For security and peace of mind around your home, a Blink Outdoor Camera is one of the most popular choices for keeping an eye on your property. The outdoor cameras have features like motion detection, a Live View which lets you see what is going on at your property right from your smartphone, and an Activity Zones option that lets you choose which areas of your property you want to record -- which is handy if you live near a busy street where cars could constantly set off annoying motion detection notifications. The recently released Blink Outdoor 4 has improved on these features to make them even better than the previous Blink Outdoor 3.
Like most home security systems, Blink operates on a subscription plan, with a monthly charge starting at $3 to use the service. But if you don't want to pay for the charge, you might want to try using the cameras without the subscription -- though there will be some severe limitations if you do.
Does the Blink Outdoor Camera require a subscription to use?
For many homeowners, the video doorbell has become an extra set of eyes to put them at ease. While they feel safer, in theory, many brands rely on people to swap batteries more often than we would like. Instead of devouring energy, Blink has developed a new battery-powered video doorbell that sips energy for at least two years before needing more.
Already a big name in video home security, Blink has expanded its collection with the Blink Video Doorbell. With it, homeowners have access to HD video alerts, motion detection, live-streaming video with two-way audio, infrared night vision, and more.
Setup is easy, thanks to a wire-free installation. Inserting batteries and connecting to the home Wi-Fi is all that it takes to set up the doorbell. Just like Blink’s other security cameras, two standard AA lithium batteries should provide the video doorbell at least two years of life. This can be extended further by tapping into any existing doorbell wiring if the customer pleases. This will also enable users to keep the existing chime.
“We’ve taken our award-winning experience from our security cameras and applied it to the doorbell,” Peter Besen, CEO of Blink, said in a statement. “We feel this has resulted in the absolute easiest to install, full-featured video doorbell on the market today.”
Using the Blink Home Monitor app for iOS or Android devices, owners can check live HD video from anywhere in the world. When motion is activated, the doorbell automatically records short video clips and sends an alert. Footage is stored in cloud storage, without monthly contracts or hidden fees.
For homeowners in more rainy climates, this video doorbell is IP-65 rated. This means it is totally protected from dust and can withstand low-pressure water jets from any direction, more than enough for a heavy drizzle.
To see the Blink Video Doorbell in person, it will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January.
The Blink Video Doorbell will be available “soon” on the company’s website. Existing Blink users can purchase the stand-alone video doorbell for $99, while new customers can buy the doorbell with the Blink Sync Module for $129. Those who need the companion chime will have to wait until CES to discover the price.