If you already own the Blink Sync Module 2, you can continue to use that with the Outdoor 4 camera. Blink Outdoor 4 review: Performance One of my frustrations with Blink continues; you can only create one schedule for all cameras connected to the same Sync Module. So, if I had a camera in the front of my house, and one in the rear of my house, but wanted them to turn on at different times, I would need a second Sync module. Works with Alexa: pair Blink Mini with a supported Alexa-enabled device to engage live view, arm and disarm your camera, and more, using your voice.

Sync Module Pro is our first system hub to offer extended range for Blink Outdoor 4. Using a new proprietary wireless protocol, integrated into our custom-built third-generation silicon, Sync Module Pro extends the range of your Outdoor 4 significantly farther than Wi-Fi. With the introduction of Sync Module Pro’s extended range capabilities, you can install Outdoor 4 anywhere, such as a fence post in the furthest corner of your property—all without the worry of Wi-Fi range. These extra features offer plenty of different ways to tweak things to your liking. The most basic thing you can and should do is rename the camera itself to something like ‘garden’, which also makes it easier when asking your Echo Show device to bring up a live feed. You can also play around with the activity zones for motion detection, selecting rectangular segments from a grid overlay where motion will be ignored. This is particularly useful for ignoring notification from, for example, a swaying tree, or the area where your cat prefers to nap out and stretch. Set up in minutes: plug in the camera, connect it to Wi-Fi, and follow the instructions in the free Blink Home Monitor app.The next-generation Blink Outdoor 4—featuring person detection, improved image quality, and long battery life. (Photo: Business Wire) The heart of a Blink camera system is the Sync Module. It creates a seamless experience across all your Blink devices—making it easy for you to arm, disarm, and use a group of Blink cameras together. Blink Outdoor is built to withstand the elements to help you protect your home indoors or out, come rain or shine.

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test. The standard Blink Outdoor kit includes the Blink Sync Module 2, a small square that acts as a bridge between the camera and your home Wi-Fi network. Similar to Arlo’s cameras, this module allows the Blink cameras to expend much less energy than they would if they had to connect directly via Wi-Fi to your router. As a bonus, the Sync Module 2 has a USB port; attach a thumb drive, and you can store videos locally. The Blink Outdoor 4 has the same resolution as its predecessor, the Blink Outdoor — 1080p and up to 30 fps — but the newer camera has a wider field of view (143 degrees diagonal as opposed to 110 degrees). More significantly, the Outdoor 4 has person detection — previously only available with the Blink Wired floodlight camera — and dual-zone motion detection, both of which should help reduce the number of false alerts you receive. Get alerts on your smartphone whenever motion is detected, or customise motion detection zones so you can see what matters most.

The Blink Outdoor uses the Blink Home Monitor mobile app for Android, Fire OS, and iOS devices. It opens to a home screen with panels for each installed camera. Each panel contains a still image of the camera’s field of view and has a button for taking a snapshot and a button for launching a live stream. You can view the live stream in full-screen mode by turning your phone sideways, and initiate two-way talk by pressing the Talk button. A motion icon appears in the upper right corner when motion detection is enabled, and next to that is a settings button. Choose to save and share clips in the cloud with a free 30-day trial of the Blink Subscription Plan or locally with the Sync Module 2 and USB drive (sold separately). See, hear and speak to people and pets in your home from your smartphone with Blink Mini’s live view and two-way audio. With long-lasting battery life, Blink Outdoor runs for up to two years on two AA lithium batteries (included). The 700-lumen floodlights aren't as powerful as, say, the Ring Floodlight Cam (a massive 2,000 lumens), but I found the Blink's floodlights were more than bright enough to light up about 15 feet around my door.