So what happens if something goes wrong? Do they actually come out and help?
If you buy your equipment and use a platform like Alarm.com, you control everything. Big companies like ADT limit what you can do with their systems. A Qolsys IQ4 panel gives you much more flexibility.
We use Geoarm with Alarm.com. We pay $18 monthly for self-monitoring and automation. Cameras let us check if an alarm goes off, and we decide if it’s worth dispatching. Adding monitoring is an extra $5 per month. No contracts either.
Why even pay monthly fees? Just get security cameras that notify your phone. I avoid recurring costs whenever possible.
LizCampell said:
Why even pay monthly fees? Just get security cameras that notify your phone. I avoid recurring costs whenever possible.
What cameras do you recommend for this setup?
@FortressForums
Eufy, Google, Arlo, Reolink, and a few others work well.
LizCampell said:
Why even pay monthly fees? Just get security cameras that notify your phone. I avoid recurring costs whenever possible.
Cameras alone aren’t a proper security system. They don’t alert you during internet outages or call for help in emergencies. They’re good for recording what happens, but not for active security.
@Dan
It depends on your needs. For me, cellular cameras work well. They notify me and cost $10 a month for data. I also monitor my plumbing for leaks. Traditional systems don’t make sense in my off-grid setup, and I’ve seen alarm companies cause issues with off-grid solar setups. Everyone’s situation is different.