What Home Security Do You Use?
22-May-23 1:39pm
#1 Sub_Zero
Moving within the next week and looking to get a home security system and just wanted to get an of what people have, how much you pay, and how much you like it. Already have a camera for indoors and will be getting outdoor cameras later so as of now I'm just looking for a way to secure the home. Windows and doors, alarm. The basics. All opinions are welcomed and appreciated.
#1 Sub_Zero
Moving within the next week and looking to get a home security system and just wanted to get an of what people have, how much you pay, and how much you like it. Already have a camera for indoors and will be getting outdoor cameras later so as of now I'm just looking for a way to secure the home. Windows and doors, alarm. The basics. All opinions are welcomed and appreciated.
22-May-23 1:49pm
#2 shadyfozzie
we use ADT simply because the house had it installed when we moved in, we just upgraded the system when we moved in, adding alarms to all the 1st floor doors and windows... $60/month.. They are great overall, we've had to replace some of the window alarms becuase they stopped working, but they didn't charge for it and walked me through the process remotely and were able to change em out on my own..
#2 shadyfozzie
we use ADT simply because the house had it installed when we moved in, we just upgraded the system when we moved in, adding alarms to all the 1st floor doors and windows... $60/month.. They are great overall, we've had to replace some of the window alarms becuase they stopped working, but they didn't charge for it and walked me through the process remotely and were able to change em out on my own..
22-May-23 2:44pm
#3 ryanflucas
Whatever you use, don’t stick the advertising sign out front. Nobody should know the brand of security a house uses as they approach it.
#3 ryanflucas
Whatever you use, don’t stick the advertising sign out front. Nobody should know the brand of security a house uses as they approach it.
22-May-23 5:19pm
#4 ued222
I use a cheap non monthly costing one from Amazon. Think it was $60. It texts me if someone enters and I can check a camera and doorbell which costed me an extra $100ish. I figure paying $20-100 a month over getting robbed and using insurance to replace things is unreasonable so avoided monthly fees. I just try to own less stuff. TV $400. Computer $700. PS5 Switch $800. Clothing which most people won't steal $5000. Random cooking stuff and appliances thieves usually don't target probably around $13000. So reasonable scenario I see myself losing $1900 worth of stuff. Unreasonable $20k.
#4 ued222
I use a cheap non monthly costing one from Amazon. Think it was $60. It texts me if someone enters and I can check a camera and doorbell which costed me an extra $100ish. I figure paying $20-100 a month over getting robbed and using insurance to replace things is unreasonable so avoided monthly fees. I just try to own less stuff. TV $400. Computer $700. PS5 Switch $800. Clothing which most people won't steal $5000. Random cooking stuff and appliances thieves usually don't target probably around $13000. So reasonable scenario I see myself losing $1900 worth of stuff. Unreasonable $20k.
22-May-23 5:23pm
#5 sinnie
ryanflucas wrote:
Whatever you use, don’t stick the advertising sign out front. Nobody should know the brand of security a house uses as they approach it.
I keep an old sign out there, lol
#5 sinnie
ryanflucas wrote:
Whatever you use, don’t stick the advertising sign out front. Nobody should know the brand of security a house uses as they approach it.
I keep an old sign out there, lol
22-May-23 6:12pm
#7 sa330206
Depending on the effort you want, I recommend building a custom pc running blue iris. Ip cam talk is a great resource. Empire Tech on Amazon has some great cameras.
A custom solution is 10x better than anything you'll buy as a kit at a big box store.
#7 sa330206
Depending on the effort you want, I recommend building a custom pc running blue iris. Ip cam talk is a great resource. Empire Tech on Amazon has some great cameras.
A custom solution is 10x better than anything you'll buy as a kit at a big box store.
22-May-23 6:26pm
#8 KCPenguins
I don't know the effectiveness of home security cameras in preventing thef or petty crime, but I'd say have at least 1 if not 2 pointed towards the street. On the off chance a major crime happens in your area and the purp passes by this is invaluable to LE.
Random is always a possibility, but my opinion is not advertising you have something someone might want is the best deterrent, as is a dog. The latter doesn't work for everyone obviously.
#8 KCPenguins
I don't know the effectiveness of home security cameras in preventing thef or petty crime, but I'd say have at least 1 if not 2 pointed towards the street. On the off chance a major crime happens in your area and the purp passes by this is invaluable to LE.
Random is always a possibility, but my opinion is not advertising you have something someone might want is the best deterrent, as is a dog. The latter doesn't work for everyone obviously.
