Blink wireless camera

[Holger]

With Arlo you can add indoor cameras to the system too.

[Holger]

Specs and datasheet:
http://www.arlo.com/en-us/images/documents/arlo_datasheet.pdf

Users Guides:
http://arlo.com/en-us/images/documents/arlo_wirefree/arlo_wirefree_um.pdf
http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/arlo/arlo_q_um_en.pdf

[jyl]

Report after using these Blink cameras for a little while.

They work well. My camera at the front door was alerting at passing cars and waving leaves, so I turned the sensitivity down and now it only alerts when someone is actually at the door. The cameras inside don't seem to be alerting to the cat, but do alert to people walking into the house. The video clips are good enough, if there is a light on in the room. If it is a dark room, you can set the camera to shine a light, but of course that makes the camera very obvious. The cameras are easily concealed, I simply took some artsy postcards, cut a 1/4" hole for the camera and a 1/2" hole for the motion detector, and used double sided tape to fasten the card to the face of the camera. Not going to fool the CIA but good enough. The cameras have a blue LED that shines when they are filming, this is an intentional part of the design so that you can't use them to secretly spy on the babysitter. The blue glow is still faintly visible despite the covering postcard, not enough that a hurrying burglar would notice, but you still can't use them as spycams, people would eventually notice.

So, after all this preparation for our vacation, the cameras and putting lights on timers and stopping the mail and newspaper, turns out my wife arranged for a friend to house sit. I'll turn the cameras off - not just because it is the right thing to do, but also because otherwise I'd be getting alerts every 10 seconds on my phone. But I'm still glad I installed these because we're often gone on the weekends and during the day.

[jyl]

Update after 4 months with the Blink cameras.

I now have seven cameras organized in two systems (inside and outside). Cameras outside every exterior door, a camera in the garage, and cameras on the ground floor (foyer looking at front door, kitchen looking at back door, living room.) I can arm/disarm and schedule the inside and outside systems independently, and view them all from the same Blink app.

After a bit of experimenting, I've left three cameras visible (although inconspicuous), and concealed the others (nothing that would fool anyone who was looking closely). My logic is that in most cases, it's preferable that visitors and guests not feel weird about an overt camera. But I don't feel the same way about someone at my back door or entering my garage.

Haven't had to replace any batteries yet and the app still reports full battery for each camera. It appears that, for my usage, 2 AA batteries will power a camera for at least a year. Half of my cameras live outside, under an eave or otherwise protected from direct rain, but exposed to temps of (lately) 28-34F. Doesn't seem to be hurting battery life.

Blink has a waterproof outdoor camera with infrared nightcam now. I might buy one just to try it out.

For the current trip we have a young lady house sitting for us. So I've no need to arm the inside cameras, but the outside cameras are armed.

[porsche4life]

Good to know. I need to get a few for around our house.

[Holger]

Just a side note:
Arlo has expanded theire portfolio and now even have the Arlo Pro with local recording, chargable battery-packs and a better PIR-sensor and Arlo GSM

[SpyderMike]

I will add that I just returned two of the Arlo Q due to constant network disconnects. I tried them in two houses with same issues. Once disconnected, they would not attempt reconnection. They were useless to me; no good for a security camera me thinks.

[rcecale]

So...I've done a bit of research on these Blink cameras and have been able to find answers to most of my questions. The two pressing ones were in regard to Field Of Vision and Range.
For the Field Of Vision, Blink reports a 110 degree field. Should work well from any corner.
My larger concern was the Range for the motion sensor. The Blink website reports a 20 foot range. You, jyl, claim your cameras were alerting to passing cars. I'm guessing your front door is further than 20 ft from the street, no? What kind of range are you experiencing?

Randy

[Holger]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

I will add that I just returned two of the Arlo Q due to constant network disconnects. I tried them in two houses with same issues. Once disconnected, they would not attempt reconnection. They were useless to me; no good for a security camera me thinks.

Woah, thats not good at all.
I have not had any issues yet. They work reliable for me even over long distances and through thick walls/ceilings.

[disfin]

I have the Arlo Pro 4 camera system, $599 at Best Buy. The system took 15 mins to set up and I had live video just like that. I picked that system for two reasons. No monthly costs and a big built in rechargeable battery that lasts 6 months. A week after installing my wife heard noises in the attic. Up the cameras went and I used these cameras to catch a family of rats that had decided my attic looked nice and warm. Even caught live video of them hitting and escaping the traps, but ultimately meeting their demise. These things are a must. We installed simplisafe for our home alarm, only $15/month to monitor, so beside the startup costs, I only pay $15 a month and have the peace of mind that comes with cameras and a 4G alarm system. And I'm saving $200 a year on insurance. It was a no brainier. And if I move, well, I can take both systems with me.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

[Holger]

The three camera Pro is 790 Euro here. I will wait ...

