After a barrage of burglaries in our neighborhood (cars stolen from
driveways, break-ins, etc), my wife and I have called a truce on Christmas gifts to one another and agreed to invest in a security system. It’s one of those things I’ve generally intended to do for a while but never invested the time/$ to square away...
Would love to hear about experiences good/bad/otherwise you’ve had out in BBI-land with any of the many brands/products on the market.
I haven’t decided if we are looking for a subscription service or just purchasing/installing cameras, or some combination thereof. All still on the table.
First question is what do you want this to do? If you want it to make you 100% safe from ever having a break in or being a victim? Well it wont. What it will do is limit the chances of you becoming a victim.
First thing I would do is get a monitored system. To include key pads, sensors on doors and accessible windows. There are two kinds Glass break and motion. IF you have a dog and leave it out of the crate when you are not home then motion is not going to work. You should opt for glass break. Most breakings occur from kicking in a door (sensor) or breaking a window (glass break monitors) This will alert the police if you are a victim and not home and at the least limit the time a crook has in your home. you don't have to go with the most expensive (ADT) Shop around.
Next get a ring or nest door bell. This covers the front door from approaching people and can protect packages from theft and such.
Is your back yard fenced? If so keep it locked when your not home to help prevent access to the back yard.
Next cameras Do you have a side door? Then get a camera on the side door. You should have one on your garage as well. Nest sells some good ones (I have 2 nest cameras) They sense people and motion and alert my phone.
Last will be double lock dead bolts. Do your doors have glass? Then a crook can break the glass stick his hand in and unlock the door. With a double deadbolt they would have kick in the door. So you add a deterrent to your doors. Home depot has something called Strike Master II. It prevents people from kicking in (doors that swing in not out) your door. I have one on my front door. you have to order it online I think.
There you have it. Protect you home and your family.
Depends on your house. # of windows and doors. You will need 2 key pads (one in the master incase). They usually have sales on the equipment. I would suggest a wireless system. That way no land line is needed. Shop around.
Simply safe has one that comes in the mail. You could look into that. I have a local company (in ATL) called Ackerman.
strike master II - ( New Window )
Big blue, I was in a similar situation as you been meaning to do it, put it off, etc. looked into all the systems and I know it’s obvious, they all have pros and cons. And depending on who you ask, they will think certain pros are more important.
Don’t know if this will help you or not, but here goes. My priorities were more deterrence than anything, as superspy saidyou can’t prevent anything. Priorities were known company, customer service, and how it will all tie together. Ideally a complicated local wired system would be best for ME, but simplicity was way more important for the rest of the family.
Went with ring since they’re owned by amazon now. Great experience with their doorbell and customer service. Super simple to use, growing and adding features. And at the end of the day, pRice was fantastic. Nest was a strong runner up for me. Everyone’s situation and priorities will be different, just thought I’d share my similar experience and hope it helps.
simplisafe - ( New Window )
I have a Ring Floodlight cam (Get it from costco now)
2 Ring Spotlight cams (ebay for 130 a pop wired or wireless - google the benefits of either)
and the security system )again from costco with 5 door chimes - installed in 10 min and dont need a phone line)
Monitoring is 100$ a year for all of the above + as many cameras or other devices you want to add.
My dad sent me a quote for a security guy for $2100 just for installation of all this fancy sounding shit that does the same thing. All the above cost me $600, works great, installed in less than 1 hour total, serves the same purpose (and beyond because of the cameras).
My take on is, is if someones going to rob your house, the best you can do is deter and get them on video. The modern-day ADTs with wires all over and ridiculous monitoring costs are a sham. As long as they're on video and alarms go off (which you can do from your phone when you see them on your cameras!) then youre doing all you can to prevent major loss).
Depends on your where you live. Look at customer ratings. Response times (from the time the alarm goes off till you get a call) and better business ratings. Large companies tend to have call centers in other states and countries so when Mike calls he may not be in the USA. Smaller companies tend to go the extra with customer service.
