Blink Outdoor 4 wireless camera: some major red flags

[@nodak81]

My biggest gripe with these is that they only record a specified length of clip regardless of what's happening. Then they wait 10 seconds before they can be triggered again. There should be a setting to record continuously as long as movement is happening. Just chop it into separate files if needed, like a dash cam. That 10 seconds of missing footage could be critical in a court case or something like that.

[@hjlg1345]

I wished that too. I bought mines 5 weeks ago, and my front yard camera already gave me a low battery notification, if it had not 60 sec timeline this battery would be over in less than a week. Now looking into wireless batteries to try to.

[@t77snapshot]

For such a well produced and "thorough" review, you left out some key info for future buyers. The sync module is absolutely not a con. This device allows a user to store footage on a USB drive rather than a cloud storage subscription. Other competitors like Ring allow you to store footage on an SD card but with a mandatory subscription. Because the USB module is separate from the camera device it can remain secure, for example: some wireless cameras (samsung/Phillips etc) have SD cards inside the cam body itself, meaning if the camera is stolen, off goes the footage as well, unlike the blink sync module safety protected inside the home. You also left out Blinks low price point over other competitors. The price of their bundles is significantly lower than Ring and Arlo. And with such a low price for bundles, you should expect some sacrifices like high-resolution. The Arlo's put out a 2K reso display, but over double the price. Also, 4k security cams do exist, like the Lorex systems with included dvr's. The reason your blink camera did not notify you of the birds and squirrels is because of its Advanced Motion detection feature, which can be toggled off if you want notification of non-human motion. I found the app interface to be much more user-friendly over other competitors I have used in the past. When you first set up the app, there is a short tutorial that walks you through the settings, including how (and why) to arm and disarm the cameras. Sure, this system has its cons, but it's hard to beat the price for what you get. I purchased the floodlight cam, indoor and outdoor cam bundle with sync module for 129 bucks at Costco.

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Great additions. Thanks for sharing them with the audience.

[@Rome.TheVoid.22]

Every reason you listed is exactly why i chose blink. I have the memory cars which came with a mount- and I thought I had to buy the mount separately, but that was my mistake. I wasn't even mad bc the flash drive was worth it in itself I don't have a lot of money, I just need something that I can have for my own peace of mind... and in the event it can help anyone else. Great... but that wasn't really my concern at the time of purchase. You hit on every reason basically tho which was my reasons!

[@kartikkantheti5690]

So are you saying the sync module accomodates a USB to store the videos?

[@dalephillips8250]

@@Rome.TheVoid.22 Do I have to have the sync module to record locally? I want to be able to review video upon demand.

[@thelordsexoxuctioner4867]

It’s a con I have both systems and it comes with a bunch of errors and problems barely records and my doorbell camera there’s no live view with is something that is supposed to come with sync module

[@derekcox6531]

I have 10 of these and they’ve been working flawlessly. You have to adjust the settings in the app and adjust your cameras to fit your needs. It’s really not that complicated. I do agree you need to work it out and that can be a bit of a hassle,but not really that bad imho.

[@mgalvez8219]

Do you have to pay the app monthly?

[@Nigelsyoutube]

I agree

[@YogiTheBearMan]

8:05 subscription info here. No mention of the USB storage but if I’m not mistaken the idea is you can use the sync module to store videos on a usb stick for free

[@brewerfan100]

I do not think you said it, but the sync module with a USB saves recording. All you need is a usb flash drive

[@bradgodin]

You sound like a news reporter. Very informative video, thank you 🤙

[@shaneatkinson8933]

lol!!

[@justforthetv]

So basically, a bunch of user error lol

[@YogiTheBearMan]

Perfect to help us with our user errors 😊

[@Eddiefix1009]

This comment makes me happy somebody needs to do a lot of research before dogging these cameras there not bad at all now they are a little pricey but that my stupidity I bought 10 of them

[@Kragum24]

These blink 4 cameras are awesome for the price. Your video doesn't represent what your average Blink 4 owner thinks about the overall value of these cameras imo.

[@fletcherbrown728]

Another problem is that all my videos were always just black and no detail. It got a lot better after I learned to remove the lens cover.

[@michaelmiller2327]

Love mine. easy to set up and easy to use.

[@CD480]

my blink camera constantly misses people, but seems to catch every bug and bunny.....

[@sdjgfashjasbfasd]

I have three Blink 4, 2 Blink Minis and the doorbell. I got them all really cheap before Christmas during the sales. So far it's been hit and miss performance wise. Two Blink 4's have had to have new batteries, which are pricey. My free trial ends tomorrow and I will not be getting the subscription. I hope the interface of the app doesn't change too much with no subscription plan. Fingers crossed on that. I have other cameras that have 24 hour recording which I like, but even wired Blink cameras don't have that feature. I have a few cheap Energizer cameras that have 24 hour recording using a micro SD card in each camera. I actually like them better than the Blink cameras. Thank you for taking the time to do the revue on the Blink 4.

