NFT: Home security system recs

and "highly rated" are a contradiction.

With that being said, I have no personal experience but found the following for free alarms system monitoring all of which have been described as "delivering what they promise" -

Drop Cam Pro

Piper Classic + Z WavePack

I-Smart Alarm

.

their websites -

https://nest.com/camera/meet-nest-cam/?dropcam=true

https://ismartalarm.com/us/

https://getpiper.com/

In comment 12808723 I Love Clams Casino said:

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and "highly rated" are a contradiction.

You get what you pay for. Most of the newer "connected home" services are still in their infancy.

I guess one big question would be whether they want/need Camera monitoring or just need sensors to detect open/closed states. Camera monitoring tends to increase the initial cost and almost always comes with a monthly subscription.

I use Smartthings at home. Mostly for home automation, but also for some monitoring. I like smartthings b/c of the community support for many different devices and the customizability (I like to tinker). If you stick to the officially supported list of devices everything is pretty much plug and play though. They had some reliability issues early on, but its been much better recently. They are owned by Samsung now, so I'm sure that cashed helped.

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If you're not looking for monitoring, then you're really looking for a home automation system that will let you know when windows or doors are open/closed. You can put together a little programming that will trigger an alarm when certain conditions are met, but it won't be a very useful theft deterrent and would be easy to defeat.

Best bet would be to go the DIY route and install one of the lower end alarm systems (something along the lines of 2GIG) and go with a cheaper monitoring plan (they have ones that start at $7-9 a month). The cost will be offset by savings off your homeowners insurance (most offer 15%), although be sure to add a smoke and heat detector be able to qualify for the max discount.

In comment 12808768 Chris in Philly said:

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Is that a shepherd that's already been posted?

ahhhhhhhh...you see what I did there?

I hate TW but it functions well

automation (TW using the Zigbee protocol with an Android based controller, Verizon's is ZWave and controlled via wifi from various devices). Neither one does security particularly well, partly the result of a lack of good security sensors (motion sensors for HA systems tend to not be very responsive, polling is slower because they're focused on saving power for their battery powered wireless devices).

Again, better than nothing, but not exactly "security".

I think she just is looking for something that will make noise if someone opens the door while she is sleeping so she can call the cops. Better than nothing I guess though I don't think she's in the market for monitoring or connected.

I might look into the connected though,.

In comment 12808800 DC Gmen Fan said:

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I think she just is looking for something that will make noise if someone opens the door while she is sleeping so she can call the cops. Better than nothing I guess though I don't think she's in the market for monitoring or connected. I might look into the connected though,.

Try simply safe
You can set it up yourself and it can be a base station that goes off or you can get 24 hr service too. About 150.00 on Amazon

The smoke detectors work great when you burn something in the oven

In comment 12808863 AP in Halfmoon said:

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The smoke detectors work great when you burn something in the oven

That's the nice thing about HA systems that support IFTTT (if this then that) programming. You hit the button on the remote for cooking, and disable the smoke detector for 15 minutes while the seared tuna steak makes enough smoke to render the TV unviewable.