Blink Floodlight Mount Review - PCMag

When we primitively reviewed the Blink Outdoor security camera, it earned precocious marks due to the fact that of its fantabulous video quality, easiness of use, and wide enactment for third-party integrations. And now, you tin crook it into a smart floodlight cam with the battery-powered Floodlight Mount accessory ($39.99). The fixture casts a mean magnitude of airy upon your spot erstwhile the camera detects question arsenic good arsenic on-demand via an Alexa bid oregon the companion app. It's a simple, affordable mode to upgrade an existing Blink strategy adjacent if it doesn't get arsenic agleam arsenic the Editors' Choice-winning Wyze Cam Floodlight ($99.98). The Floodlight Mount is the mode to spell if you already person a Blink Outdoor camera and the required Sync module, but everyone other should see the Wyze exemplary due to the fact that of its superior lighting powerfulness and little all-in price.

Slightly Dim, But Weatherproof

If you already usage a Blink Outdoor camera and Sync module, you tin prime up a Blink Floodlight Mount for $39.99. Or, for $139.98, you tin acquisition a bundle with the camera, the module, and the floodlight fixture.

The Floodlight Mount comes successful achromatic oregon achromatic and measures 5.5 by 10.3 by 3.8 inches (HWD). It contains 2 3-by-3-by-1-inch adjustable LED panels that present a full brightness of 700 lumens with a 5,000K colour temperature. That’s not astir arsenic agleam arsenic what you get with competing models specified arsenic the Wyze Cam Floodlight (2,600 lumens) oregon the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera (3,000 lumens).

(Credit: Blink)

The fixture's IP65 weatherproof rating matches that of the Blink Outdoor camera. It runs connected 4 D-cell batteries (included) that should past up to 2 years depending connected usage. An inch-long mounting limb sits betwixt the 2 LED panels, on with a information cablegram that connects the fixture to the camera via the latter's micro USB port. In summation to the above-mentioned batteries, the Floodlight Mount comes with a mounting plate, mounting screws, and a idiosyncratic guide.

The Floodlight Mount works with Alexa dependable commands and routines but not Google Assistant oregon Apple HomeKit. For comparison, the aforementioned Arlo exemplary supports each 3 platforms.

The Blink App Experience

This fixture uses the aforesaid Blink mobile app (available for Android and iOS) arsenic each different Blink device. The controls for it are a subset of those for the Blink Outdoor camera. There's not overmuch here, but astatine slightest you tin crook it connected oregon disconnected remotely. Tap the overflow paper successful the precocious close country to toggle question triggering, set brightness, and alteration Daylight mode. For that past mode, you tin usage a slider to specify however overmuch airy is indispensable for question to trigger the camera: Set the slider to 1 if you privation the lights to spell connected lone erstwhile it's acheronian oregon to 10 to let them to relation during the daytime.

(Credit: PCMag)

Smooth Setup

Installing the Floodlight Mount is easy, particularly if you already usage a Blink Outdoor camera and Sync module. You can't acceptable up this lighting accessory until that's done, however. I had to commencement from scratch.

First, I downloaded the Blink app and created an account. Then, I tapped the positive fastener successful the precocious close country of the location screen. I plugged successful the Sync module, selected Blink Wireless Camera System from the list, and utilized my phone’s camera to scan the QR codification connected the back. I gave the strategy a sanction and tapped Discover Device erstwhile the module’s LEDs began to blink bluish and green. I selected my Wi-Fi web erstwhile it appeared, entered my password, and waited a fewer seconds for the module to connect. Next, I inserted 2 AA batteries into the camera and tapped the positive fastener again to adhd the camera to the system. I scanned the QR codification successful the artillery compartment, and the camera connected wrong a fewer seconds.

(Credit: John Delaney)

Once you implicit the camera and module installation, you tin acceptable up the floodlight. I opened the backmost cover, removed the integrative artillery tab, replaced the cover, and plugged the floodlight's information cablegram into the camera’s (outdated) micro USB port. I snapped the camera into spot connected the mounting arm, and the accessory automatically showed up successful my strategy wrong a fewer seconds. To implicit the installation, I attached the floodlight mounting sheet to a platform station successful my backyard utilizing the included screws, slid the fixture onto the plate, and adjusted the camera and LED angles.

The Floodlight Mount worked precise good successful testing. It ever responded to question triggers from the camera, and it reliably carried retired Alexa dependable commands to toggle the LEDs oregon set their brightness. An Alexa regular I created for the lights to crook connected erstwhile a Ring Floodlight Cam detected question worked flawlessly, too.

A No-Brainer for Blink Users

Whether you already person a Blink Outdoor camera oregon are readying to bargain one, the Blink Floodlight Mount is simply a worthwhile add-on. This affordable, battery-powered accessory tin illuminate your driveway oregon gait erstwhile the camera detects question and worked flawlessly with Alexa commands and routines successful testing.

Our main ailment is that it doesn't get arsenic agleam arsenic different astute floodlights, specified arsenic the Wyze Cam Floodlight, which remains our apical prime successful this segment. That said, Blink customers who already usage the Floodlight Mount's required components tin prevention rather a spot of wealth by staying wrong their existing ecosystem.