Outdoor security cameras that can effectively monitor your home day and night are becoming necessary for homeowners seeking complete peace of mind.
When darkness falls, it becomes even more crucial that your outdoor camera has excellent night vision to maintain the visibility of your property.
Blink, known for its versatile wireless cameras, offers several outdoor models at budget-friendly prices. But a common question from potential buyers is whether Blink outdoor cameras have night vision capabilities.
What is Night Vision Capabilities on a Blink Outdoor Camera?
Night vision refers to the ability of a camera to produce clear images in low-light conditions that would otherwise be too dark to see.
It uses infrared LEDs to illuminate an area with infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. The camera lens can detect this infrared light and use it to create black-and-white images in dark conditions.
The images won’t be in natural color like during the daytime but will allow you to see clearly at night. The night vision range can vary based on the strength of the infrared LEDs.
Do Blink Outdoor Cameras Have Night Vision?
The answer is yes – Blink outdoor security cameras have night vision capability. Blink states its cameras have infrared night vision ranging from up to 30 feet. This allows the Blink XT2 and Blink Mini cameras to provide black-and-white video imaging even in dark nighttime conditions.
The night vision is automatically activated based on ambient light levels – as it gets darker, the infrared LEDs will turn on to provide illumination.
One thing to note is that the max night vision range is an estimate based on ideal conditions. The actual range can vary depending on factors like the amount of ambient light, camera placement, and aiming direction. Obstructions in the field of view can also impact the usable night vision range. But under most outdoor conditions, Blink states users can expect approximately 20-30 feet of night vision capability.
Blink Outdoor Camera Night Vision Video Quality
While enabling you to see at night, the video quality with night vision activated is less sharp than full-color daytime footage. The black-and-white infrared imagery is grainier and less vivid. However, the trade-off for being able to monitor a property 24/7, even in pitch darkness, makes this worthwhile for most users.
The night vision video is perfectly usable for basic functions like seeing if there is motion by a door or in a yard. In the illuminated area, you can identify people, animals, and moving objects. And if a Blink camera does detect activity, it can send instant alerts to your phone. Just don’t expect crystal clear footage like during the brightness of day.
But for the very reasonable price of Blink cameras, the night vision capabilities are impressive and on par with more expensive competitors. And Blink avoids the nuisance of infrared glare that can negatively impact image quality with some other night vision cameras.
Features that Enhance Blink’s Night Vision
Blink has also included a few useful features that aim to enhance the night vision experience:
- Infrared LEDs – Blink outdoor cameras have multiple infrared LEDs surrounding the lens to illuminate the field of view at night brightly. The more LEDs, the better the night vision performance.
- Night vision chime – The camera can audibly chime when switching in and out of night vision mode. This helps alert you when it’s becoming dark/light enough to trigger night vision.
- Adjustable IR brightness – Users can fine-tune the brightness of the infrared LEDs if needed. Turning them down can help reduce glare while increasing brightness can improve range.
- Temperature compensation – Blink cameras automatically adjust the infrared illumination based on ambient temperature. This helps maintain optimal night vision in different weather conditions.
While the night vision video from Blink won’t be as sharp as daylight footage, the capabilities are reliable enough to monitor outdoor areas at night. The key functions like motion detection and mobile alerts still work around the clock. Considering the affordable price and wireless flexibility Blink offers, the night vision is a major bonus that makes 24/7 security feasible.
With the right setup following these tips, Blink’s wireless outdoor cameras reliably provide an extra set of eyes on your property 24 hours a day through the power of night vision. You’ll be able to sleep soundly, knowing your home exterior is protected even after sunset. Blink outdoor cameras deliver smart security under one all-inclusive system.
