Hi Erin, the reason (I believe) that the app has the arm/disarm feature is due to the way the camera is powered - it is designed to last for up to two years on battery, but obviously that is assuming it is only occasionaly in use - if it was recording every motion throughout the day the battery life would reduce significantly - many people would want to use the scheduling feature to arm and disarm at various times. For instance, as I am at home most of the time, I only arm from 10pm to 6am to avoid my own movements triggering the camera all the time. Blink may not be the best option for poeple that want more frequent recording. You are actually arming the sync module which can have multiple cameras on it, it makes more sense if you have a system of cameras and some will have motion detection on and some won't depending on personal preference. You can only have one schedule per sync module, so if you wanted different schedules per area (for instance outside or inside) you may need two sync modules with two different schedules - or you can pick up the blink mini's really cheap in sales and they can be used without a sync module for indoor use (or with a sync module as well if you want to). I have several of them and I have noticed (and many others have too) that the night time recording can be very poor - it seems to be luck of the drawer whether you get a bad one or not - I have 2 that are bad and 1 that is fine - the two that are bad are almost useful at night when it is cold as the image is all cloudy and you can't identify anytihng. If you read the amazon reviews you'll see many many people saying the same thing. I even participated in a beta trial for the device before it was released and provided that feedback then, but the new devices I subsequently bought still had the same issue.
I’ve had ring for years. I’ve spent years paying for a subscription. Sitting down the other night with my wife we where blown away how much we have paid over the years. In today’s economy I’m sure we all are trying to figure out how to cut costs and ring cost about $130 a year or $10.70 a month, just to be able to save recordings. We personally do not use the bells and whistles that the app offers because it’s not practical for most. Also yes I understand $10.70 a month is cheaper than alarm system company monitoring systems. For me my cameras are cut off when we are home except for our doorbell camera and even that is on silent because I have kids and dogs and it notifies me ever minute, that goes for all my cameras. So a few years ago I installed a blink system in my parents home and really liked it, but I had already invested in the ring so I just stuck with it. If you catch deals you can pretty much buy a doorbell and a couple cameras along with the module you need for storage for less than $200. But now you don’t have to to pay for a subscription to monitor your home. For some the $130 isn’t nothing and for us it isn’t either but just giving my money to a company to do something I can do myself to me is wasteful. I can put that money in the vacation pot and make some memories. So for me I’m moving to blink.
For me this system has outperformed my expectations. I couldn't kill the batteries but change them annually anyway. No subscription just the USB storage device. If anything it can be too sensitive but there again thats adjustable. Remote live views on demand no problem. Notification on movement no problem. Reviewing a stored clip a little slow but its there. It fit my needs and is not the least bit disappointing. The ability to stick them anywhere within wi fi reach is incredibly simple and quick. I guess it a matter of knowing the products available for what you need it to do. Appreciate your review.
I am shopping for a system. Right now I can get 3 Blinks for $145. Three Rings are $280. That is a big price difference, almost two fold. Are the rings that much better?
Battery life does not last for two years and the suggested lithium batteries are sure not the regular price battery priced range. lol Often not home I get notifications sent to my phone, what i find a bit annoying is I'm not notified immediately when there is motion. Always a delay even if you set your device recording time. And not sure why one would have Alexa set up to your cameras (example -movement in backyard) and you ask Alexa to view backyard, when your already getting that notification to your phone or home technology system.
Spent 310$ for ours and during canada winters its totally useless, during night its 50/50 for recording stuff OR any wind will make it record Battery life is atrocious and honestly im replacing them every month, the indoor camera for cheaper with the 360 mount is the best one BUT! AND BIG BUT! MONTHLY FEES OR BUY LOCAL STORAGE FROM AMAZON! 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
These cameras are trash so is the customer service. After owning three of these for four months they no longer work and Blink refused to refund me or send me new ones. I will never own another Amazon product again. Avoid like the Coronavirus.
Hi Erin, the reason (I believe) that the app has the arm/disarm feature is due to the way the camera is powered - it is designed to last for up to two years on battery, but obviously that is assuming it is only occasionaly in use - if it was recording every motion throughout the day the battery life would reduce significantly - many people would want to use the scheduling feature to arm and disarm at various times. For instance, as I am at home most of the time, I only arm from 10pm to 6am to avoid my own movements triggering the camera all the time. Blink may not be the best option for poeple that want more frequent recording. You are actually arming the sync module which can have multiple cameras on it, it makes more sense if you have a system of cameras and some will have motion detection on and some won't depending on personal preference.
