I pulled the trigger this morning but got a call from Steve saying the NeoPro is out of stock and gave me a heads up there were some things people didn't like about it. So far all I've heard is that people do like it. So what's up with it/them? I am somewhat tech savvy, not like a guru but I don't have to call anyone to help me with tech usually. Just trying to decide if I picked the right one while I still have time while it's backordered.

I have both. The NeoPro uses an app so you can see what you are recording on your phone. However, the app is very glitchy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's awesome when it works. It's still supposed to record even when you can't see it on the phone screen. I've had two occasions where one of a series of 10 minute videos was bad or corrupted. Don't know why. All the other videos were ok, but the last one was corrupted in each situation. I love that the microphone is part of the camera, rather than having the extra wire, as with the Eco2. The connector where the camera wire connects to the camera is rather awkward on the NeoPro as it sticks out and doesn't bend. But, you don't have to worry about it coming unplugged from the dvr, as you do with the Eco2.

I really like the Eco2 as well. I the video image seems clearer to me than the NeoPro, but the Pro has a wider angle, which makes it easier to get your target on screen, IMO. I've had two button camera cords go out with the Eco2, and had to replace. I also like that you can review footage on the Eco2, without having to unplug the camera from the DVR.

That was a lot, and probably confusing. But, hope it helps.

No, not confusing at all, and very helpful!

Can you tell me about the wifi capablities on the neopro and how useful it is or isn’t, and if it’s easy to use? I have an android phone, and an iPad and an iMac so all mixed up here, and my home wifi sucks. I’ll probably have to upload the files on the go from either iPad or android phone while out in the field.

I wonder if the file corruption issue is a usual occurrence across user experience? That scares me!

Yeah, I have no idea if the corruption problem was a bad sd card or something I did, vs the camera itself causing the issue. If you want to use the app to view the video as it's recording, you connect your phone wifi to the dvd/camera, then you should be able to view what the camera sees. You can press record from your phone screen, which is convenient, and you can also take a peek at your phone to make sure your angles are right during the shop. Occasionally, I will somehow lose the wifi connection during a shop, and I won't be able to see what I am recording. That can be a little nerve wracking, because I'm worrying that the camera may not be recording, since I can't view it. However, It has turned out fine in those cases. To upload on the road, you will need a strong hotspot or wifi connection, but it can be done. The wifi on the camera does not allow you to upload. You will need to plug in to your tablet, laptop or phone to do that. I have an Apple phone, laptop and tablet, so can't speak to how things would work with an android.

I have completed about 40 shops with my PV-500 NP Wi-fi. I would recommend it, but video shopping with the PV-500 NP Wi-fi takes a little practice to get used to. The Wi-fi is cumbersome to set up, but you only need to do it once. In addition to the Pros and Cons listed below, I have subsequently discovered that my phone has no connection to the internet when the PV-500 NP is connected. This means I must be sure and pull my route up on Google Maps before I connect my PV-500 NP.

PV-500 NP Pro Wi-Fi (AMAZON $540.79 w/tax) I think the price has recently increased by $50.
Pros:
More secure camera/mic connector; heavy duty wire/cable
Mic integrated inside camera box; no need to pin mic to shirt
Can control DVR functions via cable, touchscreen, or smartphone app
Smartphone app allows live viewing what is being recorded as well as settings.
DVR Can stop and start recorder from phone app; great for shops with many short interactions (like casinos)
Choice of 30 or 60 FPS @ 720 pixels;
My 7-hr battery from my old PV-500 ECO1 works with the PV-500 NP Pro
USB connection allows reasonably fast files transfer to pc, about 10 mb/s.
Item specs list color night vision; I have not tested this yet.
Video and sound quality are fantastic and noticeably better than the old ECO version.
Cons:
Initial Wi-Fi connection is difficult and complicated to perform.
Smartphone app requires several specific difficult-to-remember steps to connect to DVR’s Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi connection from DVR to phone app is difficult and stubborn to make.
Maximum file segment is limited to 10 minutes; max micro SD card is 32Gb (about 5 hours).
If camera plugged in, recording automatically begins the moment DVR powers on.
Nearly impossible to plug camera into DVR without flashlight and magnifying glass.
Touchscreen is not sensitive enough to reliably control settings. It works best to use smartphone app.
Uses Micro SD memory card instead of regular SD card
None of my button cameras are compatible with the PV-500 NP Pro
Side power and record button is tiny and recessed making it difficult to use and Extremely difficult to know if DVR is actually recording when it is in pocket (could feel switch on earlier DVRs and know Up=off and Down= record).
Less covert DVR belt holder, because VGA type cam connector protrudes about 2” from DVR.
1080 pixels can only be 25 or 30 FPS
Records in MOV format; no option to change.
[www.youtube.com]
● Solid blue LED - power on (Hold 3 seconds)
● Solid red LED - recording on (Hold 1 second)
● Blinking orange LED - device searching for Wi-Fi connection
● Solid orange LED - device is connected to Wi-Fi
● Solid green LED - the device is charging.
● Green LED goes off - the device is fully charged.
Settings>>>>Connections
Click Network ID
Click PV500Neo Pro
Open phone app
Control DVR with app Power ~ hold 3 seconds
Power ~ hold 1 second to stop auto-record

@FreeBirb wrote:

No, not confusing at all, and very helpful!

Can you tell me about the wifi capablities on the neopro and how useful it is or isn’t, and if it’s easy to use? I have an android phone, and an iPad and an iMac so all mixed up here, and my home wifi sucks. I’ll probably have to upload the files on the go from either iPad or android phone while out in the field.

I wonder if the file corruption issue is a usual occurrence across user experience? That scares me!

The Wi-fi can be very helpful. I recently did a video shop where the entire wall behind the agent was a mirror as I sat at her desk. The Wi-fi kept me from appearing on the video. It allowed me to avoid a mirror shot of myself. I was able to get a precise angle by viewing live on my phone what was being recorded.

Regarding connecting the camera to the DVR, I have figured out that there is a tiny slot under the screw cap on the connector. As long as that slot is pointing straight up, and the screen is facing up, it slides on pretty easily.