Home security systems for the 21st century
October 20, 2018 8:27 PM Subscribe
The last time we had a working alarm system in our house was 13 years ago. I know the home security system market has been revolutionized in that time, but I am getting overwhelmed with my choices.
We live in a relatively safe neighborhood, on an out-of-the-way street. But, life happens and there is at least one person who lives in the same neighborhood who likes to "visit" other houses in the middle of the night.
I think we need some kind of system, preferably with some outside cameras, a door camera, and of course, indoor sensors and monitoring. Is there a system that does this all or do I have to cobble together something? Looked into SimpliSafe and Frontpoint and am leaning toward SimpliSafe because the monitoring is so much less per month and Frontpoint is really getting pushy about a sale. Are there other options? Has ADT evolved or is it still your Father's Alarm System?
We live in a relatively safe neighborhood, on an out-of-the-way street. But, life happens and there is at least one person who lives in the same neighborhood who likes to "visit" other houses in the middle of the night.
I think we need some kind of system, preferably with some outside cameras, a door camera, and of course, indoor sensors and monitoring. Is there a system that does this all or do I have to cobble together something? Looked into SimpliSafe and Frontpoint and am leaning toward SimpliSafe because the monitoring is so much less per month and Frontpoint is really getting pushy about a sale. Are there other options? Has ADT evolved or is it still your Father's Alarm System?
ADT and the old guys have definitely grown a bit and have more internet-capable devices now, but they still try to push you to the old cheap moneymakers when possible, and their modern options are many thousands of dollars. Your Father's Alarm System sounds about right to me.
SimpliSafe, despite the iffy politics, has been good for me for the last several years in two locations. Easy to install, configure and reconfigure for unusual homes and needs, nice cellular backup even if the power and phone lines are out, and good phone support. The apps are basic but get the job done. It's not yet HomeKit compatible, sadly, but they keep promising it "very soon now", as in before the end of the year... maybe. I'd love that, but I have been okay without.
I don't use their cameras -- I already had a different ecosystem for that -- but I note they seem to be well integrated into the system, anyway, including options for "let the operator look in" and such.
It's been useful for reasons beyond the usual burglar worries, too. I like being able to check if I remembered to close or lock a door when I'm already halfway to the airport, and being able to let a friend or repairperson in remotely, or by giving them a single-use code.
posted by rokusan at 9:07 PM on October 20, 2018
SimpliSafe, despite the iffy politics, has been good for me for the last several years in two locations. Easy to install, configure and reconfigure for unusual homes and needs, nice cellular backup even if the power and phone lines are out, and good phone support. The apps are basic but get the job done. It's not yet HomeKit compatible, sadly, but they keep promising it "very soon now", as in before the end of the year... maybe. I'd love that, but I have been okay without.
I don't use their cameras -- I already had a different ecosystem for that -- but I note they seem to be well integrated into the system, anyway, including options for "let the operator look in" and such.
It's been useful for reasons beyond the usual burglar worries, too. I like being able to check if I remembered to close or lock a door when I'm already halfway to the airport, and being able to let a friend or repairperson in remotely, or by giving them a single-use code.
posted by rokusan at 9:07 PM on October 20, 2018
Paula, almost any camera will be fine outside as long as it's sheltered from direct rain/snow, so with some clever placement under the eaves or such, you should be fine. They might say it's not warranteed or something, but I have used regular indoor cameras, lights and other home automation doodads from many manufacturers outside for many years without an issue, and that's including some extreme weather periods, too.
posted by rokusan at 9:09 PM on October 20, 2018
posted by rokusan at 9:09 PM on October 20, 2018
“Visit”? Do you know who it is or have you just seen evidence that someone has visited others homes uninvited?
In my prior place, we got a Ring doorbell. Mostly for me because I can’t do doorbells (or phones), and it allowed me to see who was at the door on my computer. Not a full smart system, but the video quality was really good, even at night.
We got a secondary Ring camera so I could see the driveway, but it wouldn’t stay put, batteries were a pain and the motion sensor was hard to adjust. It would go off in wee hours and it wasn’t helpful so we abandoned that. It was in our our tree not secured to the house.
