![]() If you want to control your outdoor cameras and indoor units independently, you’ll need two Sync Modules (each one can cope with up to 10 cameras). If you already have a network of Blink’s indoor cameras then you can just add the outdoor units to the same Sync Module, but this means that you can only switch them all on or off at once. Nevertheless, it does seem to be effective. The Blink XT doesn’t employ a particularly sophisticated waterproofing system you just need to squeeze the camera tightly when attaching the back panel to ensure it forms a seal. In fact, I’ve even got some good footage of it. As a result, one of the cameras took a good drenching, but escaped unscathed. It didn’t rain that hard during the testing period, but my neighbour did jet-wash his fences. As such, if your cameras are positioned somewhere that sees less traffic than that, you shouldn’t need to buy new AAs for a very long time indeed. It’s a shame that it isn’t possible to have different profiles for different users, but at least the calendar-based interface makes it easy to set up schedules.īlink reckons you can record 10 five-second clips a day with each camera, with the batteries lasting two years. Once movement has been detected and a video clip recorded, the camera will send a notification to any phone that has the Blink app installed, and logged in to your account. The benefit is that a PIR sensor uses little battery. This is because the Blink XT uses a PIR motion sensor, rather than detecting motion in-video. The XT struggles to tell the difference between an animal and a person, too, so be ready to become familiar with the local wildlife (an undersold secondary benefit of ownership if you ask me). You can adjust motion sensitivity, but there’s no option to set specific detection zones. If you want to check in at any point, there’s also a Live View feature, and at night the cameras use infrared to see in the dark. ![]() Blink XT – Featuresīlink’s XT cameras are triggered by movement and will record up to one minute of video at a time, although duration and quality can be altered within the accompanying app. The device’s clip-on nature also means it isn’t particularly theft-proof, although stealing security cameras appears to be an unnecessarily high-risk crime. Wherever you position your camera, you’re probably best using the bracket to attach it to something the camera doesn’t feel heavy enough to withstand high winds, particularly if you’ve positioned it in an exposed area. ![]() The mount doesn’t feel particularly sturdy, mind, but once in position you shouldn’t need to touch the camera. Fortunately, the 110-degree wide-angle lens means this shouldn’t be necessary. This means it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to place your Blink camera right down the end of the garden, despite its form factor being entirely suited for just that.įixtures and fittings are limited, but each camera comes with a basic plastic mounting bracket that easily snaps onto the device’s rear and allows you to tilt the camera. To work, each camera must be in range of the Sync Module, which in turn must be in good range of your router to maintain a steady signal from one end of the chain to the other. My camera required a firmware update, but even so it took only a couple of minutes to be ready to go. It feels like a GoPro that’s retired from all that daredevil stuff – and put on a bit of weight as a result.Ĭonnecting each unit to your Wi-Fi is just a case of plugging in the Sync Module and using your phone to scan the QR code beneath the rear panel of the camera. With its hard black plastic shell, the Blink XT camera feels suitably sturdy. ![]() Related: Best security cameras Blink XT – Design and build If you want to add more cameras at a later date then you can buy them without the Sync for £120 a pop. The following review covers the two-camera pack, which comes with the Sync Module necessary to get them talking to your Wi-Fi network. In fact, since they’re also available in packs of two, three and five, setting up multiple units won’t take much longer. Most outdoor security cameras require some level of DIY know-how to get up and running, but the waterproof Blink XT cameras run on AA batteries, can be placed on any flat surface, and are controlled solely via a smartphone.Īs such, you can have a device up and running in minutes.
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