If you’re looking for a powerful security camera that is relatively inexpensive, simple to set up and easy to use, the Honeywell Lyric C2 Wi-Fi Security Camera is for you. I reviewed the Lyric thermostat and still use it. (Review) I also reviewed the Lyric C1 Security Camera. (Review) The Lyric C2 is a fantastic addition to our ever-smarter home.
The Lyric C2 is a round camera that, when used with its base, can be angled up or down to capture the area that you most need to see.
It is a simple design but certainly more interesting from a visual perspective than the Lyric C1 I reviewed.
In the box, you get the camera, a USB to micro USB cable, a wall adapter, mounting hardware and instructions. You will also need to download the Lyric app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and set up an account. I already had an account thanks to the other Lyric products we use, so I simply had to tell the app to add an additional device.
Once you have downloaded the app and created an account, the setup is simple. I plugged in the camera, told the app to add a device and, within a few seconds, it identified the C2 camera. Because I already have the app set up, I simply needed to follow the app’s prompts to complete the setup.
If, however, you are new to the Lyric ecosystem you will have an additional set that allows the camera to access your wireless network. Either way, it is a simple process that tells you what to do step by step.
So long as there is access to a power supply, the camera can go pretty much anywhere you want. You can set it on a table, screw it into the wall or mount it on the ceiling. You also have the choice of using it with the stand; it ships already locked inside the stand, or on its own without the stand.
If you are securing the camera to a wall you might want this option since it offers a lower profile but, without the stand, you lose the ability to adjust the physical camera angle.
The choice is yours although, of course, placing it on a table or similar flat surface is going to be the easiest option.
THE SECURITY CAMERA THAT RECOGNIZES YOUR BABY CRYING: Honeywell’s indoor Lyric C2 Wi-Fi Security Camera can recognize the difference between a crying baby and a smoke alarm, and sends a notification to your smart device if it hears either. It also lets you watch what’s happening at home, anytime, anywhere, and can detect other unusual movements and sounds. Versatile and easy to install, you can combine multiple cameras through the same Lyric app to keep an eye on your whole home yourself. Now you can see more and hear more.
The Lyric C2 camera looks simple but is a powerful device that offers a great deal. It delivers a sharp, 1080 p high-definition image. The 145° wide-angle view means you can get a wide view of any space you need coverage.
This is not, however, a camera designed only for use in optimal lighting conditions. Packed into it is technology that allows you to access an advanced night vision mode. That means you can “keep an eye on things when the sun goes down, for more reliability and quality, and added peace of mind around the clock.”
Motion detection means the camera can be triggered when there is action in the room. Of course, if you are placing the camera In a high-traffic space you will constantly get notifications. Honeywell addresses this in some ways.
Within the app, you can set the sensitivity of the motion detection to one of three levels. The most sensitive level will trigger a notification when there is the slightest movement. The least sensitive setting will only trigger an alert when a person walks in front of the camera. Since we have a small dog, this is, of course, the correct setting for us.
The adjustable alert zones can also be set in the app settings. The fact that you can set up four different alert zones means you can “monitor windows or doors while ignoring background motion like ceiling fans, so you can see more of the things you care about, and less of what you don’t.”
Finally, the geofencing, which can also be set up in the app, lets the app track your location and, based on that, determine what the camera does. For example, by setting home and away zones, you can have the camera automatically turn on when you are a pre-determined distance from your home and then automatically turn off when you come back within the geofenced range. That makes sense since there is no reason to have the camera on when you are home but every reason to keep an eye on things when you are not.
The Lyric C2 also works with sound. This takes two different forms.
There is the intelligent sound detection that can distinguish between different sounds. You can set it to ignore soft noises but, for example, trigger and alert if your infant is crying or the smoke detector alarm goes off. (It can also work in tandem with a variety of smoke and CO2 detractors. The Lyric C2 website has a full list of compatible detectors.
The camera also allows for two-way audio communication. You listen in on whatever is happening in the room and, if you so choose, speak to the people or animals that are within range.
Here’s one example of how we will likely use the Lyric C2 camera. We have begun letting Nava spend more and more time out of her crate when we are gone. She’s a good dog and has never destroyed anything. Still, it is worth keeping an eye on her. With the camera covering the living room and kitchen we can check in on her when we are out. And, in the unlikely event that we looked in on her and saw her doing something we didn’t like, we could speak to her through the camera and tell her to stop. It is just one example of how this camera can come in handy in ways that are less about security and more about the quality of life.
Finally, the Lyric C2 ships with an encrypted 8GB SD card. The camera can stream video of what it is capturing. If WiFi is unavailable, however, the camera can record what it sees to the card for later review. Honeywell makes it free to stream the audio/video feed and to download surveillance clips from the past 24 hours. The company could easily have charged a small fee for this service but made the consumer-friendly decision that it should be free. And it is.
Specifications:
- 1080p Full HD
- 145° Wide-Angle View
- 6x Zoom
- Four Adjustable Alert Zones
- Motion & Sound Detection
- Two-Way Audio
- Night Vision
- Flexible mounting on wall or tabletop
- Plug-in power
- Not professionally monitored
- Versatile App
- 24/7 Live Video
- Smart Mobile Alerts
- 256-Bit Encryption
- Adapts to Your Location or Use Home & Away Modes
If you are looking for a good indoor security camera but don’t want to break the bank the Lyric C2 Wi-Fi Security Camera is a great option. Set up is easy. There is not monitoring fee. If streams content AND saves to the included 8BG microSD card. It had night vision and two-way sound and, with the app, can be configured in a manner that best fits your needs. Check it out here.
Source: Company Supplied Review Sample of the Honeywell Lyric C2 WiFi Security Camera
What I Like: Easy set up; Highly configurable; No monthly fee; Night vision; Two-Way sound
What Needs Improvement: Nothing