Night Owl X Reviews

by Idontwishtoenternickname

So you just said you update this and try to make it better but it still crashes all the time and I haven’t seen many updates in the past 2 years I’ve had it. Every other app on my phone updates atleast once a month. I don’t think you guys care to make NightOwlX better or fix problems with it. Mind you I paid $500 bucks for it and got a system worth to me $50 bucks. Feel like I could of went with anyone else for half the cost and had a better system. It’s now 2020. NightOwlX is so out of date for user use. Why don’t we have a scroll bar to skip around a play back for a video? I try and show a cop play back of what someone did and we have to sit there for 10 mins and watch the whole clip and wait to see what happened. Look up neat or anyone else and see what they did for there app cause it’s 100 times better. I’m now to the point of trashing this system for a nest system because of the many different things you can do threw there app even zooming in on videos. Quit being lazy guys and fix simple features that should of came out when the system came out. You would think you would want to fix your 1 star for NightOwlX ?

by Cougars Cheerleader17

Update number who knows. Had cameras about 2 years now? If I had known how bad NightOwlX would be I would not have purchased the cameras. It’s not a internet issue because that works fine on all other items. Sitting at work and can’t check cameras at home. Guess it’s time to return these and spend more money on another system. They don’t fix anything just same responses.

Update: guess what! App is out again. Gone on vacation and I can’t view my cameras. You get used to them and then on vacation you can’t check on your house. NightOwlX stinks. Seriously need to figure out new camera system and return this one.

Did the update for the iPhone and now NightOwlX doesn’t work. One day NightOwlX works then it doesn’t. Now it says the network is down. Then I have to sign in again. Then it can’t find cameras. I wish NightOwlX worked better. Thankfully I bought them at Costco easy return and find better cameras with a working app. Over the last 3weeks it’s worked maybe 7 times.

by Lindsay R M

The settings to view default camera doesn’t not work. When I open NightOwlX I only see one camera then have to switch manually to see more cameras views. No matter how many times I save the setting everything I open on see one camera. Who ever made this update and approved it needs to be fired. I see hundreds of bad reviews of the update yet nothing has been fixed. Also says can’t view someone else is in playback. I’am the only one who has access to my camera. Also I can’t even take one of the cameras of notification anymore. App takes a long time to load, some playback view only does the 15 don’t refresh. I’ve contacted Tech support and their response it’s your internet or WiFi, it’s a bunch of bull the system is thing hooked up too the WiFi, it’s this update. Also asked how can someone be in playback and if they can tell me if there is another person logged in they said no but there is a max of 3 devices that can be logged in. My phone is the only log on. Such crap tech service and security system. Going to have to buy a different brand camera system as this flaw is a security risk not to be able to see all cameras at default sign in and someone else in playback. I’ve contacted

by THCnery

I would like to view NightOwlX in 1 column (2 cameras at a time, landscape). Why won't it save my selection? Under the option pull down I go to views and make my selection. There is no save button only Done. If I click done it will show the proper view... however if I navigate anywhere else on my phone and come back to NightOwlX I have to go through the whole process again. I would love for NightOwlX to auto save my settings so it is the same view next time I open NightOwlX . Edit: NightOwlX is basically useless on my phone... I can't get any of my cameras to load. I get a motion detection notification so I click over to NightOwlX to see what's going on. I usually wait a few minutes to see video... and nothing. So I spend a couple more minutes checking and readjusting all my setting (cause NightOwlX won't save any setting). Then after 5-10 minutes of screwing around with NightOwlX I give up. Whoever was breaking in would already be gone by now anyway... pretty frustrating. Edit: I feel like NightOwlX just stopped working... I can no longer even get a live video to load. ZERO STARS
Edit: I'm getting motion detection notifications as I'm writing this and I cannot get a video to load... causes more frustration than relief. Worthless app

by Ynw._mario

I’ve had the cameras less than a week. I bought them because I was going out of state and left my oldest child home alone (15 as it was a quick travel) felt the need to have my child & home protected. First 2 days app worked fine. Suddenly I’m getting motion notifications I get in NightOwlX to see what’s going on and I’m unable to view anything. I go to my setting to check on devices and it says no devices saved, but while doing this I keep getting notifications. I get back to the cameras still unable to view anything wait a few minutes, get out NightOwlX , get back in and still nothing. Later that day I noticed I’m getting no notifications it went on for the next 2 days. As I’m pulling up my front yard I start receiving notifications. NightOwlX US WORTHLESS, I DON’T RECOMMEND TO ANYONE! Instead of bringing peace it brought lots of frustration as we do rely on the system to be our eyes and ears while where out & about.

