Wireless Home Security Systems?

[btg3]

Thanks for the good info in this thread...

Looking at:
wireless IP outdoor cameras (Foscam was recommended to me; 2 should do it)
motion sensor activated
infrared night vision (<50 ft)
wide viewing angle (have yet to find >60 degrees)
iphone compatible

 

[holdencm9]

gotime, thanks for the info. So you pay the $15 per month for them to monitor it, as well as an additional fee for the ability to control the system remotely with your phone? What is the sum total per month? It is very tempting to go with the Fortress system which is totally free after the initial purchase (and batteries of course). But is not monitored, rather, it just calls you or a designated number.

btg3, I don't know much about the system you are after, but knowing a decent amount about cameras (enough to be dangerous anyway), anything over 60-degrees is starting to get into fisheye territory, which are usually much more expensive, and get a lot of distortion around the edges of the frame. Kind of like when you look out through the peep hole of a door, the peripherals are pretty useless. It might be worth considering an additional camera or two, placed strategically to still cover the same viewing area? Just a thought. This would also afford viewing of objects farther away in more clarity. With wide angle, things may be much closer than they appear!

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Bought a super cheap X-10 system

Only problem is the system false alarmed every few months for unknown reasons

Hmm. Really? Well I'll be damned.

 

[fallout mike]

Paul, it also worked just as he hoped??

 

[mokin]

I've got a couple of Border Collies. Lots of maintenance but it's worth it.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Yeah, we've got a little American Eskimo Spitz. She's a small dog and couldn't hurt anyone if she wanted to, but she'll sure as heck let us know the second someone steps onto the porch. She couldn't protect us, but I have no worries about getting surprised during the night.

 

[petrel800]

I have a Simplisafe system in our home. It's pretty basic, very easy to install, and they have been quick to call when the system is tested or has gone off.

That being said, I have no children or pets and our place is smaller ~ 1300 sq ft. If you have a larger home, I'm not sure how well the system would work.

Beyond the size of the house and if the system will work, we have been happy with the Simplisafe system and their pricing.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Great post, Just what I was looking for!

I have a couple of follow up questions:

1. Does anyone know if the Fortress or Simlisafe (or similar options) audibly beep and let you know when a door or window opens?
2. Do any of the non-monitored options snap pictures and email them to you when you are not home?
3. How well do the wireless outdoor cameras a motion sensor work?


I agree wholeheartedly about getting cameras with sufficient resolution. There was a parking lot robbery recently near me, and despite a camera having a clear, square view of the back of the car from 12-15 feet away, the clarity was insufficient to read the license plate.

 

[Blue Thunder]

A couple of notes first. I was in the alarm system business in the late 80's when things started to take off in Wireless and Motion Sensing so I have some background in that. Now to the present, most all good systems will do a Door Chime. Windows on most but not all do not chime if opened, but should show open on the keypad. Motion sensing should always be Dual-Tech. That is Passive Infrared plus Radar. Passive infared can detect a change in heat signature between adjacent zones, read that as Fingers looking into the area of coverage. The radar can detect movement of a solid object. When both are present it should alarm. Pet Alleys block off reading of zones below 3-4 feet in the area the motion detector is viewing. Ground floor windows do need perimeter protection contacts. Good alarm systems have two-three modes available. One is Away where all points are monitored. The second is Home where you get Perimeter protection (doors and windows) without motion detection. The new folks in town now offer Video and email. To add this to a system means you need a Hi-Speed internet connection (Cable, Cellular 3G/4G). You will also pay an additional monitoring premium for Video including the type where you can talk to/from the folks at your front door from anywhere in the world. I do not have info on a Video system to email for a system that is not Central Station Monitored. Going with a Wireless system means that Batteries will need to get replaced on a regular basis especially when the control panel says "Battery Low". Not changed and you get annoying beeps at irregular times.

Me, I have a fully wired (house was pre-wired when built) system that calls a Redundant UL Listed Central Monitoring Station whose instructions are when you get an alarm "Dispatch the Police". They do not go down thru a 3-6 person call list to ask them to see if anything is wrong as most will be out shopping or won't answer the phone. My system has been totally reliable for many years and I trust it when an alarm is generated. For insurance purposes to get discounts on Home Insurance for Home Alarm systems, they must be monitored by a UL Listed Central Monitoring Station. Lots of info here but I can answer other questions. I am not currently employed in the Alarm Business. Yes I have 8 Video cameras around the house and perimeter that can read Tat's on arms of folks wandering around.