Blink XT2 Camera – Best Pet Cameras that are Wireless!

As RVers who have been enjoying the full time RV life since 2008, there is one thing that has always concerned us, but we have never found a good solution to the problem! Our concern is that when we leave the RV, and the fur-kids are alone, especially in the summer, what would happen if the power goes out? It just happened!

We recently discovered the Blink XT2 Camera system. After doing lots of research over the past couple of years, we think we discovered the best pet cameras for use in an RV!

What we were looking for was a wireless security camera system that we could place anywhere in the RV that would allow us to clearly see what we wanted to see, be able to hear what was going on inside the RV, and to be able to speak through the camera’s speaker.

RV Pet Safety

We want a way to monitor our pets when we were not in the RV and they are. Most times they are with us but there are times when we go shopping, visiting, or some other similar activity and we want to be able to check in on them

What makes this system so cool is the ease of use to work the cameras using the Blink smartphone app. With a few pushes of a button, the camera activates itself and gives a clear view of wherever the camera is pointed. The cameras come with their own mounts so they can be easily placed where needed.

What also makes this system so appealing to us is that it offers 1080p clarity via a smartphone. Today’s larger smartphone screens allow a clear view broadcast from the Blink XT2 camera. With a swipe of the screen, the image can also be enlarged to get an even closer view of what is in the view of the camera.

The system can be ordered with one, two, three, or even more wireless security cameras if it is felt they are needed. The hub of the system is the Sync Module. It is powered by a USB port or the provided adapter that allows the Sync Module to be plugged into a 120-volt power source.

The Sync Module requires a good Wifi network that broadcasts at 2.4GHz (802.11 b/g/n). The network upload speed has to be at least 2 Mbps of consistent signal with little to no twitching. This can be easily tested with smartphone apps. More on this later.

The first thing that has to happen for the system to work is the Blink app has to be downloaded on either an iOS phone or an Android phone. The second thing that has to happen to get the system set up is to link the Sync Module to the WiFi network. This is done on the smartphone via the Blink app. Once the Sync Module is plugged in and linked to the WiFi network, the cameras can be individually synced to the module. Once these steps are completed the Blink camera system will be active.

Blink Camera System – Our Idea For Its Use!

The new Blink XT2 camera system was designed to be used as a wireless security camera system for home use, a traditional sticks and bricks if you will, not an RV home. So, my use of this system is taking the intended application and thinking out of the box. I did not find any info online for the use of the system the way I intend to use it. The first thing I did before purchasing the system was to download the installation instructions to see if I could make it work.

After reviewing this information it was clear to me that as long as I could get a strong WiFi signal through my Verizon MiFi hotspot, then I would be able to make the Blink XT2 a very big part of my RV pet safety program!

Best Pet Cameras

Once I reviewed all the installation instructions as well as a few online reviews for the wireless security cameras, I decided to give it a shot and go ahead and order the Blink XT2 from Amazon Prime. Being members we had it in two days. Here we are opening the box!

Here are some pictures of the box itself, simple but intriguing!

Theoretically, these cameras could also be placed outside the RV given the fact that they are waterproof. This might be useful for those that leave their RV unattended but want to keep an eye on it. They could be placed on the roof, in the front or back, or at any entry point to detect any unwanted motion near the RV. They could even be placed in unique locations when service is being performed on the RV. I may try that when we take Miss Tiffy in for engine service. How about for those of us that are full time RVers and concerned about your valuables when the RV goes in for major service? Lots of possibilities!

The Blink XT2 Camera Install Process

I was excited to get the wireless security cameras set up! I figured it would not take long to be up and running based on the installation instructions! Here’s how it went.

“Houston, we have a problem!” After thinking about what Jai from Blink customer service said, it got me thinking. I have noticed that my download speeds are awesome, mostly running at 10 – 25 Mbps. But the other thing I noticed is that my time to upload videos is very time-consuming. Checking my upload speeds via Speed Test Master, I get 3 – 10 Mbps, more than enough to run the Blink cameras. What I did not know is the erratic nature of the upload signal was creating problems getting the cameras synced to the module.

See the up and down nature of the upload signal on the bottom of the picture above, sometimes bottoming out below zero? That was my problem in getting the cameras to get a constant signal long enough to get linked to the Sync Module. Once I overcame that problem I was able to get all three cameras online with the Sync Module.

Once that took place I was able to finally test what I would be able to see and hear using the Blink XT2 camera system. Here are some screenshots from my smartphone of the active wireless camera system.

Here’s a video that walks through a live demo of the Blink XT2 in action!

The End Result

Now, when we leave the RV, and Lindsey and Winston, the full time RVing fur-kids to stay home alone, they are not really alone because we can keep an “eye” on them! We had to run a few errands recently and decided that would be a good time to really test out the system.

Again, the Blink XT2 runs on the RV home’s Verizon cellular MiFi network. The smartphone uses the Verizon mobile network when not in range of the RV home network. With this setup, the smartphone is able to communicate with the cameras using the Blink app. The app has been set up to recognize the Sync Module, the cameras, and the wireless network that the cameras were told to sync with. It is a slick system that allows us to travel any distances and have connectivity to the RV.

I am currently not using the motion detection feature that is available with these cameras. They can be set so that either the upper or lower portion of the viewing area can be shut off so you only get recorded clips from areas that you want. These videos are saved to the Blink cloud for free. I may use that feature when we have to take the RV in for engine oil changes or other engine/chassis service. I have to give them the keys to drive it which means all our stuff is not secure. Well, now that problem is solved!!

Okay, so that is the whole story on the Blink XT2 Camera. Pam and I hope you find the information useful as you think of ways to protect your pets, RV, and property.

Please leave us a comment or question if you still are not sure about how this all works.

Thanks for stopping by!