Cameras with Spotlights need feature to turn on light when motion is detected from Sunset to Sunrise
I like to use my spotlight as a deterrent. I'd like it to go on when there is motion at night to let someone know "hey there is a camera here, move on". However with a lot of spotlight cameras the spotlight only activates when motion is detected in Night Mode or very low light (C325WB).
For example in my situation I have decent ambient light. My C320WB never goes into Night Mode due to its starlight sensor. Without going into Night Mode the spotlights will never be triggered. I can set it to permanent night mode, that would put everything in black and white even during the day. What is necessary is a Spotlight setting that has a toggle switch to turn on spotlight during any motion from Sunset to Sunrise. Then no matter if the camera is in Night Mode or Day Mode when motion is detected it activates the lights.
From a video I watched on the C325WB model, even though it doesn't have night mode, its a color only sensor. If the camera decides there is enough light, even with motion the spotlights won't turn on.
The software of the camera are set up to use the Spotlight to assist image quality, they are not taking into account that the spotlight itself is a deterrent. It could help scare away someone in your yard or by your car. It needs it own setting where you can force it to go on during a specific time period if it detects motion. Sunset to sunrise would be great the best. Maybe even time windows can be set. I personally would like sunset to sunrise as setting a time could change throughout the year.
Eufy cameras work perfectly, the spot light turns on with motion detected at night. And it doesn't matter if I'm in night mode or day mode. However Tapo has features that are better than Eufy. Tapo can detection motion quicker and further away. It has vehicle AI. It has better pricing.
But until an update is made for these features I can't buy Tapo Cameras.
