Blink Outdoor 4-Camera system: Easy to set up and has motion detection but poor night vision

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The Blink Outdoor 4 is a popular 4th generation security camera system often bought from Amazon that works just as well indoors as it does outdoors. The cameras are small, discreet and minimalistic in design. Someone snooping around the house looking for a way in probably won’t notice them, depending on where they’re placed. It’s worth noting that you do need to subscribe in order to store footage with this system, at a rate of £2.50 a month.

With the Blink 4-camera system there’s 60% off for Black Friday right now. You can get packages with 1, 2, or 3 cameras, all at 60% off.

The cameras feature night vision, motion detection and two-way audio so you can speak directly to someone if you needed to. The two AA batteries are supposed to last up to two years, although I’ve not been testing it for that long.

Jump to:

• Are the cameras easy to set up?
• What about the quality of the cameras?
• What is the night vision like?
• Are the cameras and the system easy to use?
• My verdict

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Are the Blink Outdoor cameras easy to set up?

Generally, yes. One of our teenagers took it upon themselves to set up and had it done reasonably quickly – in around 20 minutes – mainly because there were 4 cameras so each one had to be done separately.

The first step is to download the Blink app. There is a sync module that then connects to Wi-Fi. You scan the QR code on the camera which then connects to the sync module. After inserting the two supplied AA batteries the camera begins operating. You can then mount the camera wherever you think best, but you need to keep within range of the of the sync module – around 100 feet or so.

This is the ‘nutshell’ version of a typical setup, but you are guided through the app for a complete and easy installation.

What about the quality of the camera?

The actual hardware feels high quality. It’s got a sleek finish and has a minimalistic look about it. It’s obviously designed to be discreet so as not too draw the attention of people snooping around your house.

The plastic housing has a sturdy feel and IP65 weatherproofing, which means it’s protected from water on all sides and is dust-tight. This means they should be great for outdoor use as well as indoors, but be aware that they’re so subtle looking that they won’t be a visible deterrent to would-be thieves.

I have the 3rd generation cameras. The latest 4th generation upgrades are mostly cosmetic, but with a slightly wider viewing angle. That doesn’t make a difference to me since I’ve positioned the cameras to get a lovely wide field of view.

What’s the night vision like?

Disappointing. The infrared allows you to see someone moving around but they look like a white glowing blob. There’s no clear definition. You can see a cat crossing the lawn, but can’t make out whose cat it is. The solution to this would be to place the camera next to a floodlight. That would make all the difference and you wouldn’t rely on the infrared.

For indoor use there is usually a source of light throughout the night in my house, whether it’s a night light plugged in or the digital lights from kitchen equipment, so it fares better in that situation.

Are the Blink cameras and system easy to use?

The cameras are operated from the Blink app and they are very easy to use. You can enable or disable the motion detection and you get an immediate notification when motion is detected. You can then look at the recorded video to see if any further action is needed. If not, just delete it so it doesn’t take up cloud storage (assuming you have a subscription).

A subscription will cost £2.50 a month per camera, so in my case it’s £10 a month. There is a 30-day free trial period, though.

The video resolution is 1080p which is High Definition. So good quality footage, basically. The audio is two-way and is reasonably good quality. If I’m not at home I can ask the courier to put my parcel in the back out of sight.

You can make adjustments in the app, such as length of time to keep video clips, scheduling the cameras on and off, adjusting time zones, motion settings, video and photo settings, privacy and so on.

Blink Outdoor 4-camera verdict

I’m happy that I got a good deal for some added security around the house, and the peace of mind that comes with it. Ok, so the night vision isn’t great, but I’ve found a workaround by placing the cameras close to sources of light. The video quality during the day is very good being High Definition, and the fact I can have a two-way conversation is a real bonus. The subscription is a bit of a drawback, but it’s not expensive and I can cancel anytime. Overall, I’m happy with the Blink Outdoor 4-Camera system.

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