Advice needed for home security system

[street]

I did some research on this but still not sure what I want or what would be dependable product at a good price.

I would like a simple no fee or subscription security system.

Does the system notify you by text and what information does it send back?

Can any of you that have a system elaborate on what to expect and how they work?

Thanks

 

[DatumPoint5]

Our home has a PowerMax wireless alarm system. Multiple zones, multiple sensors, is connected to our phone lines to send "alert calls" with various messages for various conditions. It was VERY easy to setup, and, completely wireless. We test it semi-annually. If you have pets, you should definitely take them into a room somewhere so they do not "cower in fear" when the alarm/siren goes off.

We paid about 150 dollars for everything. No recurring charges.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I installed this one with 8 cameras. Very easy does all you asked. I preferred hard wired POE type Cameras as they are a lot harder to hack or jam.

https://reolink.com/product/rlk8-410b4/

 

[DatumPoint5]

Here is the web link to the PowerMax wireless alarm system we currently have installed in our home.

https://www.visonic.com/Products/Wireless-Property-Protection/PowerMax

 

[zinger1457]

I have a SimpliSafe system and a monitoring service is not required or you can sign up only when needed like when on vacation. It doesn't send out notices unless you are paying for the monitoring service. If a sensor is triggered in my system a loud siren goes off, I figured that would be good enough to scare most away. Haven't had anything go off in the +2 years I've had it except for false alarms when opening a door when the system is active.

 

[Rianne]

We got a German Shepard when we lived in Chicago suburbs. Slept like a baby. Always had a dog with the scary bark. Always been our security system.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Here is the home screen on our 8 channel ReoLink. Very easy to use and set up too. I have it set up to monitor front, rear and some main interior entry points to our home. Being in Florida, I wanted to be able to monitor the water levels of the surrounding lakes in a storm situation.

 

[JoeWras]

Our home has a PowerMax wireless alarm system. Multiple zones, multiple sensors, is connected to our phone lines to send "alert calls" with various messages for various conditions. It was VERY easy to setup, and, completely wireless. We test it semi-annually. If you have pets, you should definitely take them into a room somewhere so they do not "cower in fear" when the alarm/siren goes off.

We paid about 150 dollars for everything. No recurring charges.

We have one of these, an older version (about 8 years old). Very difficult to program. Sounds like maybe they made progress in the interface. The good news is it is a very comprehensive system and I have both wireless and wired zones, although the wired are not necessary. The wireless portion is easy to install, and the batteries in the sensors all lasted at least 5 years.

Although it can make phone calls, we decided to not use that feature.


I'd consider this system a more advanced DIY.

 

[jollystomper]

We have Simplisafe. As stated above, the monitoring is pay as you desire, though you do not get notifications unless you are paying for monitoring. There are also several monitoring "tiers" you can choose to pay for.

The main issues I have:
- Our smoke alarm has goes off randomly for no reasons enough times to be an annoyance. I have followed all of their instructions but it still happens enough that we do not always have it activated.
- Some of the non-intrusion alarms do not give you the option of only notifying you and not the local authorities. For example, I have the water alarm to sound in case a drain outside the basement door gets clogged, which can cause water to seep up the basement door. I do not need them to call the police/fire department if it goes off, just notify me. But it cannot be set like that, it is all or nothing.

 

[JoeWras]

The nice thing about the PowerMax, or at least the version I have, is you could literally program every zone to do *exactly* what you want. Call or not call. Silent or not. Urgent fire zone or not. Etc. That's what made it hard to program, it had too many options with a bad UI. Hopefully the newer versions have this kind of flexibility with an easier user interface.

 

[street]

Thanks for all that great information. I will do some research on the systems you have mentioned. I'm sure I will have a few more questions before I decide what to get.

Thanks

 

[TwoByFour]

A woman up the street from us has a system with cameras, sensors and notifications. She recently posted to Nextdoor pix of someone who broke into her house. The system didn't stop the perp but she got to watch it happen. All in all I think a dog is more effective.

