Hey, y’all! Liz here. So, I recently upgraded to the Blink Video Doorbell (the newest model with the Sync Module) and thought I’d share my two cents about it. We’ve been on a bit of a tech kick at home after Sally started walking and getting into all sorts of mischief. Plus, the hubby wanted something to keep an eye on our packages, since we shop online a lot more these days.
First off, installation was a breeze. I’m not the handiest tool in the shed (I once tried to use a screwdriver as a hammer… long story), but the instructions were clear, and I had it up and running in no time. The doorbell came with everything needed, including three AA batteries, which are supposed to last up to two years. That’s a big plus because I’m not about climbing up to change batteries every few months.
The video quality? Pretty darn good. It’s HD and offers a head-to-toe view so I can see everything from the delivery guy’s face to the packages he sets down. It’s also got infrared night vision, which is great since our old porch light is about as reliable as a chocolate teapot.
Now, here’s where it gets nifty—person detection. It’s part of the Blink Subscription Plan, which you have to pay for after the initial 30-day trial. I wasn’t thrilled about adding another subscription, but it has been handy. No more alerts every time a car passes by or a squirrel decides to do a tightrope walk along our fence.
And talking about subscriptions, you can save clips in the cloud with it. Honestly, I’m a bit on the fence here. I love the feature, but I wish there was a bit more flexibility with local storage options without having to get additional gadgets like the Sync Module XR.
We were able to easily add it into Alexa, and viewing on the Echo Show is a piece of cake.
The doorbell is a bit bulkier than I expected. Not a dealbreaker, but it does stick out quite a bit from the doorframe. Also, I have noticed a bit of a lag in the video sometimes, which can be annoying if you’re trying to talk to someone at the door in real-time.
Overall, I’d say the Blink Video Doorbell is a solid choice if you’re in the market for a smart doorbell with decent features. It’s not perfect, but it offers good value for the money, and the ease of use is a big win for someone like me who isn’t all that tech-savvy.
Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if you’re already using other Blink products or you’re invested in the Alexa ecosystem. Just keep in mind the ongoing cost for the cloud storage if you want to make the most of its features, you can still store the videos locally if you choose not to go with the cloud storage.
Alright, that’s it from me. Time to see what l’il Miss Sally is getting into. Wish me luck! 😀
XOXO, Liz
