If you’re looking for an easy-to-set-up and easy-to-use home security system, the Blink outdoor camera and system might be exactly what you want. While the upfront cost can be a bit high if you need multiple cameras, over the long run, it’s a great value.
It does a great job of recording different situations, and it has adjustable sensitivity motion-activated modes that limit the amount that it records if nothing is going on.
However, compared to some other outdoor cameras, it does have a more limited operating range, so if you live in a desert or the frozen tundra, you’ll need to invest in a hardier option. Still, for most urban or suburban settings, the Blink outdoor camera is everything that you need and then some.
Blink Camera — A Quick Look
Pros
Easy to install
Includes two-way audio
Motion-detection alert system
IP-64 waterproof
Can bundle cameras together
Doesn’t require a subscription service
Cons
Expensive up front
Easy to steal/destroy
Specifications
Brand name:
Blink
Model:
Blink Outdoor Camera Kit
Size:
8” x 2.8” x 1.2”
Video quality:
1080p HD/30 fps
Battery life:
2 years
Recording Features
Most people look into getting a Blink camera because they want to record things. So, it’s important to know what a Blink camera can and can’t record. The good news is that it can record just about anything.
Not only does it have motion-activated recording features so you only capture the exciting moments, but it also has night-vision capabilities that enable you to see what’s going on in limited lighting.
Furthermore, the motion-activated recording features enable you to set your own sensitivity levels. You can control if you want to record each passing car or if you only want more prominent events, like people walking up to your door. This means you won’t get constant footage if you live by a major street!
These features put you in control of everything, which means you get the best possible results for your area.
Video Quality
What good is a video camera if the quality is so low that you can’t make out what’s going on? The Blink outdoor camera records everything at 1080p HD with a 30-fps refresh rate. That’s more than enough to capture faces, finer details, and just about anything else.
However, if you need to freeze-frame an image, the resolution drops a bit. You can access captured images at a 640 x 360 resolution, which isn’t quite high definition. It’s still good enough quality to clearly make out faces and fine details, though.
The Installation Process
If you’re looking for an easy-to-set-up home security system, Blink is one of the best on the market. You download the Blink app to your phone, plug in the Blink Sync Module 2 (included with the purchase of your camera), and insert two AA batteries into the camera.
From there, you install the mount with the sticky backing and press the camera into place. You can skip the professional installation process and still get top-notch results with a Blink outdoor camera.
What You Need and the Upfront Cost
The most notable drawback of the Blink outdoor camera setup is the high upfront cost. Unlike subscription services that get their money with your monthly payments, there are great options with Blink that don’t require you to pay a dime every month.
Even the most expensive subscription plan for this service only costs $10 a month, and you don’t need to spend that much unless you have four or more cameras.
This means that Blink needs to make money with each sale of a camera, which drives up the initial cost. While you’re going to save money in the long run, that doesn’t matter much if you can’t afford the initial investment.
With so many features and so much information out there about the Blink outdoor camera, it’s only natural to have a few questions. That’s why we answered the most frequently asked questions for you here.
How Fast Do the Cameras Begin Recording After Motion?
It completely depends on the sensitivity settings that you set up in your app. If you set them low enough, it will start recording immediately after any detected motion. However, if you use a higher setting, it might take a bit more movement to meet that threshold and start recording.
Do the New Blink Cameras Connect to the Last Generation System?
Yes, each Blink camera works just fine with the older generations! Even better, if you have a system from before April 15, 2020, you still get 2 hours of free cloud storage on the newer devices.
Does the Camera Come With the Mounts?
Yes, every camera that you purchase comes with the mounts that you need to install it. If something happens to your Blink camera mount, replacement options are sold, so you don’t have to replace the entire camera to keep using it.
Does the Camera Come With the Sync Module 2?
Yes, the Blink camera comes with everything that you need to use it. That means if you’re purchasing your first Blink camera, it comes with a Sync Module 2, so you don’t need to purchase that separately.
But if something happens to your Sync Module 2, there are sold individually, so you won’t need to purchase a new camera to get your system back online.
What Is the Wireless Range of the Blink Camera?
Since the Blink outdoor camera runs off Wi-Fi, the range for these cameras entirely depends on the current range of your Wi-Fi network. If you do need additional range, you’ll need to upgrade the range of your Wi-Fi with something like a Wi-Fi range extender.
What the Users Say
For the most part, users love their Blink outdoor cameras. The motion activation gets rave reviews, especially since you can adjust the sensitivity. Furthermore, users are more than satisfied with the video quality that they get from their devices, and the cloud storage features work like a charm.
However, while the user reviews for the Blink outdoor camera are mostly positive, they do bring up a few interesting situations where the camera might not be the perfect fit for you.
First, the operating temperature range can be a problem if you live in extreme environments. The range is -4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, which is great for most environments. But if you live in an extremely cold or extremely hot location, it can be a problem.
Second, some users complain that the motion-detection feature gets thrown off by certain systematic movements, like from a heater. But when they raise the sensitivity level, they then miss more important actions, like people walking by.
Still, despite these few flaws, the reviews for the Blink outdoor camera are glowing, and almost every user is satisfied with what they get.
Conclusion
While the Blink outdoor camera isn’t perfect, it can be ideal for a home security system in an urban or suburban setting. With the motion-activated features, adjustable settings, and a truly optional subscription service, it puts everything in your hands when it comes to deciding what you want and need.
Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.
