Apexis APM-J901-Z-WS Outdoor Wireless/Wired Pan & TiltIP/Network Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (4mm-9mm) - White

Update: After 1.5 years of use, the wifi module died.The label on the camera itself says Agasio but the packaging says Apexis. My aim was to get a Loftek D1 and after looking at the hardware specs and online images, there are several IP cams that definitely look like it's the same hardware. I'm an Amazon Prime member and this one came out to be the cheapest of the bunch and 2 day shipping was free.I went to the Apexis website to check if there are any latest firmware, click on the link and it sent me a link pointing to the Foscam websiteIf you are purchasing this IP cam, compare pricing, shipping and possibly support (if you'll need expert help). For me. it came down to pricing and shipping costs.I believe these IP cams are the same (read the specs on each): Agasio A621w, Loftek Sentinel D1, Hootoo HT-IP006.Some tips:1) Configure using ethernet first and later set your wifi parameters from there. Make sure you have DHCP turned on from your router and let the installer tool find the unit.2) Mine came with no need to adjust lenses but there's websites out there describing how to adjust the lens3) This unit dropped connections and I thought it was the IP cam. It was my wifi access point. Changed my wifi AP to another and it is doing really well. Make sure you have strong WIFI signals as I have 2 different AP location and the weak one actually affected performance and maintaining a connection.4) I figure the exposed screws are going to rust over time so I applied silicone to exposed areas5) You'll definitely have issues with ActiveX especially on IE9. I got it to work after much mucking around but it's really not worth it. If you plan to use the audio and record portion with the browser, then you will have to figure out how to make it work on IE96) I use android and the best software right now for this is the IP Cam Viewer Pro7) Do not purchase an IR illuminator for this. It is insensitive to IR.8) Make sure to open the bottom half of the dome and remove the protective foam!

Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend this camera to anyone looking for an outdoor IP network camera.To get an idea of my background, I am a camera 'snob' and carry only high-end Canon L series lenses on my personal camera. I have tried many "web cams" in the past mounted indoors in windows (including PTZ type cameras) and have been highly disappointed in results over the years. In other words, I'm a stickler for image quality. Tired of the limitations of my windowsill for remote viewing, I did not necessarily need a security camera, but wanted an overall yard-monitoring camera to keep an eye on my livestock and check in on weather conditions at my higher elevation home.This camera was easy to set up using Windows 7, once I found the path for the 64-bit installation (that part was a tad tricky). The image is fabulous and crisp indoors and outdoors. Despite the tinted plexi dome, it captures natural colors with splendid accuracy. I have this mounted under the eaves of a building and I can even watch livestock across the yard at night. Perhaps the other reviewer didn't have any lighting available at night, but I have a large sodium light in my yard and this camera even still showed full frame rate color streaming video. Love that I can access it from any browser and via my mobile (hint: TinyCam Monitor for Android supports full PTZ functionality for this camera). I thought I would need to purchase a second one and mount it elsewhere to achieve the coverage I expected from a camera like this but the sweeping range of panning view is so great that I really don't believe that's necessary any more.Physically, the camera has a nice low-key semi-industrial appeal. It is mounted on the exterior of a building on my property and it blends right in; but if you look right at it, it is clearly a camera -- and a nice deterrent to anyone with less than palatable intentions. I think it could be easily masked if someone wants to hide it, but I believe it could also be more prominent if someone desires to put it somewhere a little more out in the open to act as a security deterrent.I have shared the link/login to this camera with several people, all of whom have been amazed at the quality of the image (note: so far, two of the three people I have shared it with have only seen it after dark).I had a couple of technical difficulties with setup which necessitated my contacting the manufacturing company (located in Hong Kong) and they were pleasant, prompt, and provided exactly the information I needed to complete my setup. I was truly pleasantly surprised to receive such prompt and helpful feedback via email and live chat from their website.There are a couple of things to be aware of: 1) Wireless setup seems straight-forward but I was unable to set it up. I have it set up via ethernet as it is all connected indoors (punched through building envelope to feed plug ends through). Which brings me to issue 2) The power cord attached to the camera itself is a nice heavy duty outdoor-rated cord. The power 'brick' and cord that attaches to the wall plug-in is an indoor-rated cable and not suitable for outdoors. Probably would have to enclose the entire cable in a PVC/ABS tube if it were to run any significant length outdoors, even under eaves. I would imagine the thin "indoor" power brick portion of the cable would probably break down pretty fast unprotected outdoors (heat, cold, UV, etc.). 3) The browser software for viewing the camera could use some help. If you plan to use this camera to share with your friends, note that there are only three membership types that you can assign users to: Administrator (you), Operator (anyone who can have access to the PTZ controls, including saving over any home positions you have preset as the administrator) and Visitor (any visitor with log in access who can simply view the camera at whichever angle it was last stopped at by either the Administrator or Operator). My gripe about that is that I'd like to have Visitors be able to pan/tilt/zoom but not have access to be able to save over administratively set preset angle positions (of which there are 8, by the way -- I like that). Issue #3, for me, isn't enough to deter me from using this camera one bit as the PTZ responsiveness, image quality (even at night when in an environment with some form of lighting available), and overall wide-angle view makes this camera more than sufficient for my needs (overview of my horse riding arena and horse corrals).I would certainly purchase another Apexis camera, and if I had the need for an additional one of this model, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. Before now, I have not seen such a responsive PTZ camera (especially outdoor-capable!) with such an amazing picture in my decade+ of owning various "web cams" (although this model far exceeds the traditional term "web cam" and would certainly be well-suited as a security camera, mounted indoors or out).

When they arrived, one had a small screw rolling around in the globe. Took that out and set up the camera. Loved the picture and thought it was going to be so nice that I could zoom. But later, when I backed out of the zoom, I found the picture so blurry that I could never use it to determine if our son was awake or seizing - the primary purpose of the cameras in our home. I am returning them both. Set-up was a bit of a nightmare from the software angle and I don't look forward to doing it again, but I have no choice. Also, buyers might miss something I missed. These have no infared. You see nothing but black when there is less than optimal lighting.

The interface can be a little bit funky and setup could be easier, but overall the camera has worked out great for me.My camera has been in operation for 2.5 years outside (but not exposed to rain) in temperatures ranging from -10F to 90F.I believe that I did have to manually focus the camera initially. (It's not too hard, as long as its not installed in a hard to reach space)

Camera worked OK for about a month. Then the browser would timeout when trying access the camera. After poweringoff/on, the camera would work for a little while. Totally unreliable. I returned it.Be aware that this vendor will charge a 30%restocking fee and you will have to pay for the shipment , if more than30 days, even if the camera fails. So I will be out about $60. I will not buy from them again.