Here’s the review of the Blink XT2 home security cameras I wrote a while back. It seems like an appropriate time to re-post it since Blink just announced an update to their cameras.
As far as I can tell, the new cameras sport the same capabilities as the old ones but with a new design. They do come with the new sync module 2 that was previously announced alongside their Blink mini camera.
This release also signal the end of the free cloud storage for their mainline cameras, which is unfortunate since it’s easily the best selling-point of the original cameras, but it’s understandable that they’d want to shift to a subscription — keep the cash flowing — model. For existing customers (with accounts created before April 15, 2020), cloud storage remains free, which is nice. Otherwise, local storage is available on the sync module 2.
One additional accessory announced is a battery extension attachment, which doubles the capacity to 4 AA cells and a whooping 4-year advertised battery life!
Now might be a good time to snap up the old cameras if you can still find them, tho it’s unclear if they’d still come with free cloud storage (my bet is they won’t), or if the new battery extension works with them.
The following review of the original XT2 cameras was first published at https://www.amazingdevicesandtools.com
Most people are familiar with Ring’s various security cameras. But did you know that Ring’s parent company, Amazon, also owns the company Blink which makes the XT2 security camera system?
Now you might be wondering, why does Amazon have two brands of security cameras? Why would you choose one over the other? For starters, Ring began with their doorbell camera but has since branched out into multiple security cameras and smart home security system and accessories. Blink, on the other hand, has largely focused on just their XT2.
When you buy the XT2, it is typically in a bundle that consists of a sync module and up to 5 cameras (additional cameras can be purchased separately). A single sync module can support up to 10 cameras. The sync module is what the cameras communicate with wirelessly for saving videos to the cloud. You would want to plug the module inside your home somewhere where there’s a good 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal, and preferably not too far away from your cameras.
Spec-wise, the XT2 camera features 1080p video recording, live view with 2-way voice communication, night vision, weather-resistance-all table stakes when it comes to outdoor security cameras. Notably, the camera runs on 2 AA lithium batteries while boasting a 2-year battery life (alternatively, the camera can be powered by AC, if you can run a wire to it).
How long the battery actually lasts will depend on the recording configuration of the camera. By default, the camera records for 5 seconds on motion events, with a minimum cooldown period of 10 seconds between clips.
In practice, short clips with long cooldowns in between means you might miss some details if the event is quick. For example, in one clip you may see the delivery person approach, but the next clip will show them leaving and you won’t see them dropping off your package. Fortunately, you can increase the clip length, but of course that will factor into the battery life.
When it comes to storage, there’s no local storage option. On the upside, you get 7200 seconds of rolling cloud storage for free-no subscription required. You can configure how long to keep old clips before they are deleted, and any clips you want to keep can be downloaded easily via the mobile app.
One last thing to note, the XT2 camera can be used indoors of course, however, Blink recently released a cheaper Blink mini camera specifically for indoor use. Despite the mini being compatible with the XT2 sync module, cloud storage for the mini is NOT free, probably to offset the cheaper price and to keep the cash flowing. Free local storage for the mini is supposedly coming but it requires the yet to be released sync module 2. Hopefully there’s a trade-in or upgrade program for users who already own a sync module.
Pros:
- Cameras can run completely wirelessly so you can mount them anywhere
- Advertised 2-year battery life so you can set it and forget it
- Budget-friendly with free rolling cloud storage
Cons:
- Might not get the advertised 2-year battery life if you want to record longer clips
- No local storage
