I've been mostly content with my lynx and abn from nextalarm. However lately the abn has been even more wonky than usual. It goes offline often and has to be manually reset by unplugging the unit.
So I finally got around to ordering a vista and envisalink module. Shouldn't this be far more reliable? From my understanding the alarm sees the evisalink like a hardwired keypad? This sounds much better than the panel trying to dial out through a abn adapter. Everything should pay for itself also without the nextalarm fee.
It surprises me that more alarms don't have all the functions of a common ip camera but thats still cool if you can add on a module to do it. I think there is a module for hooking up to a raspberry pi as well.
Another thing that I don't get is why so many people want cameras instead of a alarm system? I have a small cctv setup with blue iris. It has its uses but I'm not sure if I will keep it going once the hardware fails. A single indoor cam to check on pets and such when I'm away is about all that I need. Our vehicle is kept in the attached garage which can be protected with a alarm.
I won't go into brands, but there are better all in one units - the one I'm thinking of could use all your existing alarm devices and can also do lights, thermostats door locks as well as cameras- snapshots, not streaming. The cam will snap several pics when there is an alarm or when you ask for one on your phone app.
That said, IMHO, using cameras in addition to alarms is just prudent. I see three phases of security:
Keep them out.
Let the world know if they get in.
Get some pictures (video) in case they don't get caught in the act.
Cameras will not only help identify culprits and vehicles, but one small business owner also used the video to see where they went and it helped him identify missing stuff he might not have noticed.
I don't know if you've done any physical security upgrades to your house but there are several folks here who can offer advice on it. You can pay someone for the job or you can, like all other things, DIY it if you are confident you can set a door properly, handle drills, hammers, pry bars, screwdrivers and metal saws. Welding or a high level of metalwork experience isn't necessary, but always a plus.
Basically you wrap your doorway rough openings in steel and use deep screws and deadbolts which makes prying or kicking open the door difficult, if not impossible if you have a good steel door. Window frames are not commonly a point of attack so I don't recommend going through all the hassle on your windows.
Then you ensure you have the level of electronic protection you desire, You have to (Okay- technically you don't- but it's stupid not to) have at least one door contacted to act at the trigger for the entry delay. Ideally all your doors will be contacted.
The next part of the perimeter if often ignored by the homeowner - the windows. Just as in your computer, windows are convenient but a security nightmare. Windows usually take two devices to cover well- a contact sensor and a glass break sensor AND you can add wired screens if you want your windows open while the system is armed is since there are usually a whole lot of them so it can get expensive just through sheer volume. The majority of folks simply opt for the less expensive network of motion detectors. Place them strategically so that anyone breaking in will have to pass at least one of them in order to move around the house - while you can put a motion in every room there is a window, that (again) can add up pretty quick. Thoroughly covering the common areas will generally do the trick -- if there is a room where you keep your extensive Tiffany's collection... then, yeah... put one there.
If the thieves succeed in getting in, hopefully they've set off the alarm and have limited time to grab what they can before the cops get there.
This is called a smash and grab (or crash and smash)- they kick in a delay door and can comfortably figure on thirty seconds or more before the alarm goes out. This gives them 30secs to grab shit, or thirty seconds to find the alarm panel and disable it. The older systems would have the panel relatively inaccessible but, with the new all in ones, the important part is also the one making the noise and asking to be disarmed - so find one that sends out a pre-alarm. This feature sends a signal to central station when any delayed zone is initially tripped. If the monitoring station doesn't receive any signals (either an alarm or a disarm) after 30secs(or whatever the entry delay is) they know the panel has been destroyed and will treat it as a burglar alarm.
So the cops arrive to find the thieves have vanished - good thing the the high quality, see in the dark type cameras surrounding the house not only shows the nefarious ne'er-do-wells, but their vehicle as well. With their pictures in the hands of the authorities you maybe have a decent chance of maybe getting Grampa's pocket watch back.
So you see - thinking that you don't need /that/ because you have /this/ is not really thinking things through.
If you don't /want/ certain aspects. That's fine, your property, your money and to be frank, I don't have a camera nor have I gone to the trouble of physically beefing up my structure - I've never laid claim to either prudence or intelligence. I have not made the choice to leave these things out because I think I don't /need/ them - it's because I have chosen not to include them.
I haven't discussed smoke detectors because if you are using an all in one panel for fire coverage I'm just gonna look at you funny and walk away - don't do that.
As I mentioned in my first post I am installing a vista. The lynx was my first install. I now know better than to use a all in one however I left it alone because it still worked well and was away from entrances. My hope is that the self monitoring will be more reliable over the internet with the envisalink module.
The elk security system seems a little more modern and could be compatible but I don't need any of the home automation features. It also costs a lot more. My house already has all ademco sensors. All rooms with windows have glass breaks and most have contacts as well. I only have 1 motion sensor. I'm exploring ideas for running hardwired but don't want to drill a bunch of holes in my finished home. I even keep a sensor on the door leading to the unfinished part of our basement as a backup to the glass breaks on those windows.
I do have 1 smoke. I've thought about going to the nest brand for those when it comes time to replace. The new models are said to be reliable and have a c02 detector as well. They work over your wifi.
As for cameras. I've read forum posts from expert installers and you often need a good face level shot for it to hold up in court. The uk reported that cams are often useless and only a small percentage help solve crimes. I rarely review my outdoor footage anymore so I wouldn't even know if there was a prowler unless something was wrong. 1 or 2 indoor cams seem to be a cost effective solution. I also prefer to keep them separate from my alarm as they function just fine on their own.
Its all about having the best balance between cost, maintenance, and protection. I do have my side garage door reinforced. This is how I was broken into and seems common in this area. However it seems much more feasible to protect your entire house electronically than turn it into a fort.
Cabling-Design.com Forums website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.