Home security systems any recommendations?

afterburnt

I am going to need a security system for a house that will unoccupied for weeks at a time. I think that I need a cellular system. Does anyone have any experience and or recommendations for these systems?

Thanks

westmassguy

http://simplisafe.com/home-security

gmcman

I'm looking into them as well in conjunction to my system I have in the house. If you are looking for just something inside your house, ie, door, window, motion sensor then it depends on your area and what's avail. If you are going for outdoor cameras, there are many that are 15 fps, 30 fps, and some will be 720 and 1080 depending on framerate. Remote IR emitters are a good choice outside since the ones in the cameras only go out so far, remote emitters will light up the area a lot more than what's in the camera and are invisible to the human eye.

I would like something that can make out persons face at 50' and possibly being able to identify them at night...this is possible but it depends on how deep your wallet is.

maximillian

Some random thoughts....

I originally bought my system from here:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com

But you need to be careful as not all systems are DIY. They may be DIY for setup but then they must be monitored by an alarm company.

As with any system, you need remote sirens. If the basestation is the siren then an intruder will simply destroy the panel. So deactivate the siren (for my wireless, a different brand, I pulled the alarm cable) then hide the panel or get a heavy duty lockable electrical box for it. If an intruder destroys the siren then you wire up a flashing light (with no siren) to let them know that the alarm is still active.

I like having two communication paths to the system - a phone and then Internet.

Installing sensors with adhesive to doors can be done - but the adhesive must be strong. Cold temperatures can cause the adhesive to fail which will then trip your alarm. If possible - don't use adhesives and use hardware instead.

Motion sensors should not face windows as movement outside (trees/bushes in high wind) may trip them.

Then have cameras to be able to view what's going on if the alarm trips. If an intruder - call the local police. That's pretty much all an alarm company does anyways. If you don't have cameras then you may have false alarm instances. Most police in municipalities will give you a 3 false alarms per month maximum. After that they will start charging you per call.

lightman1

Shotgun. Bird shot. They'll get the point.

gudnoyez

http://youtu.be/ZLsg0EvZozI

Hire a Barney Fife impersonator that will keep the place secure for you.

sgtmick63

Protected by Smith and Wesson. Any questions?

afterburnt

The house will be unoccupied for weeks at a time. I pitty the fool that comes in while I'm there.

I think I am going to try "Livewatch" does anyone use them?

quickr1

I have the simplisafe system and pretty happy with it. Low cost monitoring, easy install and setup. I don't recommend the smoke detectors though I had issues of false alarms. But it might have just been an isolated incident. I just sent them back for a refund.

afterburnt

What gave the false alarms?

quickr1

Not sure. The fire department showed up 2 or 3 times. So I unhooked them and sent them back. They said it may have been humidity since it was the one in the basement. Otherwise no problems with it.

Willow

We have a wireless system in our house, through Rogers(Telco comp). Working great have had it for about 5 years now. Phone app works great to arm/disarm and turn on lights. came with a tablet which is wall mounted in the mudroom (the door we use 98% of the time) has apps ie; weather... music and pictures. We've only had a couple false alarms which was due to a sensor going off when the vent at the patio door would go off and move our Roman blinds. That was fixed by having them move the sensor. I find it works very well. Much better than others we've had in the past.

polrbehr

Another vote for SimpliSafe here.
Relatively low startup cost, ease of installation, 1/2 the monthly monitoring fee that I've been paying ADT for many years. It's got battery backup and cellular connection so even if all wires are cut the system will still perform.

I have one of their smoke detectors in my basement as well, no false alarms yet though.

Willow

I forgot to mention that mine works off my highspeed Internet with cellular backup.

JimKellyfan

I have D-Link cameras here. 7 of them. They email me 6 pictures (3 before/3 after) motion detected. I have two email accounts just for the reception of the data. I leave a month worth of pictures in place, but just merely clean the pics off once a week. No need to look if nothing is broke or missing. We live in the stix now, and was warned by a neighbor before we moved in, so I did these in conjunction with signs for camera surveillance and trespass alerts and preference. The cameras were a bit of a bear to set up, but well worth the effort, no issues so far. I paid 33 bucks on amazon for 5 of em, plus 55 for another, and 130 for the mac daddy. Nice set up, and no fees. Just need internet and 110 v plug in, as they are wi-fi. Let me know if you need any help with set up or any additional questions. Like Liam heard on the phone, "good luck"

afterburnt

Willow do you have any cameras, if so will they work of of the cellular?