There seems to be several good options, I'm not sure which one to choose. Anyone have any recommendations?

I have had the opportunity to try out 4 systems. Here is my opinions.

Nest: Good system with premium prices. A lot of good ideas. There is an ick factor for me with it since it's Google and you know they collect data for use outside the system. Cameras are really good (good and pricey too). System can be monitored through the app or by 3rd party (Brinks I believe).

Simplisafe: Good system overall but they have a serious problem with their model (my opinion obviously) in that they do not allow access to the system without paying for monitoring + additional software fee for a combined monthly cost of $25. You can access their cameras any time through the app but that's basically it without paying extra (their cameras area joke by the way) . This is not a self monitored system.

Ring: I like what they are doing, but since it's Amazon there is a little bit of the same ick factor with Google. Monitoring is cheap ($9/month, no contracts). They are expanding their devices. The app used to monitor the system is pretty good. Z-wave compatible I think but don't expect a lot of support outside official devices.

Abode: This is the system I'm currently using. Self monitored or pay as you go monitoring (3 day/7 day/monthly options). Compatible with a lot of devices through various services (IFTTT, z-wave, zigbee, Alexa, Nest, etc...). What ultimately sold me on this system is their Cue system. Kind of like IFTTT but very specific to your system.

Browning, Remington, Benelli, etc.

But seriously, what are you looking to get out of a security system? We have Smith Thompson for our monitoring. It's nothing fancy, but it's cheap and works.

From the money we save from not having a fancy system through ADT or the like (1 month of ADT is seriously 3 months of ST), I'm able to add my own stuff and integrate into my smartthings hub (cameras, sensors, etc) to alert me of things if nobody is at home and to trigger certain actions throughout the day if something happens. For example, if my doorbell detects motion or is pushed during the night, 3 different lamps come on including the one in the master. I've also thought about adding in an action that if motion is detected at that time by cameras to make sure all doors are locked, but Alexa should do it when I tell her I'm going to bed.

At the end of the day, whoever is monitoring is only going to be able to do so much (call you and dispatch the police) so I can't see paying to be integrated (thus tied down) to their system/products when much more is available in the market that don't require subscriptions.

aTm2004 said:

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But seriously, what are you looking to get out of a security system? We have Smith Thompson for our monitoring. It's nothing fancy, but it's cheap and works.

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Good question. I am looking for something basic, door monitors, outdoor camera, panic button, smoke detectors. I dont need a premium system, but, I like flexibility, and from rbcs_2's post, it sounds like Abode is flexible. Ideally it will be simple to install and relatively inconspicuous, I would rather not see bulky equip all over the house.

Seriously, check out hubs like Smartthings and Wink and see the things that are available to be integrated with them. You'll probably find that most of what you're wanting/needing is available and you don't have to pay $50/mo to use it.

Smartthings
Wink

Another bonus is being able to geofence. I have it set up so that if we arrive home after sunset, the outdoor and kitchen lights come on and the back door unlocks so we don't drive/walk into a dark house. The thermostat also sets itself to the home setting we have set for heat/cooling.

ATL Aggie said:

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aTm2004 said:

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But seriously, what are you looking to get out of a security system? We have Smith Thompson for our monitoring. It's nothing fancy, but it's cheap and works.

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Good question. I am looking for something basic, door monitors, outdoor camera, panic button, smoke detectors. I dont need a premium system, but, I like flexibility, and from rbcs_2's post, it sounds like Abode is flexible. Ideally it will be simple to install and relatively inconspicuous, I would rather not see bulky equip all over the house.

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Just to give a little bit more of a reply. There are devices out there like Samsung Smart Things and Wink (and cheaper if you want to go down that path) that will allow you to do similar things to Abode.

I even contemplated getting a Raspberry Pi + OpenHAB and just doing it all myself. The reason why I didn't was mostly due to time and a few things I read about z-wave door monitors (such as going through batteries every few weeks). Given more time though I likely would have gone down this route.

The Abode system right now is basically just 3 door monitors and the box. I am going to add other things eventually. Keep in mind though this Abode company is kind of a start up. Not that I expect them to go under or get bought out, but it's possible I suppose. I think I worry more about being bought out and the parent company forcing changes to the business model.

EDIT: Also, Arlo announced a security system at CES. So something else to keep an eye on since they make decent cameras already.

You guys using SmartThings controllers, are you using the gen 2 hub, or has anyone tried the mesh WiFi system with the smart home controller built in?

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The Abode system right now is basically just 3 door monitors and the box. I am going to add other things eventually. Keep in mind though this Abode company is kind of a start up. Not that I expect them to go under or get bought out, but it's possible I suppose. I think I worry more about being bought out and the parent company forcing changes to the business model.

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Abode did get bought out last year by an Italian home automation company, Nice S.p.A.

ATL Aggie said:

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There seems to be several good options, I'm not sure which one to choose. Anyone have any recommendations?

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Buy a sign and stick it in the flowerbed. Done.

Old School Brother said:

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You guys using SmartThings controllers, are you using the gen 2 hub, or has anyone tried the mesh WiFi system with the smart home controller built in?

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Gen 2.

The best home security system is the US Secret Service.

