Home security system

[SupressYourself]

Apparently the wife is not comforted by the giant chocolate lab in the garage and the Glock under the bed (locked up of course). It’s always a big deal for me to be gone a few days for work or hunting. Apparently just my commanding presence is enough to keep shady people away from our house…
Anyway, I’m thinking about breaking down and finally getting a security system for the house that she’s been nagging me about.

Any recommendations on a Home Security System?
Needs:
-Wireless
-Can monitor multiple door and window devices
-Actually works

Wants:
-Video capability
-Control remotely through phone app or something similar.
-Is there any way to get it to just call or text me if it’s tripped? I hate the idea of paying some monitoring company like $15 a month to essentially just relay a call to the police…

 

[guywhofishes]

great topic

even cameras for the doors on a 24 hour loop would be very useful (not to sidetrack things too much I hope)

 

[DirtyMike]

I'd say it would be easier with a budget in mind. Stand alone systems are going to be cheaper but less reliable. If you want monitoring AND security, if check in with vivent.

 

[Fisherman25]

Yeah we decided to go with Vivent. So far I'm pleased with the system. We have remote capability to all cameras as well as the thermostat. We actually are receiving a 10% discount on our insurance now which pays for about 6 months service, so not too bad really. Plus it's a good piece of mind and they are fully responsible for any and all maintenance down to the back up batteries.

 

[Sum1]

Having the Glock locked up under the bed isn't gonna do you much good when the perp is standing over you. Just sayen...

 

[SupressYourself]

Having the Glock locked up under the bed isn't gonna do you much good when the perp is standing over you. Just sayen...

It's in one of those quick access safes. With two small kids, that's the best I can do.
30 rounds of 10mm should be enough to shoot my way to my big safe, grab my ARs, then it's on .

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I'd say it would be easier with a budget in mind. Stand alone systems are going to be cheaper but less reliable. If you want monitoring AND security, if check in with vivent.

My budget is about $1000 for hardware and setup. I was hoping to go the stand-alone route, but I guess it depends on what the monitoring would cost and what I would actually get out of it.

 

[Lycanthrope]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011CS0972?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01

These are fairly well rated, not sure why but the site thinks everything I type is a link now, wheeee!!! I ordered a 4 camera system for my house recently, it hasnt arrived yet. They are not wireless, but from what I read, you dont get nearly the video quality using wireless as wired. There is also a video doorbell that a friend has that is pretty neat. Most intruders ring the doorbell before breaking in, its motion activated and wireless, runs of the original doorbell wires and sends to smartphone also. Uploads video to cloud for safe storage. They are about $200 and easy to install.

I also didnt want to get stuck paying a monthly fee, you end up screwed in the end when paying for a service IMO.

You could also go the cheap route and buy some fake cameras and put them in fairly obvious outside locations and steal one of your neighbors Vivint signs and stick it by your front door....

 

[b2down]

I sell and install security camera systems. Do yourself a favor and stay away from wireless. They still need a cable run to them for power but the video signal is wireless. They don't have a very good range and lots of interference issue. For $1000 you can get a nice 4 camera IP system that will connect to your existing internet, at no additional cost, and can be viewed from any computer or phone. Make sure to get an IP system. The picture quality is at a minimum 3 times better with IP over the old analog systems. They are easy to install yourself. Plug and play with just minimal router port forwarding knowledge.

 

[Davy Crockett]

How much Lycan ? Says unavailable, no price comes up. Amazon also has dLink cameras on sale for $40 but you need a storage unit that runs about $ 100 , It will record 4 cameras. I have one dlink camera that I paid $75 to see what quality they were and it seems like a decent enough picture if I have it hardwired , Not so much in wi-fi mode. I found You can buy a package deal cheaper than you can put one together.
I have an older made in china setup that I bought 6 years ago w/ 4 cameras that worked OK and did everything I wanted it to but the 5v power cord quit working and a universal adapter won't fit the port. The big thing with my old system was it was computer based and at the time I didn't have battery backup so if the lights would flicker it would shut the computer down. Life was better when you could trust everyone.

 

[Nanky]

Yeah we decided to go with Vivent. So far I'm pleased with the system. We have remote capability to all cameras as well as the thermostat. We actually are receiving a 10% discount on our insurance now which pays for about 6 months service, so not too bad really. Plus it's a good piece of mind and they are fully responsible for any and all maintenance down to the back up batteries.

How much does this run a month?

 

[guywhofishes]

I sell and install security camera systems. Do yourself a favor and stay away from wireless. They still need a cable run to them for power but the video signal is wireless. They don't have a very good range and lots of interference issue. For $1000 you can get a nice 4 camera IP system that will connect to your existing internet, at no additional cost, and can be viewed from any computer or phone. Make sure to get an IP system. The picture quality is at a minimum 3 times better with IP over the old analog systems. They are easy to install yourself. Plug and play with just minimal router port forwarding knowledge.

recommended brands?

 

[b2down]

Super Circuits or IC Realtime fit the budget and needs of most. I get the product at dealer costs and can usually save you money under the retail price of both companies.

 

[Fisherman25]

70 bucks a month.

 

[johnr]

The Vivant guy has canvassed our neighborhood a few times, we have yet to take the plunge, I guess I would like to go with our local cable company if I did purchase. Seems easier to get the local community guys over for a potential problem.

 

[eyexer]

we went with vivent three years ago and love it. wouldn't be without it

 

[guywhofishes]

Man does Vivint get ripped in online reviews (formerly APX). Surprised they are doing a good job for some.

 

[Fisherman25]

Unless things are changing, the local companies charge for all the equipment up front. Then you have to pay for replacements when they are outdated. That's what kept me from going that direction. Technology outdates quick, and I don't want to put a grand down every 3 years to update equipment.

 

[Davy Crockett]

The more I read and see prices the more I think that in my situation I'll just buy a couple more IR trail cams and call it good. What really bugs me is the picture quality, I see close up pictures of store and bank video of robbers that you couldn't identify the person if you knew him, What's up with that ? Must not be hard wired cams or they are junk. I have trail cam pictures of people in my house that are crystal clear and easily identifiable although it's not worth pursuing as they didn't carry anything out the door that I could see. The way the laws are even if you get pictures/video of the crooks chances are if they get a good lawyer they will weasel out of it somehow anyway. Guess that's why I have personal property insurance. Hopefully improvements will be made with standalone cameras like trail cams that are easier to conceal .

 

[eyexer]

I think Vivint costs us $65 a month. All the equipment was free as was the install. Couldn't be happier with it. First time the alarm went off in the middle of the night I went out the door with the .40 immediately. Left my wife to disarm the alarm. She forgot the code lol. So they dispatched the sheriff's dept. Before he got here she remembered the code and they called the deputy off. But vivint was on that speaker talking to her within a minute or two. But when she couldn't remember the code they wouldn't shut it off. It ended up being the wind blowing the garage door open, I didn't get it latched all the way. Happened a second time a few months later but we remembered the code this time lol. There have been a pile of Vivint systems installed in this area. The vivint truck is running around all the time. My kids put one in as did my older neighbor

 

[Whisky]

Hello I am in need of a home security system. I have narrowed it down to 2 thus far, Vivint or local cable company.....

Vivint: $60/ month and $100 set up fee...cheapest to start....4 door alarms, 6 window sensors, 2 indoor HD cams to be replaced with outdoor cams when they go on sale, smoke and CO2 detection, 1 wireless deadbolt......3.5 year contract at 60/ month

Local Cable : upfront have to pay for all equipment, about 3 grand...then only $30/ month....much better outdoor 3 cam IP system plus the 4 door sensors, 1 deadbolt, siren, roompad


The local appeals to me because I have somebody close to work with. However they just recently got into these systems and are fairly new in the security game. Better cameras I'm sure....Shitload of money up front.

Vivint obviously is cheaper to get going with, but tied to 3.5 year contract...However even at $60/month it would take like 6.5 years to equate to the costs of the local company. And I believe Vivint to have a better monitoring service.