Customer Reviews

LOREX LW2301 4-Channel Wireless Quad Surveillance System with Digital Video Recorder & 1 Indoor/Outdoor Motion Camera

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Length:: 2:58 Mins

* Initial Inspection and Setup
** Items needed and Optional Recommendations
*** Testing & Results
**** Conclusion

Lorex' Wireless System (#LW2301) is a relatively compact surveillance system. It has very few pieces including an indoor/outdoor-"Nightvision" camera, a digital receiver with an RCA stereo output, 2 GB harddrive and an assortment of mounting accessories.

* I found the installation pretty straightforward and not really needing to consult the manual. However, there is a need for the manual if you elect to attach several (optional) cameras to the system.

Other than a hammer or a screwdriver to nail the camera's wall mount, there's no other mandatory tool you'll need to get the basic system up and running in a matter of 10 minutes max.

** If, as I stated in the video, that you have one of those older model TVs' that you're going to use as the monitor, then you'll need a mono-stereo input converter, which is about $20, to be able to receive the signal from the camera to the receiver.

I'd also recommend, a UPS (a portable battery backup unit)--prices range from $35- $200 with the median around $60.

*** When deciding how to use the system, I found it important, especially if you're considering it for home use to think about where you want to have strict surveillance. If you want to be alerted when someone is just outside your home, the camera must be placed outside. I made an interesting discovery during the first day of testing. I mounted the camera in the foyer with the backdoor several feet away. The foyer is separated by several full-length glass that opens up to the outside. With the camera aimed directly outside past the foyer (with a clear shot of roughly 50'), the camera would stream people going by but wouldn't recognize them even someone who was directly on the opposite side of the open glass door to the foyer. It was not until the person walked in that the system recognized them. This is not a negative criticism but an observation as to the limits of the system.

I also wasn't terribly impressed with the resolution of the image saved on the receiver's harddrive. As you can see in the video, the image of the person walking by and setting off the alarm (me!) wasn't sharp despite my being no more than a foot away from the camera.

**** For what it promises and for the price, I would consider this a good (not a great) buy for a home/ apartment use and maybe for a section of an office in a small business.

Four stars.

For the record, I also own the Logitech WiLife Digital Video Security--Hidden Master System Camera so I can do some comparisons for setup and picture quality and features.

The Lorex is extremely easy to setup. You just have to plug in the base station device, plug in and mount the camera, insert the memory card and you're all but done with setup. At least physical setup. Before you allow the receiver to go on recording, you will want to set it up using the on screen menus (you must use the supplied AV cable and connect to a TV for this). This device uses composite connections for video/audio to your TV. Using the remote, press the menu button. From here you can easily pair a new device (if you have more than one camera; if just one camera the DVR and the camera are already paired), setup a schedule for recording (say if you want to record a specific place 24/7 or just during an 8 hour day), adjust the date/time and so on. Everything is rather simple and shouldn't be too difficult to understand.

The picture quality. I find that the quality of the picture, even with perfect signal strength from the camera, isn't that great. The images are washed out. Before you say "well it IS a security camera," this is an instance where I can compare this device to the Logitech Wi-Life system. The camera with the Wi-Life system auto adjusts it's colors whereas and looks decent; this device seems to only have a single setting and the images are OK to messy. Black shirts appear washed out blue which doesn't happen with the Wi-Life.

One thing this system has when compared to the Wi-Life, other than a better starting price, is a camera with built in infrared imaging. The Wi-Life has infrared only as a kind of expensive add on. With the Lorex system, this option is part of the system. The images from infrared are very good (they are black and white, but that's the nature of infrared).

Another thing this system has over the Wi-Life system is it doesn't require a PC to record. The Wi Life will ONLY record if you have it paired to software installed on a PC. I have a laptop setup in my house, hidden, that does my Wi-Life recording for me.

One thing the Wi-Life has that this system does not however is remote viewing. I can sit in my office at work, log into the Wi-Life system using Logitech's software, and see what is going on with any of the cameras setup around my house. With the Lorex, there is no such feature available on this model. You have to have the device with you or have the memory card with you. The Wi-Life can also be setup to email you if there is motion detected, another feature the Lorex system clearly lacks.

I have, however, experienced some issues with this unit. First, there seems to be a short in my power cable for the DVR. Any movement can cause the system to cycle power. This brings me to my second problem. I didn't realize this was happening and I removed the included memory card... while it was rebooting, and it has apparently damaged the card to the point of no longer being recognized as a device either in the DVR itself or in my PC. I plan on contacting their customer service department to see what can be done.


Before deciding on this system or the Wi-Life, decide on what features you need. If remote viewing/access is required, this is NOT the system for you. If recording in the dark is required and you don't want to spend a lot of money, purchase this system. If you already have a PC you leave on all day, the Wi-Life may be the better option. If you don't want to invest in a new computer and leave it on all day, the Lorex is the way to go.

Either system will allow you to copy files to another media (CD, DVD, USB stick, etc) to hand off to law enforcement in case the unthinkable does happen. Picture quality on either system is OK and detailed enough to ID someone as well. The only difference is the Lorex is cheaper but also lacks some features found on the Wi Life.


Over all I'm satisfied with the product. I will likely keep my Wi Life system setup but augment it with the Lorex for areas I don't want/need remote viewing.

For me, as long as I can get

We have just set this system up and it took around 20 minutes to install the camera (you only need a screwdriver) and 10 minutes to get it ready to record. Everything you need to get this indoor/outdoor surveillance is included in the box.

We installed the camera outside. There are adjustment knobs to help get the exact view you want. The system tells you if your camera is out of range and provides signal strength. You better be sure where you want to mount it before you attach it to your house. We could not place the camera exactly where we wanted due to to poor signals so we have an extra set of holes. Ouch. You have the option of setting the camera to record by the motion detection, set times or by pressing a button. We choose the motion sensor option and are happy with it so far. Since we have just started using it, I will provide an updated review.

The wireless receiver is a thing of beauty. It places nice with our wireless router (Linxys) and the small size makes it convenient for placement. Getting the system up and running is a piece of cake too - you simply plug it into your pc or tv. There is no software for your pc, it is a self contained unit and does not provide for fine tuning. An automatic configuration is what you get and hopefully, it works for you. The picture quality is good, not great. A basic SD card of 16 GB (4-6 hours) is included with the package for video storage but we will be purchasing one with larger memory.

I have also used Logitech's Wilife security system. How do they compare? This one is a little cheaper, has a 4 camera capability versus Logitech's 6, these cameras attach permanently while Logitech also has suction cup option (but this only works indoors and doesn't always work well), this camera appears sturdier but video quality seems about the same. The Logitech Wilife has more options in their software but this one can be used on a computer or tv and is ready to record after being plugged in. I would recommend either one for homeowners or small business owners for added security.

This system is very easy to set up and recommend it for any DIYers, no real skill required. I do not recommend it for use inside homes, you can purchase cheaper systems that don't need to be screwed into walls for monitoring.

I bought the Lorex LW2301 based on several reviews and a friends experience with it. The unit itself is pretty good. The video is passable and the features in the reciever are good.
My problem came because of aluminum siding interferring with the signal and I wanted to see if there was a way to extend the antenna a small amount to get it in past the siding and closer to the receiver. After waiting on the customer service line for 15 minutes I got a foreign sounding woman that said I needed to buy a range extender even though the camera and receiver were less than two feet apart. (That didn;t say much to the reputed 450 ft range) I sent an email to the customer service address provided on their web site and now a few days later still have received no response.
I finally got in touch with another friend who has installed similar units professionally and he got it sorted out. It now works fine, no thanks to Lorex. They appear very happy to take your money and to sell you anything else they can if you call back but when it comes to listening to the customer, not so much - if you can get them at all.

