Customer Reviews

Swann SW-C-SNO Super NightOwl 105 - Pro CCD Powerful Wide Angle Security Camera w/ Night Vision 82ft/25m

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I purchased this item based on positive word of mouth however I am somewhat disappointed in the performance of this camera. The camera is advertised to have up to 82 feet of night vision although in a realistic outdoor setting (with almost complete darkness), I would say that objects (at night) can be adequately distinguished at most 50 feet away with this camera. The night-vision picture quality is passable with obvious noise and pixelation, even when some minimal ambient lighting is available.

The camera's build is sturdy and its appearance is actually a bonus for us in some settings since this camera doesn't really even look like a security camera but rather more like a lamp. Unsuspecting thieves would probably get caught red-handed by this camera simply because it blends in well with our other outdoor lighting.

Picture quality during the day is adequate for most purposes and is in line for a 420TVL camera. Calling this "high resolution" is a bit exaggerated though. I have personally compared 420TVL units that cost half as much but produce far better night-vision imagery (for example: Q-See QS2350C Weatherproof Color CCD Camera Kit With Built-in Heat Circulating Blower).

Yes, this camera does have a wider angle of view than most cameras however for us, image resolution is a higher priority and I'm afraid this camera just doesn't quite make it.

Bottom line: Pricey for what you get. Consider night-vision alternatives such as the Q-See Q2350C.

One important note: The IR LEDs will primarily focus toward the center of the image, which on your TV or monitor will produce a type of "flashlight" type image. Because this camera has a wide field of vision (although not panoramic unfortunately), any object not in the center field of vision will not show up as well under night conditions UNLESS you have sufficient ambient lighting. Depending on your situation, this may render the wide-angle view useless at night since you won't be able to readily identify people moving outside the lens's center field of vision.

This camera's description is all that it says it is. Wider viewing area. Great night vision at longer distances. Really pleased with the purchase.

The camera is good, and comes with a long cable which can be extended using relatively cheap AV/power cable extension. Good picture, Good illumination of a fairly large area, and weatherproof. Don't try to contact support, though. They never answer.

I have owned three of these cameras after returning and exchanging them over and over... I simply could not believe how absolutely awful the picture was. I thought for /sure/ I had defective cameras. After three tries, all with identical, awful pictures, I have determined that this camera is absolutely worthless. I kid you not, my son's Nintendo DS toy camera produces a far, far better picture. At night, it has a range of approximately 12-14 inches. You can sort of make out things 6 feet away or so as long as they are within the middle 3-5 inches of the screen. The wide angle is not that wide at all - my little Swann MaxiBrite (the CCD version) has an incredible range and beautiful picture for about 1/2 the price, and it comes with a wide-angle lens that covers 150% of what this piece of garbage does.

DO NOT BUY. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR. PLEASE, PLEASE BELIEVE ME.

after buying 5 t0 10 camera the swan super night is the best ibought five

This camera is large and not very eye catching. Image quality is not any better than camera 1/2 its price. Cannot comment on this low light ability bacause my locations are not too dark. I am using it for the wide angle. Not recommended.

i bought one of this cameras for its night specs.I have to say that this camera is no good at all for night vision.Read more review's and belive them when it comes to night view.DO NOT BUY IT IF YOU ARE IN NEED FOR NIGHT WATCH.Try Q-see 48030.It is the best for day and night.Good luck.

I bought this camera because of the large distance it claimed to cover in darkness.

First, let me preface by saying that with regard to night-vision this camera did not work at all, it simply was defective and I returned it, so with regard to it's night-vision capabilities I can't say good or bad except that it was a complete bust in that regard.

The quaility of the day-light operation is the reason I gave this camera 1 star, it was TERRIBLE. By far the worst camera I've owned (I deliberately bought 3 different brands to get a sense of which ones I'd like best since I intend over time to buy as many as 8 or more). I was a bit shocked at just how BAD the image was in daylight, and just so it's clear, I was able to instantaneously compare it against my other 2 cameras since I had all three hooked up to the same system. The colors were garrish, it was like it was on uber-contrast mode, and even after adjusting with my dvr system, it stil didn't get much better. I was also quite a bit darker than the other 2 cameras. About an hr before dusk, it look like darkness was minutes away, while the other two looked clear and bright.

I might add also this was the most expensive of the three cameras and quite a bit more expensive than the cheapest one.

Luckily I was able to return this and get my money back.

the other two cameras btw were a Lorex and a Qsee, the Lorex is my favorite, the qSee wasn't great, but it was adequate and I'm keeping both of them.

In the end, considering the high-price of this camera, I am left wondering if I just got a complete dud and it was broken in more ways that the night-vision IR's. I am rather surprised they could sell this for nearly $200 at the level of quality I witnessed...