[SpyderMike]

Originally Posted by Holger

Woah, thats not good at all.
I have not had any issues yet. They work reliable for me even over long distances and through thick walls/ceilings.

It was disappointing. These were not far from the router. It had more to do with them wanting to talk to the mothership and dropping off if they couldn't reach them. They wouldn't last more than about 12 hours on either network. Their tech support was real weak too. Still looking....

I have some old FOSCAM wireless cameras that still work after years (indoor and outside)..with some minor bugs that I live with.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by rcecale

So...I've done a bit of research on these Blink cameras and have been able to find answers to most of my questions. The two pressing ones were in regard to Field Of Vision and Range.
For the Field Of Vision, Blink reports a 110 degree field. Should work well from any corner.
My larger concern was the Range for the motion sensor. The Blink website reports a 20 foot range. You, jyl, claim your cameras were alerting to passing cars. I'm guessing your front door is further than 20 ft from the street, no? What kind of range are you experiencing?

Randy

My camera outside the front door was alerting when cars drove down the street at the side of my house (I'm on a corner lot). Those cars were at least 50 feet away. The lighting conditions had to be right, but it was happening almost every day. I turned the sensitivity down but ultimately had to move the camera to the other side of the door and angle it down so that it barely sees any street.

[rcecale]

Originally Posted by jyl

My camera outside the front door was alerting when cars drove down the street at the side of my house (I'm on a corner lot). Those cars were at least 50 feet away. The lighting conditions had to be right, but it was happening almost every day. I turned the sensitivity down but ultimately had to move the camera to the other side of the door and angle it down so that it barely sees any street.

Excellent information! Thank you! As I mentioned, the Blink website claims a 20 ft range, but the way my home is built, the door(s) are almost 30 ft away from opposing walls, which led me to question their effectiveness. If you were alerting from 50 ft...outside...I think I'll be okay, inside!

Thanks again!

Randy

[Skillet83]

I installed 6 Arlo cameras first of November. A little pricey, but work well. After 2 months, batteries are still at 80%. I get notifications instantly when motion detected. There is virtually no delay. As I pull into my drive, my phone is dinging. You have the option any time of going live on any camera.

I do not have the option of going hard wired without spending yuge money. These cameras work very well. Lot's of options on settings. I set all cameras at the lowest quality video to save battery life, picture is still great. Easy to install. I even put one in a tree to capture a blind spot. Night vision quality is very good as well.

I wish I could look at live feed all the time, but not feasible. They detect motion and let you know immediately. Just another layer of protection for me. You are able to get a 30 day feed of all images detected on motion for $10.00 a month. A happy customer.

[SpyderMike]

I just ordered a Homeboy camera. Will see how it stacks up for security.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by rcecale

Excellent information! Thank you! As I mentioned, the Blink website claims a 20 ft range, but the way my home is built, the door(s) are almost 30 ft away from opposing walls, which led me to question their effectiveness. If you were alerting from 50 ft...outside...I think I'll be okay, inside!

Thanks again!

Randy

That won't be any problem.

I have had some issue with distance between base station ("sync module") and Wi-Fi access point. 50 feet with three wood interior walls and some kitchen appliances in the way gave me 1 bar and some flaky behaviour. So I moved the sync modules closer to the access point and now have 50 feet, various appliances, and 1 bar between the module and a camera. That hasn't been a problem.

[rcecale]

Originally Posted by jyl

That won't be any problem.

I have had some issue with distance between base station ("sync module") and Wi-Fi access point. 50 feet with three wood interior walls and some kitchen appliances in the way gave me 1 bar and some flaky behaviour. So I moved the sync modules closer to the access point and now have 50 feet, various appliances, and 1 bar between the module and a camera. That hasn't been a problem.

I live in a ranch and have access to the attic. There are a few electrical outlets up there that I can plug the sync module into for power. I don't think I should have much problem in that respect.

Randy

[recycled sixtie]

Hey Jyl did you update your iphone to apple 8.1? From what I understand I have an apple iphone 5s and that can be upgraded to 8.1. Is this the route you took? If so do you still have to pay for the upgrade?

When I get this straightened out am thinking of ordering a couple of blink cameras.

[jyl]

I have a 6. I am not sure what the latest iOS is for the 5S.

Just run software update from Settings. iOS upgrades are always free.

The 5S is a good phone. The SE is the same form factor, fairly cheap, internals of the 6S. A really good phone.

Wife has the 7 Plus. Too large for my taste but the camera is much better than the 6.

I'm holding out for the 8.