Attaching any new piece of camera equipment onto the outside of your home can be confusing and tricky to say the least, which is why it is important to look at the pros and cons of the various spaces available to you before you begin.
This can be as simple as checking fields of view, ascertaining whether certain positions will provide the optimum protection, and even choosing the right equipment and software to best do the job.
One of the best products in home security on today’s market are Blink outdoor cameras, which boast an easy to use system, an easily installable, wireless setup, and sturdy, resistant equipment perfect for all of your home security needs.
History Of Blink
Formed in 2009, Blink is a home automation company focused on the design and sale of battery-powered home security cameras.
Founded by Peter Besen, Don Shulsinger, and Stephen Gordon in Andover, Massachusetts, Blink initially began life as Immedia Semiconductor Inc. before making a shift into consumer electronics, helped by a popular kickstarter campaign that wound up raising over $1 million dollars.
Acquired by Amazon in 2017, Blink technology now forms the basis of the Amazon Key system, for which they approached and ironed out the various reported bugs to make them more efficient.
The Installation Process
Blink Products
One major positive when it comes to Blink products is that they are designed to be simplistic and lightweight, something that gives you as the homeowner a lot of options when it comes to choosing the perfect location for mounting.
The fact that they are wireless and 100% battery powered also means that installation can be as simple as mounting the camera on the wall, and that no wiring, rewiring, or system integration has to occur
Choosing The Right Spot
The most important thing to consider when installing home security cameras is the right place to put them.
Whilst most people choose beside their front door, it isn’t always that simple, and there can be any number of obstructions or problems that can hinder the overall effectiveness of your installation.
The trick is to choose a spot that provides the widest field of view possible on your property.
This can be affected by your specific property dimensions, as well as by seemingly simple things like the height and positioning of the camera.
A higher position will grant you a higher field of view, taking a birds eye view of the property and allowing more things to be captured in the camera’s eyeline.
One problem is however, that this will grant less detail for immediate motion in front of the door.
Alternatively, a lower position would have the opposite effect, giving you a narrower field of view, but providing greater clarity and detail for people approaching the camera/front door.
A third option can be corner mounting, using the point where two walls connect and mounting the camera on the corner.
This would, in some cases, provide the best field of view (especially on conventionally shaped houses), and would perhaps be the most effective for people who want the maximum view from their installation.
Mounting Vertically
This is perhaps the easiest way to mount cameras, simply drilling them onto the side of the house in the appropriate position, popping the camera onto the mount, then adjusting accordingly.
This is easily done by placing the camera on the desired location, marking the points for accuracy before you begin, and then proceeding with the mounting process, using the screws provided with the Blink Outdoor Camera.
Mounting Horizontally
Alternatively, a flat surface could be used, ideally an overhanging porch or some equivalent design feature, such as a ceiling or the top of an overhanging window frame.
Follow the same method as described above, marking out the spot for the holes, and then drilling the provided screws into the appropriate places, finishing them off with a screwdriver for extra tightness (as well as to avoid blunting the screws or drilling them too far and cracking the camera mount).
You can then use the right angle adapter to attach the camera to the mount, allowing a range of movement.
Alternative Mounting Methods
As an alternative to drilling, clip hooks can be used to secure the camera in place, meaning that tools aren’t necessary, and acting as a more temporary, and less invasive method of fixing the camera on the side of your property.
Not everyone wants to drill into the walls (especially if it is a rental), so for those situations, this might be the right decision.
Another option is gutter mounting, which can be done using overhanging clips that slot into the gutter and hold the camera in place.
Whilst it goes without saying that this only works on sturdy guttering, it can be an option that also avoids the need for drilling, whilst also providing the maximum field of view possible
Tape can also be used, specifically double sided tape designed for mounting.
These are especially common with other home security products like door and window sensors, but can be used under the right circumstances.
However, these are less secure than the other methods, and should be checked regularly to ensure the camera doesn’t come unstuck and break.
Adjusting The Settings
Once the camera is in place, the final thing to do is to access the app and select the “live mode” to adjust the camera.
This can help to achieve the best angle, and is the only real way to get the desired effect (as you can use the camera’s eyeline to assist).
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, everything you need to mount Blink cameras!
All that’s left is for you to try it yourself. Just remember to assess your own property, follow the instructions, and use the appropriate equipment for the best results.
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