Home security alarm recommendations.

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Home security alarm recommendations.

michaelmurfy

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#258660 15-Oct-2019 12:41

I've just recently bought a house and have stuff to protect. I've already got cameras around the house, but would like my home to scream loudly if somebody were to break in. For starters, I am based in Paraparaumu.

So, I want to get a proper alarm system installed but have some questions before I jump. The house has a flat roof meaning access to the ceiling to route cables is near impossible. Being a 1950's house also, running cables up the walls is difficult at best too. There is also my "Man Cave" which is a seperate office area that was once a seperate garage I'd like sensors in also.

Smoke sensing is not essential as I already have Nest Protect looking out for smoke but could see a professional system adding value to the house if I were to get it installed.

So, the question really is what route do I take? I already have a Hubitat smart home hub so thought perhaps I can add some Zigbee sensors and a screamer to that and build an alarm, or get one professionally installed. I also considered Morepork but not sure about them now since they were bought out by ADT.

Also a side-note. I have 2 indoor cats that like playing zoomies so need something that isn't going to scream at them for doing their own thing. Lastly, remote arm / disarm / self-monitoring is a must.

Ideas?

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hsvhel

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#2337380 15-Oct-2019 12:44

I recently upgraded to a Paradox system. Wireless sensors and smoke in the sheds and wired pet friendly in the house.

App controller monitoring arm/disarm and i can see the PIR's triggering as people move about the house

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dfnt

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#2337394 15-Oct-2019 13:10

You could go with a konntected.io alarm panel, or traditional alarm with konnected.io interface to add smarts to it

We have an arrowhead elite something with ipmodule, suffices for now. I have a konnected.io interface too which I’ll hook up some day

timmmay

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#2337399 15-Oct-2019 13:24

Keep in mind if you want to sell the house having an alarm that's easy for anyone to use is probably important. We didn't go for remote disarm as that way if someone steals our keys / car / bag they can get into the house - entering a code is trivially easy for us to do when we go in.

I have an old school Bosch alarm. It works fine but has virtually no connectivity, but I think the newer ones are better.

billgates

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#2337400 15-Oct-2019 13:26

If you already have Hubitat then you essentially already have a alarm panel in a sense. I recommend ZWave sensors (better range and less noise) but because you will not have the option to provide power to them, you could look at Philips hue wireless motion sensors (specially the new outdoor model). You can place it indoors and outdoors where you want it. But a Aeotec Siren 6 which is Zwave. Hubitat being awesome it is will let you integrate both Philips hue sensors and Siren 6 as a security system. You will need a Philips hue hub though as well in order to reliably connect the hue sensors to Hubitat.

Edit - If you want a cheap man home automation that works well then I am testing our Cavius's new wireless family smoke and heat sensors along with their motion sensor and window/door sensor with the Cavius gateway that is plugged into the switch via RJ45 port and is powered via micro USB cable. The gateway talks to the motion sensors and smoke/heat alarms via RF. The alarms are 10 year life battery operated. If the motion sensor picks up anything after you set to away in free app which requires no subscription btw then all the sensors will go off and they are LOUD and you will start getting alerts on your phone via the app. I am still testing the motion sensing part. The gateway, app, smoke and heat alarm integration works really well. Currently the gateway supports Google Assistant but they are working on adding Amazon Alexa support as well.

Do whatever you want to do man.

kobiak

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#2337410 15-Oct-2019 13:39

timmmay:

Keep in mind if you want to sell the house having an alarm that's easy for anyone to use is probably important. We didn't go for remote disarm as that way if someone steals our keys / car / bag they can get into the house - entering a code is trivially easy for us to do when we go in.

I have an old school Bosch alarm. It works fine but has virtually no connectivity, but I think the newer ones are better.

yeah I'd go that round too. no one would ever understand how smart alarms and smart home works apart from you

so get standard alarm with an ability to connect KONNECTED INTERFACE for your home automation. best of both worlds.

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davidcole

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#2337411 15-Oct-2019 13:39

I've got a paradox with the IP module. I have keypads and remotes. This makes it real simple to anyone to use. By using python and IP module I also expose all the zones and partitions to home assistant and openhab (and homekit). I'm unsure if the absolute latest ip modules can still do this as paradox were trying to force everyone to their insight gold subscripton.

Hard wired PIR sensors and Reed switches on the main external doors are the best. No batteries to replace etc.

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technician14

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#2337675 15-Oct-2019 20:09

Hey, depends how much you want to spend and what your really after, wireless, what you want to run with it, etc

michaelmurfy

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#2337721 15-Oct-2019 21:07

I do like the idea that @billgates gave and may just go this route. I've already got sensors throughout the house, just need a screamer. Any ideas where to grab one from?

Else, Paradox seems the go. May just get some quotes and decide on the best option. Before I sell the house (a number of years down the track yet) I'll get a professional alarm system installed regardless but think the Hubitat option may be the best option for me right now.

Konnected is a very good option also but the problem is the cable runs which are really not easy in this house.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

mdf

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#2337726 15-Oct-2019 21:21

Add a visible alarm-looking box to the outside of your place too. We used to live in a street that had a couple of spates of burglaries, though we never got hit. The constable that was doing the rounds said it was because we had a prominent alarm. If you make your security obvious enough (cough, perhaps more obvious than your neighbours?), they won't bother you.

Dratsab

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#2337744 15-Oct-2019 21:29

mdf: Add a visible alarm-looking box to the outside of your place too. We used to live in a street that had a couple of spates of burglaries, though we never got hit. The constable that was doing the rounds said it was because we had a prominent alarm. If you make your security obvious enough (cough, perhaps more obvious than your neighbours?), they won't bother you.

I worked for Chubb a few decades back and having really obvious security was part of a marketing campaign they ran for quite a while, with the tag line "Send them next door" 😂

billgates

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#2337810 15-Oct-2019 22:24

Active automation and fusion automation both sell the Aeotec Siren 6. You are better off to pay the extra $5 and get the Doorbell 6 which is same siren but you also get a RF based doorbell button you can stick outside your front entry door so you could also use it as a doorbell!

Do whatever you want to do man.

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Yoban

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#2337956 16-Oct-2019 09:36

I have been a DSC user in a couple of properties now and very happy with the product. Add the Envisalink module to get the panel online - https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/envisalink/.

There is also connectivity to Hubitat too https://community.hubitat.com/t/envisalink-integration/3114

pipe60

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#2339986 18-Oct-2019 08:23

I use the Arrowhead alarm kits they do a nice wireless one that you can add remotes,gsm dialler ,ip board etc.