Home security system

[moosedog]

I live in SE Michigan and want to update my security system since I'm getting all new windows. I would like to hear from those who have actually purchased
alarm systems recently and are satisfied with them.

 

[mckenney99]

I'm also curious. I've had Brinks who was then bought out by ADT for over 30 years and their monthly monitoring fee has gotten stupid expensive and their notification service has sucked the last couple times I had alarms (false thankfully).

 

[Onomea]

I'm pretty happy with SimpliSafe. Need to install yourself, but they have good tech support. I also like that you can vary the contract in terms of level of coverage that you want and you can change whenever you want. (I get full up monitoring by SimpliSafe when I travel for a long time away from home, but monitor it myself when I am at home.)

 

[JohnRippert]

I too use Simplisafe. It works just fine for me.

 

[SMSgt]

My old system is monitored by ADT without problems. The added-on room has SimpliSafe, but that system seems to have some issue I cannot determine yet. It gives a fault tone, but nothing ever seems wrong. I believe it is something with the wifi connection, which is why I don't like having wifi involved.

 

[coltle6920]

SimpliSafe for me. DIY and no no term contracts.

Response time was super fast. I caused a few false alarms when entering without shutting off alarm. Couldn't get my cellphone out of my pocket quick enough before I was being called by their monitor.

Door and window sensors along with motion sensors. Start with a basic package and add on to suit your needs. No hard wiring so continues to work if power is cut.

 

[coltle6920]

My old system is monitored by ADT without problems. The added-on room has SimpliSafe, but that system seems to have some issue I cannot determine yet. It gives a fault tone, but nothing ever seems wrong. I believe it is something with the wifi connection, which is why I don't like having wifi involved.

Cure could be as simple as moving the base station.

 

[DWalt]

You might call Smith-Thompson Home Security, 888-888-1695, to see if they operate in your part of the world. We have used them for over 10 years. No complaints, good hardware, about as inexpensive as any you can find.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

SimpliSafe for the past 11 years. Self installed, self maintained, no contracts, and best of all it works…every time! Had one false alarm (cat) that generated a quick police response. I also have their smoke alarms that will generate a fire department response. One in my reloading room where my powder is stored and one in the garage. 30 bucks a month, cheap insurance.

 

[Rudi]

IIRC, Simplisafe are big anti gunners.

 

[soFlaNative]

IIRC, Simplisafe are big anti gunners.

Can you recall your source?

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

RING works for me. Works well. Reasonable price and annual service. Fairly easy to set up. System tied into my phone including camera. Check it out and read reviews.

 

[.455_Hunter]

We have used corporate installed basic ADT wireless cell network based systems for nearly 20 years without any substantive issues. Very satisfied customers!

 

[WardenRoss]

I use Matthew Quigley. He sleeps with one eye open.

 

[delcrossv]

We subscribe to Fuzzy Puppy.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The best security systems in the world have multiple layers to them. Some levels are simple mechanics (fences, gun safes, walls and door locks). Some levels are electronic (motion sensors, broken window and open entrance, and pressure pads). Some are organic (geese and dogs outside and dogs inside). The most important one is a combination of mental & mechanical (Being aware and ready and a willingness to pull a trigger!).

Ivan

 

[coltle6920]

Before I bought SimpliSafe for my home I questioned a neighbor about their use of ADT.

He laughed and said he would never pay for their service. He was able to get his hands on one of their lawn signs and it's all he uses.

That's usually enough to make a wouldbe burglar choose another home.

 

[WCCPHD]

I had ADT for years and paid for monitoring. Found out later that they were not monitoring, although they did charge for it. (Not just me, a major issue here). Dropped them and went with CPI and have never looked back. CPI actually monitors the system.

 

[DWalt]

Before I bought SimpliSafe for my home I questioned a neighbor about their use of ADT.

He laughed and said he would never pay for their service. He was able to get his hands on one of their lawn signs and it's all he uses.

That's usually enough to make a wouldbe burglar choose another home.

I had an installer tell me essentially the same thing. So I have signs and window stickers most everywhere around the house.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Wyze - self installed, inexpensive equipment, and reasonable cost monitoring.

 

[DWalt]

I had ADT for awhile. Got too expensive to continue with them.

 

[schutz5]

Wyze - self installed, inexpensive equipment, and reasonable cost monitoring.

Yes! These cameras work great. Monitor your own house online.
Combine with smart plugs in your outlets to turn on lights via cell phone/internet.

 

[Krogen]

Before I bought SimpliSafe for my home I questioned a neighbor about their use of ADT.

He laughed and said he would never pay for their service. He was able to get his hands on one of their lawn signs and it's all he uses.

That's usually enough to make a wouldbe burglar choose another home.

If you do have an alarm system, post a sign that's different than your system. For example use ADT signs when you have SimpliSafe in operation. The deterrent still works, but a crook knowing how to disable a given system may be surprised to find something else in operation. Feeble homeowner comfort maybe, but it's an added layer in the perp's way.

 

[Krogen]

I had ADT for awhile. Got too expensive to continue with them.

I am in the process of dumping ADT. Their "monitoring" has gotten too expensive and I keep my landline solely for the alarm system. SimpliSafe monitoring is half the price of ADT and the landline goes away. In combination that's about $100 savings per month. Six month payback on an extensive SimpliSafe system.

 

[chief38]

The two top self-installed home security systems are now Simply Safe and Ring. They are both quite affordable, readily available and reliable. Ring is probably a bit more affordable and just as good IMO. Both offer Central Station monitoring (at an extra cost of course) but most insurance company's will also give you a discount so the net cost should be negligible.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

I also switched to Simplisafe a few years back and have been 100% happy with everything. Also, you can purchase most of their add-on stuff (extra outdoor cameras, entry sensor, etc.) on Ebay for a great price. Just make sure the listing is for a brand new item. I initially bought an updated outdoor camera direct from SimpliSafe when they first came out and it's great. Much better than their original outdoor camera. I have since purchased 3 more from Ebay much cheaper and have not had any issues with any of them.

 

[Farmer17]

I went with an old fashioned wired system. The battery wireless types work pretty good right now but what if someone has a device to jam or over ride their system and I didn't want to worry about 20 or 30 batteries going dead and needing replacement. My wired system with door/window sensors and Smart motion detectors so pets won't set them off, with I phone link up was about $900. The cameras added a couple of grand and my wife can check on the house and control the system with her I phone including the garage doors and she feels very secure now. Whatever it takes to keep her happy.

 

[Doug M.]

As was pointed out by Ivan the Butcher, multi-layered systems are the best, and we have lights and a locked 6' fence. We aren't social so the difficulties a potential visitor would experience are not a drawback.

I like large protective dogs. They are very alert, and there is little like a couple of dogs with big deep woofs to let you and a potential bad guy know that they are on the job. We have historically had Rottweilers, but there are other good dogs out there.