Automation of the S&B's - Update

[John_Joey]

Been looking at ways to monitor the S&B's while on the road. I'm pretty happy with what I've been seeing for security camera's, but am having a harder time finding things like cold temp and water leak sensors that send out txt or e-mail alerts.

Anyone out there doing this kind of stuff that would like to share their experiences (both good and bad.)

[John_Joey]

mslater wrote:
do you need active internet for the cameras ? so that (for me ) is $50/mo…..simplisafe does a self test that tells you everything is working …but it looks like a good alternative

For us it's $20/month, vacation rates are $10 month so for $10 more it's worth it just to leave it on.

[almcc]

I installed a web-enabled thermostat a few years ago, The thermostat combined with a service at about $4 per month allows me to remotely monitor and set temperatures and I (and the house checker) can get warnings via phone, text or E-mail on low or high temperatures and loss of the thermostat. I'm not interested in water sensors since the water is turned off but a sensor could be connected to the system if required.

These thermostats have come down in price and Honeywell sells a couple of models that look interesting.

[mslater]

do you need active internet for the cameras ? so that (for me ) is $50/mo…..simplisafe does a self test that tells you everything is working …but it looks like a good alternative

[John_Joey]

Once again thanks for all of the input on this subject. I found it very valuable.

What I think I'm going to do is attempt to secure the place with camera's and give neighbors the ability to view the camera's (if they want) and also the ability to check on the place if something is amiss.

I am just so impress with what my simple (and cheap) prototype pan/tilt camera can do. Below are two example of what I've done with the night vision turned on. If I leave the light on, then it's close to HD quality.

I can now check on the place anywhere in the world. I think I'll be more proactive vs reactive this way. Side benefit is anytime I want I can see that everything is OK and a sensor didn't fail on me.

The camera came from Foscam. via Amazon for under $60.

[dan-nickie]

John&Joey wrote:
I don't think I'm thinking free, I'm thinking more of the hassles of false alarms and the police or fire department being notified.

I know there is always a call to the owner and a safe word, but when you're on the road with a cell phone there is no guarantee the call will always get to you in a timely manner. I have gotten voice messages hours after the call was made even though I had the cell phone on me and active. Everything seems to change when you leave your home area sometimes.

My Simplisafe is set up so that I get a phone call, email and text all at the same time. Hopefully I'll notice one of those.
With the texts I can try to decide if I want the alarm company to dispatch police while I'm on the phone with the alarm company.
For example the first text may say the front door was opened. If someone actually enters the house, then the next text says the living room motion alarm was triggered. Then if someone continues through the house I would get another text for whatever room they entered. So I can get an idea if someone is actually moving through the house.

There are other sensors that I do not have such as smoke, freeze, water etc.

BTW, I have not had a false alarm since we got the system first of the year.

[mslater]

its ul approved for whatever thats worth … I'm a retired electrician and am capable of professionally installing a hard wired system but this wireless system is great… takes minutes to install with no programing to speak of ….couldnt be easier

[mslater]

i was testing mine a couple of days ago and my call was there in seconds …seems like i paid around $200 for the equipment which is all wireless cost is less than $15 a month and be canceled without penalty fees ..i believe most other systems require either active phone jacks or an internet connection. I'm trying to get rid of my monthly service fees in the winter, it actually pays for my lot rent in Florida for the winter. i used mine last winter and received one call that someone had entered the house… i notified neighbor … no sign of anything. you can go online and check your system, it has battery back up and lets you know if power is out. alarms can be handled anyway you want, i could have had the motion alarm handled by the police rather than my neighbor. my sons dog actually chewed thru the power cord on one of his visits to check the house they sent me a new cord no charge next day.

[John_Joey]

I don't think I'm thinking free, I'm thinking more of the hassles of false alarms and the police or fire department being notified.

I know there is always a call to the owner and a safe word, but when you're on the road with a cell phone there is no guarantee the call will always get to you in a timely manner. I have gotten voice messages hours after the call was made even though I had the cell phone on me and active. Everything seems to change when you leave your home area sometimes.

[The_Texan]

Go to the website I posted, click on "features" at the top and scroll down a little ways. It explains the monitoring programs and their cost. Very reasonable and again NO contract, start and stop as you wish.

Read all the reviews of this company and system, NOT a "cheap" wireless system with some kid monitoring from his crib.

[moisheh]

John and Joey: Were you expecting free monitoring? I think it is $14.95 a month. However I would be concerned about the quality of the equipment. Is it UL approved. Is the monitoring station approved. Could be some kid in his basement! We have a real monitored alarm with both fire ,smoke and a water alarm. They have a list of contact #'s and will call them in sequence. I think we are paying around $25.00 a month. Well worth the price. The equipment was about $700. Cheap wireless alarm systems are often unreliable.

Moisheh

[John_Joey]

I must admit Simplisafe looks like it's the ticket alright. Only question I have is do you need to pay a monthly fee? It looks like there is a call center involved that will then notify you of the issue that the system discovered.

[dan-nickie]

Simplisafe for us too.

[The_Texan]

X-2 for Simplisafe. Has a temp alarm and the monitoring is NO contract and ½ the price of the other companies. Plus you tailor the system to your needs, NOT theirs.

[mslater]

I'm using simplisafe... ez to install, no contract, but more important to me was the fact i could shut down the phone and internet because it calls out on its own saving $100 a month on that …..i added the temp monitor . you can customize how they handle an alarm, i have them contact my son who lives in the area and me rather than the police.