 

[njhowie]

Here is the web link to the PowerMax wireless alarm system we currently have installed in our home.

https://www.visonic.com/Products/Wireless-Property-Protection/PowerMax

We also have that PowerMax system. We purchased the predecessor version of it about 15 years ago, but then replaced the system unit with the newer PowerMax+ maybe 6 years ago. The batteries in the old unit became unsealed damaging it. All of the sensors worked with the new one so all was good.

I like this system a lot because the price is very affordable, you can set it up by yourself, and it does the basics extremely well. We don't have it doing anything other than setting off the siren (which is extremely loud) if any of the wireless sensors detects something.

 

[street]

A woman up the street from us has a system with cameras, sensors and notifications. She recently posted to Nextdoor pix of someone who broke into her house. The system didn't stop the perp but she got to watch it happen. All in all I think a dog is more effective.

That may be true about the dog. LOL I have had many dogs but I'm here and there and a dog would be more of a hassle to me. LOL

 

[MrsHaloFIRE]

Its been a couple years but when HaloFIRE was traveling a lot for work I installed a SimpliSafe system. I bought it refurbished and I was very happy with the ease of installing, the motion sensor, and the panic button key fob I chose to keep by my bedside. I intended to go out swinging and with an alarm blaring if it came down to me fighting. I did not have it monitored. I think it COULD be setup to be monitored if you wished. Interestingly you could put the door sensors anywhere you wanted and some folks used them on medicine cabinets during parties. Interesting use. a coworker had a system (don't know the name) that sent him a text every time his front door opened. I think he used it to monitor the actions of his stay at home wife vice monitor for her security and it gave me the creeps.

 

[GravitySucks]

My home security.
Him and nothing worth stealing here.

 

[LuckyDog]

We just (within the last 60 minutes) got our new SimpliSafe system. I have unpacked, but not set it up yet. Was a Black Friday deal with 25% off. Maybe you can still get that deal??

 

[braumeister]

I've got it covered.

 

[zinger1457]

We just (within the last 60 minutes) got our new SimpliSafe system. I have unpacked, but not set it up yet. Was a Black Friday deal with 25% off. Maybe you can still get that deal??

Based on my personal experience where possible use the screws to hold the sensors in place instead of the included tape. I had a couple of the SimpliSafe window/door sensors that became unstuck and found them on the floor.

 

[street]

HAs anyone used the Blink Security Camera System? Price is right just wondering if they seem to work fine and what are the draw backs.

 

[KenZ71]

While my system does have recurring charges it does not need batteries.

2 Labs & 1 Papillon Corgi

If your brave enough to enter one will jump & lick your face, another will beat you silly with a tail

 

[Rianne]

Here's an idea for our brilliant engineers to bring to Shark Tank. Place tasers at windows and doors. Not in gun form, maybe a little box. Set it up so owner can turn on and off as needed. Alarms and cameras do not prevent a break as there is lag time for police or simply viewing the break in does not prevent it. A mask easily deters identifying the robber. If they are fast and most are, in and out in minutes. Alarm companies have to call the police, then they get in their cars or drive there from miles away.


Consider the idea a gift if anyone actually invents this.

 

[street]

^ >>> but an unoccupied building/home it would be nice to know that something as occurred. As far as catching them in action, I agree it wouldn't happen.

 

[KenZ71]

Years ago a friend was building a high end home in a very remote region. The alarm co guy says "we can release gas like your dentist uses to immobilize the bad guy until law enforcement arrives"

Friend had that option on the install but deleted as he was concerned kids would set off.

 

[JoeWras]

Here's an idea for our brilliant engineers to bring to Shark Tank. Place tasers at windows and doors. Not in gun form, maybe a little box. Set it up so owner can turn on and off as needed. Alarms and cameras do not prevent a break as there is lag time for police or simply viewing the break in does not prevent it. A mask easily deters identifying the robber. If they are fast and most are, in and out in minutes. Alarm companies have to call the police, then they get in their cars or drive there from miles away.


Consider the idea a gift if anyone actually invents this.

Great idea, and highly illegal most places. You risk criminal prosecution, not just civil liability.