22-May-23 7:00pm
#9 Chad
Lots of exterior lights, some cameras, quality locks (changed since I bought the place so previous owner can't get in) and some fake signs (that used to be legit signs, but they are not active now).
I always figured get in a good area and lock your doors and you'll be fine.
#9 Chad
Lots of exterior lights, some cameras, quality locks (changed since I bought the place so previous owner can't get in) and some fake signs (that used to be legit signs, but they are not active now).
I always figured get in a good area and lock your doors and you'll be fine.
22-May-23 7:16pm
#10 KCPenguins
Chad wrote:
Lots of exterior lights, some cameras, quality locks (changed since I bought the place so previous owner can't get in) and some fake signs (that used to be legit signs, but they are not active now). I always figured get in a good area and lock your doors and you'll be fine.
It's easy to kick in your average door. When I lived in a high risk area, most break ins were a smashed in door, run to the bedroom to grab cash and jewelry, out in 5 minutes. Didn't matter if anyone was home or not.
#10 KCPenguins
Chad wrote:
Lots of exterior lights, some cameras, quality locks (changed since I bought the place so previous owner can't get in) and some fake signs (that used to be legit signs, but they are not active now). I always figured get in a good area and lock your doors and you'll be fine.
It's easy to kick in your average door. When I lived in a high risk area, most break ins were a smashed in door, run to the bedroom to grab cash and jewelry, out in 5 minutes. Didn't matter if anyone was home or not.
22-May-23 7:26pm
#11 Bishop
Ring Professional here, around $100/year grandfathered iirc. Only had one false alarm from a friend opening one of our unlocked doors when the alarm was set. Phone didn't have reception so I couldn't have cleared it before cops were deployed.
#11 Bishop
Ring Professional here, around $100/year grandfathered iirc. Only had one false alarm from a friend opening one of our unlocked doors when the alarm was set. Phone didn't have reception so I couldn't have cleared it before cops were deployed.
24-May-23 7:51am
#14 Tony
ryanflucas wrote:
Whatever you use, don’t stick the advertising sign out front. Nobody should know the brand of security a house uses as they approach it.
I've read just the opposite. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity. If a petty criminal sees the sign and believes there is a home security system in place, they will pass it up and look for an easier target.
#14 Tony
ryanflucas wrote:
Whatever you use, don’t stick the advertising sign out front. Nobody should know the brand of security a house uses as they approach it.
I've read just the opposite. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity. If a petty criminal sees the sign and believes there is a home security system in place, they will pass it up and look for an easier target.
24-May-23 11:30am
#15 John
Yeah, I'm with Tony on that one. Basically, them knowing that it is ADT doesn't "help" them break in. This isn't Ludacris in Fast Five using his laptop to override the alarm system because he knows the brand name!
It is more a thief going "Well, looks like they have ADT (or whatever), guess I'll go to the next house without a sign and hope that they don't have one."
#15 John
Yeah, I'm with Tony on that one. Basically, them knowing that it is ADT doesn't "help" them break in. This isn't Ludacris in Fast Five using his laptop to override the alarm system because he knows the brand name!
It is more a thief going "Well, looks like they have ADT (or whatever), guess I'll go to the next house without a sign and hope that they don't have one."
24-May-23 11:34am
#16 John
KCPenguins wrote:
Chad wrote:> Lots of exterior lights, some cameras, quality locks (changed since I bought the> place so previous owner can't get in) and some fake signs (that used to be legit> signs, but they are not active now).> > I always figured get in a good area and lock your doors and you'll be fine. It's easy to kick in your average door. When I lived in a high risk area, most break ins were a smashed in door, run to the bedroom to grab cash and jewelry, out in 5 minutes. Didn't matter if anyone was home or not.
This is the same reason that alarm systems don't matter that much either. It just re-enforces what Chad said: lights, cameras, quality locks.
The idea is to keep out the average thief from easily walking in.
No matter what alarm system you have, someone can still kick in a door, grab cash and jewelry, and be out in 5 minutes -- well before ADT has even double-checked that it is legit and then contact police dispatch (who will also assume it is a false alarm for a bit).
So, I'm with Chad. I have lights, cameras, and decent locks. I have smart things that will notify me, but I don't think an actual alarm system would make a huge difference.
We DO have one at our office -- but that is more because if someone broke in, it would be a longer thing for them to look around and find things. There, I think an alarm makes more sense.