[@juliosandoval8244]

I heard from lots of people these blink cameras are very good.my friends got business and said they work flawless

[@scottf3104]

I want to give you a GIANT Thank You for your review. After watching it I needed to make some tweaks to my Blink system that I installed today. I agree with your review that while not perfect it’s an OK system. . . . .

[@webbo73]

not sure what this one is lke but the previos gen's night time recording was terrible - and it was hit and miss whether you'd get one that had a sort of foggy mist at night time or not. I've got seveal blink cameras and atleast 2 of them have this issue which defeats the point of a camera for recording at night. Other things to note, you used to be able to run off USB power if you want to so hopefully this one does too.. You can also put an SD card in the sync module to give yourself increased local storage and if you are a blink customer from before they had subscription services, when you add this one, it allows you to keep using it for free (or atleast it did for me). The "arming" is because these cameras are not designed to be recording all the time - the sync module allows you to set up a schedule - if you had them armed 24x7, there is a strong chance the battery would run out too quickly if it was a high motion area. If you only want recording at night say, you set a schedule to arm at night and disarm in the morning.

[@fishdays1194]

Hello everyone! Tell me, how do they work in sub-zero temperatures? Well, for example, if it's -20 degrees Celsius or -4 Fahrenheit

[@sherrymaxwell5086]

Have not learned how to zoom in the camera yet, so if anyone knows that, please give the tips!

[@richarddymnicki6394]

.....yeah they usually record the tail end of motion, that's why I have over 30 (that I got on sale) so I have camera's covering camera's so somethings going to get it on record.... and since you pay one hundred dollars a year for a subscription and can have unlimited camera's... that makes it "worth" it....I also have other camera's that record continuously in 4k....

[@Nigelsyoutube]

I just switched from blink to Ring but after using Ring for a few weeks now I'm going to go back to blink as i just think blink are better even though they are both 1080p

[@johnthompson3462]

where were you when we needed you? LOLWe just bought the Blink 4 floodlight camera as it was 1/2 price (85cd) on prime days.Opened the box.Parts that did not make sense,No realistic help from the BOTS,If it wasn't for assistance of people like you we would have gotten nowhere . Keep up the good work

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Oh thanks John!

[@SusyMaldonado]

Does the camera need wifi all the time in order for it to work or is wifi just needed at the beginning of programming it🤔

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

It needs wifi all the time.

[@matthewslates9223]

I think it is pretty straight forward. Arm and Disarm. It’s nice they have options…it’s not a downfall at all.

[@ryszarddopierala6624]

My dear lady you're right, in my opinion think before buy blink....

[@Nelson_T]

No more Blink or Alexa cams for me. Unless you have the subscription the cams are useless. I even purchased the sink module ans it constantly loses connection and have of the time it doesn’t alert or record events.

[@RobertNES816]

It's it obvious that the camera needs to be armed in order for it to work? I mean you don't try to drive a car without it running.

[@richdv6800]

Ok so at around 9:56 you mention you can recommend other options, care to share those options please?

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

I like Ring cameras a lot.

[@robert19271]

Thanks so much for your review.

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ahmu.k6282]

very helpful ! thanks !

[@darrenmcgruther6851]

Alexa is very sticky when it comes to show me anything or turn on something. The command has to be the name of the device. Before I named them, she wouldn't show me anything. After I named each Camera for where is was, no issues with show me commands

[@staceyjones2168]

How long does it record..and does it have great picture quality for night vision

[@sfaryu]

Each clip can record a Max of 60 seconds

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Erin.

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Any time!

[@missonemissedcall]

So this is the new blink, without the expensive lithium batteries?🤔

[@brandhark7935]

Great review!

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Thanks!

[@dansklrvids7303]

Very helpful!

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnchapman1231]

shame it don't come in white

[@kevinhohn6127]

Note: Person Detection works only with a subscription. Just an fyi.

[@StephenYoung-iq7qg]

Great job very interesting video. Have a blessed and wonderful day. 🤗🤟

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Thank you! You too!

[@oyolajm]

I'm crazy about getting rid of this cameras, I live in a active neighborhood, so I need the camera work a little harder, the battery doesn't last and a pack of lithium batteries right now is $50.00 vs $28.00 when I bought the 3 Gen of this cams. I switched to rechargeable lithium batteries and this Gen of cameras doesn't work with them, vs the old ones that I was able to use rechargeable lithium batteries. I think I'm gonna get a Ring system for me a sell this ones out, ring interface is faster, simpler and they are rechargeable. So I don't have to care about buying batteries.

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Good idea!

[@pacpern9988]

Seems obvious you have to arm (switch on) the camera and turn on notifications, poor review

[@t77snapshot]

The app even tells you about the arming feature when you first set it up. It's hard to miss.

[@tr24291]

Lousy cameras. Batteries don’t last, recordings don’t get saved, no continuous recording option, notifications are sporadic. You require a subscription to access all the features. Many better options on the market with higher resolution and lower price. I switched to TP-LINK TAPO cameras and have been quite happy with them, even when the IR stopped working on one of them after 1 year they sent me a replacement.

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

I’ll check out Tapo. Thanks.

[@DaBuGzLiFe]

You're comparing apples to oranges. The cameras you are mentioning are hardwired. These are true wireless, although their batteries are not up for the task.

