Blink XT2 Review

Lisa Gade reviews the Blink XT2 indoor/outdoor affordable home security camera with 1080p video recording, night vision, free cloud storage and a weatherproof design. This review is sponsored by Blink, visit them here to learn more amzn.to/2YEJMjV . Blink is currently offering 25% off all camera systems and a free Echo Dot for the holiday season.

[@jenesuispasbavard]

Why can't we have security cameras that have data hosted at home? Just use my desktop and my internet to give me access to my home, instead of storing on / streaming through some random server.

[@DrummingTmate]

Amazon has big time US government contracts with the both the Pentagon and CIA. Surely the FBI can access as well.

[@mobiletechreview]

Local storage used to be the norm years ago, and I would like to see more of it. I think the cloud has taken off because it gives folks easy access when away from home without opening the home network to outside direct client access. It's a tradeoff between sharing your data with the companies that sell the device/service, vs allowing inbound Internet traffic into your home network (so you can access your camera's footage).

[@sdushdiu]

There are plenty of systems using a DVR as a data repository. In fact, they are the norm.

[@mikecoshan3752]

MobileTechReview they still do local storage systems on some camera setups but these are usually directly wired cameras linked via a network hub & separate internal monitors but they cost £400 upwards depending on requirements. I like the idea of the cloud storage but if the power & or internet goes down then you have to rely on a good 4g phone signal also the camera can’t record to the cloud & doesn’t have a backup memory module.

[@alexadelaide]

Also a would be criminal can just steal your computer at the same time and then boom, no more evidence

[@JillyC5]

I have 3 of these, and most of what you said is true I am generally satisfied. The downsides you don't state are: It takes so long to connect to live view that the person you want to talk to has walked away!! The talking feature is basically useless, also they can literally just be plucked off the mount and pocketed, not even a screw! We had to buy separate mounts from another company to secure the cameras. Battery life however is very good and the motion sensitivity and ability to choose exactly what the camera is (and isn't as you can block out items) is looking at are very good.

[@JeffJacquesmd]

Love your reviews Lisa. Thank you for making it clear that this is a sponsored review and giving that I have followed you for years I know that you won't recommend something that isnt decent to good, and your reviews are always honest and comprehensive. There are a fair number of mixed reviews on Amazon, though quite a few people seem to have updated their reviews after firmware updates. I may try one or two out gieven the parameters, the free cloud storage, etc.

[@geebonzo]

I looked at those when they were much higher priced. It's nice for something basic. I bought a Soliom s90 with a big solar panel and a battery pack as large as the Blink. With a sale, similar price. The Soliom is, basically, huge. But it seems to recharge in bad weather, it has night lights, a memory card, and an intimidation factor. To me, the Soliom ticks all the boxes, the Blink is more of a toy. There's a lot they can do with solar and a big battery pack.

[@alexadelaide]

Yea yeah yeah looks nice and all but can we see what your cat was up to?

[@mobiletechreview]

Dancing in the kitchen sink at 2:32am. Attempting to roll bananas off the counter at 2:49am. What an angel LOL.

[@f1b3ropt1k]

So how can this product be used against me? What are the vulnerabilities and can it be hacked to spy on me? I would truly like to see reviewers give me a risk assessment as one aspect of their review. That would help differentiate yourself.

[@basilbrush2209]

I have this. You do not need to use the cloud. You can download the video clips to your smart phone then offload to a pc or email yourself the clips. It is a great video security system . Buy it

[@curtiswrigley]

2 Years is not realistic in typical use. Most users say 6 months is avg

[@pooka9052]

Hi I'm Troy Mcclure, I'm going to tell you about a new gum that actually whitens & straightens your teeth at the same time. Sponsored add! Don't waste our time then. Also this videos seems to be about putting your fizzogg in front of the camera instead of the product. Shallow half hearted review, there is so much info we need to know about a product like this. Not one example of outdoor quality, in fact you seem to have unboxed it on your counter top, switched it on then made a vid from info you read on the side of the box. I'm seriously trying to find good info about this product and wannabes like you drowning out proper tech reviews.

[@christopherswift7493]

I don't think the statement about cloud recordings or local storage is true. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXi7kJSBetqol6s I think its free, while using the trial subscription, but then after that there is a fee for using.

[@Larutus]

Looks like a good investment to me

[@SpeLinnea]

When is the Blink 182 model coming out?

[@noah295463]

Great review , as always.

[@ryansmoker4358]

Is this some sort of tech granny shit

[@RoMeeHang]

Battery definitely does not last two years, maybe if you disable all the features and never use live view. Also, it's very slow, by the time you get an alert, they're already gone. It's also very easy to steal this camera, it's held on by a very weak clip. Anyone can just grab and go.

[@tdio8742]

I’m curious about the instant notification. Is it still in beta? Will it still record when you view live? ie, If someone comes to the door and can I have a conversation with them? I’m between this and the Kasa

[@MrDesiblaster]

can we do record video to our personal storage like westren digital cloud or just blink cloud storage ??

[@grocerylist]

Anyone that buys cameras owned by Amazon, Google, etc is foolish.

[@habanerocat2241]

The XT2 does not use lithium ion batteries. In fact Blink says do not use them.

[@michag5561]

You are allowed to say the truth and nothing but the truth. So help You God!

