Home Security Monitoring and Alarm Systems

[TGS]

So, previously in our last house we had Vivent. We liked it.

With our new house, we purchased a user-installed system; SimpliSafe. I liked the idea that I could easily take it down and put it up myself. Regardless of owning our house, I get a new job assignment every 2-3 years. So if we both go wherever my new assignment is, we can easily take the SimpliSafe with us. What's also neat is that the base station simply looks cool, instead of standing out as ugly. So, points for both functionality and aesthetics. The system also has really good reviews in several online publications.

I also liked the aspect of being able to build out a system with exactly how many sensors I want, and at lower cost than some other systems. So we have a combination of panic buttons, motion sensors, cameras, a water sensor, entry sensors, and fire alarms linked to the base station. They also have freeze sensors, glass break sensors, some other gizmos (I think) as well as stating that their doorbell/outdoor camera is due to be released later in 2018. Sweet. I'm in.

Installation was a breeze. I got the cameras hooked up to my wifi, and they worked great (notice that past tense? foreshadowing). Know what didn't work great? Getting the base station to connect via wifi. It simply wouldn't. I called SS on Sunday, and the tech sounded fairly clueless and evidently reading a script without any understanding. She says it won't connect to wifi because the system is waiting to be activated, which should take 30 minutes. Monday comes around and it still doesn't work. I get someone with much more knowledge and an apparent urgency to fix my problem. Turns out the system won't connect to a Verizon Fios wifi unless we use the original router name. Weird. Okay. So I change the router name. Woohoo! The base station works.

So I go in and try to view video, and oh...fuck...the cameras have to be reconnected because it's a new network. Ok.....so I retrieve a new QR code for the first camera.....but wait, why isn't it scanning? Oh, that's right, the fucking privacy shutters are shut, and I can't connect to the camera to open the privacy shutters......so it won't scan a QR code to connect to the network! So I try switching the network name back to "our" designated name we had given it at installation, with the hopes of the camera automatically picking it up and me being able to lock the shutters in the open position. No avail; the cameras won't automatically connect to the "old" network they were previously working on. I unplugged a camera to see if it reverts to some default mode with the shutters open, and no dice.

So now the base station works, and the cameras don't. Just emailed the guy I've been working with and hopefully he'll have a solution. He's been great with me. Yesterday he gave me 2 months free service in compensation for the headache, but at this point I'm at my wits end with this system.

Share your thoughts, concerns, successes, and aggravations with home security systems here. :)

[blues]

I have no personal experience in this arena...but during the research I did actually perform, I read quite a few complaints online which are very similar to yours.

I decided to pass on SS and have not yet decided on a specific solution for our home.

[RJ]

I’m about there on one of those Ring systems, just haven’t gotten round to it yet.

We have decent Internet, an ok MU MIMO router and an existing doorbell I can replace (I think).

[rayrevolver]

https://goabode.com/sale/

I am 99% happy. It can be as cheap as $0 a month for self monitor. I bought a bundle that came with cellular backup, which is $96 a year. Then you can add monitoring year round or you can buy it in 3 day or 1 week "on-demand" periods.

I do not have any Alexa or Google Home speaker spy things, but they work with Abode if you want to get crazy.

Cons:
- It is not compatible with all Z-Wave or Zigbee devices. With their sales the Abode sensors are well priced
- The Nest door bell camera cannot be viewed in real time on the Abode app, at least for now. But you can control a Nest Thermostat from the Abode app.
- Android App has a widget that is flaky


Pros:
- Can be free from monthly bills and contracts
- Battery backup in the base unit + cellular means I can lose power for about 10 hours and still be covered.
- Integrates with some other smart home platforms. When an alarm is triggered, my Nest Hello door bell takes a photo. You can get fancy with a free thing called IFTTT (If This Then That) and have the IFTTT app activate functions like wifi lights, call your cellphone, etc
- Easy install, wireless sensors
- Once they integrate more and more sensors you will have more options

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

EDIT: Based on reviews, you probably want to stay away from the Abode live cameras. My plan was to start with the Nest doorbell and then possibly get another camera. My Abode comes with a camera that takes photos only if the motion sensor is set off.

[TGS]

The Abode was actually another I was looking at, but the SS3 was lower cost off the bat and also included cellular backup standard/free. It has many of the same benefits (battery backup, no contracts, scale monitoring from zero-to-full, etc).

We purposely exclude Alexa from our household for security reasons (they're leaky as a sieve from a security standpoint), and purposely don't want our security system integrated with a full "smart home" feature like some of the systems go for. Layering security is no good without compartmentalization, IMO. For all these reasons, Abode was right up there with SS3 for us.

We'll probably buy Abode if SimpliSafe doesn't come through for us, especially since they have these sales that brings their components/sensors down to the price of SimpliSafe.

[Grey]

Tagged for interest.

[Ed L]

This is something I need to learn more about.

