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Blink Outdoor Camera, A Comprehensive Guide to Smart Home Security

by Samuel Kalenga on Aug 15, 2024

Blink Outdoor Camera, A Comprehensive Guide to Smart Home Security
Smart home technology is playing an increasingly integral part in bolstering home security, in the face of a worldwide increase in break-ins, vandalizing, and many other security concerns. Home security systems, such as sensors, cameras, key fobs, etc., are commonly used to keep occupied and unoccupied properties safe from crime and general vandalism. As smart home technology has risen in popularity, different smart home systems, and smart home devices, are readily available to secure homes more effectively. One of the most popular security solutions that has garnered a lot of interest from homeowners is the Blink Outdoor Camera. The Blink Outdoor Camera is an industry leader in smart home security. This article will focus on the Blink Outdoor Camera. 

What is a Blink Outdoor Camera?

A wireless, battery-powered, outdoor home security camera, the Blink Outdoor Camera is part of the Blink home security system, which is one of the most affordable and convenient solutions in the industry. Unlike many wired cameras that need to be installed professionally due to complicated and cluttered wiring, and that also often demand that you sign up for monthly subscription packages, the Blink Outdoor Camera is an easy and inexpensive alternative. The Blink Outdoor Camera offers a number of features to improve the safety of your property, including the following:
  • Motion detection: Advanced motion detection technology inside the Blink Outdoor Camera recognises movement inside the camera’s view and begins recording the moment it happens, sending an instant alert to your smartphone. With this feature, you can know if it’s the mailman, nosy neighbour or the person poaching your lawn gnomes, it’s going to send you an alert and you can check the live video feed right from your smartphone.
  • Two-Way Audio: The Blink Outdoor Camera has a microphone and speaker built into it, so you can communicate with anyone who comes up to the camera. You can issue verbal warnings to deter some intruders, announce that you’re home when your doorbell chimes or just talk to your pets when you’re away from home. 
  • Infrared night vision: Whether it’s night or day, Blink Outdoor Camera’s infrared regularly takes a snapshot of the same area of your property. You can know what’s happening whenever so you never miss suspicious activity.
  • Weather Resistance: You can install the Blink Outdoor Camera anywhere, thanks to its durable design that keeps it insulated from the elements – heat, rain and cold are no match for the camera. It’ll hold up just fine on your porch or driveway, or wherever else you put it around your home.
  • Cloud Storage: The Blink Outdoor camera features free cloud storage for recordings you can access at any time, from anywhere and with any device with the Blink app to ensure you never miss a step of any suspicious activity. While the basic cloud storage is free, you can subscribe for an extended cloud-recording period and access to more features.

Blink Outdoor Camera Drawbacks

While the Blink Outdoor Camera offers many benefits, it also has some limitations:

  • Limited Video Resolution: Though camera has good picture definition, it doesn’t have the same resolution as sports cameras made specifically for photography. While the video files are generally sufficient to distinguish between a person’s general activities, the file resolution might be a bit soft. Latent Image sae 070.jpgIf you require the clearest images possible, consider an external camera with a higher resolution.
  • Battery Life: Depends on use, and you’ll need to recharge or replace the batteries periodically. The battery life is good generally, but a lot of motion detection events will drain the battery faster. Extend battery life by using a Blink Solar Panel, which recharges the batteries with sunlight. This is an additional cost and might not work for all locations.
  • No Constant Recording: The Blink Outdoor Camera only starts recording when it records motion as well. That means that you aren’t going to get constant video of your property, and you might miss some activity if the motion sensor doesn’t pick it up. Constant recording does exist on other camera systems, but you pay for it. Free Plan Has Few Features Many free attributes on the free tier, but pay for extras to get the best features. The free plan gives you the ability to simply frame up the camera – but to get more from it, you need another paid subscription. This is normal on most smart-security cameras, but you may or may not need the extras.

Choosing the Right Blink Outdoor Camera System

Blink’s cameras come in a few varieties to fit different needs and budgets. Here are the most common ones:

Blink Outdoor 2 Camera System

This kit comes with two Blink Outdoor Cameras, which provides basic coverage of smaller properties, but is great for those just starting out who are looking for a small security system in their home: it might cover their front door and back door of their home, providing them with much more coverage at an affordable price.

Blink Outdoor 3 Camera System

A full 3 Camera System which covers more areas for larger properties or extra entry points. The addition of 2 more cameras with the 3 Camera System will cover more areas of your property, such as a garage, side yard or other important areas of your property. You live in a larger home and need that extra coverage.

Blink Outdoor 5 Camera System

There is a comprehensive system with five cameras for maximum (hugest!) security and viewing area. The 5 Camera System: tactics to capture your wealth is the highest level of home monitoring available. It is perfect for monitoring your perimeter, multiple entry points or even your outdoor patio or pool area. Monitors all of your assets!

Blink Floodlight Camera

This camera wraps the functionality of a Blink Outdoor Camera with a built-in floodlight for added security and illumination. When it detects motion, the Floodlight Camera automatically lights up the area in view, acting as a deterrent to would-be intruders and giving you a better view of what’s happening in low light. If you have areas in your home that are especially bright (or you want to keep people away), this camera is a great fit for you, like on your front porch or in your driveway.

