Ring first broke into home security with its Ring Video Doorbell. When someone rings the doorbell, an alert is sent to your smartphone and you can view and talk to whoever’s at your door. Alternatively, the doorbell can begin recording when it detects motion at your door and send alerts to your phone. And thanks to its built-in infrared LEDs, the camera works at night.

The $199 Ring Stick Up Cam works in a similar fashion, save for the doorbell part. Ring?s goal is to help ease your security fears by providing multiple products that complement one another instead of forcing you to buy a doorbell from Ring and an outdoor security camera from another company.

With the Stick Up Cam, Ring basically took its doorbell design, changed the housing color to all black and removed the doorbell button.

The two of them look nearly identical. That?s a bit disappointing, especially when you take into consideration the company?s Video Doorbell Pro, which is smaller and far more stylish.

Recycled design aside, the Stick Up Cam isn?t necessarily ugly. Its black housing is unassuming, albeit a little mundane ? a welcome trait for a security camera you want to draw as little attention to as possible.
Set-up is simple

Ring uses its Android or iOS app to complete initial setup of the Stick Up Cam, something you?ll want to do before mounting it to an outside wall.

Using the provided Micro USB cable, you charge the camera and then follow instructions in the app. The process involves pressing a button on the back of the camera, searching and connecting to its temporary Wi-Fi network and connecting it to your personal Wi-Fi network. Installation, on the other hand, can be a bit more involved depending on your comfort level with a screwdriver and putting holes into your house?s exterior. Inside the box you?ll find screws, a screwdriver, a drill bit, and two different mounts.

Using any combination of the provided tools, you can do everything from mount the cam to an overhang or directly to an outside wall.

Because I have to return the product after the review period ends, I didn?t want to put any holes in my home. But after looking through the instructions it was clear that installing the camera is a straightforward process that shouldn?t take more than 15 minutes.

Don?t worry about placing it somewhere rain or snow can?t reach; the camera is weather resistant and should be able to withstand some moisture. My review sample survived three heavy rainstorms in as many weeks without any issues.

Solar power is optional
Ring states the battery in the Stick Up Cam should last six to 12 months on a single charge, depending on activity and use of its Live View feature. Alternatively, you can provide constant power to the camera through a Micro USB cable and a smartphone charger. Or you can spring for the $50 Solar Panel to provide consistent power to the Stick Up Cam.

The Solar Panel comes with a 5-foot Micro USB cable and a weather-resistant sleeve to help protect the charging port when connected to the camera.

Ring advises users to place the panel in an area where it will receive direct sunlight for two or three hours every day. Naturally, Ring includes all appropriate mounting supplies in the box along with the Solar Panel.

I used the panel during my time with the Stick Up Cam, and found the battery to maintain a charge of 65 to 70 percent.