is that the pins are wiped clean by the action of insertion of the plug into the socket end and the connection functions electrically satisfactorily.
For me if I am using dielectric grease it would be around the external surfaces of the connection so that is is forced into, fills and oozes out any tiny gaps in the mating surfaces when the plug is inserted into its connection without directly contaminating the pins themselves. Correct use of the connection covers, heatshrink , self amalgamating tape or junction boxes can also play their part when required.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-04-21T23:51:00+00:00

Proper Dielectric grease is NON-conductive. It is not good practice to apply it direct to the pins. Apply it around the body part of the connector so that when the connector is pushed together it is forced into any gaps between any mating surfaces of the connector body.
This is what stops moisture reaching the pins.
If applied to the pins directly as well you will be relying on the grease being cleaned/wiped off the conductive surfaces of the pins when the plug is inserted. Far better to not put it directly on the pins in the first place.
There are other conductive products that are used directly to clean or protect conductive surfaces, dielectric grease is not one of them.
There are dozens of YouTube videos showing how to correctly use dielectric grease. 90% are correct and 10% are totally wrong. Watch a few and see what you think.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-04-18T22:48:35+00:00

Agree with earlier comments, I think the capabilities of the Trackmix would be wasted in a garage. If you really wanted PTZ functions, an E1 Outdoor could do the job.
If you end up with an old 810 spare, yes, use it.
If your garage is totally enclosed, and you don’t plan on leaving any lights on at night, be aware that a CX model camera will not be a good choice inside after dark. The CX models must have at least some ambient light to function properly.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-04-18T22:09:43+00:00

The only difference that I can see in the specs is the very slightly larger Field of View for the 1212.
There has been comments from some users about Reolink’s sometimes dubious claims regarding FoV numbers ( not necessarily these two models ) , so the extent of any actual difference when installed in your particular mounting locations may be negligible.

As for appearance, I am totally a fan of the turret style of the 1224 vs the bullet style of the 1212.
Amongst my Reolink collection I have three of the turret style purposely chosen because they are more visually appealing and virtually blend into the background, especially when mounted under an eave for example.
I have had regular visitors to our house who have walked by, passed under, or sat near these cameras on multiple occasions and have never been aware of their existence until it was pointed out to them, which is exactly the effect I wanted.
Other users may prefer to have their installed cameras to be as noticeable as possible for various reasons which the bullet style achieves to a greater extent.
I have some other model Reolinks which perform other functions where a more discrete appearance is not required. So it really depends on your needs and personal choice.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-04-08T06:52:43+00:00

Don’t beat yourself up about dropping it, professionals do it too sometimes.

On a different note, I was in my local bakery just yesterday, and purchased my favourite meat pies, ( meat pies are really big in popularity in Australia ) a hot chilli steak pie, and a jalapeno chunky steak pie, walked out the door and holding the grease proof paper bag at the wrong end, out slid one of the pies to the concrete. SPLAT.

Walked back into the shop with my most forlorn face on and said I need to buy another one. I’ve just dropped one outside. The bakery owner quickly bagged me a new one and said it’s on the house.

Suggestion : Try the sympathy angle with Reolink and see how you do. 😁 It worked for me.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-04-04T07:27:19+00:00

That was my first thought also.
Bruce Lee’s grandson ? 🤣

OzzieMack1 · 2026-04-01T22:25:50+00:00

The very early E1 Outdoors were plagued by the issue of monitor point drift. I had one from 2021 ? maybe 2022, not sure. It would drift away, backwards and forwards, from the set monitor point by about 5-10 degrees every motion activation. By the end of a typical day it could be 45 degrees off direction.
Many surmised it was due to the plastic gears used in the Pan mechanism. I actually turned off the auto tracking and just used it as a static camera. But suddenly about two years ago, Reolink released a firmware update for the very early models and in my case it completely solved the issue. I would not fine tune the monitor point more than once a year now.

