I never had one but I'm feeling the need for one for the mini manse. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks
Home security systems
- Thread starter cuffs054
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verizonbear
Well-known member
I use simplisafe, runs off the cellular network , good basic system at a good price
simplisafe.com
SimpliSafe Home Security Systems | Wireless Home Security Alarms
Shop award-winning home security systems from SimpliSafe. Professional monitoring, protection from break-ins and hazards, and no contracts.
simplisafe.com
Vivint here, going on about 5 years
<span style="font-family: courier new,courier; color: #800080;">My words of advise:</span>
<span style="font-family: courier new,courier; color: #800080;">Know going into it what you want. Home Security systems are now being combined with Home Automation. You will pay more for a system that does both so if you never think you'll want automated locks, lights, thermostats, etc. you will likely pay less per month if the system doesn't have that capability. If you think you'll want some of those things down the road you can get the equipment now and turn on those features as you need them. Most of the companies offer a cafeteria plan in this area.</span>
<span style="font-family: courier new,courier; color: #800080;">My experience is however, that the combined systems aren't doing home automation all that well yet. They are getting there but slowly. If you just want to turn on some lights at sunset you can do it. But if you want to turn them on at sunset, only on Monday through Friday and only when this particular motion sensor gets tripped, then you'll want the separate Home Automation route.</span>
<span style="font-family: courier new,courier; color: #800080;">Just understand what your needs are going into it and you'll be fine. It's kind of like buying a computer. If you're just going to browse the Internet 4GB RAM will do you. If you're a gamer you can't get enough RAM. Problem is if you buy a computer today that will only max out at 8GB RAM you'll be replacing it down the road if you get into gaming.</span>
<span style="font-family: courier new,courier; color: #800080;">My words of advise:</span>
<span style="font-family: courier new,courier; color: #800080;">Know going into it what you want. Home Security systems are now being combined with Home Automation. You will pay more for a system that does both so if you never think you'll want automated locks, lights, thermostats, etc. you will likely pay less per month if the system doesn't have that capability. If you think you'll want some of those things down the road you can get the equipment now and turn on those features as you need them. Most of the companies offer a cafeteria plan in this area.</span>
<span style="font-family: courier new,courier; color: #800080;">My experience is however, that the combined systems aren't doing home automation all that well yet. They are getting there but slowly. If you just want to turn on some lights at sunset you can do it. But if you want to turn them on at sunset, only on Monday through Friday and only when this particular motion sensor gets tripped, then you'll want the separate Home Automation route.</span>
<span style="font-family: courier new,courier; color: #800080;">Just understand what your needs are going into it and you'll be fine. It's kind of like buying a computer. If you're just going to browse the Internet 4GB RAM will do you. If you're a gamer you can't get enough RAM. Problem is if you buy a computer today that will only max out at 8GB RAM you'll be replacing it down the road if you get into gaming.</span>
mrb627
Well-known member
Energy Provider
Your energy provider may have an agreement with a monitoring service to save you some dough.
I started with ADT, then Protection One, and now I am with Ackerman.
Malcolm
Your energy provider may have an agreement with a monitoring service to save you some dough.
I started with ADT, then Protection One, and now I am with Ackerman.
Malcolm
vacerator
Well-known member
Wether you choose
ADT, Brink's, Guardian, Northstar, etc, most will offer free installation when you display a sign for two years, and subscribe to monitoring.
The ones that use your cell phone network providers signal sound like the best, because if an invader cuts the cable outside your house, only the alarm will sound, no monitoring works after that.
You are immediately notified of a breach if you are away. Some wired systems are even monitored in another region from where you reside. In a different time zone, it may be more minutes before your police and or fire dept. is notified.
ADT, Brink's, Guardian, Northstar, etc, most will offer free installation when you display a sign for two years, and subscribe to monitoring.
The ones that use your cell phone network providers signal sound like the best, because if an invader cuts the cable outside your house, only the alarm will sound, no monitoring works after that.
You are immediately notified of a breach if you are away. Some wired systems are even monitored in another region from where you reside. In a different time zone, it may be more minutes before your police and or fire dept. is notified.
Landline
<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">I kept a landline for years for only my Security system. I used my cell phone for everything else. It costs around $50 per month as I recall. I would have moved to a phone from the Cable company for a little less money but that is essentially an IP phone and the security companies were shying away from those for monitoring. That might be different now.</span>
<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">A few years back the security company offered to upgrade my system from the Landline to the cellular setup and I made the change for the reasons Mike noted above. They did the upgrade for free and it cost me an additional $20 per month but I was able to kill the landline all together. At the end of the day I was ahead $30 per month.</span>
<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">I'm not sure exactly what they did but they went up in the attic and installed something, I don't remember the last time I got an alert stating the Panel couldn't talk to the monitoring center. </span>
<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">I kept a landline for years for only my Security system. I used my cell phone for everything else. It costs around $50 per month as I recall. I would have moved to a phone from the Cable company for a little less money but that is essentially an IP phone and the security companies were shying away from those for monitoring. That might be different now.</span>
<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">A few years back the security company offered to upgrade my system from the Landline to the cellular setup and I made the change for the reasons Mike noted above. They did the upgrade for free and it cost me an additional $20 per month but I was able to kill the landline all together. At the end of the day I was ahead $30 per month.</span>
<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">I'm not sure exactly what they did but they went up in the attic and installed something, I don't remember the last time I got an alert stating the Panel couldn't talk to the monitoring center. </span>
Malcolm, good idea. Sadly and by that I mean we're getting screwed, the City of Monticello is our only provider for power, gas, water, etc. They are years away from doing anything like that!
