Smart home security - Recommendations?

GTiPUG · 25 Aug 2017 at 11:37

Anyone got any recommendations on home security? Moving in in around a month's time and am after something that will secure my home a bit more than at present. I'm currently considering either your bog standard Yale alarm, or something snazzy like Canary, although it seems like a rip off.

What does everyone use to protect their home or add security?

Any recommendations for IP Camera systems? Will need 2 cams or so external to property.

Currently own Alexa and GHome, so integration would be good.

Sliver · 25 Aug 2017 at 11:44

Buy a dog.

/thread

Hyburnate · 25 Aug 2017 at 11:44

There's a thread on home alarm systems already about in a better suiting forum:

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/house-alarm.18790729/

Hikvision for CCTV although public are no longer going to be able to buy it through authorised sellers.

e; To elaborate, I have absolutely no interest in Use-IP but they published this statement:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-tAsqZ7ZSV-8L6l3_usEdqWhMiUfqCAOuWEIE0zSiAE/edit

Nasher · 25 Aug 2017 at 11:46

A lot of the "smart" systems are wireless, which is not very smart for a security system :/

GTiPUG · 25 Aug 2017 at 11:49

Sliver said:
Buy a dog.

/thread

That'd all be well and good if I wasn't at work for 8 hours a day

Hyburnate said:
There's a thread on home alarm systems already about in a better suiting forum:

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/house-alarm.18790729/

Hikvision for CCTV although public are no longer going to be able to buy it through authorised sellers.

e; To elaborate, I have absolutely no interest in Use-IP but they published this statement:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-tAsqZ7ZSV-8L6l3_usEdqWhMiUfqCAOuWEIE0zSiAE/edit

Awesome, will have a read.

Captain Chaos · 25 Aug 2017 at 18:22

I use a Miguard AW1 system. Connects via wifi and will send you an alert via their app if the alarm is triggered etc, you can also remote / disarm via the mobile app.

I added quite a few additional PIR sensors and an external bell box which has been up and running now for about a year or so, up to now has worked without any issues.

In addition to this I also have a Fibaro system installed througout the house to control my lights etc and a Hikvision CCTV system. I was toying with just using the Fibaro motion sensors as an alarm but I like the Miguard system as it works well.

Gixer · 25 Aug 2017 at 18:27

If they want it they'll have it in my opinion. Just have as good a locks as you can afford and a decent CCTV system so you get decent pics of whoever breaks in. Of course also have adequate contents insurance so you're covered for any loss. Whilst it is a pain losing personal items as I've said if they really want it they'll have it! You may of course stop the opportunist but these can be stopped with basic security measures.

lude1962 · 25 Aug 2017 at 19:22

cctv sounds good, but useless if they put a mask on

GTiPUG · 25 Aug 2017 at 20:02

Captain Chaos said:
I use a Miguard AW1 system. Connects via wifi and will send you an alert via their app if the alarm is triggered etc, you can also remote / disarm via the mobile app.

I added quite a few additional PIR sensors and an external bell box which has been up and running now for about a year or so, up to now has worked without any issues.

In addition to this I also have a Fibaro system installed througout the house to control my lights etc and a Hikvision CCTV system. I was toying with just using the Fibaro motion sensors as an alarm but I like the Miguard system as it works well.

Hm okay, will look into them

Gixer said:
If they want it they'll have it in my opinion. Just have as good a locks as you can afford and a decent CCTV system so you get decent pics of whoever breaks in. Of course also have adequate contents insurance so you're covered for any loss. Whilst it is a pain losing personal items as I've said if they really want it they'll have it! You may of course stop the opportunist but these can be stopped with basic security measures.

That's very true, I guess there's no way to stop it, only deter it.

Raumarik · 26 Aug 2017 at 20:56

lude1962 said:
cctv sounds good, but useless if they put a mask on

Not technically true, OK makes it harder to identify people but local police usually have a list of numpties that due break ins and it'll help regardless.

GTiPUG · 26 Aug 2017 at 21:10

Halfmad said:
Not technically true, OK makes it harder to identify people but local police usually have a list of numpties that due break ins and it'll help regardless.

Even a list of numpties makes it tough to track down some dodgy geezer in a mask

CaptainComedy · 31 Aug 2017 at 09:08

As said, it's mainly a deterrant as people will even break in while you are there.

That said, some do get freaked out if you shout over comms the police are on their way - or you can call the police as it happens, there's a lot of articles where they were caught red handed because police turned up as it happened thanks to the system(s)

GTiPUG · 31 Aug 2017 at 09:44

CaptainComedy said:
As said, it's mainly a deterrant as people will even break in while you are there.

That said, some do get freaked out if you shout over comms the police are on their way - or you can call the police as it happens, there's a lot of articles where they were caught red handed because police turned up as it happened thanks to the system(s)

Yeah, precisely. That's what my philosophy has turned to now. I'm pretty much off the idea of a siren system. Most people seem to just react as "Turn that bloody racket off" rather than investigating or suspecting a break in.

Best deterrent seems to be CCTV with active voice communications. Think I'll aim for that with some nice hidden PoE cabling and switching.

CaptainComedy · 31 Aug 2017 at 11:20

if you can get some 3d surround - you could maybe play a police siren approaching

that'll definitely put the sheets on the bed.

welshboy · 1 Sep 2017 at 07:59

I've recently bought into the ismartalarm.com products, so far got the essential pack (camera, motion PIR, and couple of door sensors). So far so good, all wireless

GTiPUG · 1 Sep 2017 at 08:08

welshboy said:
I've recently bought into the ismartalarm.com products, so far got the essential pack (camera, motion PIR, and couple of door sensors). So far so good, all wireless

I worry about wireless... Scarily easy to jam. I guess it's just as easy to cut a cable though!

kaptainmarc · 1 Sep 2017 at 08:39

lude1962 said:
cctv sounds good, but useless if they put a mask on

They can use the footage to figure out a time and which direction they were heading in, then pick him up on a different camera further down the street with their mask off and also link them with any other crimes they committed in the area.

its not just about the face straight away.

-

Also interested in security cameras as I've had my car scratched twice now

Psycho Sonny · 29 Sep 2019 at 10:47

GTiPUG said:
I worry about wireless... Scarily easy to jam. I guess it's just as easy to cut a cable though!

yale ones come with jamming protection

rexehuk · 29 Sep 2019 at 17:31

GTiPUG said:
I worry about wireless... Scarily easy to jam. I guess it's just as easy to cut a cable though!

Fair point... but.

What burglars come equipped like this? Most burglars are opportunistic. Unless you're protecting a multi-million pound house in the middle of nowhere, filled with stuff and some obvious nice motors outside, people are not going to jam your home.

Granted, in the situation where they do jam, I'd put money on them also being armed... at which point no alarm is going to help you.

Tinders · 29 Sep 2019 at 18:48

Get a Texecom and smartcom addon. Pyronics are also good. These are grade 2 alarms and even though they are wireless they are secure.

I like the texecom, the ricochet system is mesh based so can give you brilliant coverage, i can cover the whole house and garden shed aswell.