Blink Solar Panel Charging Mount - Unboxing & Installation - Do You Need One?

[@angiejones4744]

I want to say THANK YOU ~ you are the first video that showed the battery in the solar panel.

[@tonyaction5284]

Hey Lifehacker, thank you for your tips and very helpful videos on all these security camaras. I always search for new videos on such items but can’t seem to find someone that can review and explain the functions and usefulness of these camaras quite as good as you brother!!! Again, thank you for giving us your best and honest opinions. Much respect to you sir!!🙏🏼🤙🏼

[@jasonmcintosh2632]

Perfect review. Clear, straight to the point, informative, covered everything I wanted to know. Thank you.

[@johnszatkowski6898]

Love your posts! I just wish Amazon would integrate these into the Ring Alarm also owned by Amazon! These are WAY less bulky as Ring cameras and offer features people may want!

[@4Hendo]

Nice job as always……not sure why blink doesn’t make the outdoor camera in white…..and it would be nice if solar charger came in white also. I don’t like the black standing out on a white wall. Interesting that most Rings come in black and white.

[@LifeHackster]

I agree. They need to add a white model for their outdoor camera.

[@teenice894]

Paint it white. Or buy a white vinyl sticker sheet.. trace , cut and stick to blend in with your white wall or fence.

[@xraykadiddlehopper8067]

Thanks 👍 I have 4 of the solar units around my place and 2 of the older XTs. I am grandfathered in for free cloud. I did not install the AA batteries as the 18650 in the unit is a very powerful battery and easily replaceable. I have 2 tach lights that use 18650s and they power the lights quite a long time before needing a charge. I’m in AZ so plenty of sun ☀️

[@richardramirez5350]

Thank you, your video answered all the questions I had about installing the blink camera.

[@FRANKLIN-nu6wo]

I agree with your thoughts and believe they need to release the new Solar Powered Charging Mount separately vs. with camera (so it can be used with older models). This would be great to expanding your coverage around, and adding layers of coverage. Surprised I have not seen this advertised? Many Thanks!

[@michaelutley7661]

I'm pretty darn impressed and happy with my blink system. What system do you recommend over Blink? I'm afraid to go with another brand because of how easy it is to set up Blink and how well it works.

[@spchief]

Your reviews continue to be among the best on you tube. Keep up the great work. Also, would you consider reviewing home kit secure video and putting it through your battery of tests. You have some cameras that are homekit secure video capable in the Eufy 2 and Eufy 2c (and 2c Pro I think). Curious how they would compare in video quality, detection speed, notification speed etc. in the Eufy app vs Homekit after going through your usual tests.

[@LifeHackster]

Thank you. I really need to test out homekit with the cameras that I test because a lot of people are wanting it..we will see..

[@tayobibi]

For blink door bell the wesserstein solar panel power the door bell itself without batteries.

[@jackd5833]

I might buy one if they sold them separately but I don't need another camera I have one blink with no batteries in it , been running on a Wasserstein solar panel for a year, good thing about it is it works with Blink Outdoor & Blink XT2/XT

[@LifeHackster]

The Wasserstein solar panel is pretty good.

[@xraykadiddlehopper8067]

No batteries? So your cameras don’t operate at night then. Edit. I see that solar panel has a built in battery 👍

[@LifeHackster]

@@xraykadiddlehopper8067 The solar panel for the Blink has a rechargeable lithium ion battery on it which is the one being charged by the solar panel. You don’t have to put in the batteries for the Blink when using the solar panel.

[@TheRobinRedbreast]

Thank you for this video. I sure wish you lived near me. It would be great to have someone with your skills and knowledge in my area.

[@zombiefag]

Thank you so much for posting this. No instructions were in the box. I watched your video and the camera was setup in 5 minutes.

[@LifeHackster]

You are welcome.

[@OOO-pc3nb]

I like blink but for what they charge you would think they could make a better camera. There are other cameras on market with more features and options in the same price range or less.

[@LifeHackster]

I agree.

[@jackieakins321]

I'm wondering what they are..please tell me before I invest much more. Is there anything that records more than 30 second video? But offers true wireless?

[@ItaliaSimone]

Thank you!

[@chasesonic292]

1:00 which security camera is better and more affordable then blink?

[@rhondamarrone-nh9xv]

Can this be mounted on Vinyl siding without using screws?

[@marckdavies3380]

Very helpful, ready to install mines.

[@hahahahah8396]

Thank you so much wish there was a white one to match my trim

[@LifeHackster]

I know. They need to comes out with a white outdoor model.

[@jaykay211]

You mentioned there are cheaper and better options for cameras. Which one would you recommend?

[@burleigh604]

im only looking at Blink as it works with Alexa. Do you know any others that work with Alexa?

