Ubiquiti $79 Flex IP Camera Tested

By Rob Kilpatrick, Published on Dec 07, 2018

U.S. Manufacturer Ubiquiti has released a 1080p, integrated IR IP camera, selling it directly for $79, making this one of the least expensive IP cameras available.

We bought and tested the Flex vs the Axis Companion Mini L, Hanwha LND-6011R, and Hikvision Value Express cameras.

tested

Inside we examine:

  • Full light performance
  • Dark IR performance in <1lx
  • Integrated IR coverage
  • WDR performance
  • Installation pros and cons
  • Camera setup options
  • Bandwidth consumption
  • Physical features

*******

** *** ******* *** Ubiquiti **** ****** ***** quality ********* **** ******** to ********, ******, *** Axis *** **** *********, offering ******* ******* ** full ***** *** **** scenarios. ************, *** ** coverage *** ******* ** performance ** *** ****** and **** ******, ************ the ***** *** ******* the **** ******** ******. The **** ****** *** have **** *** ********* though:

  • ******** *** ***********:*** *** *** ******* as **** ** ******'* L ****** ****** ** Axis ********* **** * due ** ************ ** the ******* *******, ******** it *** ******* ******** better **** *** ********* Value ******* ******.
  • ****** ********* *** ****** Pulled *** ****** ***** or ******* *** ** Aim:*** ** *** ******* ease ** ******* *** no *** ** ******** secure ** *** ****** mount, *** ****** ** susceptible ** ***** ******* out ** *** ** just ****** ****** *** of *** *****.
  • ****** ********* **** ***** Cameras ******:********* *** ******** ****** in * **** ***** scene *** ****** ** higher **** *** **** highest ****** ** * dark ***** ***** **.
  • ** ***** *******:*** **** ****** **** not ******* *** ***** Protocol, *********** **** ***** parties ** **** ********* through ** **** ****** when *** ****** ** in ********** ****.

*******

*** ******** ** **** Camera *** ** ***** online ** *********** ********** $** ***. **** is **** ********* **** the ********** ***-**** ********* of *** ********** ****, Hikvision, *** ****** **** we ******.

Physical ********

*** ******** ** **** camera *** * ****** form ****** **** **** provides ***-**** ******, ***** it ** ****** ****** to ***, ******* **** be **** ** ******** pressure ***** ** ***** the ****. ***** ** an ******** ** *** physical *************** ** *** Flex ******.

Standalone/Unifi ***** ******** *****

*** **** ****** ******** multiple **** *** *****, including * *** ********* to ****** ******* ** be ******* ** * unifi ***** ********** ** just *** ** ** standalone ****, ***** ******** an **** ****** *** authentication.

managed-by-unifi-video-controller-or-used-in-standalone-mode

************

********** *** ****** **** for *** **** *** are **** **** ***** cameras ** ******* ** hardware **** *** **** to *******. ***** *** mount ** *********, *** camera ******* ** ** and *** **** ** aimed. *** ***** ***** shows *** ************ *********** between *** **** ****** and *** ********* ***** Express ******.

Full ***** ***** *******

** * **** ***** evenly *** *****, *** Flex ****** ********* ******* similar ** *** ***** models ******.

similar subject and chart details

** ***** *** ********, facial ******* *** ***** details *** ****** **** other ******* ****** *** similar ******* *** ***** be ********.

softer image similar subject and chart details

Dark ***** *******

** * **** ***** with ** ** , at ***** ***** *** flex ****** ******** ******* or ****** ******* **** all ***** ******* ****** due ** *** ************ the *******. **** **** the ********* ****** *** not **** ***** ***** IR, ******* *** ****** of *** ***** ** be ***********.

similar or better ir subject and chart details

******* ****, ** ~**' distance/38 ***, *** ******* details *** ******* ** the ********* ***** ******* camera *** ****** **** the ****** *** ** Hanhwa * ****** ******* out *** ******** ****.

flex camera similar ir facial details better ir chart details

IR ****** ** **** ** ***** ** ****

*** **** *** ******* illuminated *** ******* ** the ****** ** *** field ** **** ******* overexposure *** *** *** completely ********** *** ***** field ** ****, **** is ******* ** *** LND-6011R *** ****** *********** than *** ********* ***** Express.

ir dimmer at edge

Below ******* **** ******* ***** ***********

******* ** * **** dynamic ***** *****, *** varied **** *,***+ *** outside ** **** ~*** inside *** *********.

wdr test field of view

** **** ***** *** top ********** **** *** Axis ********* *** **** L *** *** ****** LND-6011R, ******** ******* ** the ******* *** ***** both ******* *** ****** with ** **** *** variance. *** ******** **** camera *** ** ******* performer, ******** **** ******* details ** *** ******* compared ** *** *** performers *** ** ************. Finally, *** ********* ***** Express ****** *** *** worst ********* *** ** overexposure ******* ** ****** details ** *** ******* to ** **** *** washing *** *** *****.

