https://simplisafe.com/security?pcrid=337200802504&utm_campaign=br.Branded.Exact_site_visitor&utm_term=simplisafe&utm_content=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_network=g&utm_device=c&utm_target=&utm_position=&gclid=CjwKCAjw1JeJBhB9EiwAV612yzCnGj4zxd0c6AoLVNNcY7NC3-Tj-jHLCGLPayTH51zkKbThgslJXxoCbDcQAvD_BwE

it seems they have a sale going on and im ready to ditch my security company and just pay for monitoring

Have used it for 6 years and have been very happy with it. They very promptly call if say your toddler pushes the panic button. They are on the ball.

Monthly monitoring price is very reasonable if not cheap. Arming/disarming from the app is very easy.

I do not have the cameras, just motion sensors, glass break and entry sensors. They all work perfectly as I have set all of them off by accident.

Would highly recommend. Also, took me no time to set up, very user friendly. There is no sense paying more for security companies to do their thing in my opinion.

Also have mine connected to HPD to respond. Only downside to being in Houston is you pay a yearly alarm permit, but it is only $50 a year.

I've been with SimpliSafe for about 2 months now. Like the fact that I could buy the equipment outright and only pay for monitoring. I have cameras, door, water, motion and glass breakage sensors. Love the fobs for arming/disarming as well as from the app. Have door lock keypads as well. All easy setup.
The response time is instant. Not slow like digital life was. I'm glad I made the change. Sent my stepson a link as that gives him a free camera if he goes that route.

These companies are missing out on a lot of customers by offering wireless-only sensors. Every door and window in my house is hard-wired. Why would I abandon those wires and have to deal with constant wireless sensor battery issues?

Give me a hardwire option to replace just my controller and keypads and I'm all in.

DIY with Eufy cameras.

IMO.Monitored systems are a rip off that makes the homeowner feel better but offer no increased protection for your home/family.

Have Simplisafe. The only compliant I have is the sticky tape/pad they use is very cheap and fell off most of my windows.

Simplisafe recommended I go to Lowe's and buy the Command strip brand replacement and use them. Haven't had an issue since making that switch. Wish I would have know the first go around.

Picard said:

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These companies are missing out on a lot of customers by offering wireless-only sensors. Every door and window in my house is hard-wired. Why would I abandon those wires and have to deal with constant wireless sensor battery issues?

Give me a hardwire option to replace just my controller and keypads and I'm all in.

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Plus the wireless sensors can be easily jammed with a $30 radio. Wireless sensors are awesome for convenience, but terrible for "security".

I have seen 3rd party panels that allow you to self monitor or integrate into home automation type products

You can diy with SimpliSafe.

Just buy the equipment and run it off the app on your phone.

I've had instances of response by the PD and they've responded in a timely fashion. Much of it probably depends on location and responders.

Also wireless offers flexibility that a hard wired house may not without sheetrock repair.

Have have SS for 10+ years now on multiple houses. Always worked great. Easy to set up.

We have Simplisafe and are happy with the service.

TikkaShooter said:

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DIY with Eufy cameras.

IMO.Monitored systems are a rip off that makes the homeowner feel better but offer no increased protection for your home/family.

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Sounds great unless you actually leave your house.

I've had Simplisafe for 9 years. I have not had to replace sensor batteries ever. They all still work fine. I have to replace the AAA batteries in the keypad every year or two, but that's simple enough. I love it and would definitely recommend it.

Except response times for monitored systems are useless.

But people pay for it bc it makes them feel safe and protected.

Far from it.

TikkaShooter said:

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Except response times for monitored systems are useless.

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I think this depends on where you live.

In BCS they respond really fast!

TikkaShooter said:

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Except response times for monitored systems are useless.

But people pay for it bc it makes them feel safe and protected.

Far from it.

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Ya...no. Response time is almost immediate when you trigger an alarm with SS.

I'm talking police at your door response time. No it's no immediate. No it's not fast enough to do anything.

SS may respond immediately but if it's a true home emergency with an intruderbest be ready to defend your family yourself.

TikkaShooter said:

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I'm talking police at your door response time. No it's no immediate. No it's not fast enough to do anything.

