Blink Outdoor (3rd Gen) - wireless, weather-resistant HD security camera, two-year battery life, motion detection, set up in minutes – 2 camera system

I got these two cameras and sync module, on sale before Christmas. I do not regret this purchase. For years I debated whether to get a security camera system because I felt it invades people's privacy somewhat. I have blocked out any areas that were invasive onto other people's properties. Setting the privacy zones is fairly easy in the App. The cameras and sync module are easy to set up, and the Blink App is pretty easy to use. Actually, we housed the outdoor cameras inside metal, yes metal receptacles. I used heavy duty clear tape to hold them in place inside the metal receptacles, then the front plate gets screwed on. We then mounted them with metal strips, high enough where we could get good views. I wouldn't say they are completely theft proof as we have them, but better than being able to be popped out of the socket and stolen, as with the mounting hardware they come with. The cameras are unusable if reported stolen. The metal boxes we put them in have not interfered with the wireless signals to my surprise. I did buy a tiny 64 GB usb flash drive to keep in the sync module. It's a little cloudy about the cost of the monthly subscription from Blink. I read some reviews about people having issues with the microphone. So far, ours is working really well - scared a family member, they didn't know where the voice was coming from. That's always fun. I am generally happy with these cameras. So far have had no issues. The placement can be tricky. If you want the best view, you have to try different locations. Caught someone on camera, snooping around the front (in the small-medium city we live in) so these cameras are worth it, in my opinion. I am skeptical of the 2 year battery life, unless maybe the camera settings are set to the absolute minimal so it doesn't use much battery power. Also have used the Blink app while far away from home. Great view even while away.

I bought these camera's back in 2020 and I've never used them! Recently, I decided to get them set up, but the Sync Module 2 just won't connect! I've disabled everything connected to the internet, I have no VPN, I disabled virus protection even uninstalled it, uninstalled/reinstalled the Blink app. I've unplugged and restarted the mod, the router, my phone, tried using 2 other phones, turned mobile data off using WiFi only. Phone, mod and router within inches of each other! Nothing works! I spent all of this money for 5 camera's I can't use because the little module won't connect! I've had them too long to send back. I called Blink for help and after going through everything I'd already done, they decided to send me a new module (very kind of them) and the situation is still the same. I have Cox Gigablast and the router is split 2.4GHZ/5GHZ. There has to be something blocking it. What that it is, I haven't a clue. What should have been a simple process has been anything but that for me! I'm pretty tech savvy! I'm no novice! This should have been child's play! I have 2 laptops using 5GHZ Band so i switched to 2.4GHZ on both of them. No problem connecting or surfing the web or watching videos. If anyone reads this and has a suggestion, I'd surely appreciate it! Well my cameras all work now. I shut down the entire network. Took everything off of it. Factory reset the network then set up split network again. Now the module works as well as the camera's as they should have over 3 years ago. I still don't know exactly what blocked the module. That's useful information. I've never felt so inept. Anyway, that was my work around. I'd get frustrated and come back to it if I was thinking about it which, as you might guess, was once or twice a year. They're not a necessity but are nice as added security. I did get my cameras working. They see everything in day or night. No problem there. The only problem I have is with the me being able to hear someone over the camera using the app. It cuts off frequently. It's nothing to do with enough power nor signal strength. Sometimes it works very well and other times it's just muted. They can hear me but I can't hear them! It is frustrating. I bought the upgraded cameras but I haven't tested them out for this issue.

