Blink Outdoor 4 Camera System Review

The Blink Outdoor 4 is a completely wireless home security camera system designed for outdoor use. It consists of weather-resistant cameras that can be placed anywhere outside your home. The wire-free sync modules connect the cameras to your WiFi network. So you can monitor your home from your smartphone.

Blink offers wireless systems with up to 4 cameras per sync module. The cameras capture 1080p HD video and have motion detection, two-way audio, night vision, and cloud storage options.

This review will focus on the Blink Outdoor 4 camera kit, evaluating the design, video quality, app features, etc. By the end, you’ll know if the Blink Outdoor is the right outdoor camera system for your home security needs.

Blink Outdoor 4 review: Design and Build Quality

The Blink Outdoor camera has a solid, weather-resistant design made of black plastic. The mounting bracket to which the camera module connects permits adjustable angling and positioning of the device as required.

The main camera body measures three inches across in width while extending to one and a half inches in depth. It has a smooth matte black finish that blends into the background.

The camera, which employs a 1080p image sensor, has an 85-degree field of view for capturing images. There are two LEDs on the front for motion detection and night vision.

The Blink Outdoor feels very sturdy and durable. The plastic housing seems thick enough to withstand impacts. This indoor/outdoor rating indicates its ability to withstand temperature variances. Spanning from negative four degrees Fahrenheit all the way up to one hundred thirteen degrees Fahrenheit.

Blink Outdoor 4 review: Video and Image Quality

The Blink Outdoor camera records video footage in 1080p HD resolution, providing crisp footage during the day and at night. The camera uses infrared night vision to capture video in complete darkness up to about 30 feet away.

The night vision quality is decent, though the footage appears grayscale and grainy compared to the daytime video. The infrared LEDs surrounding the camera lens allow for wider illumination at night than some competitor models.

Motion detection capabilities work well to send alerts and automatically record relevant events. You can adjust motion sensitivity to reduce false alerts caused by environmental factors like wind and sun glare. The detection range extends up to about 25 feet out.

Blink Outdoor 4 review: App Features and Ease of Use

The program from Blink has an easy-to-use, user-centric design. The primary screen of each system camera is instantly filled with thumbnails as it opens. Consequently, it provides a quick overview of current events.

You have the option to tailor notifications, ensuring you only get alerts when specific cameras detect motion. The app allows you to adjust motion sensitivity and set monitoring windows for when you want to be notified. Push notifications and emails keep you aware of activity without having to keep the app open at all times.

The app allows for the personalization of each camera’s preferences through options such as assigning unique identifiers, calibrating motion detection sensitivity, and enabling or disabling the indicator illumination. You can also set privacy zones to block out areas you don’t want to be monitored.

Overall, Blink’s app is intuitive and provides the key features needed for home security in a user-friendly way. The simple interface and customizable notifications make it easy to stay informed without getting overwhelmed with alerts.

Blink Outdoor 4 review: Installation and Setup

Installing Blink cameras is designed to be simple and straightforward for the average homeowner. The process goes as follows:

• Choose locations for your Blink cameras. They are wireless, so they can be placed anywhere with a clear view of the area you want to monitor. Ideally, place them high up with a wide field of view.

• Mount the cameras using the included mounts or Blink’s mounting kit (sold separately). The mounts allow for the camera angle to be adjusted as needed.

• Connect the sync module to power using the included cable and plug. Place the sync module centrally, if possible, so all the cameras are within range.

• Connect the sync module to your WiFi router with the provided ethernet cable. The cameras connect to the sync wirelessly.

• Open the Blink app on your smartphone. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account and connect the sync module.

• Walk through the in-app process to add each of your cameras to the system, name them, and configure any settings.

• You have the flexibility to include a maximum of 10 Blink cameras on a singular wireless network and sync module. Add more sync modules to connect additional cameras.

• The cameras will provide a live view once setup is complete. Adjust camera positions if needed to optimize the field of view.

The whole process can be completed in under an hour, even for a multi-camera system. The Blink app provides guidance during setup and allows managing the system remotely after installation.

Blink Outdoor 4 review: Smart Home Integration

The Blink Outdoor cameras integrate well with popular smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT.

You can easily link your Blink account with Alexa or Google Home to enable voice commands. For example, you can view your Blink cameras on an Echo Show by saying, “Alexa, show me the front door camera.” You can also arm and disarm your system by voice.

Blink has official integrations with Alexa and Google Home. It allows you to view live feeds, arm/disarm, and receive motion alerts through these smart speakers and displays. The integration is quick and easy to set up in the Alexa or Google Home app.

Additionally, Blink supports IFTTT applets for more advanced automation between Blink and other smart home devices. You can create applets like “When Blink detects motion, turn on the porch light.” These automations help enhance your home security.

The deep integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT makes Blink cameras flexible to use within a smart home ecosystem. You can control security through voice commands, customize notifications, and trigger actions based on events.

Blink Outdoor 4 review: Weather Resistance

The Blink Outdoor camera is built to endure various weather conditions and is capable of functioning in extreme temperatures. This makes it ideal for outdoor use in all seasons.

The camera has an IP65 weather resistance rating. This means it is totally protected from dust and also resistant to low-pressure water jets from any direction.

As per Blink’s information, their outdoor camera is capable of operating in different range of temperatures. It starts from as low as negative twenty degrees Celsius to as high as forty-five degrees Celsius.

By permitting temperatures across a wide ambit, this enables its outdoor application throughout the calendar cycle in almost all weather conditions. Even freezing cold or blazing hot temperatures won’t affect the camera’s performance.

The weatherproof cable and mounting bracket are also built to last outside. Overall, the weather resistance features enable the Blink Outdoor camera to deliver reliable outdoor security monitoring in any location. You don’t need to worry about exposing it to rain, snow, heat, or cold.

Blink Outdoor 4 review: Battery Life

The Blink Outdoor cameras are powered by 2 AA lithium batteries. Blink claims these batteries can last up to 2 years. But real-world battery life depends on usage. Factors like motion frequency, live streaming, temperature extremes, and video quality settings impact battery drainage.

Users report widely varying battery life spanning from 4-5 months up to over one year. With typical usage, most users can expect the batteries to last 6-12 months. Setting the cameras to optimal battery mode. Instead of the best video quality, turning off live streaming for less important zones can extend battery life further.

Replacing the batteries is straightforward once they eventually drain. Simply open the camera module and pop out the old batteries. Insert a fresh pair of AA lithium batteries while being careful to observe polarity.

Users recommend getting lithium batteries designed for outdoor security cameras that can handle extreme temperatures. After swapping in new batteries, the camera will reconnect and resume functioning automatically.

Blink Outdoor 4 review: Pros and Cons

The Blink Outdoor is a weather-resistant wireless security camera that delivers solid features for the price.

Pros

• Easy to set up and use
• HD video quality
• Two-year battery life
• Free cloud storage and basic motion alerts
• Works with Alexa for voice commands
• Affordable price point

Cons

• No local storage option
• Max of 10-second clip length
• Needs a sync module for multiple cameras

Conclusion

Overall, the Blink Outdoor 4 makes a lot of sense for budget-minded homeowners who want an easy-to-use outdoor security camera. It delivers good video quality and long battery life at a very wallet-friendly price. Just be aware that features are basic compared to higher-end outdoor cameras. But if you just need simple monitoring and alerts, the Blink Outdoor 4 gets the job done.

For any other inconvenience, Blink Smart Security is out there 24/7 for you.

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