The Reolink Go wireless 4G LTE security camera is now available worldwide

Electronic or digital security cameras around the home are a steadily-growing market, and can offer more peace of mind. However, they may also require the installation or running-out of additional cables for power or data. This can be a drawback if a domestic grid would be less than amenable to this.

The company Reolink set out to address this possible issue by developing the Go, a security camera with a built-in 7800mAh battery. This product also supports a SIM card for its own 4G data. Therefore, the idea is that it could be installed almost anywhere the user would like (even, as its promotional images suggest, attached to the side of a tree) and virtually left to scan a given area with complete independence.

The Reolink Go can also conceivably be constantly powered with a solar panel, which the company also sells. However, it can also be powered via microUSB, although its maker would apparently rather you didnt. The Go camera can record H.264 video through its 110-degree lens, which also has 6x zoom. It can save this telemetry to a microSD card - albeit one with a maximum capacity of 64GB.

With its 4G radio - which, Reolink claims, is compatible with multiple carriers worldwide - it can also stream this video directly to a mobile device in the user's hand. This, however, implies a potential drawback of the innovative camera. Depending on the carrier and plan in question, doing so could get expensive over time. Reolink estimates that it can use 1 gigabyte (GB) of data per hour of live feed in a mode with a bitrate of 1.5megabits per second (Mbps). Alternatively, a 160 kilobit per second bitrate gives 10 hours of viewing for 1GB. In addition, the Reolink Go does not support WiFi.

Considering the Go records at 1080p, and has a 120-degree passive infra-red sensor that could keep the camera active in case of movement, this could add up to a lot of data over time. The platform itself is also relatively pricey: one Reolink Go goes for US$239.99, or $20 more for one with a solar panel. Alternatively, there is a 2-camera set for $477.99.