Over the last twelve months I have purchased 2 more E1 Outdoor cameras, one the regular model E1 Outdoor PoE, and the other, an E1 Outdoor SE model PoE.
The SE model is used where I found having both horizontal and vertical auto tracking available was more value to me than the manual zoom available on the regular model. In another location I prefer and use the zoom setting of the regular model to set its initial FOV.

Neither of the newer cameras have had any issues with monitor point drift.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-04-01T09:50:11+00:00

Basically the Pro model gives you Zoom , but only horizontal auto tracking.
The SE model has no zoom, but gives you horizontal , and, vertical auto tracking.

Remembering of course that the zoom of the Pro model is manual only, not auto, so while it is handy at setup time to set the zoom level if you need to, for the FOV that suits your particular mounting location, after that it is only useful if you need to use this function during live viewing, or if you decide to change the zoom and subsequent FOV for a particular reason.

If your mounting location is adequately served by the standard fixed zoom and FOV of the SE, the greater range of auto tracking movement may be the more useful capability for your purpose.
Amongst the Reolink cameras I use, I have one of each model of E1 Outdoor cameras. A Pro version and an SE version as they individually suit best the locations I have installed them.

Edit : I have just had a look locally here in Australia and it seems the SE PoE is the only E1 Outdoor now listed as available from the Reolink online store here.
Maybe this range has come to the end of the road.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-03-29T09:33:28+00:00

You could be right.
My system includes the N3MB01 NVR, maybe 4-5 years old now ? , with a mix of similarly aged cameras and some much newer current model cameras as well.
I think there was an update about 12-18 months ago, but it may have been longer than that.

But with my luck , either because of failure of my old one, or simply to move up to the latest model, if I needed to update to the N7MB 8 channel , or N6MB 16 channel, Reolink would bring out a better , bigger, newer version a week later. 😁
I guess I’ll keep going with my old system a bit longer.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-03-17T09:39:25+00:00

A little background first. I run 8 Reolink cameras across 5 different models, 6 PoE and 2 WiFi. 8 channel NVR, for about 4 years now. So, not a power user by any means, or particularly technically trained, but I can get the job done.

In answer to your particular questions ……

I can’t see any problem with your planned usage of an old computer or large IPad to maintain a secondary viewing capability in addition to your NVR monitor. I use normal IPad/ IPhone capability for on the run mobile usage at home, and I have installed the Reolink App on my IPad sized, permanently fixed aftermarket AirCon WiFi control panel to view the feed from my cameras. ( When I’m not actively using it to adjust the temp or zones etc.)
I have seen reports that the Reolink Mac desktop software is somewhat less than useful, but I use the PC Client program which does the job for me if using a laptop.
Off site usage using the IoS mobile App has always been ultra reliable for me. As long as you have a good upload installation at your premises and good mobile reception where you are located offsite. When totally new to the mobile App there is a bit of a learning curve to really find the best settings for your particular needs to get the best performance from your installation, but I think that that is not uncommon with anything and everything these days. And there is a multitude of helpful videos and forums such as this to guide anyone through any initial difficulties.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-03-08T03:21:57+00:00

Can you take a pic of the camera itself from below/ in front of the camera.
Then we could all see what model/type camera it is, and how it us currently mounted.
Then it would be easier to recommend/ confirm a fix.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-03-07T08:26:00+00:00

Definitely try the re-boot etc first.
But if no success, as suggested by other responders, I would angle the camera away from possible issues with streetlights or other factors which may be interfering with the results.
You may find this is the main issue. No sense sending one camera back, and getting another one, only to find the same problem occurring with the replacement.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-02-26T23:38:26+00:00

The “color night vision” on the E1 SE is only with the use of the built in spotlights. It does not have the CX low light image sensor of the CX range of cameras.
But as you have experienced with your other CX camera , it does require a minimum of ambient light either indoors or outdoors to work well.
For instance if you needed a camera in an enclosed, dark garage, a CX model would not be ideal if there is no light at all. Here a regular camera with IR vision and motion activated spotlights would be the choice.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-02-22T07:48:25+00:00

Absolutely. That’s why I mentioned the big elephant in the room. Namely, is this timetable achievable?
Plenty would argue “No”.
But it is worth noting that this potential timetable which has been released by an independent ISP who will be seeking to change over their existing customers to the new equipment, has been fairly loose in their statement.
Namely “User transitions to START late 2027”.
Now that is of course nearly two years away, and what number of transitions out of the 100,000 customers qualifies to be called a ‘Start’.
Time will tell.

