Blink XT2 wireless Smart camera system with 5 cameras review – what is the best deal?

What is good in Blink XT2 wireless Smart camera system? Store video clips and photos in the cloud with the Blink Subscription Plan and save events locally to the Blink Sync Module 2 via a USB flash drive (sold separately).. With long-lasting battery life, Outdoor runs for up to two years on two AA lithium batteries (included). Get motion detection alerts on your phone with the option to customize motion zones in the Blink Home Monitor app so you’re only alerted when you need to be. Find here everything you need to know in Blink XT2 wireless Smart camera system with 5 cameras review.

In the box

• Blink Outdoor camera
• Mounting hardware
• Sync Module 2
• Camera tool
• USB cable
• Power adapter
• Four AA Energizer batteries

Pros & Cons

PROS

• Two-Way Talk
• Local and cloud storage
• 1080p HD Video Resolution
• Fully Wireless Cameras
• Easy DIY Installation
• Lightweight, Minimalist Design
• Infrared Night Vision
• Works with Alexa and IFTTT

CONS

• Requires a hub
• Lacks Advanced Motion Features
• Doesn’t support HomeKit or Google Assistant

Specs – Blink XT2 wireless Smart camera system with 5 cameras

• Wire-free design
• 110º field of vision
• Cloud storage and local storage
• 1080p HD resolution with 30 fps
• 2-year battery life
• IP65 weather rating
• -4º to 113º F (-20° to 45° C) operating temperature
• Night vision
• Two-way audio
• AA battery-powered
• Adjustable motion zones
• Up to two privacy zones
• Amazon Alexa integration
• 2.4 GHz network compatibility
• 1-year limited warranty

Blink XT2 wireless Smart camera system with 5 cameras Price

The Blink Mini is the only camera that requires a subscription to Amazon’s cloud storage

Blink currently offers three cameras: Outdoor, Indoor, and Mini.

Blink Indoor Camera ($79): A wireless, battery-powered security camera, the Indoor Camera has the same features as the Outdoor camera, only it’s white and not weather-resistant. It has 1080p Full HD video, IR night vision, customizable motion-based recording, two-way audio, and live view through the Blink app. It also requires a Blink Sync Module 2 to operate, which is included.

Blink Outdoor Camera ($99): A wireless, battery-powered outdoor camera with an IP65 weather rating, this camera lasts up to two years on one set of AA lithium-ion batteries and records based on motion for up to 60 seconds. It features 1080p Full HD video, night vision, customizable motion-based recording, two-way audio, and live view through the Blink app. It requires a Blink Sync Module 2 to operate, which comes with the camera.

Blink Mini ($34.99): A wired, indoor camera, this is a tiny, white, indoor-only camera that can record when triggered by motion for up to 30 seconds. It features full HD video, IR night vision, customizable motion-based recording, two-way audio, and live view through the Blink app. You need a cloud subscription to view recorded footage or store video locally on a Sync Module 2 (not required for operation).

Compare Blink XT2 wireless Smart camera system with 5 cameras

Blink XT2 wireless Smart camera system with 5 cameras review

Design

The Blink Outdoor system comes with a small 2.7-by-2.7-by-1.2-inch (HWD) camera and an even smaller 0.7-by-2.3-by-2.5 inch Sync Module (hub) that connects to your home Wi-Fi network. The camera is black, has an IP65 weather-resistance rating, and is powered by two AA batteries.

Image

The camera offers video motion detection and captures 1080p footage at 30fps. 

Sync module

The new Sync Module 2 supports up to 10 cameras and offers local storage for our Blink Outdoor to store its footage on directly. We loved being able to automatically store the data for all our Blink cameras on one memory card, making it really easy to give the footage to law enforcement.

Camera settings

The Camera Settings screen is where you go to check on the battery level, view the current outdoor temperature, and set temperature threshold alerts. Here you can also create motion zones, configure motion sensitivity settings, determine video clip length, configure video quality settings, enable/disable the microphone, edit Wi-Fi settings, and enable the Photo Capture feature. 

Back at the home screen there are Home, Play, Settings, and Neighbors buttons positioned along the bottom edge of the screen. The Home button takes you back to the home screen and the Play button takes you to a screen with a list of triggered events and video thumbnails for each. Tap any thumbnail to view, share, or delete the video. The Settings button takes you to a screen where you can edit your account information, access camera settings, create recording schedules, and manage local storage. Finally, the Neighbors button takes you to a screen where you can download the Ring Neighbors app, which lets you receive safety alerts from your neighbors, local police, and the Ring News team.

