My favorite gadget (other than my iPhone and iPad) is my Ring Video Doorbell.
Here's the thing: The Ring Video Doorbell is advertised as something for home-owners. You're supposed to mount it as a permanent replacement for your front-door doorbell. And I recommend that every home-owner buy and install the newer Ring Video Doorbell Pro.
As you know, I'm a nomad. I live mostly in AirBnBs all over the world. That's why people are surprised that I use a Ring Video Doorbell everywhere I travel -- and I recommend that everyone do this.
In fact, even if you own a home and install the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, I still recommend buying a second Ring device for any travel you do. The benefits for safety and property protection are just too great.
When you travel, you're more vulnerable to theft and crime. When you stay at an AirBnB, the neighbors know you're a traveler and probably carry cash, passports, laptops, tablets, cameras and other valuables.
By placing a Ring Video Doorbell in front of the house, you can know whether anyone has entered the premises -- or if they're still there -- before you open the door. At night, while you're sleeping, you can see if anyone is trying to break in.
Ring camera products work by connecting to WiFi,and capture video of any motion or video when someone rings the bell. The video is streamed into the cloud. The alters chime your phone, and you can watch the video live, and even talk to whoever is there through your phone like an intercom system.
(The photo shows the view through my Ring Video Doorbell in an AirBnB I rented in Marseille, France.)
I think everyone should own at least one Ring camera.
BUT -- there are two things you need to know before you buy.
First, the newest product, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, is not usable for travel. The reason is that it requires a wired connection to the home's electrical system.
Instead, buy either the older (but cheaper) Ring Video Doorbell, or buy the Ring Stickup Cam, which gives you the camera but not the doorbell feature. Both these products contain rechargeable batteries that last for months between charges.
Here's where you can buy the Ring Video Doorbell.
Here's where you can buy the Ring Stickup Cam.
The second thing you need to know is: How to mount a Ring device temporarily.
The answer is something you can buy at the hardware store called "mounting putty." It's like Silly Putty, but can be used for securely but temporarily mounting anything. You just put for small blobs of mounting putty in each corner of the camera and press it to the wall next to the door.
Here's the mounting putty I buy, which works great.
There you have it, folks. Whether you own or rent a home, or travel full-time like I do, always have a Ring Video Doorbell or Ring Stickup Cam wherever you go.
#ringvideodoorbell #ringvideodoorbellpro #ringstickupcam
(Full disclosure: Links in this post are Amazon Associate links. Here's a link to all the gear I use and recommend.)
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