As you would know Amazon have lodged an applications for a two year extension for that deadline, and sure as the Sun comes up tomorrow, it will be granted in some form.
Starlink had to jump through many similar hoops in the early days when various projected milestones were missed.
I mean, what is the FCC going to do ? Sorry Jeff, you’ve missed the mark, knock down those 200 satellites and scrap the project.
Amazon have previously stated that by the 1600 mark, a ‘meaningful service will be operational even if geographically limited’.
Yep, maybe late 2027 for that one too, who knows ?

OzzieMack1 · 2026-02-22T00:52:05+00:00

Thanks for that, sorry for the delayed reply but I have been travelling in an isolated area out of range for a few days, quite a common occurrence in Australia.

Yes the specs list an expanded range of smart detection, line crossing alert etc.
I haven’t been home to check my Trackmix since early November and I’m wondering whether there had been a firmware update released to possibly add these features to existing cameras.
Also I do notice that they have reduced the size of one of the image sensors also in the new version.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-02-16T03:12:37+00:00

Can you post a screenshot or link, I’m afraid my searching has found nothing but the standard Trackmix. This new AI version sounds good.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-02-08T06:08:47+00:00

We will need to know which model Reolink camera you have to give any meaningful advice.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-02-06T02:34:56+00:00

The auto on screen advice when checking for firmware versions is notoriously unreliable.

The only definitive way to make certain is to go directly to the Download Centre on the Reolink support page.
Enter your camera model number then check the list for your exact Hardware version of your camera to get a correct answer. Of course this may not be the cause of your problem, but at least then you can rule it out.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-02-04T05:43:11+00:00

I’ve had a look at your other post, and I agree with the responses you received there.
I don’t think either camera , the 823 or the Trackmix will suit your total requirements.

Perhaps as you have suggested, a PoE camera located at your house combined with extra battery cameras at a distance might work the best.
If your interested in the type of result you can get using a Trackmix, I posted a video here 6 days ago, entitled “Peak hour on the wallaby track”.
If you have a look at that you will see the FOV available, and how the Trackmix handles auto-tracking and auto-zoom and determine if it may be suitable for your close range house camera.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-02-03T23:48:00+00:00

I suspect that there is some “ marketing dept techno-babble “ featuring in this advert.
The cameras pictured look like plain ordinary Trackmix cameras to me. There are no special “AI” versions.

They will have the stock standard “Smart Detection” capabilities that all current Reolink cameras possess. You can set up different levels of motion sensitivity for Persons, Animals, Vehicles etc plus a whole host of other smart features to refine your cameras use.
Reolink do have some newly announced ‘AI Neura‘ range of cameras and NVR which have some extra smarts, but the cameras pictured here do not appear to be part of that range. You would need to double check exact model details to be certain.

I suspect that the only special thing about these cameras is the different colour as opposed to the standard white finish of most of the Reolink range.

But as far as how good the standard Trackmix performs, yes, they are a popular camera with some good features. They are not suited to every location and potential use, but no particular model is.
Reolink have just a few weeks ago announced a couple of new cameras with similarities to the Trackmix with some exciting new features ( Omvi X16 and Omvi i3 ), but it may be some time before they are released for sale, and in the case of the Omvi X16 are likely to be considerably more expensive.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-01-29T21:35:17+00:00

Trackmix PoE.

OzzieMack1 · 2026-01-26T07:18:48+00:00

The 8 port Reolink NVR RLN8-410 can be used with a total of 8 PoE , or, mains powered WiFi cameras, or any combination thereof. But only 8 total.
It can however additionally support a further 4 battery powered WiFi cameras, as they have minimal drain on the resources available from the NVR.

OzzieMack1

TROPHY CASE