It’s always fun to see how a tech product evolves over time. Recently, I had the chance to test the Vivint Outdoor Camera Gen 3—an upgraded version of a surveillance and theft-deterrent camera that had already won me over with its smart, intuitive features.
The latest model ups the ante by adding the ability to monitor for people lingering around your vehicle, alongside brighter, highly customizable built-in lights.
I put the camera through its paces over several weeks to see how it performed and how these new features hold up in the real world. As it turns out, the ultimate testing ground started with a makeshift outdoor movie theater.
Shedding light on the setup
I recently hosted a block party in my driveway to test out a new projector. It ended up being the perfect opportunity to test the Vivint Outdoor Camera Gen 3’s new lighting array. The camera features robust, ultra-bright LED lights that can be adjusted to your exact preference—whether you want a subtle glow or full-blast brightness. I initially enabled them at full power to help me set up the theater gear in the dark, and then spent time playing around with different lighting scenarios.
That kind of flexibility is exactly what makes this camera feel so intelligent. For instance, you can dim the LEDs so you don’t completely blind guests as they walk up to your house, or you can activate just a single light to keep things subtle.
Like its predecessor, the Gen 3 can be configured to flash its lights, whistle, or play a distinct chime when it detects motion. This naturally coaxes trespassers to look up, allowing the camera to snap a crystal-clear picture of their face.
Customization and smarter detection
You can also restrict the camera’s active hours to fit your daily routine. I set mine to monitor for motion exclusively between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., which is a great way to avoid a barrage of phone notifications during the day when family and friends are constantly walking by.
The headline feature of this new generation is its advanced vehicle detection, which ties directly into Vivint’s upgraded AI. The company claims the camera is now significantly more accurate at monitoring the perimeter of your car. Essentially, the AI is smart enough to differentiate between someone just walking past your driveway and someone lingering suspiciously close to your vehicle.
The Verdict: A two-pronged defense
Will bright lights and a chime stop a truly determined thief? Maybe not entirely, but they are an incredible deterrent. And if someone does cross the line, this camera provides invaluable evidence for an investigation.
During my testing, the motion tracking was incredibly responsive, instantly snapping a clear photo the moment a zone was breached. I also appreciated how easy it was to customize the grid, using the Vivint app to draw a precise security zone around my driveway.
When paired with a Vivint Doorbell Camera, it creates a formidable, two-pronged defense. If a porch pirate handles a package, they have to get past the driveway first. By the time they reach your doorstep, you’ll have two distinct, high-quality photos of the suspect from two different angles. For anyone looking to secure their property, that peace of mind is hard to beat.