#16 John
KCPenguins wrote:
Chad wrote:> Lots of exterior lights, some cameras, quality locks (changed since I bought the> place so previous owner can't get in) and some fake signs (that used to be legit> signs, but they are not active now).> > I always figured get in a good area and lock your doors and you'll be fine. It's easy to kick in your average door. When I lived in a high risk area, most break ins were a smashed in door, run to the bedroom to grab cash and jewelry, out in 5 minutes. Didn't matter if anyone was home or not.
This is the same reason that alarm systems don't matter that much either. It just re-enforces what Chad said: lights, cameras, quality locks.
The idea is to keep out the average thief from easily walking in.
No matter what alarm system you have, someone can still kick in a door, grab cash and jewelry, and be out in 5 minutes -- well before ADT has even double-checked that it is legit and then contact police dispatch (who will also assume it is a false alarm for a bit).
So, I'm with Chad. I have lights, cameras, and decent locks. I have smart things that will notify me, but I don't think an actual alarm system would make a huge difference.
We DO have one at our office -- but that is more because if someone broke in, it would be a longer thing for them to look around and find things. There, I think an alarm makes more sense.
24-May-23 12:32pm
#17 sa330206
John wrote:
Yeah, I'm with Tony on that one. Basically, them knowing that it is ADT doesn't "help" them break in. This isn't Ludacris in Fast Five using his laptop to override the alarm system because he knows the brand name! It is more a thief going "Well, looks like they have ADT (or whatever), guess I'll go to the next house without a sign and hope that they don't have one."
I tend to agree but one argument I would make is certain brands have vulnerabilities. I won't mention the type but I know a certain type of camera that has local storage can be "reset/deleted" if someone physically holds down a button on the camera. So in theory if a thief knew the brand and vulnerability, they might be able to get around the security you have in place.
I'm a fan of having something that pushes motion pictures to your phone as well as stores it locally. You can even take it a step further and send the video/picture to the cloud if you are really paranoid. This is why I like a custom PC with Blue Iris. It's complicated but offers a lot of options.
#17 sa330206
John wrote:
Yeah, I'm with Tony on that one. Basically, them knowing that it is ADT doesn't "help" them break in. This isn't Ludacris in Fast Five using his laptop to override the alarm system because he knows the brand name! It is more a thief going "Well, looks like they have ADT (or whatever), guess I'll go to the next house without a sign and hope that they don't have one."
I tend to agree but one argument I would make is certain brands have vulnerabilities. I won't mention the type but I know a certain type of camera that has local storage can be "reset/deleted" if someone physically holds down a button on the camera. So in theory if a thief knew the brand and vulnerability, they might be able to get around the security you have in place.
I'm a fan of having something that pushes motion pictures to your phone as well as stores it locally. You can even take it a step further and send the video/picture to the cloud if you are really paranoid. This is why I like a custom PC with Blue Iris. It's complicated but offers a lot of options.
25-May-23 5:24am
#18 ued222
I always found security systems to be tedious and pointless depending. If you get robbed often maybe. Monthly plans are just expensive. Living in constant fear would suck. Peace of mind is nice but if it makes my life harder why do it. My area only has robberies if the door is unlocked. Most thieves don't smash windows of cars to get in minus a near by neighbor who left expensive equipment in the back seat. Thieves will steal if it is easy and or profitable. Simply don't place a target on your back. Even buying a sticker claiming to have a security system can help deter thieves. Plenty of people buy dummy cameras.
#18 ued222
I always found security systems to be tedious and pointless depending. If you get robbed often maybe. Monthly plans are just expensive. Living in constant fear would suck. Peace of mind is nice but if it makes my life harder why do it. My area only has robberies if the door is unlocked. Most thieves don't smash windows of cars to get in minus a near by neighbor who left expensive equipment in the back seat. Thieves will steal if it is easy and or profitable. Simply don't place a target on your back. Even buying a sticker claiming to have a security system can help deter thieves. Plenty of people buy dummy cameras.
25-May-23 6:28am
#19 benstylus
ued222 wrote:
I always found security systems to be tedious and pointless depending. If you get robbed often maybe.
Such a weird thing to say. Getting robbed often? That might apply to gas stations or something but I think repeat home robberies of the same place are fairly uncommon. Unless the thieves didn't bring a big enough truck and decided they had to come back?
Monthly plans are just expensive. Living in constant fear would suck. Peace of mind is nice but if it makes my life harder why do it.
I think peace of mind makes life easier. As you said, living in constant fear would suck. If someone wants to spend money to obtain a measure of peace, that seems perfectly reasonable.
People like to get warranties on things like cars and electronics. Even the return policy at stores or factory warranty included with most products provides some peace of mind to people. And that protection is baked into the cost of those goods.
