Page 5 - Conclusion
During my most recent vacation, the D-Link DCS-8600LH was a handy surveillance camera to have around as I had a bit more peace of mind when away from my home. Starting from build quality, D-Link has done several things to ensure this camera is resistant to poor conditions, such as colder temperatures and precipitation. Its plastic exterior is solidly built with sealed ports and plugs to protect it from external elements. The lengthy cable and mounting options provided also should ensure this camera has flexibility in both where and how it is installed in your home. In terms of specifications, this camera also has quite a few boxes checked off, including motion and sound detection, two-way audio, and day and night capture. When it comes to usability, D-Link has improved their software experience as their app has been refined. Providing small but helpful additions such as disabling the indicator LED and placing a live view at the front are much appreciated. When it comes to capture quality, we have a trade-off with a higher full HD resolution, but a lower 30fps frame rate. Overall, the images captured are improved and detail is better. On the other hand, in videos I noticed frame drops and the lower rate made recorded videos feel choppier overall. While quality is not the prime focus of surveillance cameras, I would have preferred to see a 60fps, full HD capture quality for a smoother output while keeping its improved detail. I also would have liked to see at least 802.11ac implemented in these cameras for future-proofing. At press time, the D-Link DCS-8600LH retails at $150 USD, which is a bigger of a hit on the wallet than I would have liked considering its video quality. All in all, the D-Link DCS-8600LH is an improved security option now protected from the outdoor elements.
D-Link provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
APH Review Focus Summary:
8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that are not likely going to matter to the end user.
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks; but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Numeric Rating is 7.2/10
Please note that the APH Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other sites.
The D-Link DCS-8600LH is a refined product for home surveillance with the capability to survive outside.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware
3. Configuration and User Interface
4. Sample Videos and Analysis
5. Conclusion
