Today, I’ll show you the new outdoor weatherproof security camera from Blink…the Blink XT. I ordered the 1 camera + the sync module set. The blink cameras need a sync module which acts as a hub between the camera and the cloud servers. The sync module needs to be plugged in while the camera itself is powered by 2 double AA lithium batteries which makes these cameras completely wireless. The Blink cameras record video to the cloud and which is free and you can easily download the recorded videos via the app.
So, let’s open it up.
First we will see this paper that directs you to their support website if you have any problems.
We have two boxes, the camera itself and the sync module.
So, let’s start with the sync module. This is the hub that you connect to your wifi and then you can add your camera or cameras to it. You can connect up to 10 cameras per sync module. This unit needs to be plugged in and has to be placed indoors. The box itself doesn’t say any features of whats in it.
So inside the box, we have the startup guide which is pretty clear and straight forward. This is the module itself which is smaller than the camera, we have the power supply slot, wifi and power lights and a USB slot. then we have the power adapter and the micro USB cord.
So, now for the Blink XT camera itself. You will see that there are instructions on how to remove the camera from the box. I need to pull out this tab and lift first and push the camera through…there you go..see it is nice to follow instructions once in a while.
Wow, this camera is plastered with instructions..see you have to slide the latch down first and the lift up the cover..not from the top or sides but from the bottom…well. will do that later…
The camera body itself is made of hard thick plastic, so not let’s open the back following the stated instructions..so this is where we will place the lithium battery and hope that it will last the stated 2 years…
There is a rubber gasket on the edges of the back cover to make it water/weather resistant and that latch that we need to push down is the lock.
So what else is in the box…we have the batteries and the plastic mount and 1 screw which appears to be stainless steel…the mount attaches to the back of the plate cover.
On the bottom of the box, is more information paperwork for the camera and a window decal.
Blink is pretty much very user friendly this is a short but detailed instructions about the camera. So, on the back of the camera where the rubber cover is..is the port for the USB if you want to power the camera using the micro USB. It states that the camera will not be weatherproof if you use the micro USB port.
We also have the quick startup guide. A detailed step by step instructions on setting up the sync module and then the camera.
Ok now, let’s set it up…first off we have to download the Blink Home monitor app.
If this is the first time you are using Blink, then create an account..type in your email and create a password..
Allow the app to send you notifications…then click on the Blink logo to start.
Click on add a system to setup your sync module. Give your system a name then tap on the sync module icon..on this step you will need the serial number on the sync module which is located on the bottom of the unit and also your SSID and password of your Wifi…2.4 GHz wifi guys..allow the app to access your camera so that you can just scan the QR code instead of typing it or you can type it in manually.
Click continue and make sure you plug in your sync module with the included micro USB cord and adapter. Wait until the lights match up in pattern like the one in the app…which is about 30 seconds..then click yes..
Then exit the app and go to your phone’s settings, then to Wifi …you will see a network named Blink followed with numbers…click on it, then go back to the app…and now you need to click on your Wifi that you are going to use and type in your password.
now, your sync module is added. Click on the icon to add the camera. Choose which camera you have and in this case we have the outdoor version – the Blink XT.
Now, just follow the video on how to setup the camera..so we will need to open up the back and put in the batteries. Remember the steps… slide the latch down and pull the cover from the bottom. Pulling down the latch unlocks the back cover..Blink ships with 2 double A lithium batteries..that’s good so that the camera is ready to go out of the box.
Jusst put them inside and push the back cover in until it clicks and locks in.
Now, you will notice that the camera will be blinking red…click next on the app and this is where Blink messed up on the step by step instructions. I thought it was perfect…well, I have to open the back again because that it where the serial number is….well, I guess I have to practice the pulling down the latch and pulling the cover from the bottom technique…it gets easier everytime…I’m just hoping that their rubber seal will hold up to opening and closing..
Alright, so I’ll scan the QR code or you can type in the serial number manually.
Click next and the app will be looking and setting up your camera.
Now, name your camera which on mine I am placing it in the backyard…now click on the snapshot icon to take a thumbnail for your camera. It will also show the connection strength you have to your wifi and to the sync module. I have good signal on both.
I just want to change my camera thumbnail and Click done when satisfied.
Now, thats it for the camera is setup. To view in live mode, just click on the video camera icon… there is some lag time on the live view which is typical on these wifi cameras. Blink states it has HD video and it doesn’t look 1080p so this I’m assuming and looks like 720p video. Now, this still camera icon the the right just changes the thumbnail of the camera and doesn’t save a still picture.
Now, before I install this outside, I want to change the setting on the light. When the camera records, It will turn on this blue light and on their original indoor cameras, you cannot turn this off but this Blink XT, you have an option to turn this off but not on the app. You have to open the back cover again and flip a switch. You will see on the right side near the right battery is a little toggle switch that says REC LED means record LED light so it is on right now and I just need to push the little white switch to off which you will need a small screw driver or this screw here to toggle that switch to up. now, that blue light should be off now when recording.