If my knowledge base on guns was were my knowledge base on alarms was, I would be asking where you insert the clip in a revolver to load it.

I am interested in some type of camera system for my house as well as an alarm, but have the following questions:

1. If the Camera is hooked up to your Wi-Fi, is this something that is hackable so that someone can hack your wi-fi and view into your house.

2. Where is the video footage recorded?

3. If it is recorded in a DVR, how do you know that a burglar might not find and destroy the DVR?

thanks!

[TGS]

1. If the Camera is hooked up to your Wi-Fi, is this something that is hackable so that someone can hack your wi-fi and view into your house.


SS used to have a vulnerability that has since been minimized according to the company and fan forums. Yes, it can still be hacked but the general consensus is that the type of people who will have the motivation/means to hack it arent going to be common burglary crews (at this current time, I'm sure more vulnerabilities will be found as time goes on).



2. Where is the video footage recorded?

"The cloud". It's not stored locally, so no worries on question #3. Some of the companies are viewing only, but both Abode and SimpliSafe take camera shots during events and have various storage options for the footage allowing you to download and share it with police or whoever you might (private I, neighbors, security for your gated neighborhood, etc). In addition, at least with SimpliSafe the dispatch will still be notified if they find and smash the keypad according to company literature.

[rob_s]

I went with Ring. I have two battery cameras, one on solar, and one floodlight camera hard wired to power. All are on Wi-Fi.

The floodlight camera doesn’t allow a usable positioning of the camera when the mounting plate is horizontal, such as under an eave.

The battery cameras, regardless of whether they are on the solar or not, have a very limited record time and a long reset time, to the point that they pretty much miss every single thing that matters. For example, they get the UPS guy pulling up to the gate, but not him throwing the package over into a puddle.

The tunable areas of activation are also extremely limited on the battery cameras. Couple that with the short record time and long reset time and you get a branch that trips the camera but then miss an actual useful action 2 minutes later.

I don’t have anything recording inside the house. I just can’t bring myself to allow that for a variety of reasons. I believe that with smart home tech I can program it to not record when either my wife or I are home, based on presence of cell phone on the network, but then have it record at night... ultimately I don’t have the patience or inclination.

[TGS]

I don’t have anything recording inside the house. I just can’t bring myself to allow that for a variety of reasons. I believe that with smart home tech I can program it to not record when either my wife or I are home, based on presence of cell phone on the network, but then have it record at night... ultimately I don’t have the patience or inclination.

I don't know about Abode, but with SimpliSafe the default is for the privacy shutter to be closed when the system is Off or in Home mode....it only stays open when in Away mode. These defaults can be changed in the app. However, if the shutter is closed, it will automatically open for veiwing even in home/off if you go into the app and click the camera to view. So, in the end if anyone has a concern about privacy then the whole shutter thing might be for nothing, because I imagine whoever hacks into the feed will also give themselves the ability to open the shutter.

[DacoRoman]

I don't know about Abode, but with SimpliSafe the default is for the privacy shutter to be closed when the system is Off or in Home mode....it only stays open when in Away mode. These defaults can be changed in the app. However, if the shutter is closed, it will automatically open for veiwing even in home/off if you go into the app and click the camera to view. So, in the end if anyone has a concern about privacy then the whole shutter thing might be for nothing, because I imagine whoever hacks into the feed will also give themselves the ability to open the shutter.

Did you manage to fix the issues with the cameras?

I have a cellular based system from Frontpoint security that we've had for 7 years but I was thinking of switching, maybe to something like SS, and also include cameras.

BTW, I recently took the "Unthinkable" class from William Aprill, and the story he told about the small alarm company owner psychopath that would rob his customers eventually, and ended up skinning one of his victims that he found sleeping on his couch when he went to rob his home has definitely validated the concept of installing your own system through a vetted company! I know I know, not likely to happen, but still! :eek:

[TGS]

Did you manage to fix the issues with the cameras?

Yes. They have a reset button that wasn't working......I don't know if I just wasn't holding the button in for 10 seconds straight as it's small, I might have inadvertently lost pressure on it at some point. In any case, I just kept trying to reset them after a few tries and they eventually popped open to read the QR code.

The video quality is much better than our 2010 vintage Vivint camera system, and the audio picks up a LOT, even whispers.

Now that the cameras are set up, we are happy with the system. The cameras automatically pop open and record any event, such as arming/disarming or a sensor being alerted. The camera does not wait for the alarm to go off in order to record.....it will start recording as soon as the sensor is tripped when the system is still in the countdown mode.

We thought the system was still in practice mode and purposely set it off, and it turned out to be 100% activated. The monitoring service called within seconds, so sample size of 1 and all, but we're happy with the monitoring service as well.

