Amazon-owned smart security camera specialist Blink has taken the covers off of the Sync Module XR, a new hub that extends the range beyond typical Wi-Fi limits.
Using a proprietary long-range radio, this third-generation system hub offers up to four times the reach of the existing Sync Module 2, allowing users to place Blink Outdoor 4 cameras up to a maximum 400 feet .
The new Sync Module XR uses a custom 900MHz protocol, designed to penetrate outdoor obstacles like walls, trees, and other barriers that usually interfere with Wi-Fi.
The XR allows connections that span 250 feet in the regular XR mode and up to 400 feet in XR+ mode, meaning cameras can be covered even at the end of long gardens.
However, users should expect a trade-off in video quality over long distances: while the Blink Outdoor 4 provides Full HD 1080p resolution near the hub, the XR protocol delivers up to 720p at 250 feet and 360p at 400 feet.
While 360p resolution may limit details, it’ll still do the job of recording people in your garden that shouldn’t be there, vehicles approaching, and more.
Like the existing Sync Modules, the new arrival also acts as a centralized control unit for Blink cameras through the Blink app, allowing people to manage up to ten cameras from one hub.
It supports range extension for up to two Blink Outdoor 4 cameras at a time on XR or XR+ mode. However, it works seamlessly with other Blink devices on Wi-Fi, like the Blink Mini 2 and Blink Video Doorbell, making it an ideal hub for those with mixed camera setups.
The XR module also adds microSD local storage to the mix, allowing customers to store up to 256GB of video on a card.
The Sync Module CR is available now on Amazon for an introductory bundle price of $59.99. The special offer includes a free Blink Outdoor 4 camera, with the standalone bundle priced at $139.99 starting January.