below average wdr performance better than value express

Higher ***** *********

** * *** *****, the **** ******'* ********* was **** ******** ****** than ***** *******, ** night *** ********* ****** significantly ****** **** ***** cameras.

bandwidth comparison

Versions ****

*** ********* ******** **** used ** **** ****** during *******.

  • ******** ** **** ******: UVC.v4.4.8.67.M_e4488fa.180911.1127
  • ****** ***-*****: *.********
  • ********* ***-*****: **.*.* ***** 180627
  • **** ********* *** **** L: *.**.*

Country ** ******

*** ******** **** ****** was **** ** *****.

Comments (25)

Undisclosed Integrator #1

12/07/18 02:36pm

**** ** ** *********** camera. * **** ******** products (************ *****), *** it's **** **** *** me ** **** **** as * ******* ***** surveillance ************. *** ******** will ******** *********** **** they ******* **.

*** **** ** ***** is * ****** **********. I ***** **** **** VMS's **** **** ******* for **** ******, ** you're ******** ***** **** Unifi ******* **********. *** me, **** **** ** into *** ***** ** cheap ***-** **** *** could ***** ** ******** that ***'** ******* ***** a ******** ******* ***.

*** ******* *** **** results **** ***** ******* systems?

Undisclosed Integrator #2

12/07/18 03:52pm

*** *** ******* **** I **** ********* **** considering ******** ** ** in ** ******.  ***** this, * *** ******* give **.  ****** **** the ***** *** *** form ******.  ** ****** the **** ** ***** by **** ***.  ******** has **** ******* ***** things *** * ****** viewed **** ** **** Shenzhen **** ** ************.

 

** ****...

Michael Miller

12/07/18 04:08pm

******* *** *** ****** issues *** *** ********* *** systems *** * **** zero ********. 

Undisclosed End User #3

12/07/18 04:22pm

"** ***** *******: *** Flex ****** **** *** support *** ***** ********.'

 

** ***** **** *********?

Avatar

Rob Kilpatrick

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed End User #3 | 12/07/18 04:31pm

****, *** ****** *** be *** **** ********** mode ** ****** *** RTSP ******. * ****** the ******* ** **** that **** *****.

Avatar

Cary Menage

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Rob Kilpatrick | 12/08/18 12:59am

****** ***! * ****** appreciate *** ***** *********** with ******** @ ****, Manufacturers **** ******* ****** follow **** ******* :)

Avatar

Tom Sharples

12/07/18 04:23pm

* ****** ***** ********* any **** ******** ***** at ***** * **** of *********** ****-******* ** end *****. **** **** look **** ** *********** product ***. *** **'* hard ** ********** *** esp. * ******** ******* wouldn't ** * *** more ******* **** ********* bandwidth *********** - **** they *** **** ** a ********** ******** *******.

Undisclosed #4

12/07/18 07:05pm

** ** *** ***** the ******** ***** **** an ** ****** ******* that ***** **** **** the ****** ******. **** think ** *****, *** or ***** ******* *** licenses ** ******* **** data ** * ******* device. *** ***** **** build * *** ** LUNS *** **** *** like * ******.

* **** **** ****** from ******** *** *** $79 ** ***** **** for **. **** ********** for ***********, ****** ****** for ********* ** **********. It ** ***** ** the **** ****.

******* ********* ****** ******, I **** ** **** the ****** ** *** and *** ****** ****** was ****** **** *** supply *****. * **** that ** ** *********** rather **** ********* **** into ****** **** ******* work **** ******** ****'* junk. ****** ******* *** be ****** ****.

**** ********: *** *** have *** ***** ** or *** ****** **** bandwidth *****? 

Michael Miller

In reply to Undisclosed #4 | 12/07/18 07:32pm

******* ********* ****** ******, I **** ** **** the ****** ** *** and *** ****** ****** was ****** **** *** supply *****. * **** that ** ** *********** rather **** ********* **** into ****** **** ******* work **** ******** ****'* junk. ****** ******* *** be ****** ****.

 

**** *** ****** ****** issues **** *** ***** hardware *** **** *******.  You *** ** ** order ******** *** **** out **** *** **** ordered *** ******. 

*************, ****** ******* ** coming *** ****. * can't **** ** **** the ********** **** * customer **** ****** ***** who *) **** ** go ** * ***** for ******* *) ***'* order *********** ********. 

Undisclosed #4

In reply to Michael Miller | 12/10/18 08:43pm

** ******* ** ********* a ******* **** ***** version ** ******** ******** you ****** **** *** around *** **** *** other ****** ** ********? Is **** *** **** you *** ***** ***** now? *** *** *** in * ***** ***** now ***** **** **** same *****?

Michael Miller

In reply to Undisclosed #4 | 12/10/18 08:49pm

**'* ** ****** **** UBNT *** ****** ****** with *** ***** ********.    

 

Avatar

Brian Levy

In reply to Michael Miller | 12/10/18 10:23pm

*******,

***** * **** **** this ** ** **** with **** ************, ** is *** ****** *** case **** ******. ** seems **** ***** *** some "*******" ************ **** always **** ** **** stock. 