Initially I thought that I would purchase a Ring product but research pointed me to the Blink wireless outdoor cameras instead (I bought two). They arrived quickly. Installation is relatively easy albeit sparsely documented by Blink. Down load the free Blink app for your phone, name your system (and components, like "front door"), plug in the control module (stays indoors plugged into the wall, interfaces with your WiFi), put in the batteries for the camera, scan the QR code to register and recognize the camera (note here that this is inside the back of the camera where the batteries are located, so you have to scan the code BEFORE you close up the case or you will have to disassemble it again to do the scan -- Blink doesn't tell you this), and go mount the camera. I was done in about 40 minutes with two cameras. The pictures are reasonably clear, even at night (you can set the sensitivity for better night time video). Mounting the camera is intuitive, sort of -- it took a bit to determine that I had to remove a plug in the back and then press HARD to get the camera onto the mount. The software is easy to use after noodling around with it a bit. You can get a live feed, if desired, and take still pictures. The two-way microphone works very well and is loud and clear. The motion detection is decent, but is triggered by motion across the camera as opposed to towards or directly away from the camera. You can set how long you wish each event to record (e.g. 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.). It's not particularly clear how you can store your videos longer term, it appears that you have to pay $3/month to use Amazon's cloud service. Each motion-triggered event sends me a discrete video clip that I can view on my phone. There is a delay of tens of seconds to receive the video clip in some cases so it may not provide me with the opportunity to converse with someone (like a delivery person) at my front door before they are gone. On balance, the system works well with sharp pictures. I don't expect to be able to read license plates on my street as the resolution isn't THAT good (40 to 50 feet away from my cameras). I had to reduce the sensitivity on my garage mount as every time a car drove past it recorded the event initially. Now, it just triggers for people jogging by or walking their dogs on the sidewalk in front but not from random drive bys. For a basic system this is perfectly adequate and very reasonably priced. We will see what the battery life is like (since both cameras are outdoors, and it's winter now, I'm doubtful that the two AA batteries provided (Everready) will last the claimed two years, but we'll find out).

I have been having problems with packages disappearing from my front porch. I decided to get a security system. My son installed 2 cameras outside and 2 in the house. I have an entry door downstairs in my den that faces a dark backyard. Now I can see in the den if I hear an outside noise. I ordered 2 more outdoor cameras during the black Friday sale and they will be installed this weekend. What I like about them: I can go to live view and check to see if I have packages. I can also see if someone walks up to my front door from another angle. I like that I can view clips that have been saved. ( I am still on the trial cloud option) My son said it was simple to install. To add a camera he told me just open the back and take the picture and the system adds the new camera. What I don't like about the cameras: It has a delay, in other words, a person can walk up and grab a package and walk away before it alerts me. True I have the clip, but I would like for it to alert me as soon as it detects motion. I have a clip of someone removing a package from my front door, but I was not alerted that this was happening. It's nice that I can speak through the camera, but after the theft has happened it's not useful to them talk. When the mail is delivered, I get a notice but when I check the mailman is already halfway into my yard leaving. My son and I both played with the settings. At first, it was alerting me on motion, but the clip was a few seconds and stopped. My son asked which I prefer, instant notification and useless video or to have slow notification and a longer video clip. I chose the longer clip and that is how I saw someone walk up and take a large package and turn to walk away. This happened after dark so the night vision is not good. I will be buying the cloud package when my trial runs out. From what I am reading, the cameras will not work the same without the cloud. Yes, there is a module you can buy and a storage drive that is not included, To me, it's just easier to have it go to the cloud. I am hoping the settings just need tweaking to alert and record right away. Still, I am glad to have the cameras.

These are awesome. We had a wired security system with a DVR. It was good for a couple of years, but we were never able to connect that system to our wifi, so all of the on-line features were never operational. These are much better in every way. Ease of use. These little cameras, along with their sync module, are so easy to set up and use. Just download the app onto your phone, put batteries in, connect the sync module to your wifi and connect each camera to the sync module. It may take a minute to "find" each camera, but if I can do it anyone can. Even mounting them is easy. All you need is an impact or drill with a Phillips head bit, and screws that are long enough. I mounted two on trees in the front yard with ease, and bought another type of mount that is wound around the back of my mailbox post. Clarity. This system offer a much clearer picture than the wired system and with amazing motion detection. It even picks up a small dark gray cat using night vision and motion detection. That's amazing because I have a hard time detecting the cat at night. It blends in with the grass. Zooming in does not really help because it makes nothing clearer. I suppose that has something to do with the pixels, but that's above my pay grade. Placement. You are only limited by two things: the signal strength of your wifi, and where you can reach. No wires or heavy cameras to handle while climbing a ladder. I have one of these at least 100 feet from the sync module and it's never offered to not work. Value. Pair the cost of the system and the yearly fee of $100 ($109 including tax) and it's hard to beat, plus Amazon give a 10% discount on Blink products with the package. And the yearly fee for the package is not maditory. I chose to go with it because I am 150 miles away from the location where I have these and it just made more sense to be able to see and hear whatever is going on at any time. One downfall. The only downfall I have found has to do with the audio. Do not expect to be able to communicate clearly with anyone through this system. First, there is a lag between letting off the microphone and when the other person's voice can be detected. It results in a lot of talking over each other and missing the first few words of the other person. Helpful functions. You can easily set up and turn off and on notifications, recording schedules, motion detection and it's sensitivity, quality and length of recordings and night vision, and you can block out certain areas of the view so repetitive & expected movement (like traffic on a busy road) can be ignored. I am extremely happy with the Blink system and products and I will recommend them to anyone who is interested in keeping their family and/or property safe. Especially those who want to protect their budget.