by Goombahead1375

Add one more that hasn’t worked since Saturday middle of the night. You’d think they’d have it fixed by now… but this is the company that has known about all the things wrong with their app, and is too lazy to ever fix them. Our business is in a location with nonstop problem activity and need a camera system that works! They had a TRUE “hd” app for the iPad… after an update over a year ago it was gone and it was switched out with the garbage of an app for the iPhone. The old iPad app would switch to hd view the second you tried. This iPhone one only switches to hd when it wants to. I once spent like 5 minutes trying to get it to switch to hd. And when it finally does go to hd, it’s just a big mess of pixels with movement on the screen. This last Saturday when it went down was the last straw. Gave them until yesterday (Monday August 16th) to fix it, then I was going to go get a new system. I did and I am SO happy to say I will not have to deal with this blood pressure rising app anymore. Save your fake automated apology response. If you really cared, you would have fixed all this crap that everyone has given you one stars for.

by TheRealMalikL

NightOwlX hasn’t been working since I updated to iOS13. And the bugs from my LAST review have yet to change. PLEASE ACTUALLY WORK ON AND FIX THE ERRORS THAT NightOwlX HAS INSTEAD OF COMMENTING THAT TECHNICIANS ARE WORKING ON IT WHEN NOTHING HAS CHANGED! I just installed my Night owl x cameras and they work fine. Just having problems bringing my playback videos up from when their’s motion. I have 500+ videos saved but I have to keep refreshing the list in order for me to see the most recent video. Also, The clock records an hour ahead on my app but has the correct time on monitor. I received notifications about Motion and when I click on it, it doesn’t bring me to the video showing that their was motion happening. I also adjusted my sensitivity and marked the areas that I don’t want to record motion but it still seems to catch motion. Also, when I click on some of my playback videos it’s just a black screen and a messages pops up saying “the video is finished playing” when nothing played it “connection timed out, try again later.” I hope a possible update may help these problems get solved. The cameras are great just needs a lot of work on NightOwlX . Please get back with me.

by Power Moves Ic

It only works when it feels like it. Doesn’t tel me wen. Person is at the door or in the driveway. Doesn’t let me play anything back or view live . It just spins and nothing happens. What a waste of money on an expensive security system to not be able to to view what’s going on 3/4 of the time. For what i paid for the system and its own internet service so it could work Efficiently i could of purchased adt or ring door bell and related devices. No one seems to have a problem with the ring app. If i need to sit home and watch the computer monitor it’s pointless to have the system. If I’m home i don’t need to see what’s going on . I am here. Bunch of trash.
Called in to try to resolve the problem and the customer service rep was disrespectful as well as inappropriate telling me to remain professional when i told him i wanted the supervisor then i was placed on hold for 20 minutes until they hung up on me. What a disgrace. I was told i should be happy NightOwlX is free. If it doesn’t work i would rather pay for an app that works. Apparently that was unprofessional of me and his comment if i should be happy NightOwlX was free is why i asked for the supervisor. I will be no longer using this hunk of crap once i can get an appointment with adt. As well as these ppl should be ashamed of how they treat their customers . Their system was well over $300 when i bought it. Plain disrespectful company.

by Very Very Fristrated

Tried to send a review and it wouldn’t let me....trying again. Guess it’s bc the review was so bad. Don’t download bc it’s no good! App worked for a few days then nothing. Chatted, called several times, emailed....no resolution. Tried deleting, reinstalling several times but it gives me messages saying account already exists...no kidding. I could go on and on. I’m so stressed that I told hubby to take the whole system back to the store and get another brand. We’ve only had it a week. I’m so stressed bc I needed the phone app when I’m away bc we have been robbed and I thought I could have NightOwlX for security while I’m away. Not gonna happen, I guess. It’s a waste. Worse app ever!!!!
**Adding to my review....tech support has been unable to resolve my problem. I have talked to several techs, chatted with one, emailed (no response). I have deleted app, reinstalled...still get messages that acct already exists!! Try to reset password and don’t always get an email to reset for some reason. When I do, reset pw and still can’t log in. Acct already exists...I am so done with NightOwlX and Night Owl support. What a waste of $$....purpose for getting security system is defeated. It’s going back.

by ABRZ11057

Had I know the phone app would be terrible I wouldn’t of purchased the cameras. You can’t do half the things on NightOwlX that we can do on the actual monitor. For example, it’ll be nice to continuously monitor WHILE ALSO recording any movements. It’s even more frustrating when I get alerts of movement but takes such a long time for the cameras to load and I can’t playback unless I download the whole video, so it becomes pointless. I’ve tried to download the videos on NightOwlX while connected to WiFi and it’s impossible. One time I let it sit there for 15 minutes and not 1% would download. The default setting for the cameras also is busted. I would like to see all 4 of my cameras when I open NightOwlX , but instead it always goes back to the first one. What is the point of the cameras if I can’t monitor or playback videos on NightOwlX ? That’s the whole point of a security cameras, to monitor in real time. Not have to drain my battery and data just to playback some video. I’ve had the system for 2 weeks and I’m ready to return it to switch to another with a better friendlier app.

by Elindio78

I am very frustrated with NightOwlX and the camera system as a whole. At first this setup (Cameras and app) would communicate with no problems. I have had this setup for just over 6 months and am currently having constant problems. NightOwlX will shut off on its own at random and the play ack feature is not working anymore. As soon as I attempt to view a previous video, NightOwlX closes. I can’t access my setup when I am away from home as NightOwlX tells me that my system is not connected or again NightOwlX will close. I am using and iPhone 11 Pro with 256 gigs and unlimited data on T-Mobile. My home portion of the setup is connected to Spectrum with 200 gig service via a hardwire connection. Makes no sense to me why I have to be on my own wifi to use NightOwlX and actually see the cameras. May just resort to selling this system on ebay as a used item and buy me a better camera system with a more reliable app to view them.

by MakaylaH14

It’s a decent app, it definitely should be a lot better since we are using these cameras to monitor and protect our home. My playbacks worked for about 5 days and and all the sudden I can’t download or watch any playback just stays on a black screen, that’s pretty irritating because I can’t see what my animals are doing while I’m away at work. I haven’t updated to iOS 13 because I know NightOwlX has issues with it, but even in iOS 12.4 I’m still having these issues. My audio also isn’t working at all, I’ve reset the cameras allowed microphone access to my night owl app and still I can’t use my two way audio. I’ve tried to watch playbacks and use my mic off my windows 10 laptop also, still nothing. I like my cameras, but there are a couple important things that needs to be fixed asap.

by Johnny Boyyyyyyuyyy

The hardware you buy works like a charm, doesn’t disconnect stays on 24:7 if you have it set up that way and even had options to switch it from HD or SD. The only problem is this awful app. Tapping on some of the settings sometimes works sometimes doesn’t and you have to keep tapping it to get to a certain setting until it finally registers. Another is the connection to the camera itself, at first it worked flawlessly and I was able to connect from my work, on the road or even at the store but all of a sudden it stopped streaming and started showing a black screen. After several googling I discovered that many others have had this problem and the DEVs are well aware but refuse to take things into their own hands and blame the users end. I wouldn’t waste your time and money on this security that in out works 1/4th if the time

by Xavi7510

I love the system as the cameras are of great quality, pretty easy to install, and manage through settings. However, the application is rough. I have a new iPhone and NightOwlX works for short period of time and then it won’t connect for long periods of time. When I say long periods of time I’m referring to 3-5 weeks. I’ve had the cameras for over a year. You really need to invest in developers to enhance your user experience. Also, add on cameras are too expensive. You should also consider offering a flood light camera to your repertoire and a corner bracket to install two cameras facing two different directions. I would also recommend a push to talk feature and a siren or alert option. It would be a great deterrent for emergency situations. I love the quality of your cameras, but you should really consider consumer suggestions. I think your company could win the market if you had a quality app and other less expensive add on products. My neighbors have Swann and Loren cameras and they are ok, but not as good as my Night Owl 8.0 4K system.

by Heylysey

First of all, I went to the website and there was no place for me to leave my feedback to help improve your product, that was disappointing. We just got these cameras for a great deal on Black Friday, installation was easy, camera quality is amazing, and it is very easy to view on several devices. Cons: the dumbest things set off the “motion sensor” like shadows from birds flying, spider webs, little bugs, and wind blowing small corners of plants. Yet, when the internet guy came to my house his huge van pulling into my driveway didn’t alert a “motion” and it barely sensed him walking up to my door. I will have to record continuously unfortunately. Also, while viewing the play back, you guys REALLY need fast forward/rewind buttons on NightOwlX ! Please! Especially since I’m going to have to continuously record. Also, not sure how to delete unwanted false motion sensed videos. Thank you!

by Bmbrown22

When NightOwlX sends you a push notification for motion, you cannot review the playback of that event for 1 hour after it happens. I don't understand the point of sending me a motion notification if I can't review what caused it immediately. If there is motion on my property, I would like to be able to open NightOwlX and see what caused it, but with NightOwlX you must wait an hour to do that. I think this needs to be tweaked in an update and it would be a good app for my purposes. Also, when you get the push notification, it doesn't tell you which camera it came from, nor can you find out until that hour had passed and the video playback is available.

Update: thank you for fixing the playback issue. You can now immediately view motion notifications in NightOwlX . Thanks, great job!

by ScarTissu

Update as of now everything has been working very well the only real issue is the default view being saved in NightOwlX so when you open it up it doesn’t show your 8 cameras it always just one then you have to manually change the amount of cameras you’d like to view it’s like NightOwlX just doesn’t save the saved view function.