SS may respond immediately but if it's a true home emergency with an intruderbest be ready to defend your family yourself.

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Keep moving those goalposts to fit your n=1 conclusion.

TikkaShooter said:

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I'm talking police at your door response time. No it's no immediate. No it's not fast enough to do anything.

SS may respond immediately but if it's a true home emergency with an intruderbest be ready to defend your family yourself.

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Great, you can do that in addition to having a monitored alarm system. You have zero reason to downplay a monitored system for what they advertise themselves doing.

Am I literally the only person on TexAgs who's read the published studies on the efficacy of monitored alarm systems?

They sell feel good and nothing else.

TikkaShooter said:

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Am I literally the only person on TexAgs who's read the published studies on the efficacy of monitored alarm systems?

They sell feel good and nothing else.

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There is not a system out there that has police standing on your porch step the second the alarm goes off. Point given to you. Kuddos bud.

What is being said is that SimpliSafe's response time is very good in comparison for those of us who have the system. A lot depends on location and responding department.

Yeah if a burglar hears the alarm and leaves right away before the cops can get there, then yeah, they missed. Cameras then come in to play to provide identification. And if the burglar leaves early then the alarm system has been successful as a deterrent. Pretty sure no one on here is saying any system will stop all burglars.

We had ADT for the first three years in this house. I counted the days until the contract ended until I could go to SimpliSafe. Very pleased with them and can customize exactly like I want configured. I have a few water sensors and have gotten calls immediately went one sensed water. When seconds count, the police are minutes away, but that is the case with any monitored system. My only minor issue is the doorbell camera causes a weird buzzing sound rather than what should be a doorbell ring. I am told by an electrician friend that I need a resistor but am just living with it. No one comes to the door other than the FedEx guy. I have had a sensor go bad once or twice and they are very good about replacing at no cherge.

I don't think anyone here is trying to argue that a security system with monitoring and police response is going to save you if a motorcycle gang of bears rolls into your home, threatening you and yours.

It sure does seem to me to be a good layer in a home protection plan, especially from a legal standpoint if you have to start pulling the trigger on fools in your home.

Exterior lighting, cameras, fencing, dog, alarm system that will call police, fortified entry points, THEN absolutely protect and defend your family. I don't understand the mindset that just having a gun will save you, just like just having a security system which calls the police will save you. There is so much more to all of this.

But you have given yourself 1) a chance to be ready for said criminal(s), and 2) be able say you did everything you could to not have to shoot someone(s).

I am happy with SimpliSafe.

F4GIB71 said:

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We had ADT for the first three years in this house. I counted the days until the contract ended until I could go to SimpliSafe. Very pleased with them and can customize exactly like I want configured. I have a few water sensors and have gotten calls immediately went one sensed water. When seconds count, the police are minutes away, but that is the case with any monitored system. My only minor issue is the doorbell camera causes a weird buzzing sound rather than what should be a doorbell ring. I am told by an electrician friend that I need a resistor but am just living with it. No one comes to the door other than the FedEx guy. I have had a sensor go bad once or twice and they are very good about replacing at no cherge.

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We have a 1960's house and all the help articles on simplisafe said the biggest problem was old transformers didn't work well with the new doorbells. I ordered these in advance so my hubby installed it prior to the new SS video doorbell and we didn't have any trouble at all.

new transformer

new chime

Not to mention having a plan for where your family will be if shooting starts, pre determining where everyone will move to in the event of a home invasion, and pre determining which direction the shooting will occur, and making sure you are very competent and familiar with your weapon of choice. It's your home, you should not be caught off guard, should have plenty of time to respond and react accordingly. But now we are way off topic.

TikkaShooter said:

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Am I literally the only person on TexAgs who's read the published studies on the efficacy of monitored alarm systems?

They sell feel good and nothing else.

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You just rely on a ****ty department to justify your reasoning. I live in Houston, but don't pay the alarm permit or have HPD respond. Our neighborhood is contracted with a constable precinct and my alarms go there. Worst case, a constable at my home in up to 5 minutes. Typically they are in the neighborhood 18 hours a day and respond in under 2 minutes.

