The Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell V3: A Comprehensive Review
The Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell V3 ($109.99) is a sleek, wire-free solution for your home security needs. But is it worth the investment? Let's dive into the details and explore its features, design, and performance.
Design: Lightweight and Battery-Powered
The Toucan V3 boasts a matte white IP56 weather-resistant enclosure with a matte black face. While it's slightly bulkier than the TP-Link Tapo D225, it's still compact at 5.7 by 2.1 by 1.1 inches (HWD). The face of the doorbell houses the camera, a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor, a microphone, a speaker, four IR LEDs, and a doorbell button with an LED ring. The LED ring provides visual feedback, indicating when the doorbell is pressed or motion is detected.
Camera and Video Quality
The V3 captures 1,296-by-1,296-pixel video at 25 frames per second (fps) with a 180-degree diagonal field of view. It offers color night video if there's sufficient ambient light, otherwise, it defaults to black and white. In comparison, the TP-Link Tapo D225 delivers sharper 2,304-by-1,728-pixel (2K) video at 20fps with a similar field of view.
Installation and Performance
Setting up the V3 is straightforward. Download the app, create an account, and follow the on-screen instructions. The doorbell connects to your Wi-Fi network and supports Alexa and Google voice assistants. You can view live video streams on supported smart displays like the Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest Hub.
The V3's video quality is impressive, with sharp footage and pleasant color saturation. However, the control buttons can be intrusive when viewing in portrait mode. The black and white night video is also sharp and has pleasing contrast.
Subscription Plans and Storage
The V3 has no local storage option, so you'll need to subscribe to one of its plans for video storage and downloads. The Basic Shield plan ($2.99/month) offers 24 hours of video history, five downloads per month, motion zone creation, pre-recorded messages, and motion sensitivity adjustments. The Pro plan ($9.99/month) adds seven days of video history, video-in-video playback, custom greetings, and unlimited downloads.
Conclusion
The Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell V3 is a solid choice for those seeking a wire-free video doorbell. While it may not offer the highest resolution or local storage, its ease of installation, sharp video quality, and convenient features make it a compelling option. However, the subscription plans can add up, so consider your storage and download needs before committing.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is the V3's reliance on subscription plans a deal-breaker? And what do you think about the lack of local storage? Share your thoughts in the comments!
