Sync Module XR (newest model) — System hub for all Blink devices, up to 400 feet from your home w/ Outdoor 4 - White

I have wanted a SYNC for my Blinks for a LONG time and I am really glad I waited and I have this one. I am semi rural and have a larger-ish property and a non-typical camera set up as far as placement is concerned. That is why I went with BLINK so that I could have cameras that didn’t need a hard wired power source. While it worked without the module, it was slow and not reliable to load live views on some of the further cameras (outdoor 4 and wired flood light cams). The second I connected this module everything started to run smoothly and best part….FAST with very little delay. Added benefit, all the cameras that I am not paying a monthly subscription for, I now have access to clips and am able to save and view them from the SYNC Module. There are a couple of different range options with the outdoor 4 as far as quality that is available on the camera if using one camera or two and also the available XR Xtended Range distance capabilities when using the XR features. I can tell you that if you are in need of better and snappier control of your cameras without the need for the XR feature this thing is 100% worth it, as well as if you have 1 or 2 cameras that struggle with connection related issues due to distance and wifi connectivity issues. In both circumstances this module has improved my system like I either got all new….better gear…or almost like I installed a way faster internet connection and wifi extenders/wifi bridge jumpers all throughout my property. To get those performance enhancements, all I did was take this out of the box, plug in a formatted MicroSD Card, open the BLINK App and added the SyncXR to my setup and everything is really easy to click around and figure out in the app. I was up, running and recording for the first time on multiple cameras that never recorded due to no subscription and all that was done in maybe 3.5 minutes. The thing I didn’t like about the SyneXR is the fact that it doesn't come with any user manual or reference guide or even anything to say what it actually does and how to use the features that are available on it. I had to look it up online to figure out that it had 2 XR modes and that only one cam can be used in one mode and so forth. So I do wish it included WAY BETTER DOCUMENTATION or at least a link to an online user manual that explained the device and the available modes and what can and can’t be done in each of the modes. Overall, ever since installing I have forgotten that it is plugged in, in a little hidden place in my home and it is silently out of sight making my system way more of a joy to use rather than a frustration or hassle. I would absolutely recommend this to ANYONE, even people who do not need the extended range as it still improves the connection quality and live streaming delay. Also, it is USB C and way more sleek looking than the original Sync. I love this thing and I would order it again if needed. And multiple SyncXR Modules are allowed on each account to deal with multiple cameras. Love it….and anyone with connectivity issues or range issues would surely love it too. Worth it! 100% recommended!

Just like the model before (Sync Module Gen 2) this allows for up to 10 cameras and onboard storage capability of up to 256gb (purchased separately). What’s new in the XR is primarily the ability to gain extended ranges and a suggestion of greater power overall. You’ll have to choose whether or not to go into ‘XR’ modes that extend the range within the camera’s settings. It’s a choice, and if you choose it, only 2 cameras can connect under this extended mode. What’s also new is that onboard storage is now in the form of a micro SD card slot, instead of a dongle. This just feels better. The card is contained within its slightly larger form and isn’t awkwardly hanging off the side like in the prior model. Lastly, this drops Micro-USB and gains USB-C for power. - I’m not sure this actually matters, as the cables are bundled with both models and once it’s powered, you’re unlikely to care which charging form-factor is used on something that remains plugged in at all times. I reached out to Blink support and learned that while not an official feature, this new module may extend the life (charge) of the batteries in my cameras simply due to a better connection. This is welcome news. While my cameras are largely passive and don’t need to record that often, it’s great to ensure a stronger connection. Everyone’s setup and materials/walls that might be in the way will differ, but it seems like an improvement nonetheless. I own 3 Blink 4 cameras and setup couldn’t have been simpler. Upon finding the new module, Blink makes it a one step action to swap your cameras onto the new XR connection. From the app you can select whether your camera utilizes the far-range capability and makes it clear that if you do, video quality will be capped. The best quality remains available only at the standard distance. Overall, it’s a welcome design change. Its new design feels like a needed refresh, without the odd dongle hanging off the side, the inclusion of USB-C (even if mostly irrelevant), and a smooth new design language with more power to boot. It's a bit pricey, I suppose, but the Blink camera ecosystem remains one of the most affordable and the option for offline storage remains a unique feature.

