We just closed on our house today, but had a weird experience with the seller’s son. He locked us out of the house because he was told some incorrect information. Apparently, he still had access to the old security system (which we were told was disabled), and he used it to see when we were coming and going, even setting the alarm on us.
We plan to remove the old system ASAP since this has us feeling pretty uneasy, especially because he lives nearby and seems to have a temper. We’re considering a professional system, but does anyone have recommendations for good, affordable DIY kits? How much did you invest in yours?
Did you end up sticking with Simplisafe? I was thinking of getting one of these but would love to hear your thoughts since this thread is a few months old now.
@Jenna
I’ve been using Simplisafe for over five years now, and here’s my take:
Pros:
Affordable and effective monitoring. They call within minutes when an alarm is triggered.
Setup is very simple and user-friendly.
The system feels safe and secure overall.
Cons:
They’ve been slowly raising their prices. The tiered pricing model is frustrating. You need to be on the highest tier to view video recordings from past events, which I wish I knew before buying.
Not very innovative—still using 720p cameras, no 4K yet.
Old cameras and some sensors stop working after a while and need replacement.
The system struggles to detect pets accurately. My dog always sets off the alarm.
We’ve been using Simplisafe for a couple of years and have been happy with it. We accidentally triggered the alarm once, and they immediately called to check if it was a false alarm and would’ve called the authorities if we didn’t answer.
We spent around $300 on sensors, cameras, and other equipment. They often have sales, especially during holidays. We pay $20 a month for active monitoring, but you can just use it as a local alarm if you prefer.
@FortressHome
Simplisafe is actually the system the previous owners had, and after this experience, I feel uncomfortable sticking with it. We’re planning to call them and make sure the old access is fully removed, but we’re leaning towards replacing the system altogether.
@Violet
Simplisafe is removable. Just take down the sensors and keypads the previous owners used, they’re usually stuck with 3M strips. You can then buy your own setup and start fresh with a new account.
@Violet
We went with Abode for our system because it had a lot of similar features to Simplisafe but allegedly better smart home integration. We haven’t set it up yet, but you may want to look into them.
@FortressHome
When Simplisafe released their outdoor camera, they gave it to new customers first, which was a bit frustrating as a paying customer. Also, if you do use them, avoid their yard signs. Their sensors can be jammed, and it’s more secure if people don’t know you’re using Simplisafe.
@FortressHome
Simplisafe has been raising their prices for monitoring. It’s getting close to what other mainstream companies charge, so just something to think about. Prices probably won’t stop increasing.
I highly recommend the German Shepherd system. I’ve had it for nine years and it’s been flawless—instant alerts, instant deterrent. No waiting for police, it’s all immediate.
Johnstone said:
I highly recommend the German Shepherd system. I’ve had it for nine years and it’s been flawless—instant alerts, instant deterrent. No waiting for police, it’s all immediate.
I’ve got the Dutch Shepherd version, works great too
Johnstone said:
I highly recommend the German Shepherd system. I’ve had it for nine years and it’s been flawless—instant alerts, instant deterrent. No waiting for police, it’s all immediate.
Johnstone said:
I highly recommend the German Shepherd system. I’ve had it for nine years and it’s been flawless—instant alerts, instant deterrent. No waiting for police, it’s all immediate.
I run a GSD system with a Belgian Malinois for added security. One for alarm, one for entry control…
Johnstone said:
I highly recommend the German Shepherd system. I’ve had it for nine years and it’s been flawless—instant alerts, instant deterrent. No waiting for police, it’s all immediate.
I combine mine with a “click click bang” system for extra peace of mind
Johnstone said:
I highly recommend the German Shepherd system. I’ve had it for nine years and it’s been flawless—instant alerts, instant deterrent. No waiting for police, it’s all immediate.
Tempting, but the dog hair might be a deal breaker for me!