[@mrskwrl]

I don't even need this but I liked it. Best freakin reviewer on KZbin, and so well articulated that at 2x speed I have no problem understanding every word.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Thanks Lisa, I'm in...very affordable and worth a shot

[@ericharrison5577]

Got one for Xmas and had a series of questions that your review answered. Thank you.

[@JAKOB1977]

what the hell?? is this so bad that you don't even wanna show the footage natively so the viewer actually can relate to the sensors fidelity. showing it in a third-party mode on a little mobile screen?? come on the worst 360p cam from china interlaced-humped to the moon and back to fake a sense of 1080p'ish would look somewhat mehh on a very small screen in distant third-party view...(not good Lisa) show the video quality natively and the actual footage.. that is vital and the only way the viewer can judge the picture quality and the aspect that is separating good from the bad ones.,?? just take a video clip in normal lightning condition and a video in dark B&W and edit it into your video, so the viewer got a chance to judge the footage.. the price sounds good etc.. but very weird that you don't show the actual footage and only third-party on a very little screen and not least on a promotion product. Like your videos, but this is not ideal..

[@mobiletechreview]

Huh? 3rd party? Edit the video footage? I wanted to show you what you'd see as you'd see it: this product saves captured footage to the cloud, and that footage is viewable in the Blink smartphone app, as shown in this video.

[@Saanichian]

I agree with @John Doe. You can easily tell what is going on with that phone screen. The point is, you have a reliable video feed wherever you want to put these things. You can see someone breaking into your home or property instantly and on live video and then tell them to get the f**k out and inform them in real time that they should leave immediately. You can inform them that 911 has been called and police and _actually_ mean it. Tell them that they have called the firefighters as well as the police. Ask the intruder which they think will arrive first. And break the news that the audio and video are being recorded in real time on the clowd. That they can pick what kind of charges they would prefer to receive. Attempted or aggravated felony breaking and entering. It's not only good enough, in numbers they allow you to effectively be in two places at once. Paired with high capacity power packs, you can literally add an alarm and telepresence anywhere you want.

[@JAKOB1977]

@@mobiletechreview Lisa. let me paint it with an example... see this link below.. 8 security cams from Xiaomi, at quite different prices and with way way different picture-qualites both in normal lightning and in night B/W mode..kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKili5tngaijo6s Don't you think all these 8 cameras picture would look identical to you as a viewer' if i showed it at a thirdparty-view at close to a meters distance on a 6inch small and long-mobile screen?? (you would not be able to conclude jack like that' even though they are very different in picture quality. And they are not the same, as you can see in the test, some have good security footage and some dont, but you need to show the clip in full-frame natively to give the viewer a chance to actually conclude about the picture quality' as on a small screen at third-party view, even crappy ones would look decent. (you see??) a footage like this.. one is decent and one is not.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKili5tngaijo6s but at ½ to 1 meter and on 6 inch small mobilescreen' you simply can't tell, even the bad ones will look loyal.

[@lightningstrikestwice6302]

Jakob hey bro, your tone sucks! Lady gave a good review. If you think you can do better have a go at it!

[@Saanichian]

@@JAKOB1977 your comment veers into the realm of disrespect. Like @Lighting strikes twice said, Lisa puts out helpful video reviews and most of us viewers appreciate the information and insights that they provide. If her videos don't live up to your exacting technical standards, there's a whole KZbin's worth of videos that you can watch instead. Remember, this is her channel, not yours. You don't get to dictate how Lisa makes her videos. If you have a helpful suggestion, provide it respectfully and leave her to take it or leave it. If you're going to be dismissive and demanding, allow those of us who have been enjoying the channel for years point you in the direction of the door. Don't let it hit you on the way out.

[@Gadgetonomy]

Took me a minute to work out your T-Shirt this time round but once I did, I thought it was genius!

[@BlueStarsNY]

@Lisa - Where is your AT&T wireless review of the LG G8X Dual Screen phone? I can't wait 2 see your review and impressions.

[@jakew3]

Not happening, niche and not popular product . Tons of reviews on YT

[@RoadLifePursuits]

Tha was not a review, that was an opinion.

[@tambulee]

Enjoying the variety today

[@mr1bienvenu1]

Good video, you get the idea😁

[@vincebaker3384]

what was the sound quality like on the two way?

[@mobiletechreview]

It's quite good, as is the case for many of these consumer home security systems. Sound is easier to do in high quality (much smaller data sizes) than video.

[@J4ckD3ath]

Nice shirt...

[@VernalScott]

I just got the 3-camera pack in the Black Friday sale. It's peace of mind at a bargain price.

[@ronm6585]

Thanks.

[@neilfranclin1068]

☺️Touch

[@andrzejkurpiewski4796]

back you blink xt2

[@andrzejkurpiewski4796]

this product is rubbish

[@robertjordon5782]

I want to buy this one thank you for their review

[@pulltheskyopen]

YOU CANT TRUST SPONSORED VIDEOS...

[@Assocemail]

Assuming all camera are transmitting/received perfectly…I need installation information on “Blink XT2” Camera system connected to 3 tablets….4 perimeter 24/7 cameras…4 interior, on/off home/away cameras…3 Mobile anywhere, on/off cameras. If possible what do I need?­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­