Are you specifically interested in an individual and hope to get video of the visiting so you can do something? He breaks/sneaks about but doesn’t steal? That’s not okay. Sounds like he could be “testing” things out. That seems alarming.
Depending on your front door, the Ring doorbell might work for you. Added feature of being able to talk to the person at the door as well. Video clips were stored, too.
The two of us had the app - me at home on my tablet, and him at work on his iPhone as well as our neighbors across the street. Also, the doorbell was motion activated so it would alert even if the doorbell wasn’t rung - a good feature.
I’ll just throw this in - I bought a used baby monitor from goodwill when my girls were dating and I wanted to monitor the doorway so I’d know if they respected curfew. Sound only, but it was very effective for $4.99. Don’t think it would help you, though. Doubt the video ones record.
Maybe follow up with rokusan? I might too because I couldn’t figure out how to set a camera easily! : )
Stay safe! Also - I think the Ring doorbell was under $200 and the secondary camera we abandoned was about the same. I don’t know how these prices compare to other systems.
I find the whole “talking to a device outloud thing” creepy and everything is hackable... but that’s just me.
I live alone now and it’s scary! A Ring system isn’t in the budget, but if I had an issue like yours I’d figure something out. i have a small LRAD (under $10 bucks, Radio shack - Amazon will have one - great for walks, too). I did have an issue with someone last month so I propped an aluminum ladder against my bedroom door. What a racket that would make!
Okay that’s all I have on security for you. Probably too much. Sorry! I hope the “visitor” at least gets a visit from the police to inquire... you’d probably need identifiable video for that.
Again, take care! Stay safe!
posted by misondre at 10:10 PM on October 20, 2018
In my prior place, we got a Ring doorbell. Mostly for me because I can’t do doorbells (or phones), and it allowed me to see who was at the door on my computer. Not a full smart system, but the video quality was really good, even at night.
We got a secondary Ring camera so I could see the driveway, but it wouldn’t stay put, batteries were a pain and the motion sensor was hard to adjust. It would go off in wee hours and it wasn’t helpful so we abandoned that. It was in our our tree not secured to the house.
Are you specifically interested in an individual and hope to get video of the visiting so you can do something? He breaks/sneaks about but doesn’t steal? That’s not okay. Sounds like he could be “testing” things out. That seems alarming.
Depending on your front door, the Ring doorbell might work for you. Added feature of being able to talk to the person at the door as well. Video clips were stored, too.
The two of us had the app - me at home on my tablet, and him at work on his iPhone as well as our neighbors across the street. Also, the doorbell was motion activated so it would alert even if the doorbell wasn’t rung - a good feature.
I’ll just throw this in - I bought a used baby monitor from goodwill when my girls were dating and I wanted to monitor the doorway so I’d know if they respected curfew. Sound only, but it was very effective for $4.99. Don’t think it would help you, though. Doubt the video ones record.
Maybe follow up with rokusan? I might too because I couldn’t figure out how to set a camera easily! : )
Stay safe! Also - I think the Ring doorbell was under $200 and the secondary camera we abandoned was about the same. I don’t know how these prices compare to other systems.
I find the whole “talking to a device outloud thing” creepy and everything is hackable... but that’s just me.
I live alone now and it’s scary! A Ring system isn’t in the budget, but if I had an issue like yours I’d figure something out. i have a small LRAD (under $10 bucks, Radio shack - Amazon will have one - great for walks, too). I did have an issue with someone last month so I propped an aluminum ladder against my bedroom door. What a racket that would make!
Okay that’s all I have on security for you. Probably too much. Sorry! I hope the “visitor” at least gets a visit from the police to inquire... you’d probably need identifiable video for that.
Again, take care! Stay safe!
posted by misondre at 10:10 PM on October 20, 2018
The outdoor alarm sign and a "Beware of the Dog" sign are perhaps the best parts of a system to keep “visitors” away
posted by scruss at 9:30 AM on October 21, 2018
posted by scruss at 9:30 AM on October 21, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
But I'd love to be corrected, if that's changed!
posted by PaulaSchultz at 9:06 PM on October 20, 2018