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You just rely on a ****ty department to justify your reasoning

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I live rural.

But no matter where I lived, I wouldn't trust any monitoring system to be a deterrent to thieves. Neighbors get use to false alarms. Just like auto alarms. We tune them out now.

Just saying that if anyone believes a monitored system is keeping you safe or protecting your property, it absolutely is not and the marketing has done its job.

TikkaShooter said:

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You just rely on a ****ty department to justify your reasoning

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I live rural.

But no matter where I lived, I wouldn't trust any monitoring system to be a deterrent to thieves. Neighbors get use to false alarms. Just like auto alarms. We tune them out now.

Just saying that if anyone believes a monitored system is keeping you safe or protecting your property, it absolutely is not and the marketing has done its job.

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Summary

"I'm going to keep saying my biased take over and over despite evidence to the contrary provided".

I've had police respond to my alarm twice. Once for a smoke alarm from cooking. Once from dogs setting off motion sensors. Both times they were at my door in less than 5 minutes. Corrected the false triggers, but I'm impressed with their response. If I'm out of the house I'd rather an alarm go off and the cops show up in 3 minutes than let the burglars peruse my house at their leisure and I don't find out anything until I get home that afternoon.

Except all of the studies and evaluations I've ever read state the contrary.

Do you have access to a paper or study or independent review that show otherwise? Bc if so I'd be happy to read it and eat crow and say I've been wrong all along. I really just want to be an educated person, and maybe I've been mislead? Not sure. Just know that everything I've read so far says home security systems are fluff

That's what I'm talking about. 3 min is not fast enough.

Someone who's coming in your home has been there before. Either a visitor or a contractor. Somehow who's already canvased the place.

They are in and out wellllll before cops show up.

It's smash. And grab. And go. Watch YouTube videos of this. Frighteningly fast.

It would be great if you quit slamming this thread.

We have a monitored system and guns and we are prepared to protect ourselves if we are home and bad guys breach our house.

But our monitored c02 alarms could save our life if we are unconscious and our monitored smoke detectors could save our house if we are not home.

Sorry, don't want to be the thread downer guy. I'll bow out. Just didn't realize how many had been hoodwinked thinking a bulgar alarm system was going to be a deterrent or keep their home safe.

I don't think C02 and fire monitoring are in the same bucket as human threat monitors. Those are obvious life savers.

TikkaShooter said:

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Am I literally the only person on TexAgs who's read the published studies on the efficacy of monitored alarm systems?

They sell feel good and nothing else.

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While this may be true for the median home in the US, there are places where the PD response time is adequate for catching burglars in the act. I live in one.

I switched to SimpliSafe and have been very pleased with the ease of install and modern interface of the system.

If your local law enforcement permits it, set up SimpliSafe to call their dispatch first (as opposed to the homeowner).

Emergency response time is a function of four sequential steps:

1) transfer time (Incident -> dispatcher awareness)
2) dispatch time (dispatcher receives call, gathers information -> 1st responder awareness)
3) turnout time (1st responder awareness -> headed to scene)*
4) travel time (driving time)

In the case of monitored alarms in well policed areas, it is transfer time is that kills the ability to catch the bad guy in the act.

Most monitoring services call the owner first, to determine whether the alarm is a false alarm (like it is ~99% of the time). They only call the cops if the owner confirms, or is unreachable after multiple attempts. It is effectively a pre-screen for the city dispatchers (and makes economic sense in many places).

Hence, if your PD allows it (ask them; many do) have your alarm company call the police first, as opposed to you the owner.

The metric for our local PD for "response time" (items 2+3+4 above) is less than 3 minutes. Alarm monitoring companies can dawdle for up to 10 minutes trying to track down an owner, the backup contact person, etc before they even call the cops. That massive transfer time is why the broad studies show what they show.

This one small change (if available) is something everybody should make to better protect their life and property.

*turnout time is used more for EMS / Fire response, where the responding team has to mobilize to their apparatus from their other activities. It's not as much of a contributor in PD response times.

I'm not worried about response time from local cops

The police/fire/EMS station is at the end of the road from my house.

Are there any security companies out there that will just summon the coroner to come pick up the dead intruders before the buzzards find them?