***** 

Michael Miller

In reply to Brian Levy | 12/10/18 10:27pm

**** ******* *** "*******" distributors *** **** *** UBNT?  

Avatar

Rob Kilpatrick

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed #4 | 12/10/18 03:49pm

**** ********: *** *** have *** ***** ** or *** ****** **** bandwidth *****?

**, ***** *** *** when ********* *** ******.

Avatar

Matthew Del Salto

BLACKBOX USA
12/07/18 09:16pm
*** *** **** **** nice *** *** ***** and *** **** **** sales ******? * **** scratcher *** ****.
Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security
In reply to Matthew Del Salto | 12/10/18 05:33pm

**********, ******* ***** ** speak **** ***** **** their **** ******* *******

Undisclosed #4

In reply to Matthew Del Salto | 12/10/18 08:46pm

* ***** **** ******* succeeded *** ****** **** were ******* ***. ******* this **** ********* **** to *********** *****? ** it *** ** ****** I ***** ***** ***** out ** *** ********. Plenty **** ** ****** from.

Undisclosed Distributor #5

12/10/18 05:32pm

**** *** **** ** find *** *** ************/***** of *** *** ** well ** *** ***** sensor *** **** ******?  Was *** *** ********* limited ** ** ** usual ** ** ** available ** ***** ********?  Were *** **** ** test ** ** *** with *** ******?  ** they **** ** ******** CMS ******** ******* *** PC/Mac?  **** ** *** name ** ***** ****** Play *** ****** ****?

Avatar

Rob Kilpatrick

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Distributor #5 | 12/10/18 06:41pm

**** *** **** ** find *** *** ************/***** of *** *** ** well ** *** ***** sensor *** **** ******?

****** ** ***** ** Ambarella ****, **** ****:

*** *** *** ********* limited ** ** ** usual ** ** ** available ** ***** ********? 

**, ** ** *** limited ** **, **** of **** **** * was ***** ****** ** access *** *** *********.

**** *** **** ** test ** ** *** with *** ******?

* *** *** **** to **** **** *** access.

** **** **** ** included *** ******** ******* for **/***?

*** *** *** *********** ****** ********** ********** ****** *** ******, record *****, ***..

**** ** *** **** of ***** ****** **** and ****** ****?

***** *******

Avatar

Nicholas Marto

In reply to Rob Kilpatrick | 12/11/18 02:48pm

******** ********* ** *** above.  ******** *** * video ******** ******** - Unifi ***** *** ***** Protect. 

***** ***** *** ** installed ** *******, *****, or ***-********* ** ***** NVR.  **** ***** **** the ***** ***** ***.

******* *** ******** ** exclusively ********* ** *** Cloud *** **** **** (at ***** *** ***) and ***** **** *** Protect ***. 

*** ******* *** **** not **** **** *** Unifi ***** ********.

*** ******* *** ********** with ****** ******.

Avatar

Sean Patton

IPVM | In reply to Nicholas Marto | 12/11/18 03:25pm

*** *** ******* ********, we **** **** ******** in *********** ***** ******* ******.

** *** *****, *** cameras **** **** **** Unifi ***** *** *******, but *** ************ *** not *****-******** **********.

Avatar

Rick Guerrero

12/11/18 02:15pm

******* **** ** *** for ****

* ****** ****** ** this ** **** ** the ***

****** *** ** ***** pretty ********

 

Undisclosed Integrator #6

12/12/18 11:28am

* *** ****** ********** mentioning.

**** ****** *****'* ***** where *** ****** ** manufactured. *** **** *** a ** ******* ** pretty **** ********** ** where **'* ******** ****. Strangely **** * ***** Ubiquiti *** **** ********* - **** ******** ** respond.

** *** ** *** notable ******** ** ***** capability * *** **** disappointing ********* ** ** compliance ********* ****** **** Ubiquiti:

*. *** ****** ** not ***** ** *** impact ********** - **** as ****

*. *** ****** ** not *************** ***** ** IP66, ******* ******** **'* suitable *** ******** ***.

*. *** ****** *** no **** ****** ******.

********** *** ******* ** an ********* **** ** any ******* *********** - but * ***** **** if *** ***'* ***** its ********* ** ******** - **** ****** ******** it *** **** * few $'*.

** ***** **** ** entering *** **** ** the ****** - ******** have ****** * *** key ****** **** ****** well **** ** ***-********* with ********* ***** ****** that ******* ** ****.

Avatar

Rob Kilpatrick

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | 12/12/18 06:19pm

**** ****** *****'* ***** where *** ****** ** manufactured. *** **** *** a ** ******* ** pretty **** ********** ** where **'* ******** ****. Strangely **** * ***** Ubiquiti *** **** ********* - **** ******** ** respond.

*** ******** **** ****** was **** ** *****, I ******* *** ****** with **** ***********.

Avatar

Rick Guerrero

In reply to Rob Kilpatrick | 12/12/18 07:34pm

****** *** 

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