I've been reading prior posts about home camera systems, and given recent "car checks" in our subdivision am getting close to getting one.

Is anyone familiar with the Blink system? Here is a link to their website:

https://www.buyblinkoffer.com/

Their upgraded system includes 5 outdoor and 1 indoor cameras. There is no central monitoring, and hence no monthly fee, and has a free app so you can monitor your system from anywhere.

The upgraded system would cost $400 or you can have 4 monthly payments of $100.

Thought about it several times but the terrible reviews on Amazon always dissuade me. Amazon shows like 4.3 stars but if you read the reviews there are page after page of bad reports about the system.

The local gun shop has them and seems to be pleased with them.

We have 3 at work, originally to catch why our breakroom sundries were disappearing. Turned out to be the cleaning crew.

The other 2 are in our conference rooms. We've got TVs instead of projector screens, and have had a couple breakins & TVs stolen.

Apart from remembering to replace the batteries, they seem to work well enough.

I have three on the outside and one on the inside.
One on the outside is about 20-30 above the ground and prob spans a field of view about 50 foot by 20 foot. It captures anything from a wasp to my kid riding his bike in the yard. It is located probably a good 30 feet from the synch module. Another is located out in the elements on weather. I get good clear videos. The batteries last a long time. It has many options. You can have then turn off on a set schedule. Send a copy of even on text, email etc.. It will let you know when the battery is getting low. You can set up and add cameras real easy. Works well for me.

We have 3 Blink cameras. I have had no issues with them. They were a gift from my oldest daughter. They have three and are adding more.

I've seen the ads on TV and they do appear to be one way to provide video surveillance. One concern I have is--can they work without a smart phone? Is there a way to connect them to a computer?

flashguy

I have the blink thing. Did a another outside cover.
Overall ok. Very rural AZ so if it activates, I'd call the sheriff and wait 2 days for them to come out.
Have gone through a couple people that we hired to let our dogs out. Catches them barely doing anything. Or at least not what we paid for. Never mentioned the blinks.

Dad has the blink and is quite happy.
Take a look at Arlo as well.
I have an Arlo system set up at my mothers place and it is great.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Take a look at Arlo as well.
I have an Arlo system set up at my mothers place and it is great.

How long do the batteries last? The web site doesn't say.

quote:

Originally posted by walker77:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Take a look at Arlo as well.
I have an Arlo system set up at my mothers place and it is great.

How long do the batteries last? The web site doesn't say.

It varies greatly based upon how much motion the camera gets and how much you watch the live feed. The front door camera that gets tripped the most as it is the main entrance and lasts about 2 months. The back door far less use and about 3 months.
If you buy an extra battery just keep it charged and swap when one gets low.

Blink says its free? Do they store the camera footage for you, for free? And for how long?Does the footage self erase after a day if you dont watch it?

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:
Blink says its free? Do they store the camera footage for you, for free? And for how long?Does the footage self erase after a day if you dont watch it?

1.There's no recurring fee
2.Yes
3.It doesn't expire If you need to save it just download to your device.
4.No

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
I've seen the ads on TV and they do appear to be one way to provide video surveillance. One concern I have is--can they work without a smart phone? Is there a way to connect them to a computer?

flashguy

Not easily. You would have to use an Android emulator. There is no Windows app. At least not that I can see.

where is smschulz when you need him

I'm not a fan of wireless cameras. Been there, done that, they sucked, so I went to real Ethernet PoE IP cameras for my hobby-grade Blue Iris based system, which IMHO is quite good for what it is.

I also like 24/7/365 recording of all my cams in full high definition. Takes some disk space, but worth it for me. These blink things don't record 24/7, you only get short clips on alerts.

Had 5 camera Blink system, seemed ok till after about 2 weeks they quit working. Called blink and a really inept tech, I ended up sending them back.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
where is smschulz when you need him

I'm not a fan of wireless cameras. Been there, done that, they sucked, so I went to real Ethernet PoE IP cameras for my hobby-grade Blue Iris based system, which IMHO is quite good for what it is.

I also like 24/7/365 recording of all my cams in full high definition. Takes some disk space, but worth it for me. These blink things don't record 24/7, you only get short clips on alerts.

It all depends on the end goal of the system. I too have a bunch of POE IP cameras using BlueIris at my place.
Not a chance in the world it would be feasible at my mothers house. 24/7 recording is not needed either.
I set the Arlo system up in about 45 minutes with ease (same cannot he said for BlueIris). I also have one of the cameras at my Mom’s house out in the backyard mounted on a tree.
There have been zero WiFi issues or connectivity issues.
For an easy setup system with minimal features and surprisingly good day and night video there is nothing wrong with these systems.
If you are looking for a full featured full blown surveillance setup not so much but 90% of folks don’t need such a set up.

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
I've been reading prior posts about home camera systems, and given recent "car checks" in our subdivision am getting close to getting one.

Is anyone familiar with the Blink system? Here is a link to their website:

https://www.buyblinkoffer.com/

Their upgraded system includes 5 outdoor and 1 indoor cameras. There is no central monitoring, and hence no monthly fee, and has a free app so you can monitor your system from anywhere.

The upgraded system would cost $400 or you can have 4 monthly payments of $100.

Well the offer has a 30 day return, so you can try them and if it doesn't work well, return it.

Right now Costco has a 10 camera 4K wired system with DVR for $499 normally $730

Costco System

quote:

Originally posted by walker77:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Take a look at Arlo as well.
I have an Arlo system set up at my mothers place and it is great.

How long do the batteries last? The web site doesn't say.

I set up some Blink cams at my neighbor's home (a single elderly lady). Worked well except for one thing. The batteries needed recharging way more often than was feasible for her. Don't laugh, but I eventually installed three wired Wyze cam's in place of the Blink system, and she's been very happy with it for her needs. Best part, the three Wyze cams cost less than $75 and their monitoring by Wyze runs $3/month. I also have a few Wyze cams at my house and they accomplish what I need them to do.

I have 2 Wyze cameras set up for the grandparents but they are inside only. So Granny can keep an eye on gramps in case he were to fall when she goes to the store. She only turns them on when she leaves.

Do you have yours outside? Not sure they would do well in the weather. OP mentioned some being outdoor which is why I did not suggest the Wyze.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Do you have yours outside? Not sure they would do well in the weather. OP mentioned some being outdoor which is why I did not suggest the Wyze.

Yep, she has two installed outside (one at the front door and one near the rear patio). Both are under the soffit so they're not directly subject to the weather. They've been in those locations for about a year and both are still functioning fine. I figured as cheap as they are, I'd try them outside and if they failed, she wouldn't be out much. Since her's works out well, I moved one of my cams to my front door area.

Additionally, Wyze should be releasing an outdoor specific camera in 2020 (assuming the virus doesn't kill that rollout).