I have a Ring Floodlight cam (Get it from costco now)
2 Ring Spotlight cams (ebay for 130 a pop wired or wireless - google the benefits of either)
and the security system )again from costco with 5 door chimes - installed in 10 min and dont need a phone line)
Monitoring is 100$ a year for all of the above + as many cameras or other devices you want to add.
My dad sent me a quote for a security guy for $2100 just for installation of all this fancy sounding shit that does the same thing. All the above cost me $600, works great, installed in less than 1 hour total, serves the same purpose (and beyond because of the cameras).
My take on is, is if someones going to rob your house, the best you can do is deter and get them on video. The modern-day ADTs with wires all over and ridiculous monitoring costs are a sham. As long as they're on video and alarms go off (which you can do from your phone when you see them on your cameras!) then youre doing all you can to prevent major loss).
This works fine. I am partial to nest my self (two cameras and soon to get door bell for xmas.
If you're somewhat capable from a DIY perspective, look into a DSC, 2GIG or Vivint based system. They're standalone (don't need a computer, although an interface to the internet can be purchased), you can add a cell backup (easiest way to defeat these things is to cut the incoming phone or internet drop), and they're expandable so sensors can be easily added for low prices as you decide to expand because you overlooked things (certain zones or types of sensors).
Minimally - you want motion sensors near all your entry points, door/window sensors on all doors and windows, glass breakage near the front and rear of the house (and any side doors) and fire/smoke/CO detectors. These systems support monitored installs, which will cost you ~$10 a month but you'll get about as much back in discount from your homeowners insurance.
These systems all have interfaces to connect to a home assistant (Google Home or Alexa), home automation systems, or just to be monitored over the internet. I have mine programmed to let me know when doors open since my kids leave and come home when we're not here sometimes.
Then - add a prosumer level camera system (Lorex is one example, currently on sale at Costo for just under a grand with 8 cameras). Something that can be monitored remotely. You need to cover the entire perimeter of the home. These come with a DVR that can also support cloud upload, which is handy in case someone breaks in and manages to take the DVR as well.
A Ring/Skybell/Nest front doorbell with camera isn't a bad idea either.
I have a Ring Floodlight cam (Get it from costco now)
2 Ring Spotlight cams (ebay for 130 a pop wired or wireless - google the benefits of either)
and the security system )again from costco with 5 door chimes - installed in 10 min and dont need a phone line)
Monitoring is 100$ a year for all of the above + as many cameras or other devices you want to add.
My dad sent me a quote for a security guy for $2100 just for installation of all this fancy sounding shit that does the same thing. All the above cost me $600, works great, installed in less than 1 hour total, serves the same purpose (and beyond because of the cameras).
My take on is, is if someones going to rob your house, the best you can do is deter and get them on video. The modern-day ADTs with wires all over and ridiculous monitoring costs are a sham. As long as they're on video and alarms go off (which you can do from your phone when you see them on your cameras!) then youre doing all you can to prevent major loss).
Thanks - My initial lean has been Ring or Nest.
How hard was it to install the external cameras?
I'm not a total putz, but I'm probably less handy than the average 36 year old man if I'm being honest. The exterior of my house is brick/EIFS, which gives me some minor heartburn about my ability to securely hang the cameras without fucking it up haha.
If it’s wired, it’s the exact same thing, but you will have to be good and running/hiding the wire.
Back to the wireless, downside is you will want a solar panel ($50). Same steps to install that too, may have to run wire from panel to cam. Ten minutes tops - and I’m as non handy as they come
It seemed to me that the problem with Ring and some of the other wireless systems was that battery life for a video doorbell is about 4 days. I don't want to have to swap out or charge a battery every 4 days.
Arlo's wireless doorbell and intercom don't have video, but the battery charge is said to last longer.
Alexa Guard - ( New Window )