Not that I felt I really needed it, but I did install a SmartThings based security system the last few weeks. I have window and door sensors, motion sensors and alarms. I also added a Thermostat that my utility company basically paid for. I will be adding smoke and CO2 detectors as budget allows as well as other features. For me the cost was low, so why not? Plus - I can easily do it my self which is about the only way I want things done.
I studied various systems and decided on Samsung's SmartThings since it integrates with a number of protocols. From anywhere I have cell service I can see exactly what the status is of things at home. I could even add cameras that feed to my cell if I wanted. Easily done and no monthly monitoring charge - but you do need internet access.
I studied various systems and decided on Samsung's SmartThings since it integrates with a number of protocols. From anywhere I have cell service I can see exactly what the status is of things at home. I could even add cameras that feed to my cell if I wanted. Easily done and no monthly monitoring charge - but you do need internet access.
joe_in_philly
Well-known member
I second what Verizonbear said about SimpliSafe
We have had simplisafe for a few years now. It is easy to install, and there are no contracts. You can determine the type and number of sensors you want to install, and assign each sensor a name. I can see if the left front bedroom window has been left open. You purchase the system and then choose the level of monitoring you want. It works over the cellular network, and I can control the system from my phone or computer. I have setup the "home" mode to disregard the motion sensors, so we turn that on when we are in for the night. I have it setup to text me each time the system is armed and disarmed. This is nice when you have a couple different neighbors taking in deliveries while away - you can assign each person a different code, so you know who goes in at at what time. The top tier of monitoring, which includes text alerts and interative remote control of the system is only 24.99 a month. Basic monitoring is only 14.99.
We have had simplisafe for a few years now. It is easy to install, and there are no contracts. You can determine the type and number of sensors you want to install, and assign each sensor a name. I can see if the left front bedroom window has been left open. You purchase the system and then choose the level of monitoring you want. It works over the cellular network, and I can control the system from my phone or computer. I have setup the "home" mode to disregard the motion sensors, so we turn that on when we are in for the night. I have it setup to text me each time the system is armed and disarmed. This is nice when you have a couple different neighbors taking in deliveries while away - you can assign each person a different code, so you know who goes in at at what time. The top tier of monitoring, which includes text alerts and interative remote control of the system is only 24.99 a month. Basic monitoring is only 14.99.
vacerator
Well-known member
Matt,
yes Flushing is a nice quaint village, but one never knows these days.
As for all the smart home appliances, etc. I'm not ready to turn over my humble abode to any computer or phone.
Stranger than fiction fact usually is, but a movie from the 70's keeps popping up in my head. A "house" was fully automated and controlled by computers and robotics. It took over, and detained the owner from leaving.
yes Flushing is a nice quaint village, but one never knows these days.
As for all the smart home appliances, etc. I'm not ready to turn over my humble abode to any computer or phone.
Stranger than fiction fact usually is, but a movie from the 70's keeps popping up in my head. A "house" was fully automated and controlled by computers and robotics. It took over, and detained the owner from leaving.
dartman
Well-known member
security DVR
I just bought a 4 camera non HD security DVR a couple of years ago, upgraded to a hybrid SD/HD DVR last year and today finally got 4 1080p cameras that work with it for 140 bucks shipped.
I already have a few cables run and they work fine with the new cameras.
Not a alarm, home automation system, or anything like that but I probably still have less then 250 in it with all the upgrades and a 1tb drive.
I can now read license plates in the driveway and clearly see anything that happens in the driveway or front yard, plus see what Dobby, my parrot, does all day while I'm gone. I can set it up to watch from my phone or tablet, and email me when a critical area activates the camera if I want.
I can use up to 8 cameras with this one, it's motion activated and is networked so anything that can access my network can live view and play back saved stuff on the drive.
Caught 3 people backing over my mailbox so far as nobody here knows how to drive.
Might be a good cheap option for some members and Amazon, New Egg, and eBay always have deals on complete packages going from crappy SD to multi camera HD with everything you need.
My first SD cheap one came with 4 cameras and no hard drive for 80 bucks and I already had a small but usable drive for it.
I just bought a 4 camera non HD security DVR a couple of years ago, upgraded to a hybrid SD/HD DVR last year and today finally got 4 1080p cameras that work with it for 140 bucks shipped.
I already have a few cables run and they work fine with the new cameras.
Not a alarm, home automation system, or anything like that but I probably still have less then 250 in it with all the upgrades and a 1tb drive.
I can now read license plates in the driveway and clearly see anything that happens in the driveway or front yard, plus see what Dobby, my parrot, does all day while I'm gone. I can set it up to watch from my phone or tablet, and email me when a critical area activates the camera if I want.
I can use up to 8 cameras with this one, it's motion activated and is networked so anything that can access my network can live view and play back saved stuff on the drive.
Caught 3 people backing over my mailbox so far as nobody here knows how to drive.
Might be a good cheap option for some members and Amazon, New Egg, and eBay always have deals on complete packages going from crappy SD to multi camera HD with everything you need.
My first SD cheap one came with 4 cameras and no hard drive for 80 bucks and I already had a small but usable drive for it.