You can only have one schedule per sync module, so if you wanted different schedules per area (for instance outside or inside) you may need two sync modules with two different schedules - or you can pick up the blink mini's really cheap in sales and they can be used without a sync module for indoor use (or with a sync module as well if you want to).
I have several of them and I have noticed (and many others have too) that the night time recording can be very poor - it seems to be luck of the drawer whether you get a bad one or not - I have 2 that are bad and 1 that is fine - the two that are bad are almost useful at night when it is cold as the image is all cloudy and you can't identify anytihng. If you read the amazon reviews you'll see many many people saying the same thing. I even participated in a beta trial for the device before it was released and provided that feedback then, but the new devices I subsequently bought still had the same issue.
Thank you for sharing this great information!
I’ve had ring for years. I’ve spent years paying for a subscription. Sitting down the other night with my wife we where blown away how much we have paid over the years. In today’s economy I’m sure we all are trying to figure out how to cut costs and ring cost about $130 a year or $10.70 a month, just to be able to save recordings. We personally do not use the bells and whistles that the app offers because it’s not practical for most. Also yes I understand $10.70 a month is cheaper than alarm system company monitoring systems. For me my cameras are cut off when we are home except for our doorbell camera and even that is on silent because I have kids and dogs and it notifies me ever minute, that goes for all my cameras. So a few years ago I installed a blink system in my parents home and really liked it, but I had already invested in the ring so I just stuck with it. If you catch deals you can pretty much buy a doorbell and a couple cameras along with the module you need for storage for less than $200. But now you don’t have to to pay for a subscription to monitor your home. For some the $130 isn’t nothing and for us it isn’t either but just giving my money to a company to do something I can do myself to me is wasteful. I can put that money in the vacation pot and make some memories. So for me I’m moving to blink.
I'm actually on the hunt now for a camera that video's good and has a good light on it that shines over my front yard. Love your video's.
Good luck, and thank you!
Great job Erin.
For me this system has outperformed my expectations. I couldn't kill the batteries but change them annually anyway. No subscription just the USB storage device. If anything it can be too sensitive but there again thats adjustable. Remote live views on demand no problem. Notification on movement no problem. Reviewing a stored clip a little slow but its there. It fit my needs and is not the least bit disappointing. The ability to stick them anywhere within wi fi reach is incredibly simple and quick. I guess it a matter of knowing the products available for what you need it to do. Appreciate your review.
Thanks Brad, glad to hear!
thanx for review mrs
To me, battery is a no. I prefer rechargeable one or plug in. Thanks for reviewing. 👍🏻👍🏻
My pleasure, thanks for watching!
Thanks for the review Erin.
Thank for the Blink camera review
You're welcome!
I am shopping for a system. Right now I can get 3 Blinks for $145. Three Rings are $280. That is a big price difference, almost two fold. Are the rings that much better?
Ring doesn't offer anything in this price range.
As I type this 3 blinks are $145 while 3 Rings are $280. that is almost twice as much.
Battery life does not last for two years and the suggested lithium batteries are sure not the regular price battery priced range. lol Often not home I get notifications sent to my phone, what i find a bit annoying is I'm not notified immediately when there is motion. Always a delay even if you set your device recording time. And not sure why one would have Alexa set up to your cameras (example -movement in backyard) and you ask Alexa to view backyard, when your already getting that notification to your phone or home technology system.
Yes, good point. Thanks.
Bought a 3rd Gen - doesn’t sense motion beyond approx 5 ft - it is a total piece of junk…
Wyze work better .
Spent 310$ for ours and during canada winters its totally useless, during night its 50/50 for recording stuff OR any wind will make it record
Battery life is atrocious and honestly im replacing them every month, the indoor camera for cheaper with the 360 mount is the best one
BUT! AND BIG BUT!
MONTHLY FEES OR BUY LOCAL STORAGE FROM AMAZON! 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨
These cameras are trash so is the customer service. After owning three of these for four months they no longer work and Blink refused to refund me or send me new ones. I will never own another Amazon product again. Avoid like the Coronavirus.
That's awful, I'm sorry to hear that.