Excellent recording quality, the motion sensor is excellent, and they are very easy to install.

REVIEW UPDATE We recently lost our internet connection due to updates our ISP had to make. What we didn't know is that Blink cameras are solely dependent on an Internet connection (not just a wifi connection) even if you don't have a subscription or just have the trial. None of the outdoor cameras will remain active when you lose Internet connectivity. My wrongful assumption was that ONLY your local area network was needed since it relies on a wifi signal. Nope. That is wrong. The Sync Modules will flash the green LED and no camera will work. Great job Blink/Amazon for putting customers at risk to thieves and other criminals. We have 4 of the outdoor cameras on two separate Sync2 Modules due to the distance from the main router. We have an extender (set as a repeater) which handles the furthest cameras. As I said I never considered these would go offline if the Internet connection went down. I figured if my LAN went down then it would make total sense the cameras would go offline, yet I was foolish in my thinking. Again this is shameful of Blink/Amazon to have this even as a feature. I get that you need an account to pay for the service, but why in the world would these be designed to FAIL if your Internet connection goes down? It is not only misleading to consumers to not EXPLICITLY state that these cameras will fail to operate without an Internet connection. This IS one of the WORST investments my family ever made in a product. Would have been better to purchase a CCTV camera system and just hardwired everything on the network. For what we've now paid for 4 cameras + the sales tax we could have gotten a 4 camera CCTV setup instead from a local box store. As I have said in my original review, the cameras do work, and will suffice. Keep in mind that an Internet connection is REQUIRED and not just your local area network connection. I had to lower my rating to just one star because nothing is lower than that on Amazon's site. I'd give this camera system negative stars it it were possible just based on our experience over the past few months. Also I think I was far too generous with parts of my original review, but experience will change your mind when the experience becomes bad. I no will longer recommend ANY of the Blink cameras. Until they are no longer dependent on an Internet connection and will fully function on just your local networks wifi signal. I will be researching a true CCTV camera system to replace the Blink cameras. If I could get a refund I'd do it in a heartbeat, but that window has closed. The price of this education is high! --------- Original review Recently purchased the Blink Outdoor 2 Camera system, and it's a very hit or miss system. I have several things to say about the security cameras and the Blink app that goes with it. The base: The friction fit mounting bases are not easy to snap into place. I had to use a long and think flat headed screw driver to aid in connecting it. Also I worried about crushing the sensor on the camera because of how much force it takes and where my hands are pressing on the camera itself (holding from the edges while mounting under a roof eave is moderately annoying). Once it is finally snapped to the base it moves freely and the camera stays in place. The Sync 2 Module This is the brains of the system. Each module controls up to 10 cameras and utilizes your 2.4GHz Wifi connection. Now I mistakenly assumed that my 2 camera system didn't include the Sync 2 Module (I didn't notices a "what's in the box" on Blinks Amazon page. So I ended up buying one which was a waste of money considering it's included. The setup takes a while after you power it on you'll need the app to discover the device. Initially the blue LED flashes and the green LED is steady. Once it is discovered then then both LEDs are steady. The app (Android) At first the app to control this camera system seems simple, but there are some annoyances I've discovered. The system will NOT discover the best WiFi connection on your network. I have an detached garage with the camera approximately 75 feet from the Sync 2 Module, and my router is close to 10 feet from the Sync 2 Module. So I picked up a WiFi extender and set it as a Repeater (firewall, DNS, DHCP etc. is controlled by my primary router) in order for the signal strength to be at a maximum. It is recommended that you use the existing WiFi names (SSIDs) on your network (for 2.4GHz only) and append _EXT so Blink can see it if using a Wifi extender. Also keep your password keys for your wifi extender the exact same that are on your main wifi router. Now in theory (and based on Blink's own guidelines) the system should pick the best Wifi signal based on