I can’t believe how far the Blink XT2 has come along since this brand was first introduced a few years ago. Blink clearly listen to their customers. Major improvements have been made to the quality of the camera, and just as importantly, the included mount.
We looked at the two prior generations from Blink. The original Blink Home Security Camera is still available and marketed as an indoor solution. The Blink XT Security Camera has been replaced by the Blink XT2. This model is suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Using the Blink XT2 Stock Mount
Blink has dramatically improved the mount that is included with the camera. We were far less than impressed with the older design of the Blink mounts. The old mount lacked range of motion and had a form factor that was way too small. The new mount is excellent.
The Blink XT2 mount that is included in the box is shown in the photo that accompanies this article. There is a base which attaches to the mounting pedestal. Mounting screws are included for attaching to a flat surface. The ball and socket design provides the ability to swivel and pivot allowing you to get a better viewing angle.
The included mount snaps onto the area around the latch used to open the battery compartment. A bit inconvenient, but not very hard to attach. Fortunately, these batteries last up to two-years so detachment won’t need to be done for quite some time.
The Blink XT2 Camera Mounts 3-Pack is available for those needing an additional mount. Nice part about these mounts is they will fit the older Blink XT and Blink models. These are made by Blink so compatibility will not be an issue.
The Blink XT2 has a 110 degree field of view. Mount it as high as possible for the best view. The wide angle is a bit narrow, but the camera can be mounted in a corner and capture much of the action in a room, a garage or outdoors.
Alternative Mounts for the Blink XT2
Like prior generations, the Blink XT2 does not have a standard 1/4″ – 20 threaded tripod screw hole. That precludes use of many third party mounts. A mount featuring the custom attachment that fits around the latch to open the battery compartment are what’s typically going to be needed.
Fortunately a few companies have designed mounts with the necessary adapter. While the mount included with the Blink XT2 is very good, you may want to consider a different mount for a location that isn’t suited for the stock accessory.
For example, a great location to capture outdoor action is attachment to a rain gutter. Mounted nice and high, this location gives a bird’s eye view of the property.
Consider the Weatherproof Gutter Mount for Blink XT and XT2 Outdoor Camera with Universal Screw Adapter. This mount allows attachment of the Blink XT2 to the lip of the rain gutter. There are two screw clamps which securely attach the mount to the front of the gutter. This is perfect for keeping a watch on a garage or any area of the property. Like the stock mount, this includes a custom adapter to fit the latch area for the battery compartment.
Another interesting idea is a suction cup mount. Some would prefer not to drive screws into the wall of a home or office. A suction cup will attach to anything smooth and flat. Think about windows or the side of a metal file cabinet. Even a tabletop might make a suitable location.
Consider the AlertCam Suction Cup MOunt for Blink Cameras. This mount incorporates a suction cup attachment with an adapter to fit the back of the Blink XT2. Simple to attach as it fits similarly to the one from Blink.
Summary
This is one of the few times that the included stock mount is about as good as it gets. If you’re fine with mounting to a flat surface, or can even stand the camera on it’s own, you won’t need an additional mount. Those preferring a non screw mount will be well served by one of the two alternatives recommended in this article.
A related topic to this subject is Mounting the Blink Sync Module which is worth a read if having some challenges finding a good central place to put this critical component.