Reolink Altas is a 2K battery camera that can pre-record 2–10 seconds before motion and can record continuously when you need it. Expect up to 540 days in motion mode on a single charge, 8–14 days on always-on or pre-recording modes, and indefinite runtime with the 6W solar panel if you get enough sun. The PT Ultra variant adds 4K and pan-tilt. Local storage is standard, and RTSP/NAS works when you pair the camera with Reolink Home Hub.
Table of Contents
What is Reolink Altas
Altas is Reolink’s battery-powered outdoor camera that aims to fix a classic pain point: battery cams that miss the start of events or can’t run 24/7. Altas adds pre-recording, so clips include the moments before motion triggers, and it supports continuous recording at low frame rates when you truly need a rolling timeline. It records locally to a microSD card up to 512GB, and you can expand storage via Reolink’s optional Home Hub without a subscription.
Altas Key features at a glance
- Pre-recording 2–10s before motion.
- 20,000mAh battery.
- ColorX night vision with F1.0 lens and 1/1.8-inch sensor.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 with WPA3.
- IP66 weather rating.
- 512GB microSD and Home Hub support.
Who should consider it
- You want subscription-optional security.
- Your install spot lacks mains power.
- You need long clips or 24/7 for a window of days.
- You’ll add a small solar panel to keep things topped up.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Truly subscription-optional with local storage.
- Pre-roll saves the start of events.
- ColorX avoids IR glare.
- Wi-Fi 6 and WPA3.
Cons
- ColorX needs ambient light for best results.
- 24/7 drains fast without reliable solar.
- RTSP/ONVIF requires Home Hub.
Reolink Altas: Battery life, explained
Three recording modes and expected runtimes
Altas lists three practical modes:
- Motion (PIR) mode: up to 540 days on one charge based on ~5 minutes of daily recording.
- Continuous mode: about 8 days on a full charge at 3fps.
- Pre-recording mode: about 14 days on a full charge at 3fps.
How long does Altas last?
In motion mode, up to 540 days is possible under light usage. For always-on recording, budget ~8–14 days per charge depending on frame rate and mode. A 6W solar panel with enough sun can keep it running indefinitely.
For the Altas PT Ultra 4K model, the company quotes up to 500 days in PIR mode and details for solar requirements during pre-recording and continuous capture.
Solar requirements by mode
Reolink’s guidance: ~10 minutes of sun per day can sustain PIR mode, ~1 hour/day for pre-recording at 3fps, and ~2 hours/day for continuous 3fps recording when paired with Solar Panel 2 (6W). Treat these as best-case targets.
Cold-weather performance
Altas is rated to -20°C to 55°C with IP66 weather sealing. Expect reduced winter capacity, but the battery is specced for sub-zero operation. PT Ultra is IP65.
Altas ColorX Night Vision: Strengths and Limits
ColorX uses a large F1.0 lens and 1/1.8-inch sensor to keep footage in full color at night without IR LEDs. You’ll avoid IR glare on signs and license plates and get more natural-looking scenes under moonlight or distant street lamps.
Where it shines: areas with ambient light such as streetlights or porch bulbs.
Limit to note: in near-total darkness, you’ll rely on a built-in spotlight or add a small dusk-to-dawn bulb to help ColorX. Community reports say ColorX cams need some light; the included spotlight isn’t meant to flood a wide yard.
Does Altas have IR night vision?
No. Altas uses ColorX for natural color at night and can switch on its spotlight if it’s too dark. Add low-watt ambient lighting for best results.
Altas: Storage and subscriptions
512GB microSD, file retention, and bitrates
Altas supports microSD up to 512GB and can run subscription-free. Continuous recording at low fps stretches battery life and storage; motion/pre-recording trims storage while still capturing crucial context.
Reolink offers optional cloud plans if you want off-site redundancy. Recent pricing snapshots: $6.99/month entry plan with 30-day history for up to five cameras, with higher tiers for more devices and storage.
Home Hub and RTSP/NAS: How it actually works
Battery cameras like Altas don’t expose RTSP/ONVIF directly. Pair them with Reolink Home Hub/Hub Pro and the Hub provides RTSP/ONVIF to your NAS or Home Assistant. That’s the route if you want Synology/QNAP recording or third-party integration.
Can Altas stream to a NAS over RTSP?
Yes, via the Reolink Home Hub. Battery cams don’t offer RTSP on their own. The Hub exposes RTSP/ONVIF so you can connect Synology, QNAP, or NVR software.