Wnvr and app work just fine together .
If I had to complain about anything I have experienced maybe 5 times where you go too open NightOwlX and none of the cameras show up look at NightOwlX it says it’s connected to my 8 channel NVR but no vid. I discover this isn’t an app issues it’s the NVR I noticed when I had this issues my NVR hard drive was nearly full and laggy on the NVR itself so with a format and a reboot of the NVR all was fine...I set my preferences to just reboot the NVR weekly and have never had that issue again. It’s was a NVR memory issues...!

by MacBookMattix

I appreciate all the work you guys have and put into development of yalls product. Ever since I got my system and got it set up it’s always worked for the majority of the time. I used to have minor issues with remote viewing if I hadn’t been on my WiFi network for a while but as time has went on I get happier and happier with my app and system. It has done nothing but get better and better and I hope that things continue to just improve! I have many ideas I could give y’all for added little bonus app features that I think would be very useful but none the less you’ve made a life long customer out of me!! Very satisfied and to anyone looking at those nest door bell cams and the other cheapos on the market DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THEM. Spend the extra little bit for the customer support, quality and integrity that night owl has in its product. I’m just a regular guy and I’ve had my 4 cam wnvr system for a couple years or something like that and I’m truly shocked at the improvements they’ve continued to make and in today’s world you don’t see that very often.

Happy holidays night owl thank ya for providing me a reliable way to film the idiot thieves trying to steal my packages off the porch. (Btw the two way audio on the cameras really comes in handy when they try to do that) 😂🤣🤣

by Windows & Doors USA

I have had the out for over five years now and even though it may have had some issues here and there I have been very pleased with the performance. Of course it does have a little lag time sometimes when I try to login and sometimes it will not allow me to login at all but that is because of the Internet connection speed and not NightOwlX itself. About a year ago after repositioning the cameras due to continued thefts in the area I was able to zoom in and get license plates which help me lead law-enforcement to the individual who’s been doing the crime in our area. I understand not everyone has the same outcome but just want to let everyone know that it works perfect for me in my business.

by WendysOrBust

A few months ago when I bought these cameras I was underwhelmed at how the “live feed” of NightOwlX worked. It basically didn’t. When you had the view set to 4,6, or 8 Camera feeds the screens would refresh every 10 seconds. Only when you selected one individual Camera would you get a true live feed. This was frustrating because the a simultaneous live feed worked perfect on my pc and Mac, but the iPhone app was truly crippled. Last night I received the latest update and it’s fixed! Now it NightOwlX always shows a live feed when viewing multiple streams. Really nice when I want to login and check on my dogs and house. A+++

For future updates I would really like NightOwlX to be able to record motion detection alerts. I frequently get alerts throughout the night but it’s too cumbersome to plug in into the main drive, download the footage and match it with the alert time on your phone. A screenshot would even be a good idea.

by EjayRussell

UPDATE: So I just opened NightOwlX today to check on some motion that my Ring doorbell camera alerted me to, and my device doesn't even show up, I can’t see any of my cameras and its like I just installed NightOwlX for the first time. Completely disappointed with NightOwlX.
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I really wish I had done more research before buying this system. An 8 camera system that seems to work only when its wants to, a power supply that was dead out of the box, and I had to jump through hoops to prove their device was faulty - but a look at the reviews on their own website shows defective products isn't just an occasional problem. And lastly its an app that takes FOREVER to open on an iPhone 8, and when it does finally open theres only a 50/50 chance that the cameras will actually show anything but a black screen. Worthless equipment, worthless software with customer service to match. I can't wait to replace the system as soon as I can.

by Veritas483

UPDATE: Doesn’t appear to really work with iOS 13. Cameras take forever to load, if they even load at all.

Streaming the cameras live only updates every 10 seconds (locally and remotely) which is pretty much useless. Playback works less than half the time, I usually get a blank image and NightOwlX then says “the video has finished playing.” I had a Swann system at my previous house and NightOwlX wasn’t great but it was far better than this, considering returning this and going back to Swann, especially since based on other reviews, they aren’t really interested in fixing these problems, they just say that they will forward your message on and nothing is actually done about it. With the amount of other options that are out there I would think that they would want to fix these issues. I would currently not recommend this system to someone and would advise them to spend their money elsewhere.

by Crashland73 (rc Flyer)

Ive tried two other brands of which has a long necked bird as their logo. It wasnt user friendly. Being i was broke in by those 2 brands maxe this one very easy & definatly user friendly. Night owl’s tech support is great too. I used the tech support chat option & she had me back on track. If your internet drops youll need to contact them & theyll steer you the right way. It has a few small & very minor quirks because of me needing ro repeat that process each time i have to disconnect the internet from it but all in all, much clearer, sharper & higher grade nv or it seems to be. Picks up much better. & their notifications caused by movement works. Thanks for a great product.