Looking for an affordable IP camera that doubles as a security camera and baby monitor, complete with usable software for instant checking? If so, Nooie Cam 360 is ideal for your purposes.

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Nooie Cam 360 IP Security Camera and Baby Monitor

IP security cams that double as pet cams and baby cams are nothing new. So, why should you give the Nooie Cam 360 your consideration?

Well, the name, 360, indicates just what the camera can do: rotate and spin through 360 degrees, covering every inch of the chosen area of observation. But is that enough? IP cameras with wireless capability are often tricky to sync. They're also difficult to place and install, while viewing the feed can be frustrating.

But does the Nooie Cam 360 suffer from these problems?

What's in the Box? Unboxing the Nooie

The affordable Nooie cam ships in a smart box. While confident packaging is not a sign of hardware quality, it is always a promising sight. Brown card and a striking logo with gold embossed lettering indicate what is inside. The box itself is split into three sections:

  1. Upper: storing the quick start guide
  2. Middle: where the cam is found
  3. Bottom: screws, cables, mounting plate

The camera itself is a plain-looking device, no doubt designed to blend in and avoid drawing attention. A tiny LED is the only indicator that it is switched on.

The Nooie Cam 360 ships with a smart box

Unboxing the Nooie Cam 360, you notice a couple of intelligent design choices. First, the power cable uses a micro-USB connector, which has been mounted in a squat cylinder of plastic. This matches the color of the camera, and slots into the similarly sized hole on the back of the device. Very tidy.

There is also a hidden microSD card slot, which you'll find by rotating the camera lens upward around 30 degrees. Due to the color scheme of the cam (beige and white for the main body, black for the camera module) it's a good idea to use a black microSD card. Many cards are colored red or white, but these might be spotted.

Nooie Cam 360 Features

What can you expect from the Nooie Cam 360?

Well, as noted, there is the 360-degree camera, although it's is actually a 355-degree camera. It can also cover 94 degrees vertically, and the lens has a 101-degree field of view. In short, you're unlikely to miss anything.

 

It also records and streams footage in high definition and IR night vision. This is possible thanks to a high-quality sensor and 1080p HD camera lens. Two 940nm infrared LEDs assist the night vision, which works up to 32 feet (10 meters) in pitch-black conditions. You can also disable the status light.

A strong reason to choose the Nooie Cam 360 over other devices is automatic motion tracking. This enables the camera to follow the action around the room, whether an intruder, or a child in their nursery.

Meanwhile, Nooie provides a mobile app for use with the camera. There is apparently no way to access the feed from a PC. However, Android and iOS users can take advantage of the app and direct control of the camera. Pan and tilt controls let you observe the room in HD video.

Motion and sound detection are also built-in, enabling the app to send real-time notifications to your phone. Note that motion detection can be disabled if preferred.

Also present is two-way audio, which lets you talk to whoever is being observed by the cam. You'll need the mobile app for this to work, which requires permissions to access your device microphone. Nooie has employed anti-noise tech to offer the best audio quality for this.

Continuous recording is available, either via microSD card or the seven-day AWS cloud storage. We'll look at which option is best below.

Connecting the Nooie Cam 360 to Your Wi-Fi Network

To begin using the Nooie Cam 360, you'll first need to connect it to your wireless network. This is done via the mobile app, which you can grab from the iOS and Android app stores.

Once the camera is plugged into the mains, it will power up, the red LED blinking. Syncing to the wireless network is managed via the app, by tapping +Camera, selecting the model, and entering the Wi-Fi credentials.

The LED indicates network connectivity

Syncing the camera to the mobile app and setting it up on the network will take a few moments. There may also be the opportunity to install and pending firmware updates. We omitted this on the first run, and which appeared to relate to an issue with the camera's microphone. While initially failing to work, after we installed the update, the microphone was operational.

While the Nooie Cam 360 can be viewed via a mobile device, it's not limited to your hardware. Sure, the necessary IP cam privacy and security features are present, but that doesn't mean you can't share the feed.

The Nooie app settings screen features a Camera sharing option, which lets you share the feed. Note that the recipient must have the Nooie app installed and an account set up.

It's a feature best used by partners, perhaps to observe a pet or child while the other fills the dishwasher.

Positioning and Mounting Options for the Nooie Cam 360

How you mount the Nooie Cam 360 will depend on how you use it. The device is not designed for external use and shouldn't be mounted anywhere it can be affected by moisture.

The camera has a sturdy base that supports the not-quite 360-degree rotation. It's non-slip, although this means it is more like to topple if knocked. Safe positioning is achieved by placing the camera on a shelf, or some other hard-to-reach surface. You can also mount the device on a ceiling, thanks to the included mounting plate, screws, and plugs.

This comes with a handy clip at the back to guide the power lead through. In most cases, you'll need some additional adhesive clips to guide the cable to its destination.

Viewing the Nooie Cam 360 Feed on Your Mobile

To see the feed from your Nooie Cam 360, you'll need to install the mobile app. Android and iOS users are supported here, and the app is surprisingly easy to use. Indeed, it is among the best we've seen of this type.

Some IP cameras ship with good quality hardware but are let down by the software. This might be the device firmware, or the mobile app. In this case, both firmware and mobile app seem to be perfect. The camera receives regular updates (it was updated twice during testing) while the app offers full control of the device. Other Nooie cameras can also be managed using the app.

Dragging a finger across the screen lets you rotate the camera, tilt up and down, and generally view the area. Clear menus let you toggle settings. For example, if you mount the device on the ceiling, it will be upside down. The app features the option to rotate the image 180 degrees to facilitate this.

The app will also notify you of motion and sound detection. This gives you a once-tap view of the footage, letting you easily check what is unfolding before the camera.

Storing Footage on the Nooie Cam 360 or the Cloud

Two options for footage storage are available. By default, the cam is on a short loop, and live footage can be viewed remotely. For storage, you can:

  1. Insert a microSD card
  2. Subscribe to cloud storage

Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For instance, while the microSD option is cheaper, you'll need a top-rated card and high capacity. Otherwise, it won't retain too much footage.

Nooie Cam 360 footage can be saved to SD card

On the other hand, the paid option gives you as much access to the footage as you will need. This costs $5 a month for seven-day cloud storage.

What's the Best Use for the Nooie Cam 360?

With a security cam of this kind, you have several options for use.

For example, it can be placed in any room in the house, observing doors, windows, corridors, and other transit points. The infrared feature means it can be used in the dark and motion detection delivers instant notifications. With its comparatively low cost, you could install several devices---the app can handle more than one Nooie Cam 360.

On the other hand, you could simply use the camera to keep an eye on your little one. It's small enough to place anywhere, as she or he plays or sleeps. Of course, a baby monitor is not a substitute for actual parenting, so use this in conjunction with regular checks.

For testing, I used the Nooie Cam 360 predominantly to keep an eye on my parent's house while they vacationed. With the wireless internet left up and running, it gave me an instant glimpse of the property's main reception room. This meant I could avoid dropping by twice daily, saving time while maintaining a watchful eye.

Nooie Cam 360: An-Easy-to-Use Baby Monitor and Security Camera

Unusually for an IP camera, the Nooie Cam 360 straddles the two uses of security cam and baby monitor perfectly. Easy to set up, and with a competent, simple mobile app, the Nooie Cam 360 is everything you could want from an indoors IP cam.

If your Wi-Fi is strong enough in the location the camera is placed, it should be responsive and reliable. Aside from this, the only real issue is the limited length of the mains power cable, and its unsuitability for outdoor use.

Other than that, this is a great option, and considerably cheaper than most HD baby cams on the market.