If your local fire/police require an alarm permit to be on file in order to respond to an alarm activation, SimpliSafe has most of that researched and will automatically mail that form to you as well. The monitoring service can also have specific information added to your account to pass onto the 911 dispatcher as well.....for us, we let them know that we have ANSI grade 1 high security locks and security glass. In the event that rescue has to make a forced entry, then they will be able to save time and attack the door properly from the start instead of wasting time figuring out that our house is hardened.


So, thumbs down for not making it clear in the instructions on how to hook up to Fios, which has over 5 million customers and predates SimpliSafe. Thumbs up for customer service.

I eagerly await the arrival of their outdoor camera and doorbell setup which is due to be released late 2018.

[DacoRoman]

Yes. They have a reset button that wasn't working......I don't know if I just wasn't holding the button in for 10 seconds straight as it's small, I might have inadvertently lost pressure on it at some point. In any case, I just kept trying to reset them after a few tries and they eventually popped open to read the QR code.

The video quality is much better than our 2010 vintage Vivint camera system, and the audio picks up a LOT, even whispers.

Now that the cameras are set up, we are happy with the system. The cameras automatically pop open and record any event, such as arming/disarming or a sensor being alerted. The camera does not wait for the alarm to go off in order to record.....it will start recording as soon as the sensor is tripped when the system is still in the countdown mode.

We thought the system was still in practice mode and purposely set it off, and it turned out to be 100% activated. The monitoring service called within seconds, so sample size of 1 and all, but we're happy with the monitoring service as well.

If your local fire/police require an alarm permit to be on file in order to respond to an alarm activation, SimpliSafe has most of that researched and will automatically mail that form to you as well. The monitoring service can also have specific information added to your account to pass onto the 911 dispatcher as well.....for us, we let them know that we have ANSI grade 1 high security locks and security glass. In the event that rescue has to make a forced entry, then they will be able to save time and attack the door properly from the start instead of wasting time figuring out that our house is hardened.


So, thumbs down for not making it clear in the instructions on how to hook up to Fios, which has over 5 million customers and predates SimpliSafe. Thumbs up for customer service.

I eagerly await the arrival of their outdoor camera and doorbell setup which is due to be released late 2018.

Great info thanks!

[idahojess]

Share your thoughts, concerns, successes, and aggravations with home security systems here. :)

How has your simplisafe system worked a year later?

I just picked up a simple entry sensor system from Simplisafe. A couple hiccups getting it setup, but the customer service was good and they next-day aired a different part to ensure proper cell phone reception. Easy to swap out. They've been good with the customer service so far.

I went with the higher level monitoring service, which I can control with my phone. It seems to work. I got a free camera with the father's day sale, I have not set it up yet.

I'll probably add some more sensors (smoke, water) to get additional discounts from my homeowner's insurance.

[TGS]

How has your simplisafe system worked a year later?

I just picked up a simple entry sensor system from Simplisafe. A couple hiccups getting it setup, but the customer service was good and they next-day aired a different part to ensure proper cell phone reception. Easy to swap out. They've been good with the customer service so far.

I went with the higher level monitoring service, which I can control with my phone. It seems to work. I got a free camera with the father's day sale, I have not set it up yet.

I'll probably add some more sensors (smoke, water) to get additional discounts from my homeowner's insurance.

I junked the whole thing.

The sensors were very unreliable and were going off for no reason while we were on an overseas trip. Even one of the panic buttons was setting itself off.

Fucking garbage.

[idahojess]

I junked the whole thing.

The sensors were very unreliable and were going off for no reason while we were on an overseas trip. Even one of the panic buttons was setting itself off.

Fucking garbage.

Thanks, good to know -- I've got 60 days, so we'll see.

[Arbninftry]

For A Follow Up: Did you go with something else after you junked it?

Has any Ring users had similar issues or is there a better User Installed system out there?

[TOTS]

Zero problems over a year or so with the basic Simplisafe system. Super simple to set up. It does what you want it to and is just as transparent as the ADT on my last house. Wife likes the aesthetics.

[Shellback]

We have the Ring spotlight camera over the garage.

Pros: Good night vision capability. Bright spotlight when motion sensor goes off.

Cons: Lag time for activation and connectivity issues when it comes to viewing on your phone.

The cons are the reason I haven't bought the recording subscription.

[Tod-13]

Zero problems over a year or so with the basic Simplisafe system. Super simple to set up. It does what you want it to and is just as transparent as the ADT on my last house. Wife likes the aesthetics.

We have a SimpliSafe base station, video camera, glass break detector, 2 motion detectors, and a bunch of entry sensors. And two fobs.

Only problem has been occasional issues with the video camera not wanting to connect to wifi.

I think at some point we will move to Nest, to self monitor and cut costs. The Nest app seems to work, unless you have a Samsung phone (one of the most popular Android manufacturers).

Which leads to the biggest usage issue, that most of the apps for this stuff are atrocious.

[Arbninftry]

Ring Systems were about 50% off with Prime Day. So I bought a ring doorbell and floodlight.