TL;DR: SETUP: Plug it in, download the app if you haven’t already, put in a MicroSD card if you like and you’re ready to go . USE: It’s very similar to the original, but gives better range. OVERALL: It works well with Blink cameras without thinking about it - set it and forget it. I have been using Blink Cameras for roughly 4 years. Rarely have I had any issues. I once had a module fail. Their customer service was excellent and I had a replacement within a couple days. Other than that, my battery operated ones need new batteries every couple years. The plug-in cameras just keep going. 
So, the biggest reasons to get the new module, are: 1. The range increases from 200 - 400 feet. 1. The signal was good, but now it’s even better so you can have your cameras further away from the module (that far distant fence isn’t that far anymore). 2. You can use a MicroSD Card, instead of the proprietary dongle if you choose. 3. Not a huge deal, but a nice progression - it now uses a USB-C charger versus a MicroUSB. If you’re having issues with your connection or you want to put a camera further out than you currently can, then this is definitely an upgrade you should get. At some point, you probably will anyway. ;)

The new and improved Blink Module XR was a much needed item in the Blink line up. I have a full set of blink cameras from outdoor to indoor cams to two doorbells a wide spread system through out my home. Although I really don’t have much issues with my current Blink Module, I can’t go any further out as I lose range. I have already had to relocate an outdoor cam from my detached garage closer to my house because my current module could reach it wireless but it was on the cusp of range so it would take forever to load. The new XR model focuses primarily on improved range and allows for up to 250 feet in XR mode and up to 400 feet in XR+ plus mode. In order to get the 400 feet of range you need both the XR module and an outdoor 4 camera. The 400 feet of range is exclusive only to the outdoor 4 camera and will not be available to any other product. Even if you have an outdoor 4 and a XR your other cameras and devices will not get the extended range. I am sure this will change over time as Blink/Amazon releases new products. My favorite feature of XR is the capability to now use a micro SD card which supports up to 256GB. The prior module only accepts USB flash drives, which honestly made the device look unclean because as soon as you purchased it, you needed to add a flash drive to it. However, you do not need to use a storage device either on the old module or the new XR module because you can use blink’s cloud services. I prefer to use my own storage device as I do not have to pay for service fees plus I like knowing that my data is saved locally. In the state and age of fraud and people being up to no good I can simply just remove my storage device if I ever find myself questioning what’s going on. When I installed the new XR module and removed my old module system. It was very simple and honestly took two minutes. Now that everything is up and running I don’t even notice the change and my home is protected visually. Overall, an excellent system, and if you’re currently determining to get the old module or the new XR module, I highly recommend you purchased the new XR system due to the capability of possibly extended range if you have an outdoor 4 camera. In addition, you will have an updated system that is built and a micro SD card capability so you don’t have to worry about someone knocking out your memory.

The Blink Sync Module XR is an improvement over the Sync Module 2. Gone is the clunky USB storage and in its place, we have a faster MicroSD storage solution. The casing for the Sync Module looks more polished. In addition, the ability to have XR and XR+ connections allows for placement of Outdoor 4 cameras much further away. I recommend the Blink Sync Module XR for those with Blink Outdoor 4 cameras. Unboxing: Inside you get the Sync Module XR, a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, and a USB-A wall adapter. Installation: I swapped the Sync Module XR for a Sync 2 that I had been using for the last three years. For those wondering, swapping out the Sync modules was easy, and the app walks you through the process. First you must remove the existing Sync module and then you add the new XR module through the Blink application. Experience: The Blink app recommended that I switch my Outdoor 4 camera to XR mode. And this was where I encountered a small hiccup. For some reason, my Outdoor 4 camera would not work in XR mode. It worked fine in Wi-Fi mode but would not properly work in XR mode. For anyone else who encounters this bug, I had to remove the battery of the Outdoor 4 camera and powered the camera via the USB-C access port. After that, I had no problems with XR mode. I am still not sure why that solution worked, but since that initial frustration, it has all worked very well. The new Sync XR has a solid connection to my Wi-Fi router several rooms away. I have had no signal issues with my existing Sync Doorbell or my Outdoor 4 camera. Some things to keep in mind: The XR mode and XR+ operate with a lower resolution than Wi-Fi connectivity. On XR the resolution caps at 720p. Worth a pickup? If you have any Outdoor 4 cameras, then the Sync Module XR is worth the price. Keep in mind that only two cameras can function in XR mode at a given time. If you do not have any Outdoor 4 cameras and things are working well enough with the Sync Module 2, then you might be okay staying with what you have. I like the XR Module for its MicroSD storage and increased XR range, but the Sync Module XR does not increase the resolution of Blink cameras. Still if you have yet to purchase a Sync module for your Blink cameras, have Blink Outdoor 4 cameras, or prefer a Sync module with MicroSD over USB-A, then this is an easy device to recommend. 5/5