How to setup Blink XT2 wireless Smart camera system with 5 cameras?

Set up with the Blink Outdoor camera was pretty easy, but we still had to take our time and not skip any steps.

1. We already had our Blink Home app downloaded, but if you don’t, that’s the first step you’ll take.
2. We grabbed the Sync Module 2, plugged it in, and got it connected to our Wi-Fi.
3. We scanned the QR code on the camera using the Blink app, which connected the camera, app and Sync Module 2.
4. Next, we used the camera tool that came in the package to take the back off of the Blink Outdoor camera. It was really simple to pop the case backing off. Once the back was off, we installed the two AA batteries and put the back, well, back on.
5. Next, we mounted the Blink Outdoor camera base, remembering to stay within our 100-foot Wi-Fi range.
6. Finally, we snapped the camera onto its mount and adjusted the angle for optimal viewing.

Blink XT2 wireless Smart camera system with 5 cameras customer review

An EXCELLENT monitoring system…

If you are looking for a SECURITY SYSTEM, this is NOT what you are looking for. IF you are looking for something to use to MONITOR what is going on, than this is for you! I too wanted to use this as a security system but not for that price point. Buy a hardwire system.

PROS:
1) Easy setup. Either read from the small pamphlet given or do as I did. Download app and it will direct you to do EVERYTHING step by step.
2) Its wireless so set up was a breeze. Screw the mounts of where you want the cameras and…..WALA!
3) Clear picture quality whether night or day.
4) 2 way conversations at the “push of a button”
5) Audio is clearer than expected.
6) Alot of features you can tweek to suit your needs.
7) Fairly cheap compared to other monitoring systems.
8) Free CLOUD. No monthly fees

CONS:
1) Wish I could [LOCK] my settings. I have multiple phones to observe the system at any time.
2) Does not record very long. Only 60 second intervals.
3) Only saves 7200 seconds or 120 minutes or 2 hours at a time.
4) You can record only 5-60 second clips
5) You wont get IMMEDIATE notification alerts when cameras are triggered.
6) NOTIFICATIONS are received 20-30 seconds after camera(s) being triggered.

Final words:
Only had it for “24hrs” but will update when there are anything that changes. My cameras were going off alot at night. I had to GRAY out areas that tripped them IE: moving car lights reflected off car doors. So far (at night) the cars passing have not tripped them so no more unnecessary recordings. So far so good.

By Mindful1 at Best Buy

Blink Cloud Storage Plans

Alternate of Blink XT2 wireless Smart camera system with 5 cameras

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera

Specs

Video resolution: 2KField of view: 160 degreesNight vision: YesAudio: full duplexLocal Storage: NoBattery Powered: YesWeather Resistant: YesSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTTCloud Storage: $3/month ($30/year) for 60 days of video

Pros

+Good video+Built-in floodlight+Digital subject tracking

Cons

-Requires subscription for many features-Short battery life

If you’re looking for an easier way to install an outdoor floodlight, the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera is the model to get. Unlike Ring’s Floodlight Camera, the Arlo runs on battery power, so you can install it virtually anywhere. Just know that you’ll have to recharge its batteries, or spring for the optional solar panel, which can keep the camera going for greater lengths of time.

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera delivered good quality video, and its digital pan-and-zoom was effective at helping identify subjects as they moved across our yard. Its 2000-lumen LEDs were also impressively bright. We just wish its batteries lasted longer.

Ring Floodlight Camera

Specs

Video resolution: 1080pField of view: 140 degreesNight vision: YesAudio: half-duplexLocal Storage: NoBattery Powered: NoWeather Resistant: YesSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTTCloud Storage: $3/month ($30/year) for 60 days of video

Pros

+Wide field of view+Lets you set motion zones+Affordable subscription plan

Cons

-Saving videos requires a subscription

The Ring Floodlight Cam combines two essential devices in one: A home security camera and a motion-activated floodlight. When the Floodlight camera detects movement, it turns on its two powerful LED beams as well as its sharp 1080p camera, and starts recording. The Floodlight Cam also has a loud speaker, so you can talk to whoever’s in front of the camera, and hear their responses. 

Ring’s app offers a variety of settings, such as custom motion zones, scheduling and more. Add to that Ring’s neighborhood-watch feature, which lets you see what’s happening in your area from other Ring users, as well as from your local police and fire departments. (You can also post your own videos to the Neighbors app). Unfortunately, to record and share video, you’ll need to subscribe to Ring’s cloud storage plans, which start at $3 per month.

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