Smart security alarms • Non-Gaming • Science & Technology • Eurogamer.net

mangojoe 5 Nov 2019 07:24:39 2,529 posts
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After Verisure coming round and doing their sales pitch I don't want to be paying 40 pound a month which seems excessive. I've been looking at one to fit myself with either the Yale smart alarm or Simplisafe. Does anyone recommend any of these. Thanks

Technoishmatt 5 Nov 2019 09:21:33 5,365 posts
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Having done extensive cyber analysis, I plan to fit a simplisafe system.

mangojoe 5 Nov 2019 10:01:04 2,529 posts
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Technoishmatt wrote:
Having done extensive cyber analysis, I plan to fit a simplisafe system.

Thanks matt. The only think that's putting me off that is its useless if you don't at least sign up to the cheaper 12.99 a month. Whereas the Yale sends you alerts.

TheSaint 5 Nov 2019 10:08:48 20,950 posts
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I've got my eye on the new ring system that comes out in a couple of days. Just waiting to see some reviews.

mangojoe 5 Nov 2019 10:24:06 2,529 posts
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https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/ring-alarm. Does sound good

mrpon 5 Nov 2019 12:53:04 37,366 posts
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I'll chime in and say don't go for Neos Smart Home.

Nazo 5 Nov 2019 13:57:37 1,951 posts
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That ring alarm sounds decent. Has anyone got the doorbell? I want something like that but a lot of reviews I’ve read say there is a massive lag between doorbell being pushed and the video starting.

Technoishmatt 5 Nov 2019 15:03:46 5,365 posts
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Not sure if we can take that review too seriosuly

Doesnt even seem to mention simplisafe, which is the option that always gets the best reviews.

And it says this:

In the UK, regulations are different and only professionally-installed and serviced systems can contact emergency services.

Which seems can't be true, as the simplisafe does do this...

But other than that, it does look a good option that I am going to investigate and compare pricing. I like that all the sensors can be used to integrate with alexa...

Your-Mother 5 Nov 2019 15:20:01 8,172 posts
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I have the ring alarm + cameras and doorbell, and it’s been pretty flawless. Not much in the way of latency on the cameras, and as it integrates with almost every smarthome system under the sun I can control/monitor any way I want. I even get PIP on my TV when someone rings the bell. I’ve got it tied into the third party door locks and garage opener without any issues as well.

Edited by Your-Mother at 15:28:12 05-11-2019

mothercruncher 5 Nov 2019 15:29:22 19,474 posts
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I feel a combination of massively curmudgeonly and paranoid about this smart stuff, I don’t even have Siri turned on on my phone, let alone any smart speakers, doorbells etc. I don’t trust any of these private companies enough to let them, what feels like to me, bug my home.
I feel like I’ll inevitably cave in a few years and realise I’ve been stupid and missed out on a massive hassle/time saver.

mrpon 5 Nov 2019 15:35:43 37,366 posts
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I feel you, my issue is what's stopping someone shouting "Alexa open the garage" through the letterbox? Genuine question!

Your-Mother 5 Nov 2019 15:38:52 8,172 posts
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mrpon wrote:
I feel you, my issue is what's stopping someone shouting "Alexa open the garage" through the letterbox? Genuine question!

As far as my setup goes, you can only close, lock or arm with voice, not open, unlock or disarm. You can forcefully override that, but it’s by choice and it gives you a fuckton of warnings about it.

Edited by Your-Mother at 15:39:13 05-11-2019

mrpon 5 Nov 2019 16:42:00 37,366 posts
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Ah thought so, what about voice patterns? I've not toyed around with that yet so it [Alexa] recognises anyone atm.

Your-Mother 5 Nov 2019 16:46:46 8,172 posts
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Don’t think there’s a way to do that with Ring as of yet. Alexa Guard might take some of that burden away (I think it can lock out voice to a specific device when it’s enabled so it’ll ignore requests when you’re not home) but I don’t use that.

Dirt3 5 Nov 2019 18:57:55 1,775 posts
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@mangojoe

Question is, what do you actually DO while your system is activated ?

If you are away somewhere and you don't have anyone you can call, it might simply be a matter of watching someone raid your house on the smartphone.

How keen your relatives might be to turn up to confront a load of burglars might be an issue, and as for the police, what is their response like ?

From what I can tell the reason the quote is more expensive is because that includes a response. Which you may or may not need depending on your personal situation.

I think as well if you look at the reviews the more expensive ones look quite good. But generally with these things you get what you pay for.

Anyone got any experience with the managed ones ?

DaM 6 Nov 2019 10:23:23 17,729 posts
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We've got a Netatmo security camera/light, that covers the driveway. It records any movement, but just alerts if it's a person (it ignores animals, but still records them, so I've got lots of videos of foxes, magpies and cats).

The recognition is quite good - the only time it gets it wrong is when a spider walks over it.

Makes a whoop when it detects someone, normally before the doorbell goes.

Got a few cameras inside, recording to cloud, and also doing things with IFTTT.

mangojoe 6 Nov 2019 17:58:36 2,529 posts
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@Dirt3 this is a good question. I guess the main thing with alarms are the deterrent itself. Verisure had some smoke thing that fills the house if the police couldn't get there quick enough but I still feel 40 a month is a lot. I think simplisafes one is 20 for monitoring. Unsure on the ring one but I know its cheaper. I guess all these are still better than your bog standard alarm.

Simplisafe are now advertising 35% off

Dirt3 6 Nov 2019 18:21:13 1,775 posts
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@mangojoe

You could put a fake box on the side of the house, plus get some alarm stickers if you are after minimum spend for maximum impact.

For the siren, I guess depends whether you are there or not, or can turn it off remotely. False siren alarms I cannot imagine are that popular.

For managed, if you are away with work a lot or on holiday with no one to look after the place for you, 40 quid a month for peace of mind that if there is a break in a guard will turn up to check out the place, and secure it if necessary seems like a cheap price to pay to me. Again it depends whether or not you have someone local who you can trust to assist if something happens.

mangojoe 6 Nov 2019 19:04:45 2,529 posts
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I'm not sure I'd trust the police to get there in time. There was a car break in down my road last week and they didn't even attend.

Hopefully the Ring one will have a black Friday sale

Trowel 6 Nov 2019 19:12:05 24,512 posts
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House alarms are great for peace of mind, but don't forget to check if the system is valid for your house insurance policy, and what difference it makes if it's not professionally installed and maintained.

mangojoe 6 Nov 2019 20:02:58 2,529 posts
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Trowel wrote:
House alarms are great for peace of mind, but don't forget to check if the system is valid for your house insurance policy, and what difference it makes if it's not professionally installed and maintained.

Thanks, good advice