Home Alarm Upgrade

[Imissedagain]

We are looking for suggestions to upgrade our alarm system from big Hounds and old style sensors.

My buddy was in town and showed us the multiple cameras that he could view on his iPhone from his home on the North end of Cayuga Lake.

I asked him if it will ring his phone or notify anyone if movement is detected inside the house. His does not do that.

I'd like something that will do that.
We've looked at some systems, online, but curious as to what you all use and the truthful pros and cons.

I'm a retired marine electronics tech but don't want to electrocute anyone that touches/enters the house.

Thanks,
RT

 

[Alk8944]

"Ring" seems to provide just about any options you might want.

 

[SMSgt]

SimpliSafe can provide about any detection sensors or cameras you can think of and also provides monitoring if you choose. Even I can set it up.

 

[LVSteve]

Most of them are great right up until the savvy criminal arrives with a wifi jammer in their vehicle. Yes, these are a thing, and the street where a coworker lives had a demonstration of how they can wipe out wireless cameras.

 

[Onomea]

SimpliSafe can provide about any detection sensors or cameras you can think of and also provides monitoring if you choose. Even I can set it up.

I did some research, including asking advice on here, a couple of years ago and also decided on SimpliSafe.

It does what the OP asks, will ping your phone if it detects motion. You can then go to see a recording from the camera that detected something. (Usually this is wind in tree branches or maybe a pedestrian walking by. There are settings to lower sensitivity, etc., if you want.)

It is also possible to have SimpliSafe personnel monitor the cameras and call the cops if they can't reach you. I do this when I travel abroad. And, when abroad, sometimes I just want to see how the place looks so I'll turn on cameras and have a look around the place.

The system is fairly simple to set up, and SimpliSafe will walk you through it over the phone if you need help.

 

[ladder13]

We have an alarm system with cell service, and cameras on the outside only. No one can hack my Wi-Fi and watch me in my Jammie’s.
No Alexa either, don’t need someone listening 24/7.

 

[oldbrownhat]

I did some research, including asking advice on here, a couple of years ago and also decided on SimpliSafe....

The one big question with these systems is data security, as LV Steve mentioned.

What sort of password setup/2FA etc does SimpliSafe have? Who owns the company, etc.? No way on earth would I consider Ring or anything connected with Amazon/Google etc.

 

[Onomea]

Looking into it a bit just now, I think SimpliSafe uses WiFi as the primary means of staying up and running, and that cell frequency is an automatic back up.

I run the system from their app, and the app uses facial recognition (for my iPhone) or touch (for my older iPad). I have the PW written down along with other passwords. Inside the house is a control panel. Looks like a remote. I never use it but if I were to use it it has a four-digit numerical code. When talking with SimpliSafe, to verify it is me, e.g., to shut down an alarm or call the police or whatever, there is a code word given orally.

I have cameras inside the house and outside. When the inside cameras are off, there is a visible solid plastic shutter over the lens.

I also have a couple of Alexa devices, one gets its main use as a kitchen timer and weather reporting device, the other is just used as a music speaker in my library. My TVs and Sonos speakers have Alexa built-in, I think, but I have not bothered to turn them on.

I don't worry about Big Brother spying on me. I think he is busy elsewhere. If he does get around to me, I think he's gonna be mighty disappointed at the slim pickings in my household.

 

[dockmurgw]

"but don't want to electrocute anyone that touches/enters the house."

You just took all of the fun out of it.
Or, get one of these alarms.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI2QKwnb7As&t=17s[/ame]

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I've had both SimpliSafe and Ring cameras for a number of years. Ring also now has their own alarm system, but doesn't have as many sensors. Ring works on WiFi only, SimpliSafe uses both WiFi and Cell service. If the WiFi goes down SimpliSafe will communicate with the alarm center through its own cell phone module as a backup. It also has a battery backup in case of power failure.

SimpliSafe works extremely well and is very reliable. Whenever I do a system test the monitoring people call in less than a minute. I also get texts on my phone whenever I arm or disarm the system, and whenever an alarm is triggered. I can also turn it on or off by my cell phone. I have 3 SimpliSafe cameras that activate and record anytime the alarm is triggered. My 4 smoke alarms will generate a fire department response as well.

I have Ring cameras outside the house that watch the front and rear yard. It will also send notifications to my phone whenever a camera is activated. The cameras can also be turned on and off via the phone.

SimpliSafe costs about $27.00 a month with no contract, you can cancel at anytime. Ring costs about $100 a year for multiple cameras. To me it is money well spent. I can view any of the cameras no matter where I am, and they will notify me whenever they are triggered.

 

[InTheWoods]

We use the version of Arlo that is cell based. It works great! I keep it located at a spot in the main room that will catch anyone entering from any outside access. My cell phone beeps whenever the camera gets tripped and shows me a video of the culprit, allowing me to make the decision to all the law or not. You can run several cameras (inside or outside) on the same cell phone app. I got mine from Verizon.

 

[crazyphil]

Best home alarm system is a very noisy dog. One that loves to bark, and
does anytime a stranger comes around. I know. I have one.

 

[gmarshall99]

I did some research, including asking advice on here, a couple of years ago and also decided on SimpliSafe.

It does what the OP asks, will ping your phone if it detects motion. You can then go to see a recording from the camera that detected something. (Usually this is wind in tree branches or maybe a pedestrian walking by. There are settings to lower sensitivity, etc., if you want.)

It is also possible to have SimpliSafe personnel monitor the cameras and call the cops if they can't reach you. I do this when I travel abroad. And, when abroad, sometimes I just want to see how the place looks so I'll turn on cameras and have a look around the place.

The system is fairly simple to set up, and SimpliSafe will walk you through it over the phone if you need help.

A ring system will alert you even if overseas. I was in Australia and can see with my doorbell camera.

 

[Onomea]

A ring system will alert you even if overseas. I was in Australia and can see with my doorbell camera.

Same with SimpliSafe. When in the US, since I am local and can act for myself via SimpliSafe, intruders, or the police, I don't use the Simplisafe monitoring center. When I'm abroad I do, because I am not on site, and may be sleeping when an alert occurs. If that makes sense.

i did notice that the communication time lag in trying to talk to some guy who rang my doorbell/camera in Oregon while I was in Japan made it difficult to have a conversation.

 

[Kenna]

Client has alarm thru local company, she called me as I house watch for them. She states she was notified of alarm, police are called also. I told her I would check it out. Walk around house I see nothing except prints in snow from officer, I assume! Go into home and a book shelve let go under the weight of books,set off glass break sensor. So keep in mind that alarms are great but the might drive you nuts for a while till you get it fine tuned! Wifes bank also had false alarm from Bday ballon and AC turning ON!