Hawkray Solar Security Camera Review: My Honest Experience After Nearly a Year

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I bought and used this camera myself. This review reflects my personal experience, and I may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.

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I wanted outdoor security cameras that were affordable, easy to install, and did not force me to pay another monthly subscription. After using my Hawkray solar security cameras for nearly a year, I can say they have delivered what I was looking for.

I installed two cameras outside to watch two separate entry points on my property. I have tested the daytime picture, smart night vision, motion tracking, alarms, phone app, two-way audio, solar charging, and local memory-card recording in real conditions.

They are not perfect. One solar panel eventually stopped working after being mounted beneath a metal carport where Arizona heat may have contributed to the problem. I moved the camera to a pole and replaced that unit because the rest of the system had worked so well for me.

Overall, these cameras have been inexpensive compared with many other security systems, simple to use, and especially valuable because I can record locally without paying for cloud storage.

Quick verdict

The Hawkray solar security camera is a good choice for someone who wants affordable outdoor monitoring without wiring a camera into the house or paying a required monthly subscription. Installation is easy, the dual-camera view covers both wide and close areas, motion tracking works well, and the phone app lets me check my property from almost anywhere.

The main caution from my experience is solar-panel placement. Avoid trapping the panel beneath an extremely hot metal structure. Give it open sunlight and some airflow when possible.

What I like:

• No required subscription when using a TF/microSD card
• Affordable compared with many security-camera systems
• Easy mounting and removal
• Clear daytime video
• Useful smart night vision
• Motion detection and tracking
• Remote viewing through the phone app
• Two-way audio through the camera
• Pan, tilt, and zoom controls in the app
• Wide and close camera views at the same time

What I would improve:

• One solar panel failed after prolonged exposure to extreme heat under a carport
• Cloud recording requires an optional paid plan
• The app takes a little exploring because it includes many controls

Check the Hawkray camera price on Amazon

Why I bought these cameras

Price was a major reason I chose this system. I wanted to cover more than one entry point, but I did not want to spend hundreds of dollars per camera or add another subscription to my monthly bills.

The ability to save recordings to a TF/microSD card was especially important. Cloud storage is available if someone wants it, but I use a memory card so I do not have to pay a monthly fee just to review recordings.

That made the Hawkray system a better fit for my needs than cameras that become much less useful without a paid plan.

Installation experience

Installing the cameras was surprisingly easy. Each camera uses a mounting plate that can be secured where you need it. The camera can then be removed from the plate if it needs to be adjusted, charged, serviced, or relocated.

I mounted my cameras on poles to watch two different entry points. The solar panels sit above or near the cameras where they can receive direct sunlight. Because the cameras use Wi-Fi and solar charging, I did not have to run electrical wiring out to each location.

For my setup, that saved considerable time and made it easier to position the cameras where they provided the best views.

Daytime picture quality

I have been impressed with the daytime picture quality. The app displays a closer view and a wide-angle view, making it easier to see both details and the larger area around the camera.

From my phone, I can clearly monitor the driveway, gates, vehicles, road, and surrounding property. The wide view helps me understand what is happening across the full scene, while the closer view helps when I need more detail.

The app also provides far-and-near focus and PTZ controls, so I can change the view instead of being stuck with one fixed camera angle.

Night vision and alarm

The smart night vision has worked well for me. The app lets me access the night-vision controls, and the camera provides a useful view of the property after dark.

The alarm feature also works as expected. These tools make the camera more useful than a basic system that only records video. I can monitor an area, receive motion information, and respond through the app when needed.

Motion detection and tracking

Motion detection and tracking have worked very well in my experience. When activity occurs in the camera’s view, the system can detect it and follow the movement.

This is helpful on a larger property because a person, vehicle, or animal does not always stay in the center of a fixed camera view. The tracking gives the camera a better chance of keeping the activity visible.

No motion system is perfect, especially outdoors where animals, wind, and changing light can trigger activity. However, I have been pleased with the way this system performs around my entry points.

Phone app and remote viewing

The phone app is one of the strongest parts of the system. I can check either camera from almost anywhere as long as my phone and cameras have a connection.

The controls I use include:

• Live camera viewing
• Far-and-near focus
• Pan, tilt, and zoom
• Motion detection
• Night vision
• Manual recording
• Screenshots
• Playback from a TF/microSD card
• Sound and two-way communication

Two-way audio lets me listen and speak through the camera using my phone. This can be useful if someone arrives at the property, if I need to warn someone away, or if I simply need to communicate without walking outside.

No subscription required with local storage

One of my favorite things about this camera is that a paid cloud plan is optional rather than required for the way I use it.

The app offers cloud storage, but I record to a TF/microSD memory card. This lets me access saved footage without adding another recurring bill. Anyone considering the camera should confirm the supported card capacity in the current Amazon listing or manual, since product specifications can change.

For me, local storage is a major advantage. A low-priced camera is not truly inexpensive if it requires a monthly payment to provide the features you bought it for.

Solar charging and the problem I experienced

Most of my solar setup was simple to connect and has worked well. However, I did experience one failure worth explaining.

One camera and solar panel were mounted beneath a metal carport. That location became extremely hot, and the solar panel eventually stopped working. I cannot prove that heat was the sole cause, but the location is the most likely explanation based on what I observed.

I moved the camera away from the carport and mounted the replacement on a pole. The new location gives the panel direct light with more open airflow.

This did not make me give up on the system. I had used the cameras for almost a year, liked the other features, and chose to replace the failed unit with another one. Still, buyers in very hot climates should think carefully about where the panel is mounted.

Is the Hawkray solar security camera worth buying?

For my needs, yes. I wanted affordable cameras for two entry points, easy installation, reliable phone access, motion tracking, clear video, two-way communication, and a way to record without a subscription. The system gives me all of those things.

I would recommend it to homeowners, rural-property owners, workshop owners, or anyone who needs an inexpensive way to monitor an outdoor area without running electrical wires.

Someone who wants a premium professionally monitored security system may prefer a different setup. But for practical do-it-yourself monitoring at a reasonable price, the Hawkray cameras have provided strong value for me.

After nearly a year of real use, I would buy them again. In fact, when one solar panel failed, that is exactly what I did.

See the current Hawkray camera price and availability on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

Does the Hawkray camera require a subscription?

I use a TF/microSD card for local recording, so I do not pay a monthly subscription. An optional cloud plan is available through the app for people who prefer cloud storage.

Can you watch the camera from your phone?

Yes. I use the phone app to view both cameras remotely, change the camera position, listen to sound, speak through the camera, record video, take screenshots, and review saved footage.

Does motion tracking work?

It has worked well for me. The camera detects movement and can track activity across its viewing area.

Is installation difficult?

My installation was easy. The removable mounting plate makes it possible to install the camera and take it down later if it needs adjustment or service.

Does the solar panel keep the camera charged?

My solar setup has generally worked well, but one panel failed after being installed beneath a metal carport in extreme heat. I recommend mounting the panel in open sunlight with airflow and following the manufacturer’s placement instructions.

Would I buy this camera again?

Yes. When one unit developed a solar-panel problem after almost a year, I replaced it with the same type because I was satisfied with the system’s price, video, app, local storage, and other features.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I bought and used this camera myself. This review reflects my personal experience, and I may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.