Blink Home Security is a company who believes that camera-centric protection is the future. Even though they are mostly known for their standalone smart cameras and video doorbell, the company has recently upped the level of its service by adding alarms and professional monitoring to the portfolio. Its philosophy – jokingly referred to as “Seecurity” – revolves around the concept that their customers should always know exactly what is happening in their home. Blink’s mission statement highlights that the ability to check the live camera footage anytime and anywhere is what gives people true peace of mind. For this reason they provide quality indoor and outdoor surveillance systems, which are also compatible with Amazon Echo.
It’s easy to describe Blink’s security cameras, which are self-monitored, smart home-integrated and easy-to-install. The camera unit isn’t connected to a DVR and instead uploads the footage immediately to a cloud server. However, the process is done through a separate sync module, and without it the cameras serve little to no purpose. On the upside, you don’t need to pay for expensive monitoring since all recorders can be accessed remotely from a downloadable app. With just a few taps you’ll see the live footage of your living room while sitting at work.
And interestingly, with smart technology enabled you don’t even need to resort to a handheld device to adjust your security system since all cameras, alarms and the video doorbell can be controlled by voice commands via Amazon Echo. Just ask Alexa to turn on the defenses while leaving the house or instruct her to start streaming the video of a specific camera. Blink also supports IFTT smart integrations and so if you are something of a tech-head, then you can program the system for various actions, such as displaying the motion alert footage on your smart TV or automatically disabling the alarm system when opening the front door.
As for the do-it-yourself installation, all Blink products can be set up without the help of a technician. The cameras are wireless and have a built-in battery that lasts for two years, allowing homeowners to place them wherever they want. The cameras can even be placed casually on a table or hidden among the books.
Blink’s main range consists of different camera systems. However, they recently developed a set of alarms in order to grant a heightened sense of protection for their customers.
The security cameras provided by Blink are instantly recognizable thanks to their sleek, rectangular design and small size. The indoor and outdoor models are almost identical from one another, which is why the company decided to color-code them. The white one is for inside use and has built-in night vision and motion detection, not to mention that it is programmed in a way that starts the recording immediately after being triggered. The camera’s compact size allows it to be mounted on a wall, the ceiling or just placed on a shelf.
The black camera is called Blink XT and is meant for outdoor use. It shares the same features as the indoor model but with a few upgrades. For example, it boasts a temperature sensor, which will come in handy if you wish to check the weather without going outside. The device is made from sturdy material to withstand the elements and its infrared night vision means it’ll spot a lurking interloper in pitch-black darkness. And since it’s completely wireless the camera can be hidden in unusual places, like on a tree or in a bush.
By combining surveillance technology with a doorbell, Blink has created a camera that streams HD footage of anyone that approaches the door. The video doorbell is fitted with a large button that flashes when pressed, while slightly above that is the recorder, positioned in such a way so as to capture the visitor in the best possible angle. Immediately after the button is pressed the device sends a push notification to your smartphone. Depending on your choice, this will then display either a snapshot or a live recording.
The video doorbell is wire free meaning that it requires little to no installation. The casing is weatherproof and it boasts a two-way audio system to communicate with your guest. The camera only works with a Blink sync module, while the ringtone can be enhanced with a battery powered chime that is sold separately.
The company offers a standalone home security kit, too, meant to work seamlessly with other Blink products. If you already own some of the company’s cameras, then this provides the chance to upgrade the security level by adding in a few alarms. The brain of the system is the 4G sync module that ties all the existing Blink hardware together. It features a backup battery to survive a power outage and provides a constant internet connection in case the Wi-Fi stops working.
The standard package includes an indoor and outdoor camera, a siren, two entry sensors and a keypad that activates or deactivates the system. Of course, no home security service can be complete without professional monitoring and although Blink allows the option for self-monitoring your cameras through its app, managing the whole security system still requires a monthly subscription. However, for an extra fee that burden can be placed onto trained operators that will supervise your home.
Blink has a very simple pricing strategy. Purchasing any of the cameras or video doorbell involves no recurring fee, just a one-time payment. The home security system, however, requires some form of monthly commitment, whether that’s self-monitoring the alarms for a cost of $9.99 per month or opting for 24/7 professional monitoring by the company which raises the fee to $19.99 per month. Still, Blink won’t force anyone into a contract since all costs are billed on a monthly basis.
For those who cannot afford the standard cameras, there are alternatives to help lower the price of the equipment. Many of the devices are available with a lower price tag in the store for refurbished products. This way it’s possible to save around $20 per product, though you should keep in mind that not every camera is available at any given time. The other method for saving on the equipment is to purchase it directly from Amazon, which comes with extra benefits for Prime customers.
Blink Home Security’s generous money back guarantee covers all purchases. Within the first 30 days unsatisfied customers can return the order and receive a full refund. Just remember that the package must arrive back at the company within this period and it cannot be damaged.
In order to achieve the best response times, the company operates separate channels for troubleshooting and purchase inquiries. If you have any sort of question, you can either call the sales department or submit a ticket. Blink also encourages users to leave feedback; they are not rated by the BBB at the moment but keep up a solid customer service nonetheless.
To the site’s credit, there is also an extensive FAQ section. Even better than that, they have created a community subpage where they post announcements and the staff will answer any customers’ questions directly. The company maintains a busy social media presence too, sharing their latest coupons and deals – as well as a few funny videos recorded by Blink camera owners.
Even though Blink is still fresh in the field of home security monitoring, its camera related offers are very impressive. Instead of drowning homeowners with multiple iterations of cameras and accessories, Blink Home Security instead focuses on a few products that all boast state-of-the-art features. The indoor and outdoor cameras both have built-in microphones, temperature sensors and motion detection, not to mention their wireless nature makes installation a breeze. Meanwhile the video doorbell records visitors in HD, and all devices are linked together via a single sync module that is managed through a smartphone app. On top of all that, the company has also added alarms to its arsenal, complete with round-the-clock monitoring.
Blink is very lenient when it comes to paying, too, which means customers are afforded the luxury of choice between different levels of self-monitoring and a monthly monitoring plan without any contractual lock-in. And it’s definitely worth praising the fact that the base price can be reduced by purchasing refurbished units or by ordering the package from outside of Blink’s own store. In brief, Blink is a worthy choice for anyone looking to add a quality surveillance system to their home.
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