Model picker: Altas vs Altas PT Ultra vs Altas Go PT
Spec and feature comparison
| Altas | 2K (2560×1440) | No | Up to 540 days | 8 days continuous @3fps, 14 days pre-record @3fps; solar: ~2h cont., ~1h pre-record | ColorX, spotlight | IP66 | microSD 512GB, Hub/NAS via Hub | Wi-Fi 6 dual-band |
| Altas PT Ultra | 4K | Yes 355°/90° | Up to 500 days | Notes on solar and pre-record; higher power draw in 4K PTZ | ColorX, spotlights | IP65 | microSD 512GB, Hub/NAS via Hub | Wi-Fi 6 dual-band |
| Altas Go PT | 4K/4G LTE variant | Yes | Similar PIR claims; depends on cell use | Off-grid use; plan for solar | ColorX, spotlights | Outdoor | microSD/Hub | 4G LTE |
Which one should you buy?
- Porch/driveway with fixed view → Altas. You’ll get excellent ColorX performance near a porch light and the best battery figures.
- Wide yards or side alleys → Altas PT Ultra. Pan-tilt tracking plus 4K sharpness helps ID people and vehicles.
- Barns, gates, remote lots without Wi-Fi → Altas Go PT with 4G, plus a solar panel.
Setup and placement checklist
- Mount within good Wi-Fi 6 coverage. Use 2.4GHz for reach, 5GHz for throughput. WPA3 is supported.
- Aim the lens to include faces between 6–20 feet and approach paths, not just door panels.
- For ColorX, add a warm LED bulb or ensure a streetlight is in frame.
- If you need 24/7 windows, plan solar: budget ~2h/day sun for continuous 3fps, ~1h/day for pre-recording.
- Pair with Home Hub if you want RTSP/NAS or multi-camera management.
Mini case studies of Altas
1) Suburban porch, package thefts
Switch on pre-recording at 3fps so you capture the courier’s approach and any “porch pirate” moments. Use a porch bulb so ColorX stays color-accurate at night and won’t blow out faces like IR can. Keep the solar panel angled for 1h/day of direct sun.
2) Off-grid shed or pasture
No power or Wi-Fi? Use Altas Go PT with a 6W panel and a local microSD log. Add a Home Hub where you do have power to sync additional cams and enable RTSP on site.
3) Campervan travel
Mount PT Ultra near the sliding door for auto-tracking and 4K detail at campsites. Log to microSD and review from the van at night. Budget battery for travel days; a roof-mounted 6W panel helps.
Frequently Asked Question
Does Reolink Altas require a subscription?
No. It records to microSD and works subscription-free. Cloud plans are optional.
Can Altas record continuously like a wired NVR cam?
Yes, at low frame rates. Expect ~8 days per full charge without solar at 3fps. Solar can sustain it if you get enough sun.
Is ColorX better than IR?
In areas with ambient light, ColorX keeps footage in natural color without IR glare. In total darkness, use the spotlight or add a small light source.
Can I stream Altas to Synology/QNAP via RTSP?
Yes—through Reolink Home Hub. Battery cameras don’t expose RTSP directly.
How big a microSD card can I use?
Up to 512GB per camera. The Home Hub Pro can take larger pooled storage.
Will it work in winter?
Altas is rated -20°C to 55°C with IP66 sealing. Solar charging needs enough clear sun even in cold months.
Limitations and what to watch
- ColorX still needs some light for best results. Pure darkness needs the spotlight or ambient bulbs.
- Continuous 24/7 drains battery quickly without solid solar. Budget sun hours realistically.
- RTSP/ONVIF requires Home Hub with battery models.
The bottom line
If you want a battery camera that can do 24/7 when needed and keep useful pre-roll on every clip, Reolink Altas is one of the few options that thread that needle. Pick PT Ultra if you need 4K and pan-tilt tracking, or Go PT for off-grid 4G sites.
Featured Answer Boxes
What is Reolink Altas?
A battery-powered 2K outdoor camera with pre-recording, ColorX night vision, Wi-Fi 6, and 512GB microSD storage. It can run subscription-free and supports continuous or motion-based recording.
How long does Reolink Altas run on a charge?
Up to 540 days in motion mode under light usage, ~14 days in pre-recording at 3fps, and ~8 days in continuous 3fps. Solar can sustain it with enough sun.
Does Reolink Altas work with RTSP?
Yes, through Reolink Home Hub. The Hub exposes RTSP/ONVIF for battery models to connect to NAS/NVR apps.
Altas vs Altas PT Ultra what’s different?
Altas is 2K and fixed view with longer quoted PIR life. PT Ultra adds 4K, pan-tilt tracking, and higher power needs.
Glossary
- Pre-recording: captures a few seconds before motion triggers.
- ColorX: low-light color video via bright optics and a larger sensor.
- PIR: passive infrared sensor that detects heat-based motion.
- RTSP/ONVIF: streaming/interop protocols exposed via Home Hub for battery cams.
Source: Reolink
