Blink Floodlight Mount Assessment | PCMag

After we in the beginning reviewed the Blink Out of doors safety digital camera, it earned top marks as a result of its very good video high quality, ease of use, and huge toughen for third-party integrations. And now, you’ll flip it into a wise floodlight cam with the battery-powered Floodlight Mount accent ($39.99). The fixture casts a average quantity of sunshine upon your private home when the digital camera detects movement in addition to on-demand by the use of an Alexa command or the better half app. It is a easy, reasonably priced method to improve an current Blink gadget even supposing it does not get as vibrant because the Editors’ Selection-winning Wyze Cam Floodlight ($99.98). The Floodlight Mount is easy methods to pass if you have already got a Blink Out of doors digital camera and the specified Sync module, however everybody else must believe the Wyze type as a result of its awesome lighting fixtures energy and decrease all-in worth.

Rather Dim, However Weatherproof

In the event you already use a Blink Out of doors digital camera and Sync module, you’ll select up a Blink Floodlight Mount for $39.99. Or, for $139.98, you’ll acquire a package with the digital camera, the module, and the floodlight fixture.

The Floodlight Mount is available in white or black and measures 5.5 by means of 10.3 by means of 3.8 inches (HWD). It incorporates two 3-by-3-by-1-inch adjustable LED panels that ship a complete brightness of 700 lumens with a 5,000K colour temperature. That’s no longer just about as vibrant as what you get with competing fashions such because the Wyze Cam Floodlight (2,600 lumens) or the Arlo Professional 3 Floodlight Digicam (3,000 lumens).

(Credit score: Blink)

The fixture’s IP65 weatherproof ranking suits that of the Blink Out of doors digital camera. It runs on 4 D-cell batteries (incorporated) that are supposed to last as long as two years relying on utilization. An inch-long mounting arm sits between the 2 LED panels, along side an information cable that connects the fixture to the digital camera by the use of the latter’s micro USB port. Along with the above-mentioned batteries, the Floodlight Mount comes with a mounting plate, mounting screws, and a consumer information.

The Floodlight Mount works with Alexa voice instructions and routines however no longer Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit. For comparability, the aforementioned Arlo type helps all 3 platforms.

The Blink App Enjoy

This fixture makes use of the similar Blink cell app (to be had for Android and iOS) as each different Blink instrument. The controls for it are a subset of the ones for the Blink Out of doors digital camera. There may be no longer a lot right here, however no less than you’ll flip it on or off remotely. Faucet the overflow menu within the higher proper nook to toggle movement triggering, regulate brightness, and allow Sunlight mode. For that closing mode, you’ll use a slider to specify how a lot mild is vital for movement to cause the digital camera: Set the slider to at least one if you need the lighting fixtures to move on best when it is darkish or to ten so they can serve as all over the daylight.

(Credit score: PCMag)

Easy Setup

Putting in the Floodlight Mount is straightforward, particularly in case you already use a Blink Out of doors digital camera and Sync module. You’ll be able to’t arrange this lighting fixtures accent till that is performed, on the other hand. I needed to get started from scratch.

First, I downloaded the Blink app and created an account. Then, I tapped the plus button within the higher proper nook of the house display. I plugged within the Sync module, decided on Blink Wi-fi Digicam Machine from the record, and used my telephone’s digital camera to scan the QR code at the again. I gave the gadget a reputation and tapped Uncover Tool when the module’s LEDs started to blink blue and inexperienced. I decided on my Wi-Fi community when it gave the impression, entered my password, and waited a couple of seconds for the module to attach. Subsequent, I inserted two AA batteries into the digital camera and tapped the plus button once more so as to add the digital camera to the gadget. I scanned the QR code within the battery compartment, and the digital camera hooked up inside a couple of seconds.

(Credit score: John Delaney)

While you entire the digital camera and module set up, you’ll arrange the floodlight. I opened the again duvet, got rid of the plastic battery tab, changed the quilt, and plugged the floodlight’s knowledge cable into the digital camera’s (old-fashioned) micro USB port. I snapped the digital camera into position at the mounting arm, and the accent mechanically confirmed up in my gadget inside a couple of seconds. To finish the set up, I connected the floodlight mounting plate to a deck submit in my yard the usage of the incorporated screws, slid the fixture onto the plate, and changed the digital camera and LED angles.

The Floodlight Mount labored really well in trying out. It at all times spoke back to movement triggers from the digital camera, and it reliably performed Alexa voice instructions to toggle the LEDs or regulate their brightness. An Alexa regimen I created for the lighting fixtures to activate when a Ring Floodlight Cam detected movement labored flawlessly, too.

A No-Brainer for Blink Customers

Whether or not you have already got a Blink Out of doors digital camera or are making plans to shop for one, the Blink Floodlight Mount is a profitable add-on. This reasonably priced, battery-powered accent can light up your driveway or backyard when the digital camera detects movement and labored flawlessly with Alexa instructions and routines in trying out.

Our primary grievance is that it does not get as vibrant as different good floodlights, such because the Wyze Cam Floodlight, which stays our best choice on this section. That mentioned, Blink shoppers who already use the Floodlight Mount’s required elements can save fairly somewhat of cash by means of staying inside their current ecosystem.