Have anyone had any experience with AI Ball Mini Cam?
If you never heard of it, just Google or search YouTube for “AI Ball Mini” to get few dozens of results (forum seems to prohibit links).
Its (approx. $70-100 depending on source).
Pros:
- Miniature - approx. 1,5 x 1,5 in
- IP cam which supports MJPEG (and hopefully works with iCam Pro)
- Wireless and cordless (battery operated)
Cons:
I read few online reviews about it and people generally complained about:
- Low WiFi range 6-10 ft (specs claim 7.5m for ad hoc and 20m for infrastructure (by which I think they mean LAN with router)
- Poor video quality, wont focus well beyond 20cm (specs: VGA 640x480, QVGA 320x240, QQVGA 160x120, up to 30fps, focus 20cm – infinity. YouTube demo shows quite reasonable focus and quality, even they show close range – ? ? ?
- Fact it comes only with disposable Lithium battery which last about couple hours (no manufacturer information on operational time on battery)
Searching Internet further it turned out, additional stand, power adapter (car and wall) and USB cable can be purchased for roughly $30. As I read its specs I realized cam has a plug on its back, which accepts DC 5V 1A output (from optional adapter called Cradle). Aha! This is exactly what iPhone uses. This mean I already have lithium battery pack (Mophie – size of cigarette pack which I bought in Apple store) and suitable cable to connect cam with pack (original Mophie’s cable).
What is important for me is that cam is cordless, it can last operating (hopefully) quite reasonable time and that it’s truly tiny. I don’t care that much about WiFI range or perfect video quality, with limits of reasonability of course.
What I wonder is how it performs on network with iCam? Can it be configured with it? Is it pain? Does it function well? How it really focus in 5-12 ft range? I also wonder how long it will last with Mophie. Spec says cam consumes 320-350 mAH at 3V which would make it 0.96 – 1.05 W (according to my calculations). I know it meets rough requirements (MJPEG) specified by SKJM to be supported, still few words of personal experience would help.
I am also aware of thread on this forum of recommended cams. I even bought Linksys N150, it doesn’t meet my needs - going to return it. Too big, wall power plug is No No for me. Checking other recommendations turned neither of cams is small or cordless.