[@tc1uscg65]

I have a few of these cameras. Battery life is WAY overstated for a useful camera. And I'm lucky I'm grandfathered in. IMO, the larger solar panels are a better fit for these. I have 3 solar panels deployed and they seem to do the job as described (no, they are not blink/amazon brands). I have my doubts that these will do as well as the larger panels.

[@supergeodotca]

They are sold separately at Amazon Canada.

[@LifeHackster]

That’s good and they should do it here too.

[@mikecastiglionerealestateb9959]

your video's are very good. What is a better outdoor wireless camera/better functions and services with no subscription?

[@ronm6585]

Thanks. 👍🏻

[@KE8ODY-WV-Ares-Ham-Dad-3O4]

I love my set up, I have 8 outdoor 4 indoor …

[@nice9992]

Please I am confused, tell me please which one it’s better ., And Also if I buy solar panel is it mean No more Energizer AA Lithium Baterry I usually buy ??, I hope you understand my English and I mean, thank you so Much,please answer, because make sure before I buy,thank bayou so much again 🙏🏼

[@catalinamontfort]

You dont show how to open the camera from the back! Having trouble to do this

[@gselvaratnam]

You indicated you would not recommend blink for someone trying to get a security camera system. For a wireless camera system (battery), which system would you recommend where you don't have to pay any monthly fees?

[@gselvaratnam]

any particular eufy cam? Just want a good price, decent battery life and image quality.

[@LifeHackster]

Eufy comes to mind and there are a lot of models to choose from..some will have built in storage and some needs a home base.

[@hahahahah8396]

I wish ring would have a small outdoor cam with built in solar.

[@sleepzzz800]

@@LifeHackster with the Eufy camera, can you speak through the camera like the Blink Outdoor?

[@CowplainCC]

Excellent and useful video. Gracias…..

[@iblackfeathers]

i have been curious on the range of the camera angles when mounted. how far low, up, left and right can it point? limited to a very specific position eliminates many use cases, like if you mounted it to the eaves and want to keep an eye on your garbage cans directly below, etc. could you use the right angle degree or a third party accessory to adjust for better angles without it sticking out too much from the frame housing?

[@LifeHackster]

Yes for eaves install, you can use the 90 degree extension. With its ball joint mount, you can adjust it pretty well.

[@keepitsimple8]

Thank you for the great video! You said for a person's first time camera system, you would recommend some others. Can you help a guy out and share what others you would have me look at for a first time wireless camera system? Thank you! :-)

[@gamerwinner4982]

Good information 👍 thanks

[@a.dbarros5787]

How’s the battery during winter season?

[@AK-dr8we]

There should be a solar solution for the Blink doorbell as well... I wonder if this solar panel can be adapted for that.

[@platinobeatz9385]

So to be clear do I need to put the battery on the camera on the back?

[@Great_America]

That’s just more stuff the thief can steal. You might want to mount it higher, out of the reach of potential thieves.

[@achiialbert]

Do you have hack for the blink doorbell. I want to add solar panel. Thanks

[@kamryn7496]

Does the doorbell ever die if your using it wired mode I have the doorbell for 5 months so far the battery’s haven’t died yet I’m using it wired

[@ScarthyUK]

Do you think you could take the panel and battery off and do something different with it? I find the all in one box a bit ugly, would prefer to have a small panel and battery and that’s it

[@chrissypoulsen7905]

My questions is about how to mount the camera inside the blink box. The hole with the screw doesn't seem to pop into the mount inside of the blink solar box. Could you show a picture of how you are doing that? Is it supposed to just pop in?

[@Mooskers]

I ditched ring for blink I just don't like the subscription it's too expensive for me and local storage gives you piece of privacy

[@davidjaffray8083]

hi my friend .do you know what battery i need to get for this blink solar charger as the old batter is not charching Dave scotland

[@tripse7ens]

Keeping the batteries in for back up, good to know! Do you know if batteries can be left in the Blink camera if its hard wired in?

[@LifeHackster]

Yes, you can.

[@robertdeal9553]

Why are the onboard batteries not rechargeable? And/or can that battery be replaced by a rechargeable?

[@augustoliver2779]

Great video. Which would you recommend that’s around the blinks price point? Thanks

[@samcolt1079]

THERE IS ALL READY IS ONE OUT THERE. NO NEED FOR ANOTHER CAMERA.

[@leorobles5546]

so you're supposed to remove that yellow tag before installing?

[@JowaMoto]

Hey brother. So what im trying is replacing the battery that came with Blink gen2 with a rechargeable one's and then plugged a solar panel to it. I noticed that during daytime it's using the power from solar but doesn't seems to recharge the batteries. I don't think Blink camera are made to recharge? Yes or No? Thanks

[@booyoou21]

I would like to see a video with the arris surfboard max pro vs arris surfboard max plus

[@Rockaland2]

for the price of a Blink system plus solar panel stuff you could buy a cheap Poe nvr system that will be better across the board.. Blink is good for bird watching on a bird feeder . the other thing i like its small black box is hard to see if you are trying to break into a car at night.. I had my car almost broken into untill the Blink made a loud "Click " and the L.E.D lights came on and scared off the crook. Blink Needs a total Upgrade.. The wyze Cam v3 is better across the board and is way cheaper.

