Simplisafe home security anyone have it? Does it work?

I looked at it, but didn't jump because of the batteries. I'd like something at was ac powered and maybe a battery backup; which might not be available. Now I have an older ADT system.

We have SimpliSafe, and we like it overall.

Pros:
Their response times and monitoring are very good
Easy to set up and customize for your situation/layout
Majority of sensors have been very reliable
Relatively inexpensive
You can build as you go, by adding components
No ^&&% contracts
Several monitoring plans to suit your needs
Cool flexible features like creating internal grids so I have an ide when someone is snooping around my vault...

Cons:
The %^^%^$$ smoke detector!! On our second one, and it's having issues also.
Cell phone service is sometimes spotty where we are. (not really a SimpliSafe issue, but effects the system)
No integrated cameras, but they say they're working on it........

Don't sweat the batteries, they last a long, long time and are the same ones I use for my weapon lights.......so I buy them in bulk. The batteries and WiFi save you the hassle of wiring and allow you to take the system with you if you move.

Chuck

I've got nothing but good things to say about it.

Chuck, if you call them up they will switch your receiver to a different cell network. My coverage initially wasn't so great either until they switched us to another network.

Sebastian the Ibis said:

I've got nothing but good things to say about it.

Chuck, if you call them up they will switch your receiver to a different cell network. My coverage initially wasn't so great either until they switched us to another network.

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Sebastian,

We've tried....it's just one of the drawbacks of living in the sticks. We're constantly "bar challenged" except for AT&T which of course SimpliSafe doesn't use.

Chuck

I had Simply Safe at my previous home when I was renting. The home we bought had a hard wired system already installed so we left the security system at the rental. This was 3 years ago, so I'm assuming there have been some changes, but overall, it served its purpose and we were happy with the service.

Here are my thoughts . . .

The system I had seemed to be designed for apartments and small to medium sized houses. Our rental was about 1400 sq ft ranch and there were times where it would have trouble keeping the all the parts talking to each other, but problems were minimal.

The 14.99 monitoring is minimal. There are 2 other tiers, 19.99 and 24.99. You'll need to look at the options and see what works for you.

The key pad and motion sensor fell off the wall using the stick pads. Make sure you secure them to the wall with a screw. No issues with the window and door sensors.

Response to alarms was decent and inline with other alarm companies.

No issues with any of the batteries.

I really liked the distress code and multiple entry code options. We could set an alarm code for our landlord and also set a code to shut the alarm off, but send a distress code to simply safe for immediate dispatch.

All the programming for the system was done with the usb remote. It was super easy and a great interface.

Check with your county or city about registering your alarm to avoid false alarm fees. I've found no company has good info on your area and I know simply safe will not register it for you.

My feeling is that it is a good option for apartments and smaller homes. Others may disagree, but now that we're in a larger home, I like my wired system.

Have installed two of them for non-technology understanding parent and father-in-law. System justs works and is easy to upgrade/expand. Monitoring works fine. Only issue was glass breaking sensors need to be rather precisely placed.

Batteries have not been an issue. Replacing a hardwired ADT type system with this for my home.

Probably good for a apartment. They look cheap and cheesy and are vulnerable to being hacked.

My neighbor has a security system, and was robbed. By the time the company called after waiting the appropriate amount of time and then calling,the police the thieves were in and out with the goods. I would take your monthly amou t of money and the initial cost of the system and buy a good quality safe. A cannon, liberty or Fort Knox. Placed properly and secured is about the best protection you can have. Or turn one of your closets into a safe room, not difficult and a good steel door and door jam will provide plenty of security.

I've had the system for about two years and have no complaints.....just wish they had a camera option

We've had ours for a number of years and have been happy with it. The installation was as easy as advertised and we've had no issues with it, other than to change the batteries in the keypad from time to time. We've had other alarm systems over the years, and factoring in cost, reliability, responsiveness of their call center and contract terms, this is the best system on the market, IMO. Keep in mind that it's 1 layer of security and we complement it with outdoor lighting, a dog, keeping windows and doors free of bushes, etc.

TomJ said:

We've had ours for a number of years and have been happy with it. The installation was as easy as advertised and we've had no issues with it, other than to change the batteries in the keypad from time to time. We've had other alarm systems over the years, and factoring in cost, reliability, responsiveness of their call center and contract terms, this is the best system on the market, IMO. Keep in mind that it's 1 layer of security and we complement it with outdoor lighting, a dog, keeping windows and doors free of bushes, etc.

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I think this is the best way to look at it.

A have a safe, and it resides inside a safe room, with a vault door. The alarm system is just one more layer to prevent the thieves from having the time to get through the other layers.

As for size or suitability for large house, I'm in 4200 square feet (including the concrete safe room, regular living space is 3600) and I don't have any issues with range. I do have to be careful about placement of the base station due to my ICF construction (8" concrete, 3" insulating foam) because it deadens singles somewhat.

Chuck

Along with Jeff, roughly 98% of alarms responded to are false alarms per FBI statistics. Alarms WILL NOT stop anyone from breaking in and stealing stuff. But it may make it a smash and grab and not allow them to camp out for awhile.

All wireless systems have a glaring flaw. Smash the control panel and it will not communicate with the monitoring company.

All wireless systems have a glaring flaw. Smash the control panel and it will not communicate with the

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Simplisafe splits it up. The keypad is just a key pad, the base station is elsewhere. You would need to smash the hidden base station. Not impossible, but harder than finding a key pad by the door.

Seems to be two priorities here. For me, an alarm is simply to warn me of danger to me and family. As for the guns, another issue altogether. Yes a good safe will help there.

Simplisafe or any other alarm system is not meant to protect your guns. It's to protect your household from harm while you're there, and to scare off punks. Pros will get what they want, and in my opinion, that's why I have insurance.

I have a well lit house, 2 100+ lb dogs, and a system that will give me a few more seconds to react. If that fails, then God wants me sooner than I thought.

Sebastian the Ibis said:

Simplisafe splits it up. The keypad is just a key pad, the base station is elsewhere. You would need to smash the hidden base station. Not impossible, but harder than finding a key pad by the door.

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Also depending on your monitoring plan, you'll get an email, text or both that something's amiss. I get them when we have power failures before my 20KW standby kicks it, then I'll get another one when it turns back on. You'll also get messages when a sensor has an issue.

Chuck

Yes, but you'll get no message that it's not communicating a signal.