Unboxing and Setup
With equipment that’s ready to use practically right out of the box, it was evident that Blink wasn’t going to be a difficult installation. I opened the three Blink boxes that round out the system to find a very simple configuration: one camera, one sync module (this is required in every Blink camera except the Blink Mini), two screws for mounting, one plastic mount, and a handy battery replacement tool to open and close the back of the camera.
Quick note here: Both the Blink Indoor and Outdoor require a Sync Module, which is a hub with which the cameras pair instead of connecting directly to Wi-Fi. The Sync Module isn’t battery-powered, so I had to set it up near an outlet while also keeping in mind its distance from each of the two cameras. It has a range of up to 100 feet, but in my experience, it needs to be a little bit closer than that to the outdoor camera to account for possible signal interventions caused by walls.
You are watching: Blink Home Security Camera Review
Not really a DIYer? Don’t worry — like many “DIY” cameras on the market today, if you can turn a screwdriver, you can nail the install. The setup for Blink cameras in particular is especially easy. It consists of scanning a QR code with your phone, giving the cameras a name, and following the in-app instructions to sync everything up.
Okay, maybe that’s oversimplifying it, but the setup process doesn’t really require much expertise. All instructions were provided by the app – even my teenager could do it. Overall, it took me less than 10 minutes to get each camera up and running. That’s 30 minutes of my lazy Tuesday afternoon well spent, don’t you think?
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The only cameras I can recall that had an easier setup were from Wyze Cams. If you’re into simple wireless tech, you’ll appreciate Blink and Wyze. Not only do they resemble each other somewhat in appearance, the cameras also cost less than much of the competition. You can find much more on Wyze in my hands-on Wyze Cam review.
But as far as setting up a Blink camera, it’s pretty hard to mess this part up, since you’re talking about a relatively simple piece of tech and an equally simple, intuitive app (see more Blink app images below). But I do think it’s worth emphasizing not to rush through this process. The setup process is a really good time to get to know your camera and make it work for your space, so take your time and have patience here.
It’s not just about entering Wi-Fi passwords and allowing your phone (or Alexa device) to pair with the cameras; I’m talking about things like motion sensitivity, which is a key tool in making sure you don’t get false or unwanted alerts; or adjusting the infrared LEDs to make sure the camera’s night vision is clear and glare-free.
Those are adjustments you generally won’t know you need to make until you’ve set up the whole system and have made your way through the app. But once you do, you’ll see a much better performing camera system, and more insightful alerts.
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As for installing Blink, the cameras all echoed pretty much the same installation and setup process. The only exception is the Blink Mini, which is essentially a miniature of the Blink Indoor but with wired installation instead of a battery. You’ll learn more about each camera’s nuances and quirks in just a moment, but for now, let’s just say this: It’s not every day you can say you installed a whole system of security cameras in under 30 minutes.
Next, we’ll dive into the Blink system a bit more, camera by camera.
But first, here’s a brief look at Blink’s stats, including how we review them:
Blink Camera Features
Days Tested 50+ No. of Cameras 3 Best Asset Easy Installation Video Resolution 1080p HD Price $34.99+
With that, we’ll begin our hands-on experience with the smallest in the bunch: Blink Mini.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor