Anyone have Abode or Simplisafe for home security? I am thinking about getting one
https://goabode.com
https://simplisafe.com
https://goabode.com
https://simplisafe.com
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Home Security
- Thread starter oldhifi
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I have used Simplisafe for a couple of years and have been pleased. Easy installation, just pull off the adhesive protection and place sensors where appropriate. Technical support has been good, and I received a call the day the cleaners forgot to clear the alarm.
Earlier this year they came out with a new system. Just received an email offering a 40% discount on the new system if you turn in the old one, so the new one is now sitting on the counter to be installed.
Only bummer is that doesn't currently support Homekit. HK support was announced at the beginning of the year, but I don't think it is going to happen.
Earlier this year they came out with a new system. Just received an email offering a 40% discount on the new system if you turn in the old one, so the new one is now sitting on the counter to be installed.
Only bummer is that doesn't currently support Homekit. HK support was announced at the beginning of the year, but I don't think it is going to happen.
Are these monitored or subscription based devices? I’m currently using a monitored system through my cable company, reasonably priced, $16 per month.
I had SimpliSafe and really liked it. I liked that the base station uses cellular and has an internal battery backup that can run it for days.
Another one that I’ve heard a few positive comments on is Ring’s new alarm system.
My #1 reason for wanting an alarm system is for remote monitoring of smoke detectors. We have dogs that stay indoors when we’re out.
Another one that I’ve heard a few positive comments on is Ring’s new alarm system.
My #1 reason for wanting an alarm system is for remote monitoring of smoke detectors. We have dogs that stay indoors when we’re out.
Deterrence, Peace of mind. Just having a sign up reduces the odds your home could be burgled. Not that the area I live in has issues in this regard.
Is it a monitored system that notifies LE, or just an audible alarm that annoy the neighbors?
Putting up motion activated exterior lighting and fake signs and stickers is far more cost effective and provides pretty much the same protection from amateur burglars. Successful burglars aren’t deterred by an alarm system.
I think cheap systems that reliably detect interior motion and text you is a good alternative.
Manually activated panic alarms in the bedrooms is a reasonable expense in my opinion. I had a safe room in a Minnesota home and there’s one in the California home.
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Here's an interesting article from the U.K. that seems to confirm that:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/aug/18/former-burglars-barking-dogs-cctv-best-deterrent
It does not discuss variances due to the type of housing. Wouldn't alarms in an area with high density housing be more effective than in single unit housing areas? In higher density areas the odds of someone being home during the peak burglary times (around noon) would be higher.
The SimpliSafe alarm is painfully loud. When it goes off at 105 db you can't even think - all you want to do is shut it off or get away. When used in the interior, particularly with smaller dwellings, I would think this would be a bit of a deterrent.
Morkies are adorable!
Lol....yeah...it’s cockapoo. She thinks everything that falls into her eyes belongs to her...including the public park and lake behind the house.
Enjoy her as much as you can I had to put down our English Lab a few years back, still sad..
Growing up my parents had a system through a commercial company (well before these web based systems existed). They paid for the service but rarely ever ended up activating it. Naturally, the time l robbers attempted to steal stuff the system was not turn on.
We've had a house alarm for about 13 years. When it goes off as well as being loud, it calls us to alert us.
No subscription, just an autodialler.
That said our house is in a pretty safe neighbourhood and one of us is nearly always Home. Maybe an hour a week when no on is.
No subscription, just an autodialler.
That said our house is in a pretty safe neighbourhood and one of us is nearly always Home. Maybe an hour a week when no on is.
I have an older simplisafe. Everything has worked well for many years. The one exception is the indoor movement sensor. They claim it is calibrated to trigger for people and not trigger for pets, but my average size cat trips it even though it is installed as recommended (up high). So I limited the security to the door/window open sensors.
Would you mind sharing that information? (Assuming that the offer is open to all and that it wasn't a personalized offer of course.) I did a Google search but cannot find it.
I have an older Simplisafe system and I'd love to upgrade for 40% off.
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I've had SimpliSafe since moving into our house May 30th. I absolutely love it. For $560-something I got two keypads (one for the front door, the other for the garage entrance), glass break sensor, motion sensor, two keychain remotes and two indoor cameras. It was super easy to install and the peace of mind that comes with it is priceless.
It was personalized. If you have an existing SimpliSafe system I'd just give them a call to order the upgrade with the 40% discount.
Thanks. I emailed support and they said if I am an existing customer I should receive a personalized offer eventually, but they send them out in small batches in order to spread the orders out.
I am actually not as concerned about burglars as I am about violent intruders. Having good personal property insurance is the best way to deal with burglaries (and generally accepting that sentimental value is not a real thing and material possessions can be replaced).
But I am (somewhat illogically) concerned about violent intruders that want to cause bodily harm (this includes burglars that would try to prevent someone from simply leaving or from dialing 911). For those threats, I think the best deterrence is a monitored alarm system.
What helps one feel secure in their home is strictly their business... understood! I’m only sharing my experience; it’s free so everyone gets what they paid for.
A typical LE response for residential alarms are:
- Audible or silent intrusion alarms whether reported by a company or neighbor: low priority because they’re almost always false alarms.
- Glass breakage alarms: slightly higher priority but the call will still get stacked and wait for an available unit based on the hierarchy of pending calls.
- Manually activated panic alarms: high priority; some (smaller) departments might even have cops break from their current call to respond.
Professional burglars don’t care about an alarm. They will enter and grab whatever they’re after and be out and long gone before the cops arrive.
Average burglars can be often scarred off with an unmonitored audible alarm.
Home invasions are deliberately planned to take a hostage. The entry is planned to their advantage like when the resident is arriving or leaving or it all begins with an innocuous knock at the door. They are after something they know is in the home such as dope, dope money, or business receipts not dropped after closing (and they followed the resident home). The deterrent benefit of a monitored alarm system is minimized but not eliminated. Here’s where a manually activated panic alarm is helpful in getting help rolling that direction.
The number one defense to home invasions is (1) not to be a reason to be targeted (2) to have a family plan (3) a capability to protect yourself/family. Manually activated panic alarms that go to an alarm company is helpful.
Average burglars can be often scarred off with an unmonitored audible alarm.
Home invasions are deliberately planned to take a hostage. The entry is planned to their advantage like when the resident is arriving or leaving or it all begins with an innocuous knock at the door. They are after something they know is in the home such as dope, dope money, or business receipts not dropped after closing (and they followed the resident home). The deterrent benefit of a monitored alarm system is minimized but not eliminated. Here’s where a manually activated panic alarm is helpful in getting help rolling that direction.
The number one defense to home invasions is (1) not to be a reason to be targeted (2) to have a family plan (3) a capability to protect yourself/family. Manually activated panic alarms that go to an alarm company is helpful.
Residents using a monitored company should pay close attention and understand the company’s alarm protocol. (The alarm companies I dealt with professionally were pretty much useless and running jokes.)
Also, it’s worthwhile to contact the LE agency. Most cities and unincorporated areas have alarm policies where they give 2 or 3 false alarms in a defined time frame (3 or 6 months) and then will not respond or charge the resident. Alarm systems go off and almost always by accident. Many people eventually feel it’s not worth it or scale back their expectations and expenses like eliminating the monitoring company.
The moral of the story is be as informed and as realistic as you can be so you get what you pay for and what you hope to accomplish for that money.
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What helps one feel secure in their home is strictly their business... understood! I’m only sharing my experience; it’s free so everyone gets what they paid for.
A typical LE response for residential alarms are:
Residential burglars don’t want to bump into a resident that’s why residential burglaries almost exclusively occur during the day when the house is unoccupied.
- Audible or silent intrusion alarms whether reported by a company or neighbor: low priority because they’re almost always false alarms.
- Glass breakage alarms: slightly higher priority but the call will still get stacked and wait for an available unit based on the hierarchy of pending calls.
- Manually activated panic alarms: high priority; some (smaller) departments might even have cops break from their current call to respond.
Professional burglars don’t care about an alarm. They will enter and grab whatever they’re after and be out and long gone before the cops arrive.
Average burglars can be often scarred off with an unmonitored audible alarm.
Home invasions are deliberately planned to take a hostage. The entry is planned to their advantage like when the resident is arriving or leaving or it all begins with an innocuous knock at the door. They are after something they know is in the home such as dope, dope money, or business receipts not dropped after closing (and they followed the resident home). The deterrent benefit of a monitored alarm system is minimized but not eliminated. Here’s where a manually activated panic alarm is helpful in getting help rolling that direction.
The number one defense to home invasions is (1) not to be a reason to be targeted (2) to have a family plan (3) a capability to protect yourself/family. Manually activated panic alarms that go to an alarm company is helpful.
Residents using a monitored company should pay close attention and understand the company’s alarm protocol. (The alarm companies I dealt with professionally were pretty much useless and running jokes.)
Also, it’s worthwhile to contact the LE agency. Most cities and unincorporated areas have alarm policies where they give 2 or 3 false alarms in a defined time frame (3 or 6 months) and then will not respond or charge the resident. Alarm systems go off and almost always by accident. Many people eventually feel it’s not worth it or scale back their expectations and expenses like eliminating the monitoring company.
The moral of the story is be as informed and as realistic as you can be so you get what you pay for and what you hope to accomplish for that money.
Great post, thanks!