your setup. Well it doesn't, and there is NO option in the Blink app for me to place my garage camera on the extender Wifi (again it's on the same network as all my devices are) while keeping the door camera on the primary router (same network once again). This is not about changing networks, this is about discovering the extender on my main network (which I repeat Blink claims it will chose the best signal automatically). Yes I could add the second Sync 2 Module in the garage, but then I'd have to create a second system for the garage camera. Not entirely what you should have to do. Batteries: These cameras require the more expensive Lithium AAs you do get the batteries with the cameras (mine were Energizer Lithium AAs. The cameras are equipped with a USB B mini connection which you can use to connect to a powered USB source as to not run off batteries. In my case I picked up a motion detector LED flood light that offers a USB connection (this unit https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08F9CNPVW). I would remove the batteries from the cameras because I do not know if connected will it try to charge the batteries (these are NON chargeable lithium batteries) or it will it bypass the batteries? I would err on the side of caution and remove them. Local Storage (USB thumb drive) vs Blink Subscriptions This is an Amazon product and you'd think that the Blink camera systems would provide free service to Amazon Prime members. Nope. You are nickled and dimed on a per camera basis at $6 monthly, and it's $100 annually (if I read it right) for one full system). Again why is this NOT part of Prime Membership? So to avoid saving to the cloud I bought a 256GB thumb drive to insert into the Sync 2 Module. What I have discovered is ONLY clips are saved locally. You are NOT able to save live recordings to the local storage. Really? Why? What's the point of only having the clips (maxed at 60 seconds) on a local drive? To me this is a rip off and not mentioned anywhere in the product details. Yes you do get a "free" trial which unlocks all features. If you; however, cancel that trial early or let it expire without buying a subscription than certain features are locked. So again you pay a lot for the camera system and you are locked out of many features IF you don't buy their subscription to the cloud. Talk about ripping folks off. Sure you can look at live feeds, but you can't same them locally. You can take a snapshot from the cameras, but it will NOT take a photo every hour UNLESS you BUY a Blink subscription. Again this all goes back to Blink subscriptions. Tell me what's the point of local storage if all you can save are clips? Loading issues with clips and thumbnails. So I've run into issues where loading a clip from the connected USB drive fails to load 95% of the time. Again these are short clips and should pull faster than from the Cloud. Nope. Thumbnails are hit or miss. These are generated when you press the camera icon on the home screen of the app. I call them snaps, but I've noticed if I am sitting near the Sync 2 Module it can still fail. Full wifi bars too and it still fails. Alexa: It is claimed by Blink that the newest generation of their cameras will work with Alexa. I used the app from my phone, but she can't do anything with the cameras (even when trained to use them). In this case you may have to buy an Alexa enabled device (like Show). You technically don't need one they are NOT required for these cameras, but the Alexa app alone on a smartphone is limited. Finally the recommend having minimum Internet speeds of 2Mb up and down for these cameras, but I believe that is ONLY if you are saving and storing to the cloud along with accessing from the cloud. Locally your access to the Blink cameras will depend on your network speeds along with wifi. The more stuff you have connected the slower it can be. Conclusion. The Blink Camera System isn't terrible, and they are affordable. There are quirks as I mentioned and annoyances I have dealt with. These are not high end systems but on a tight budget you can get a good start.

I bought the Blink Outdoor 2-camera system a few years ago and they’ve been excellent. Setup was quick and simple, and I had them running within minutes. The cameras are weather-resistant, so I’ve had them outside through rain and heat without any problems. The video quality is clear, and the motion detection works just as described. What really impressed me is the battery life and durability. Even after several years, they’re still working great without needing constant attention or replacement. For the price, it’s a fantastic value and gives real peace of mind. If you want a dependable outdoor security system that’s easy to install and long-lasting, I highly recommend these.