Blink Outdoor Floodlight Camera Kit

A, totally set kit that features all what you might also want for getting commenced, like the Blink Floodlight Camera, a sync Module and the mounting hardware that you might also want in your setup. The brilliant thing about this setup is that it supplies you with every primarily needed components in one unmarried package.

Additional Considerations

In addition to the core camera systems, there are also a number of other considerations when selecting your Blink Outdoor Camera:

  • Solar Panel: This Blink Solar Panel charges your battery using solar power so you won’t have to replace your battery as often. A must if the camera will be located in a sunny area, the solar panel means never having to recharge or replace your batteries, allowing for continuous charging and never having to replace it. Licence: CC BY-NC
  • Sync Module: You will need a Blink Sync Module with most Blink cameras to connect your cameras to the internet and receive alerts. The Sync Module will usually come with your Blink system, but in the case of certain systems, you will have to buy one separately. The Sync Module acts as an intermediary between your cameras and the internet connecting the two, allowing you to view live feed and receive alerts from your cameras. Check the specs of your camera system before you buy to ensure they come with a Sync Module.
  • Subscription Plans: You get the basic features for free, but to access a longer cloud recording, more accurate motion detection, custom activity zones and other extras you will need to consider Blink’s subscription plans. While you get the basic features for free, to enjoy a longer cloud recording, more accurate motion detection and custom activity zones among others, you’ll need to consider its subscription plans.

The Power of Wireless Security

The Blink Outdoor Camera, for example, illustrates how wireless security cameras, as a type of home security system, can utilise the absence of wired connections for a number of distinct advantages over wired systems: Since no wired connections between the respective parts of the system are required, the number and locations of the various elements can be freely chosen.

  • Easy Installation: Wireless cameras are easy to install. You won’t need to hire a professional electrician or string long wires around your home. This makes them a good fit for DIY-driven home security setups.
  • Flexibility and placement: Wireless cameras can be positioned any place around your network where you can get wifi coverage, thus being fully flexible, and thus cameras can be set up where they kind of fit for you.
  • Cost-Efficiency: Wireless cameras are less costly and therefore more affordable than wired systems. They can also do away with expensive professional installation.

Exploring the Blink Outdoor Camera's Features in Depth

Here’s a closer look at some of its essential features that may interest you:

Motion Detection and Alerts

Motion detection activates the Blink Outdoor Camera’s alerts system when movement is detected in the camera’s field of view. You will get a timely alert, even if you are away from home, so you can make sure you know what’s happening at home when it matters.

Two-Way Audio for Enhanced Communication

You can also use the two-way audio on the Blink Outdoor Camera to listen in to your property and interact with people close to the camera. This can be useful in warding off intruders, welcoming visitors or even just having a chat with your pets while you’re away from home.

Night Vision for Round-the-Clock Security

With the infrared night vision feature of the camera, your security system isn’t hindered by darkness. With extremely low levels of light, you’ll have clear sight of what’s happening on your property, day or night.

Weather Resistance for All Seasons

Durable enough to survive such elements, the Blink Outdoor Camera can stand up to blazing sun, pouring rain and even freezing snow, making it a secure solution to weatherproof environments, anywhere outdoors.

Cloud Storage for Secure Recordings

The recordings are stored in the cloud, offering free storage with all accounts, allowing you to retrieve the videos from anywhere, any time. This provides the ultimate evidence of suspicious activities as well as events that can be reviewed.

Where to Buy a Blink Outdoor Camera

You can purchase Blink Outdoor Cameras from several retailers, including:

    • Amazon: If you want a good price and (if you have Amazon Prime) free two-day shipping, Amazon has the most Blink cameras and offers some of the lowest prices. You’ll find most Blink products on Amazon, along with one of the best prices. You’ll also be able to take advantage of Prime shipping to get it faster.
    • Blink Website: Official support and warranty information, (the website is where you can purchase directly from Blink). Buying directly through blink.com is assured to get genuine products and you’ll get direct customer support and warranty information on Blink official website.
    • Best Buy: Best Buy stocks a wide variety of Blink cameras and attachments. Best Buy is another well-known store with an in-person presence, so if you want to see the different Blink models in person, you can plan to stop by one of their shops. You can also receive assistance from an expert who will walk you through the purchase process.
    • Walmart:
Walmart
    is another major retailer that sells Blink cameras at competitive prices and can be a good solution if you want to avoid shipping. Walmart is a less expensive alternative that competes well on price but offers in-store pickup for those of us who still prefer to buy stuff in person.

Conclusion

I know for homeowners, this camera is definitely quite an excellent option when upgrading an old hom security system or setting up a home security system from scratch. I’m quite satisfied with its installation convenience, wireless design, ability to integrate into a smart home, as well as its cheap price tags compare to other of such products. Considering the innovation projection and popularity, I am excited to what more advancements it can introduce in the foreseeable future. In my opinion, the Blink Outdoor Camera is a nice option if you are looking to improve your home security for some basic coverage area or looking for a cheaper alternatives with an existing home security system.

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