home security systems

[Brian Colt]

Looking for home diy security systems, ala Simplisafe, Canary, Arlo or whatever. Not lookinf for an commercial system like adt. Have people in the home pretty much always, so really looking for more exterior monitoring than interior. Wi fi cameras? Can be setup by myself?

 

[Raydee]

Simplisafe is simple to hook up and cheap monitoring if and only if you want it.

 

[NYGuns]

Look into Qolsys alarms, they are real easy to set up, use the Android operating system and is very stable

 

[Brian Colt]

Thanks for the replies . As far as I could find, SimpliSafe is for interior use only, and while the Qolsys looks to be a very good, adaptable system, it may be too much tech when I have a 94 year old 3 year old that likes to push buttons. Looking at cameras for outside that report over wifi more than anything else. My neighborhood is very quiet so far at least.

 

[dubleuhb]

I've been using Simplisafe for about a year and and a half, I'm satisfied with it.
I get a few false alarms from motion sensors and a few times was unable to answer the phone call, have pics of the sheriff walking around the house lol.
Thinking about setting up a separate video system for outdoors instead of trail cams.
Anyway for what SS cost and the monthly monitoring fee, I use the top package so I can do everything from my phone, it's not a bad deal and seams reliable enough for me.

 

[4excal]

Like I mentioned in other posts about wifi security cams, if you want free and easy and great app try Manything. I use the non free version cause I wanted to connect 3 cameras simultaneously, but still it's less than 10$ a month for that plus 7 days of cloud recording to go back and download or share events that happened triggered by motion. App can turn on flash off flash remotely and it can trigger recording by audio, by motion or continuous non stop. I leave an old phone in my car as 1 camera, one aimed out my kitchen window that covers the whole driveway/front door and the 3rd is leaning up against the bearded dragon tank lol. You can not only turn on the flash as a torch for night recording to see what's going on but you can also talk like an intercom and yell at the people if you choose hahaha. All free. You just have to upgrade if you want simultaneous cameras. Any old apple device or androids now work too. I've been using it for years and years, best platform of all the BS home security apps on the AppStore. Just a thought. But if you're looking for like real hardwiring ADT kinda stuff, hopefully you can find what you need this is not that

Monitor anything with Manything

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

I installed a 4 exterior camera setup from Swan that I bought at best buy. Maybe $400. Color / Night vision cameras. Pretty straightforward install. DVR record / playback. Can view onew my smart phone anywhere.

 

[BerettaGuy]

Just be careful using tech.


A man received the following text from his neighbor:

I am so sorry Bob. I've been riddled with guilt and I have to confess. I have been tapping your wife, day and night when you're not around. In fact, more than you. I'm not getting any at home, but that's no excuse. I can no longer live with the guilt and I hope you will accept my sincerest apology with my promise that it won't happen again.

The man, anguished and betrayed, went into his bedroom, grabbed his gun, and without a word, shot his wife and killed her.

A few moments later, a second text came in:

Damn autocorrect. I meant "wifi", not "wife".

 

[vanderblack]

D'link has a number of IP cameras with motion detection. They can be set to notify you via your phone. They also allow you to view live video when away from home. Last I checked, there is no additional fee for receiving alerts or viewing video. The cameras are VERY easy to setup.

 

[Brian Colt]

So Manything will let you use an smart phone camera as a remote camera? Wi fi or bluetooth? I have been trying to find an app that wou I d let me use an old phone as a backup camera when hitching up the trailer, send image to tablet or phone, wi fi is not a constant.

 

[Toecutter]

I have a couple of nest cams they work well easy to setup ,serve thier purpose. You can pay to record to a cloud or just alert motion or sound to your phone,you can also speak back through the camera ; " this is Jesus stop playing with yourself" .
I alsohad an app that turned my tablets into security cams but I wasn't impressed with it , I forgot the name. I'd try the other app mentioned and give it a try.

 

[FLA45fan]

SimpliSafe has about the easiest and least expensive alarm system on the market and it actually works. Have it in a place in another state and have the upgraded monitoring at $25 per month. I can control it from my tablet. Only one time in eight months did I have a problem where it had to be reset. Love it!

 

[NYGuns]

I highly recommend you stay away from WiFi cameras if possible. WiFi is not as stable as hard wired systems. Most new IP cameras are POE which means Power Over Ethernet, so the cameras are powered and transfer data over a single cat5e cable.

The Swann cameras mentioned above are rebranded Hikvision which are good cameras and can be purchased at Costco. I will create a thread soon with camera recommendations, etc., I have a ton of experience in that field.

Edit: here is the thread Security Camera Thread - Home Solution Write Up