I’ll show you a little note on the mounting bracket that’s included with the camera. You only need one stainless screw and this mount can tilt up and down. This is where you are going to mount it and just put in the screw like so. Now the mount can be tilted side to side but it cannot pivot left or right.
So, basically you can attach the camera by pushing the mount in until it clicks.
So you see it can tilt up or down and side to side but not turn/or pivot left or right. So to install this at the right spot, you will need to move the camera either to the left or the right…I’m hoping that they can come out with a different mount that has full range of adjustments.
Time to install this in my backyard…I want it to overlook my patio and at least my back door. The higher the better so that it cannot get easily tampered with.
There you have it..installed…and you know what…no wires! As you can see, very small footprint. Aside from the color, you will barely notice it that it is there…
Alright..now, I’ll show you the main feature of this camera…that it is weatherproof…let’s spray some water on it…and see if it still works..you can hear the water hitting the mic…well, pretty much it is weatherproof…
Let’s check out the settings… The app is pretty user friendly and intuitive and has a simple interface. It has the signal level here and we have the arm or disarm switch..arming it means that the camera will record and notify you when there is motion. Clicking the green running man icon will turn off the motion detection and will turn grey.
clicking the gear icon will show you the settings
You will see the battery status, the temperature outside or where the camera is, and motion detection settings…there is the retrigger time, sensitivity and clip length..retrigger time is when the camera will sense motion again after it has been triggered. you can slide the slider left or right to adjust it. I’ll keep it at 30 seconds. Sensitivity is how sensitive the motion detection will be..I’ll keep it at 5 for now. Clip length is how long the camera will record and it is 5 seconds by default but you can adjust it up to a minute…the longer the recordings will be, the more battery power it uses…so, I’ll kepp it at 5 seconds for now but I will probably lengthen it to 10 to 15 seconds eventually.
We have the illuminator or the IR light at night which I’ll keep at the same setting for now.
There is the audio switch if you want audio to be recorded.
Lastly, we have the signal strength of the camera to wifi and camera to sync module which right now is pretty good.
So, this is what happens when a motion is detected by the camera. It will start recording and will notify you through the app. Clicking on it will open the app and will play the recording…right now it is only 5 seconds. I’m pretty sure I will need to lengthen that to at least 10 seconds. The audio quality of the Blink is pretty good, you can hear pretty much everything.
All your recordings are stored on the folder icon on the right upper corner of the app. These recordings are stored on Blink secure servers in the cloud and there are no fees involved. The camera will upload a total of 2 hours of video to the cloud and will automatically delete the oldest clip in order to make room for the newest one after that.
Saving the video to your phone or forward it to your email can be done by going to the recordings and clicking the icon on the left bottom of the screen. In here you can share the video or you can download it to your phone. So if you go to your photos, you will see the downloaded video. As you can hear the audio quality is pretty good.
Now, to schedule the motion detection of the camera, you can click on the name of the camera you want to schedule, click on scheduling and click on the plus sign on the upper right corner to add a schedule.
Move the arm of the clock and click on the days of the week you want the camera to be off then click save.
Now you can click on the plus sign again to assign the armed times for the camera. So move the clock hand if needed and assign the days of the week, then click save.
Just play around with it because myself will not use the scheduling option of this camera. This is good for people that just wants to monitor their property at night like inside stores or homes when they are asleep. This is just to prevent too many false alarms which eventually will drain out the battery faster.
Finally, lets show some video footage….this is during daytime..cloudy day..the camera got triggered when I was just coming in view.
Same thing on this clip.
This one is at night..now the brightness that you can see on the lawn is the IR LEDs from my other cameras..so the footage is brighter that it will normally be. But the camera’s IR is pretty decent inside the patio.
Overall, the Blink XT camera is a pretty good option for people who wants to monitor a part of their house that doesn’t have a lot of motion. Like in my case the backyard. I don’t have a lot of foot traffic in there and the most that these camera will pick up are people from the city that comes in my backyard to check the meter for the electricity and gas. In any event that somebody tries to look through the windows or tries the backyard door, it will definitely trigger the camera and will notify me.
Here are the pros for this camera.
Easy setup
Basically wireless, so you can place this anywhere your WiFi can reach
Easy install – it just need one screw
Good audio
Decent video quality
Weatherproof
Free cloud recording
outside temperature
And these are the cons for this camera
Battery powered – that means this camera is designed to minimize power consumption. It is not ideal where there is a lot of motion or traffic because you will be changing batteries pretty quick
The mount doesn’t pivot or turn left or right
The blue light can be turned off during recording but at night, there is a red LED that turns on when it records…so at night you will notice that there is a camera.
It doesn’t have 2 way communication. It can listen and record but it has no speakers, so you will not be able to talk through the camera. It doesn’t have a siren or an alarm so as to scare away unwelcomed guests
There is a live view but there is no option to record.
Other than that, this is a good DIY camera and I might buy another one so as to monitor the other side of the house where I have no access to an electrical outlet.
Shop For Blink XT camera at Amazon…