People buy medical insurance because they don't want to live in constant fear of losing their shirt. All it takes is one unexpected hospital stay and you could be facing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in bills.
Heck the whole concept of insurance is simply trading a certain amount of money for peace of mind.
My area only has robberies if the door is unlocked.
Congratulations on living in a low crime area. Those typically have more expensive home prices or rent than similar areas with higher crime.
Which again translates into paying more for peace of mind, compared to those who either can't afford your kind of area or choose to live in higher crime areas for other reasons.
Most thieves don't smash windows of cars to get in minus a near by neighbor who left expensive equipment in the back seat. Thieves will steal if it is easy and or profitable. Simply don't place a target on your back.
Would publicly proclaiming you think home security is a waste of money be considered putting a target on your back? (Good thing this is a small site and not something like Facebook)
Kind of reminds me of those old commercials for LifeLock identity theft protection where the CEO gave out his social security number as part of thr advertisements...
...and subsequently had his identity stolen over a dozen times.
https://www.wired.co...
Even buying a sticker claiming to have a security system can help deter thieves. Plenty of people buy dummy cameras.
Buying stickers, buying cameras... that sounds like it costs money too!
Sounds like there are lots of ways to spend money on peace of mind.
#19 benstylus
ued222 wrote:
I always found security systems to be tedious and pointless depending. If you get robbed often maybe.
Such a weird thing to say. Getting robbed often? That might apply to gas stations or something but I think repeat home robberies of the same place are fairly uncommon. Unless the thieves didn't bring a big enough truck and decided they had to come back?
Monthly plans are just expensive. Living in constant fear would suck. Peace of mind is nice but if it makes my life harder why do it.
I think peace of mind makes life easier. As you said, living in constant fear would suck. If someone wants to spend money to obtain a measure of peace, that seems perfectly reasonable.
People like to get warranties on things like cars and electronics. Even the return policy at stores or factory warranty included with most products provides some peace of mind to people. And that protection is baked into the cost of those goods.
People buy medical insurance because they don't want to live in constant fear of losing their shirt. All it takes is one unexpected hospital stay and you could be facing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in bills.
Heck the whole concept of insurance is simply trading a certain amount of money for peace of mind.
My area only has robberies if the door is unlocked.
Congratulations on living in a low crime area. Those typically have more expensive home prices or rent than similar areas with higher crime.
Which again translates into paying more for peace of mind, compared to those who either can't afford your kind of area or choose to live in higher crime areas for other reasons.
Most thieves don't smash windows of cars to get in minus a near by neighbor who left expensive equipment in the back seat. Thieves will steal if it is easy and or profitable. Simply don't place a target on your back.
Would publicly proclaiming you think home security is a waste of money be considered putting a target on your back? (Good thing this is a small site and not something like Facebook)
Kind of reminds me of those old commercials for LifeLock identity theft protection where the CEO gave out his social security number as part of thr advertisements...
...and subsequently had his identity stolen over a dozen times.
https://www.wired.co...
Even buying a sticker claiming to have a security system can help deter thieves. Plenty of people buy dummy cameras.
Buying stickers, buying cameras... that sounds like it costs money too!
Sounds like there are lots of ways to spend money on peace of mind.
25-May-23 11:30am
#20 ued222
benstylus wrote:
Don't get me wrong I own a security system. I find that learning a bit more about your area before making an investment might be better idea. I get a ton of notifications on my phone by my doorbell camera and have to use my key fob to activate and deactivate my system when I leave my home or use my phone to do so. It is tedious and in retrospect I wasted $160 on devices I didn't really need for my area.
Dummy systems can cost quite a bit less. You can buy a dummy camera dome for $3-10 and sticker for $1-5 which is quite cheaper and easier to setup then spending money on a security system, cameras and or doorbell cameras.
I have home insurance that covers theft so I am not as worried and due to my partner and my lifestyle we are attempting to become more minimalist.
#20 ued222
benstylus wrote:
Don't get me wrong I own a security system. I find that learning a bit more about your area before making an investment might be better idea. I get a ton of notifications on my phone by my doorbell camera and have to use my key fob to activate and deactivate my system when I leave my home or use my phone to do so. It is tedious and in retrospect I wasted $160 on devices I didn't really need for my area.
Dummy systems can cost quite a bit less. You can buy a dummy camera dome for $3-10 and sticker for $1-5 which is quite cheaper and easier to setup then spending money on a security system, cameras and or doorbell cameras.
I have home insurance that covers theft so I am not as worried and due to my partner and my lifestyle we are attempting to become more minimalist.
What Home Security Do You Use?