[@LifeHackster]

True. They still charge a lot for these cameras. I’ve seen them for sale though which I think should be their retail price.

[@fatemehnazari6847]

Hi Can you provide an update? Do you still recommend it and how often does it use the backups?

[@room101muglife3]

So u say much better battery camera. Which do you recommend

[@wangpork]

once camera is mounted, does it let you point it at a certain angle? does the mount let you move or adjust camera angle horizontally and vertically?

[@LifeHackster]

Yes, but not a lot.

[@kamryn7496]

Can you use the right angle adapter with the camera on this solar adapter I want this but idk if your able to use the right angle adapter with it where I have my blink outdoor camera at I need to use that right angle adapter

[@Marc716]

I'm thorn between blink or 1x wyze v3 and 1 x wyze outdoor (can't have power there) I would add the wyze doorbell pro afterward...I want all my stuff in the same environment...what do you think? All blink w/ blink doorbell or wyze with both type of camera ?

[@chauffeurmarco]

Now they sell without the cam

[@BrianParkes]

Curious why the camera says 'Lithium only' and the manual says don't use 'Lithium Ion', yet here is an official accessory, powering it with Lithium Ion...

[@LifeHackster]

Lithiums not lithium ion..lithium ion is rechargeable while lithiums are disposable double As.

[@BrianParkes]

@@LifeHackster Exactly, Blink says 'Lithium Only' where the AA batteries go inside the camera, but inside the solar charger there is a Lithium Ion 18650 battery, which is powering the camera and trickle charged by the solar mount. Do you see what I mean?

[@LifeHackster]

@@BrianParkes yes..I just realized what you were saying..you are right. I have to try this out..I did try before regular alkaline and it didn’t last long.

[@jackieakins321]

Lol

[@margyjr]

Hi, and thank you for your helpful videos, I hope you can help me, I am interested on your opinion, on 2mp vs 5mp PTZ zoom IP Cameras, would a 2mp camera be terrible, Cheers Paul

[@LifeHackster]

I just reviewed the Reolink E1 outdoor and except for the night vision, it is a pretty decent PTZ camera.

[@margyjr]

@@LifeHackster Hi and thaqnk you for your reply, yes have I saw your review, I am looking at Genbolt GB-202 2MP camer vs a same style 5mp Boavision one? so that is why I was asking how much difference there is between 2 vs 5 mp

[@2_wheeltherapy]

In this video you said that two Lithium ion batteries can be in the blink while attached to the solar panel. For the wasserstein panel this is not recommended. Is this a change with the new outdoor camera? Do you know the reason why it would be okay to leave in the batteries for backup. I don't want to ruin my camera but I am unsure as to why this is recommended/not recommended.

[@xraykadiddlehopper8067]

The panel will not charge the two installed batteries, it only charges the 18650. The unit will automatically switch to the two batteries in the camera as a back up if the 18650 goes down for lack of sun or if it goes bad. It displays which is currently powering in the app menu.

[@jackd5833]

I guess wyze has not sent you their solar panel yet , is that correct?

[@LifeHackster]

No, I don’t have their solar panel.

[@jackd5833]

@@LifeHackster Wyze have launched the solar panel for pre order now , so I'm allowed to tell you , I was able to test it and ever since I plugged it to a wyze outdoor Cam seven months ago haven't had a lick of trouble or anything with it, camera never dropped below 80% charge

[@CraigMullins1]

how does 1 18650 battery compare to the two aa lithiums it total power?

[@LifeHackster]

Output is 3.56 volts.

[@CraigMullins1]

@@LifeHackster What’s voltage have to do with how long each one last walk

[@LifeHackster]

@@CraigMullins1 I misunderstood you..because you said power. Because the 18650 is being charged by the sun, it can outlast any of the disposable lithiums. If it gets at least 2 hours a day of direct sunlight then it will work for years.

[@northerntoyota7584]

My blink outdoor camera is a total POS and very frustrating. All my indoor minis that are wired in work flawlessly. Amazon is sending me a replacement and we shall see if this one works any better.

[@edwardrogers-wright1604]

Sorry I'm unable to read all your comments to get an answer. Can I use the solar mount with the batteries inside the camera? Thanks and good day ...

[@LifeHackster]

Yes, you can.

[@edwardrogers-wright1604]

@@LifeHackster Thanks again ...

[@GanNing221]

French subtitles that are auto-generated. Lol, what.

[@infomutt2339]

No this just not needed.

[@black10kevin]

imagine I have 6 cameras and I needed the Solar panel, to try and sell you a whole new camera that you do not need is just a rip off