Camera works fine is easy to set up and use.
The menu items are ok but find it annoying that you can delete individual recordings, but the file that is created with them remains and can't be deleted, so have to scroll through the empty files to get to relevant ones. Definitely aggravating.
Biggest problem I have is with the motion sensor, it is too slow to trip, often find it has tripped but by the time it records the activity that tripped it has passed and it records open air. For example, forgetting I have it set up, I get home and walk through the house. Remember camera is on automatic, so go back to turn it off. Obviously I have tripped the camera walking past it both ways, but the first recording has nothing, because I am past the camera before it records. The second recording is my back as I walk away, so not much use for id purposes. If someone is slower at walking it probably would work better, but there is no way to change the sensitivity of the trip, so can only hope for slow intruders. I also extended the record time after trip to the maximum of 30 seconds in the hope that an intruder might dither a bit back and forward and be caught that way.
Everything else works fine and if you want to record for fixed time periods this would not be an issue, also does a good job of recording in the dark, although then the camera becomes very obvious with the red glow from the lens, very visible, but good picture quality for night.
Overall I like the camera for the money, but wish motion sensor was better.

I purchased and installed the Lorex LW2301 camera & DVR system a few weeks ago. As mentioned in reviews the installation and setup is simple. Once the installation is complete the setup is performed using the remote, DVR and monitor/TV.

My only complaint is the PIR motion detection system. It works about 85% of the time. Passive infrared detectors monitor temperature or environmental changes. There are times I'm jumping within 20 feet of the camera and no recording takes place. Other times, a car passes by 40 feet away and the camera records. Lorex Technologies website displays "Built in PIR motion for accurate motion detection". If they edit their summary to "nearly accurate", I would have no complaint.

There are other options for recording such as scheduled or continuous. I purchased a 16 GB card and that will hold about 28 hours (higher quality recording). I am satisfied with the clarity of the recording including the night displays. For the price, I am satisfied with the system, just wish I had more confidence in the detection.

Final note, I contacted customer support and was not impressed. These days, you initially talk with a 'level 1' vendor who puts you on hold to talk with a real tech. Can't we just `cut to the chase'?

Dont buy if you want to use it for outdoors. The wireless signals are too weak to get through any wall. I called Lorex Support. They told me to buy an antenna for about $90 to enhance wireless signals. I paid, however it did not help at all. If you need to call the support, the chance is you will have to wait for 20 minutes on the phone and the support personnel is never afraid of making any false statement and wrong suggestion to get you off the phone. You then waste many hours to try their "suggestions". I still have the camera. Already wasted too much time, and don't want to waste more to go through the hassle to return the purchase.

Great value. Easy to set up. I added a $90 13" TV monitor, replaced the 2GB chip with an 8GB, and liked things so much, added a second camera. Individual cameras require ac power, but transmit wireless to the control unit. When a camera's passive IR detects motion, it records either a preset 5, 10 or 15 seconds... whatever you specify, and you can record at higher or lower quality. I use high quality and five seconds. It creates a new folder each day, and each recording is an audio-visual file whose name is composed of the time HHHHMMSS and camera #. e.g. 10450122-01.AVI...... Each 5-second hiQ recording runs about 800 MB. You can review the files, or take out the chip, put it in your computer and look at them with software like Windows Media Player. I live in the country, so not much goes on... it records 50-60 hits a day. At that rate, a 5GB chip will hold about 3 months. When the chip is full, you can set the system to start writing over the oldest. The passive IR takes getting used to. It and the night vision only work within about 10-15 ft of the camera. A quirk is that afternoon thermals from my woodpile and my driveway apparently are enough to trigger recording.

I have a home in a small town that I get spend some of my week-end time. I wanted to enhance my security, I have a skylink system, but one recent visit I saw marks (Scraches) on the door jam...So a camera system
was in order...This was very easy to set up, works perfect...

The camera works as advertised, but what they don't advertise is the picture quality. Both coler and sharpness are unacceptable.