Blink wireless camera
 

Thought I'd let you guys know about a very inexpensive WiFi wireless camera system. Blink camera. Google it and read up. I just installed two for $160. Additional cameras are $70. Each camera runs on 2 AA batteries. Battery life should be decent (claimed 1 year) since they only record when they detect motion or when you command a live view, but I'll probably feed them with rechargeable AAs so that I won't mind replacing batteries every couple of months (if necessary). Will let you know how they work.

Thanks - I've been looking for something like this. Any comments on setup and implementation?

Setup is simple.
- Download the Blink app for smartphone. Register with Blink.
- Plug in Sync Module (the base station for the cameras). It temporarily becomes a wifi access point. Connect to it with your smartphone. Tell the Sync Module which Wi-Fi network to use for your house. Give it a name or use the default name.
- Put batteries in the camera. Register camera with the Blink app, using the camera's serial number. Place camera where you want it. Use Live View to see what camera is capturing. Take a photo from the camera, that becomes the camera's "icon" in Blink app. Name the camera, e.g. "Living Room" or "Cheerleaders Locker Room" - just kidding.
- Repeat for other cameras.
- Schedule when you want the cameras to be armed, that means looking for motion. I chose 1 am to 4 am. You can also arm or disarm the cameras at any time in the Blink app.
- When camera is armed and sees motion, it takes a short (5-10 sec) video clip and alerts you via the app. You can watch the clip. At any time, you can command the camera to show a live view (more like a time lapse: not fluid full motion video). You can be away from the house, as long as the Blink system is on internet via your home wifi system and your smartphone has internet via Wi-Fi or cellular. Video is stored on Blink's servers.

There were some glitches during this process. The Sync Module had to be reset, means sticking a toothpick into the reset hole. The cameras were slow to respond to initial command. But these weren't more than brief inconveniences. Ditto the occasional slow response of a camera during operation. I think the camera is operating at such low power during standby, they take a little while to respond to commands.

All in all, it seems to work okay. The basic system with two cameras and Sync Module costs $160. Additional cameras cost $70. No monthly fee. Resolution is okay, not 4K or anything awesome. No night vision, each camera has a little light, but I disabled that as it gives the camera away. Each camera also has a bright blue warning LED when recording; I'll put tape over it, not reason to alert the cheerleaders that they are being videoed. The cameras are small (2" x 2") and white, actually not that inconspicuous, but you could disguise them or conceal them. I haven't decided where to put them, whether to cover the entrances, or to cover places where thieves would go as they search the house.

Sounds exactly like Netgear Arlo.
I have installed theire 3 camera system, with night vision.

http://www.arlo.com/en-us/

Wifi Camera made by Canary will automatically arm/disarm when you are around by sensing your phone app. I find that incredibly useful. Can also sound an alarm and tell you temp/humidity remotely.

I considered the Arlo too. How do you like it?

My impression is that the Blink has fewer features (not waterproof, no wired camera option, no infrared night vision, no 2 way audio, etc) than the Arlo. But it is half the price.

The thing I like about these two products, and others too, is that they aren't charging you a monthly fee for cloud storage. Unlike the Dropcam and similar.

I like it very much.
But as with all those completely wireless systems you have to try several locations before you find the perfect position for the camera.
Systems with wire (electricity) are a bit more powerful.

We are covering the front door, the back- and sideyard and the night vision is impressive. Fluid live view is good too, and we have a very crappy upload rate.

A bunch of settings too.

So do you guys think it is better to have the cameras

1. Outside house, covering the entrances
2. Inside house, covering the entrances
3. Inside house, covering rooms that burglars are likely to spend time in as they ransack your house

I'm thinking that when we go on trips, I'd leave enough lights on that cameras inside the house will have enough light, without needing nightvision. Burglars might turn off the lights, but presumably they can't turn off interior lights until after they come in the entrance. Outside, my lights aren't so bright and I worry the cameras will pick up extraneous movement.

Perhaps I will end up with cameras on each of the three entrances (mounted inside those doors), one or two cameras watching the inside of the house (pointing at stuff that burglars would likely head for), one watching my garage (from the inside?), and maybe a camera on the porch. That's seven cameras, Blink will cost $510.

John: That for doing my research for me. One quick question? I assume you have to be within wi-fi range at all times, so maybe 40-50 feet from your router; depending walls, etc?

I would aim one camera to capture the vehicle/license plate of any arriving suspicious persons. Maybe mount inside a window, aimed outdoors. Or well hidden to deter theft of the camera?

Yes, sync module needs Wi-Fi connection to your access point and cameras need Wi-Fi connection to sync module. I don't know yet what the range is, I'll post if I do some experiments.

I don't know about pointing outside. These cameras record a 10 sec clip and alert you, when they detect motion. You don't want it recording and alerting all day long as cars drive by.

A wired camera could continuously record. I see wired systems with several cameras plus DVR at Costco for $700 or so. I didn't want to deal with the installation and those cameras are too obtrusive to have inside the house (look okay outdoor), in my opinion.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1470500256.jpg

The cameras are fairly inconspicuous, but one could do a much better job of concealing them than I've done here.

When recording, a blue LED lights up on the camera. A bit of tape should take care of that.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1470500751.jpg

Image. Down rezzed to upload. 720p original.

I read through the Blink specs, and while it seems cool, it's very limited.

Yes, it is a basic, almost bare-bones, but very inexpensive system.

They have added features via software update, such as scheduled arm/disarm on June 1. I think Blink only started shipping in late 2015.

The hardware has some expandability built in. For example, the Sync Module has an Ethernet port and a USB port, and Blink says they may in future support direct connect of the Sync Module to your access point via Ethernet, and recording of video to local storage attached to the USB port. The cameras have a micro-USB port, future purpose unknown.

The blog says weatherproof outdoor cameras are coming.

I have 2. They serve their purpose. I think for the money they are great.

They only stole my truck..... Police come?.... Phone it in.

Arlo is waterproof, we have them all three outside in the rain.
And yes, a lot of settings available.
You can set (for each) the area they should scan, how sensible they should react, how long time they should record when sensing movement, only email or email and push to app.
No LED when sharp recording, only if they are in test-mode, when you set up and check the captured area. then they blink orange when sensing movement. Great to check the placement without recording.
They have to be in the range of the controller (the cameras do not connect to your router directly), connected to the router. So, the controller can be placed in the best position as long as you can connect it to the router (LAN).

Arlo does not record or transfer sound.

John and Holger: Thanks again for all the advise. I have a long driveway with a game camera recording those coming and going. Would like to add a few wi-fi cameras for remote viewing and alerts.

My feeling is, get the Arlo so you can mount it outside, alongside the driveway. The Blink is, at present, an indoor camera or maybe under a porch roof.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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. :)

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.