Self Monitored alarm system?

[nzwasp]

I currently have ADT and I pay like $35 a month for it, contract is coming up in July. Wife wants to put in one of those smartthings systems, has anyone on here installed that or something similar, I've seen a few different options online.

What problems have you seen? did you integrate with other things like lights, nest thermostat, other home automation?

I already checked with touchstone and looks like I would lose $55 a year of discount on my house policy.

[Tik-Tok]

So if your net gain is $20 a month, why leave ADT?

[nzwasp]

I would have to have a 20000 square foot house to get a alarm discount that big.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by nzwasp
I would have to have a 20000 square foot house to get a alarm discount that big.

Oh sure, edit your post to say $55 a year instead of a month, then make fun of me

[Sugarphreak]

...

[benyl]

Why do you have an alarm? there is no crime in Aspen.

[nickyh]

Well according to my neighbor Aspen is the NE of the SW.
His truck is broken into at least twice a year, but to be fair, his yard looks like shit and he admits he's a redneck so his place looks like it too so it attracts the wrong people to his house.

[Thaco]

I set up my own system, Hikvision camera hooked to my pc using an app called blue iris, that sends me a notification on my phone every time the camera is triggered.

[ExtraSlow]

In my opinion, a self-monitored alarm is about as useful as just buying some alarm stickers. If you aren't there, and they cops aren't alerted, then what good does it do?

I'm one of those people who cancelled his alarm contract and just left the stickers in his window. Price is $0/mo. I have been happy with the service so far.

[Thaco]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
In my opinion, a self-monitored alarm is about as useful as just buying some alarm stickers. If you aren't there, and they cops aren't alerted, then what good does it do?

I'm one of those people who cancelled his alarm contract and just left the stickers in his window. Price is $0/mo. I have been happy with the service so far.

easy, i get a nearly instant notification to my phone, i view the video, i determine whether or not it warrants calling the police... it may delay the call by about 30 seconds but willr educe false calls by 100% and bypass the rent-a-cops who say they checked but never really did.

And provides evidence for easy conviction afterward.


And it also costs me $0/mo.. a couple hundred up front but that's it.

[nzwasp]

Originally posted by nickyh
Well according to my neighbor Aspen is the NE of the SW.
His truck is broken into at least twice a year, but to be fair, his yard looks like shit and he admits he's a redneck so his place looks like it too so it attracts the wrong people to his house.

Yeah I'm not in Aspen but may as well be only about 1km from aspen landing. I imagine the crime will go up when the train line is extended. Especially since the train comes from the ne. The main problem in my community is people breaking into cars and garages. I've already got an outside camera system.

Re ADT I don't even know how far away there guards are really. The idea probably would be long gone before the guards turn up.

[Asian_defender]

You probably already have most of the sensors installed and most likely they are all Z wave sensors. Grab yourself a control kit and re-sync all the sensors

I think ADT uses 2GIG. Try Vera as they make non subscription products

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by Thaco
easy, i get a nearly instant notification to my phone, i view the video, i determine whether or not it warrants calling the police... it may delay the call by about 30 seconds but willr educe false calls by 100% and bypass the rent-a-cops who say they checked but never really did.

When I was with United, I bypassed the rent-a-cops too. My alarm went straight to CPS. I had occasion to test it one day when a relative dropped by and forgot the code. Cops took 90 minutes to arrive.

I'm not trying to shit on your choice, honestly. I just want people to understand what they are spending their money on, and what it doesn't do for them. If you are happy using your equipment to catch the perpetrators, that's great. Personally, that never had much value to me.

[Thaco]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow

When I was with United, I bypassed the rent-a-cops too. My alarm went straight to CPS. I had occasion to test it one day when a relative dropped by and forgot the code. Cops took 90 minutes to arrive.

I'm not trying to shit on your choice, honestly. I just want people to understand what they are spending their money on, and what it doesn't do for them. If you are happy using your equipment to catch the perpetrators, that's great. Personally, that never had much value to me.

it's a little different when the cops get an automated alert from an alarm company than when you call 911 all frantic... if they KNOW a crime is IN PROGRESS, they will react a LOT faster.

[ExtraSlow]

Maybe. I guess that's possible.

[benyl]

Originally posted by nzwasp


Yeah I'm not in Aspen but may as well be only about 1km from aspen landing. I imagine the crime will go up when the train line is extended. Especially since the train comes from the ne.

It will never get extended. Its a pipe dream. There is no need. Just like there is no need for the existing west LRT.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Maybe. I guess that's possible.

Especially if you tell them you're hiding in a closet and are scared for your life (while rushing home as quick as possible to try and beat them there )

[dr_jared88]

What type of alarm system is your ADT one? If it is a DSC or Honeywell panel there is a good chance you could just install the envisalink 3 network module and use your existing system. I'm doing it with my old SecureTek system. I can arm and disarm my alarm from my phone and receive text or emails when the alarm goes off. It even integrates with various home automation systems like Vera.

[macman64]

Originally posted by Thaco
it's a little different when the cops get an automated alert from an alarm company than when you call 911 all frantic... if they KNOW a crime is IN PROGRESS, they will react a LOT faster.

It all depends what other calls are on the scanner.

[hampstor]

I had the same thoughts a few years ago. Currently pay 16/month with another alarm company. At the end of the term ask for a discount to remain on the monitored service. The monthly fee during the contract term amortizes the equipment cost over the term. Unless you're getting new equipment/upgrading, continuing to pay 35/month means you're just giving them extra margin.