Austerville said: This looks interesting, given that the wiring on my existing system has some issues. How often do you have to change batteries on the components?
I've had it running for over a year now and have not had to replace any batteries. This is what SimpliSafe's website says:
Expected battery life is approximately 2 years for the Keypad and approximately 5 years for all sensors and the Keychain Remote. The Base Station batteries are rechargeable and will provide you with 8 hours of backup power. (After 5 years, you should consider replacing the rechargeable backup batteries.) The Keypad will alert you when any batteries for your wireless security system are low so that you can replace them.
outofline said: We considered NextAlarm but ended up going with SimpliSafe. $200-$300 for an all-wireless, cellular GSM system and then $15/mo monitoring (no contracts). Don't have to worry about phone/cable lines being cut and we got rid of our landline in the process. Have had it for 6 months now and have had no problems.
can the system be used with other monitoring companies like Nextalarm using cell phone connection? If yes, how do you pay for the cell phone service or charge the sim card(?) ?
dudedude said: can the system be used with other monitoring companies like Nextalarm using cell phone connection? If yes, how do you pay for the cell phone service or charge the sim card(?) ?
I second the SimpliSafe system. The cellular monitoring service is cheap and reliable. Not to mention all the "flaws" with the current system (no fire protection, no ip cameras, no base station two-way communication, and no glass break sensors) are going to be "fixed" with the release of the updated base station this fall. As a current user I will be able to upgrade for the price difference between the two units. Heck, the system as it currently stands is really good.
The simple safe system looks good with the cellular. The only thing I don't like is the $5 monthly fee to send email and cell phone alerts. That seems kind of high. I'll stick with Nextalarm with free alerts and my abn adapter for now.
With a lot of these systems depending on wireless sensors, does anyone know how they communicate with the base station? Is it encrypted communication? Is it susceptible to being hacked at all? I'm just curious if these systems are going to introduce a new world of problems if someone can do like a man-in-the-middle attack so that a burglar breaking in can intercept the data going from the sensor to the base station and keep the alarm from going off(I can't help but think of computer wireless attacks). I tried asking 2 or 3 companies about this but they all stop responding to my emails as soon as I ask about how the wireless sensors communicate back to the base station.
JHoscheit said: With a lot of these systems depending on wireless sensors, does anyone know how they communicate with the base station? Is it encrypted communication? Is it susceptible to being hacked at all? I'm just curious if these systems are going to introduce a new world of problems if someone can do like a man-in-the-middle attack so that a burglar breaking in can intercept the data going from the sensor to the base station and keep the alarm from going off(I can't help but think of computer wireless attacks). I tried asking 2 or 3 companies about this but they all stop responding to my emails as soon as I ask about how the wireless sensors communicate back to the base station.
Here is a video showing how to hack a wireless system. Text
This is one of the reasons why I don't advertise with stickers or yard signs that I have an alarm system. If you do like the stickers and yard signs I would be very careful not to put any out that are company branded.
Since SimpliSafe will be upgrading their system very soon, should I wait to purchase? Or, if I purchase now and upgrade will it be basically the same system?
JHoscheit said: With a lot of these systems depending on wireless sensors, does anyone know how they communicate with the base station? Is it encrypted communication? Is it susceptible to being hacked at all? I'm just curious if these systems are going to introduce a new world of problems if someone can do like a man-in-the-middle attack so that a burglar breaking in can intercept the data going from the sensor to the base station and keep the alarm from going off(I can't help but think of computer wireless attacks). I tried asking 2 or 3 companies about this but they all stop responding to my emails as soon as I ask about how the wireless sensors communicate back to the base station.
As far as SimpliSafe goes, their website says that the "Keypad and Keychain Remotes are uniquely coded, encrypted, and paired with the Base Station, making this (hacking) unlikely."
All security systems have their weak points. Signals can be jammed, wireless hacked, wires cut, etc. But I'm less concerned about someone hacking my wireless components than I would be with someone simply cutting a phone/cable line to disable my alarm.
frugalfox said: Since SimpliSafe will be upgrading their system very soon, should I wait to purchase? Or, if I purchase now and upgrade will it be basically the same system?
They've said that anyone who owns the current system and wants to upgrade just has to pay the price difference between the new and old base station ($50-$100). New system is now looking at a late fall release.
Agree with you - And they have the worst customer service (Even before signing up for the program). ADT is a US based company and I am not going to jepordize my safety by signing up with a company located Overseas (India) where lots of Oops happens ..
Anyone have any comments (good or bad) about the nextalarm abn with wireless bridge? Thinking about switching but just can't make up my mind. Using Ooma VOIP which is great.
I have the same question as Dacassidy. I also use VOIP (through Ooma)and have no other phone line. I would greatly appreciate expert opinion on what would best serve my purpose for a home residence.
I've got a UPS for the cable modem, router, switch in the office and it would likely be better to run a CAT5e/CAT6 line to your ABN adapter for your panel. If you use the wireless bridge, you'll be safest if you have a small UPS for it as well. I've got a single story home, but if you have a multi-story and/or can't run the line, the wireless bridge is a good option. Instead of worrying with the Linksys, just get something like the ASUS WL-330gE. Can be had for $42 from Amazon or Newegg. The Linksys one they recommend for the ABN (only because it uses a power pass thru) is scarce and hard to find. When you do find it, it's $60-100...