[@Hat65]

👎

[@bigstew9724]

JUNK JUNK JUNK!!!!!!!!!! JUST tossed mine in the garbage! The BIGGEST PITA after swapping out a router! Wouldn't re connect.... ALWAYS is an issue IF the power glitches, internet drops, ANYTHING!

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

So frustrating!!!

[@Kragum24]

Claiming the cameras are junk because they have to be reset after a power glitch or an internet drop is ridiculous. How many other things in your house need to be reset after a power glitch or an internet drop. And I'm guessing it wouldn't reconnect because you didn't delete the cameras properly. Set them up properly and they work great. Uncontrollable things like power glitches, internet drops, storms, affect other people in the area also, not just you.

[@Roslbc]

My Blink doorbell camera is garbage. The tech support is a joke. I've deleted and reinstalled and more and nothing works because the system is garbage. The camera - unobstructed- picks up every car driving by but only half the people walking by the house and same for people walking directly at it to the porch.

[@csakzozo]

Seriously....I imagine this is how a review of the worlds best smartphone would go,if my 90 year old grandma would have made it. Most of the faults you found were caused by wrong settings or you not taking the time to understand the system on a basic level. Really bad take,and a baseless negative review.

[@HH-dv5gr]

From experience, I have Gen 1,2,3 installed over the years and the battery is around 1 year for the weather we have in Toronto. The battery will drain more during the colder days( 5C or below).

[@darrenmilo9565]

I have the previous gen. Your review appears to align with mine. I’m not impressed and Amazon trying to force users into a subscription makes it even worse value for money.

[@Hotwheels41]

I have 6 cameras and the more motion you have less battery life you get...the back camera battery is more the one year I didn't replace jet because not too much going on back there..but the front no even 8 months I have to replace the battery because we having cars break ins and carjackings so those camera active every time that someone drive at the st. Also the more you set how long the video last to record from 10 seconds to 30 seconds that kills the battery so I will give blink 7 out of 10

[@jmalone2758]

Thanks for your video, I almost bought this 3 cam set on sale. Believe I will shop around some

[@Zanewv]

Better off to use a micro usb cable to power this camera.

[@lg8302]

Do you know if you have 2 cameras and 1 synch module2 will both work at the same time or only 1 after the other? Cameras in two locations but event going on at the same time?

[@sammorelos8810]

4:50 I'm not sure why blink does that sometimes, I remember having the Blink Doorbell Camera and I would hear people pass my aprtment by (my couch is right by the wall) and my notifications would alert me by the time they've already exited the building. They HAD ... had A setting to switch it to immediete record and notify which i turned on but then later tried to find and it was gone... the issue resolved on it's own i assume the camera adapted and got better? or software update fixed it . point is it' was annoying especially if you get this as a gift for an older person... they are not going to know to mess around with the settings or wait for a software update to get the issue resolved.

[@sherrymaxwell5086]

My new camera is blowing up my phone with notifications and I am using an Android phone!

[@Kamel419]

Says Alexa as "hey a" indicating she realizes false prompting is a thing, proceeds to say Alexa 300 times directly after

[@dankelley9361]

Thanks Erin, seems like Blink cameras on on the lower end of the chain. I have a Ring doorbell Pro that works great. Do you recommend any other camera that would use the same Ring app that I wanted to use to monitor the backyard. If so how does the subscription service work on the Ring setup? I pay now a monthly fee to see my Ring doorbell footage.

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

I think Ring is great. It’s the system I keep coming back to you even though I get to try a lot of different options; it’s in use here at my house, and I have several different cameras and the doorbell also. I like this camera a lot; amzn.to/470YKD0 and they also have some hardwired versions if you prefer that. amzn.to/3SyEpRn. If you search “Ring” on my channel here, you’ll see individual reviews of most of their lineup.

[@Totally_trash]

Mine is the opposite. It gives all notifications but won't take any clips at all

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

:(

[@johnsimon2988]

You've got squirrels and birds with their "butts" right up at eye level. Any idea how the AI might help to distinguish between a bird/dog/squirrel and a person? Perhaps the person being tall enough to reach the height of eye level even at a distance? You can't blame the system for how you've set it up. This is an intuitive guess by me, I've no idea how the system actually detects peeps. Does that make sense though? The Terminators brain isn't 'round yet to distinguish between people shapes and not people shapes. Fortunately. Yay? Thanks for the review, it was illuminating. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@donaldforsyth2986]

I have a perfectly functioning blink 3 system. Can I just add new Gen 4 cameras to the system or do I have to start over?

[@gregorysharp]

I use my blink cameras for all the animals in my yard.

[@RTmadnesstoo]

Never mind, I already know you have to arm the cameras.

[@flolou8496]

Does anyone know how many minutes the camera would just record if asked without stopping? If I used the maximum external SD Card (assuming it even allows one?) what would end first? the recording or the battery ? (that battery for up to 2 years is only for stand by mode with limited motion alerts)

[@sfaryu]

There's a recording setting on each camera and Max is 60 seconds for each clip