I signed up for alarm service 7 years ago with Monitronics, which uses alarm.com for all things home automation. The installed my house with a 2Gig brand alarm panel. Inside the house they all communicate Z-Wave. Since then I added smoke detectors, thermostats, garage door openers and now video doorbell - all in one alarm.com app.

Since then a lot of competitors have surfaced and there are many more options, possibly some more sophisticated/cheaper but everything 2Gig and alarm.com has been working great for me.

txag2008 said:

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Quote:

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The Abode system right now is basically just 3 door monitors and the box. I am going to add other things eventually. Keep in mind though this Abode company is kind of a start up. Not that I expect them to go under or get bought out, but it's possible I suppose. I think I worry more about being bought out and the parent company forcing changes to the business model.

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Abode did get bought out last year by an Italian home automation company, Nice S.p.A.

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Yes but I mean someone bigger.

A big ass dog

gooseegg01 said:

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A big ass dog

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I have one of those, but he would hold the flashlight for a burglar.

Just wanted to update this. I installed the WiFi locks over Christmas and the cleaning ladies came today (no brag). I forgot to set tehm up a code, but I was able to do it via the Smartthings app when I got to work. Got an alert a few minutes ago that the backdoor arrived and whose code was used. A lot better than hiding a key under the mat or giving them one.

aTm2004 said:

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Seriously, check out hubs like Smartthings and Wink and see the things that are available to be integrated with them. You'll probably find that most of what you're wanting/needing is available and you don't have to pay $50/mo to use it.

Smartthings
Wink

Another bonus is being able to geofence. I have it set up so that if we arrive home after sunset, the outdoor and kitchen lights come on and the back door unlocks so we don't drive/walk into a dark house. The thermostat also sets itself to the home setting we have set for heat/cooling.

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Like my WINK hub and especially my Chamberlain MyQ for my garage door ... just what I always wanted!

aTm2004 said:

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Browning, Remington, Benelli, etc.

But seriously, what are you looking to get out of a security system? We have Smith Thompson for our monitoring. It's nothing fancy, but it's cheap and works.

From the money we save from not having a fancy system through ADT or the like (1 month of ADT is seriously 3 months of ST), I'm able to add my own stuff and integrate into my smartthings hub (cameras, sensors, etc) to alert me of things if nobody is at home and to trigger certain actions throughout the day if something happens. For example, if my doorbell detects motion or is pushed during the night, 3 different lamps come on including the one in the master. I've also thought about adding in an action that if motion is detected at that time by cameras to make sure all doors are locked, but Alexa should do it when I tell her I'm going to bed.

At the end of the day, whoever is monitoring is only going to be able to do so much (call you and dispatch the police) so I can't see paying to be integrated (thus tied down) to their system/products when much more is available in the market that don't require subscriptions.

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It looks like ST is now doing full home automation leveraging the Alarm.com app. It's $30 per month. Seems like a great deal. Hell, I pay more than that for almost zero home automation features. Two cameras is the extent of our home automation at this point.

$30/month seems pretty high to me.

rbcs_2 said:

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$30/month seems pretty high to me.

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It's cheaper than almost any other service out there. The only way to go cheaper is to DIY which is a great option. I'm just not sure I want to mess with a DIY option.

YouBet said:

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rbcs_2 said:

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$30/month seems pretty high to me.

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It's cheaper than almost any other service out there. The only way to go cheaper is to DIY which is a great option. I'm just not sure I want to mess with a DIY option.

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Do you know how to screw in light bulbs? Do you know ow how to install a lock? Do you know ow how to operate a smartphone? That's essentially all you need to know. Switches and other things open up more options, but you don't need to be an engineer to do this. It's all pretty simple once you figure out what you need/want. The hard part is deciding what to get.

YouBet said:

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rbcs_2 said:

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$30/month seems pretty high to me.

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It's cheaper than almost any other service out there. The only way to go cheaper is to DIY which is a great option. I'm just not sure I want to mess with a DIY option.

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When I was active on the SimpliSafe forums, I noticed that a lot of people receive a certain level of comfort by having a company in between the home and the authorities. For me it's not important. I'd rather be the first one to know, but that's not for everyone.

$30/month seems high to me when Ring is $10/month for monitoring. I get a feeling this is going to be a very competitive space in the next few years, so it might be $30 now but I'd bet it comes down over time.

rbcs_2 said:

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YouBet said:

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rbcs_2 said:

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$30/month seems pretty high to me.

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It's cheaper than almost any other service out there. The only way to go cheaper is to DIY which is a great option. I'm just not sure I want to mess with a DIY option.

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When I was active on the SimpliSafe forums, I noticed that a lot of people receive a certain level of comfort by having a company in between the home and the authorities. For me it's not important. I'd rather be the first one to know, but that's not for everyone.

$30/month seems high to me when Ring is $10/month for monitoring. I get a feeling this is going to be a very competitive space in the next few years, so it might be $30 now but I'd bet it comes down over time.

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Yes, but here's the problem. We will have to do an apples to apples comparison. Quick look at ring shows they don't have all the capabilities ST or others can provide so it should be cheaper.

We will have to level set requirements before we can determine best price for features you get.

We have Frontpoint and have been happy for 4-5 years.

Pulsar Halo is not expensive, easy to use and one of the best rated brands out there

http://pulsarhalonetwork.com/