Long time Alarm Owner. I am with General Alarm in Southern California. I purchased my system about 15 years ago. Yearly monitoring for me is about $120.00. Works off internet line (not land line) to call Fire or Police. Outside alarm (loud) also. Over the last 15 years I believe police responded to the house twice (false alarm - no charge) The few problems we have had with system they repaired at no charge. They also are able to take over monitoring other systems at least the ones you own. I've never even checked but I'm sure there are alternate alarm companies all over. Advice is to shop - might be able to save a substantial amount of money. Green for the post
I did some research and I am leaning towards http://simplisafe.com/. ADT is just too expensive and they won't provide service over VOIP. Does anyone have any feedback about simplisafe, good or bad.
I would like to use Simon Xt via GSM and Nextalarm for monitoring. Any ideas on how I can get GSM working?
I am also open to using Alarm.com - I understand that it will be more expensive.
What I need and I think should be available - monitoring is under $20 per month, tops $25 per month - Is able to inform me about incidents via email and internet (internet control would be useful as well) - and i can install sensors that i need
Simplisafe may be it but my house already has GE sensors, so why not reuse them.
I read in this thread somewhere - smiththompson as a solution. But it appears they only serve Texas. There has got to be somebody who does 16.95 kind of wireless monitoring for Virginia!
I'm highly intrigued by simplisafe now. I have an existing alarm system that came with my house but I don't have the code for it so this all wireless solution looks good. I'm personally on the fence about monitoring service (I think the alarm alone would be a good enough deterrent) and I definitely don't want to pay $30+/month for service.
I recently installed simplisafe in our townhouse. We really enjoy it so far. It took less than an hour for me to set-up. They are supposedly coming out with a new base early this year which will add fire monitoring, as well as glass break sensors. The burglar/fire monitoring plus with internet notifications should cost $24.99/month.
boobinson said: I recently installed simplisafe in our townhouse. We really enjoy it so far. It took less than an hour for me to set-up. They are supposedly coming out with a new base early this year which will add fire monitoring, as well as glass break sensors. The burglar/fire monitoring plus with internet notifications should cost $24.99/month.
One feature I liked with my parent's brinks system was they had different armed "profiles" For example, at night, they could arm the system and disable the motion sensors so only the window/door sensors would be active and they could walk around the house freely. This profile had no countdown to disable the alarm (the siren goes off instantly). The other profile has everything enabled and has a 30 second countdown. Is the simplisafe system able to do stuff like that?
Also, I'm guessing I should wait on buying the system if the new stuff is coming out this year?
dabuddha said: boobinson said: I recently installed simplisafe in our townhouse. We really enjoy it so far. It took less than an hour for me to set-up. They are supposedly coming out with a new base early this year which will add fire monitoring, as well as glass break sensors. The burglar/fire monitoring plus with internet notifications should cost $24.99/month.
One feature I liked with my parent's brinks system was they had different armed "profiles" For example, at night, they could arm the system and disable the motion sensors so only the window/door sensors would be active and they could walk around the house freely. This profile had no countdown to disable the alarm (the siren goes off instantly). The other profile has everything enabled and has a 30 second countdown. Is the simplisafe system able to do stuff like that?
Also, I'm guessing I should wait on buying the system if the new stuff is coming out this year?
Ok I just read the information on simplisafe's site and it looks like it can do this:
Home and Away modes: When you go out, press the "Away" button to activate all the sensors. When you come home, press the "Home" button to deactivate the motion sensors, but still protect all the doors and windows.
Even though that post was made in 2005, it seems that SmartHome is still $8.95/month.
I just came back to this thread because I will be moving into a house with a pre-existing alarm system and thought I'd finally give NextAlarm a try. When did they double their price? Are people still using them? How about SmartHome?
I'm not looking for a new system install or a wireless system or anything like that. I'm just looking for inexpensive but reliable monitoring. I thought that NextAlarm was going to be the one, but $17.95/month is more than I'd like to pay. Are people still getting the lower rate or have people gone to other monitoring companies?
I think I am going with SimpliSafe for now. Next Alarm costs more and needs voip to be up and running. I also think that since you can start and stop the monitoring SimpliSafe might be good for my rental property.
i had adt for 2 years, price is high, but customer service is pretty good. i then switched to nextalarm, pricing is excellent. the equipment works fine with their service. i've had them for about a year now but i have a concern. i had couple accidental alarm trip and where i called right away. both instances they said they dont see the alarm being tripped. after like 5 min, i get a call from nextalam and they told me Police have been dispatched and this is where i started explaining my case. they said they will call back police but cant gurantee cops wont show up. i like the mentality of calling police right away but just seems like ADT always try to contact me first before doing so. anyone have experience with nextalarm servie or perpahs simplisafe service? thanks.
wiru
mugimba said: I think I am going with SimpliSafe for now. Next Alarm costs more and needs voip to be up and running. I also think that since you can start and stop the monitoring SimpliSafe might be good for my rental property.
I've had simplisafe for about 3 weeks so far and so far so good. I haven't tried tripping the alarm yet (will do so this weekend) but installation was a breeze and support was readily available as well.
This thread is great ... wanted to ask the gurus on here. What is our best option if we don't have an alarm system installed and we don't have a landline. Will NextAlarm still work for us and does it still make sense?
I have a DSC PC1550 - I reset it with eeprom jump years ago and programmed my cell number in it - so my home will call me if an alarm goes off. GREAT and FREE.
Now, ATT forces me off DSL to Uverse internet and I get VoIP phone line - PC1550 doesn't recognize phone line and call out - any ideas on a fix for this? There must be 10000's of these panels out there that face phone line migration to VoIP so there must be a solution for the DIY'er that doesn't want to pay monthly fees to relay calls...
Andy the solution is the hai c3 cellular device. I paid about 200 for mine . Added advantage is it works even if intruders cut your uverse line with tmobile it will cost $10 every 3 months to keep the sim card active. No other costs.
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