There is comfort in knowing your home is secure when you are away (Vacation or just for the day/night). However, the cost of monitored security (ADT) may not appeal to many.
No Monthly Fee
For Homeowners interested in home security without a monthly fee there are a number of do it yourself (DIY) options on the market.
The iSmartAlarm is one option. You can purchase a package that includes:
- Window and Door Sensors
- Motion Detectors and
- Remotes
Motion Following/Recording Camera
A camera can also be purchased. I’d recommend the iCamera KeepPro as this one has the most functionality, including:
- Motion detection
- Night Vision
- The Camera follows movement
- Motion Recording
- And in addition to alerting you if movement is picked up, it will alert you if your Smoke Detectors go off.
You will especially want this model if you have dogs as it will allow you to set up activity zones so that your dog can not trigger an alarm.
Simple to Set up
The system is simple to set up and includes an application for your phone that allows you to:
- Arm the system whether you are home or away
- Have 6 different system arm options [e.g. may you want one mode with no motion detector and to only receive an alert (instead of triggering an alarm) on your phone if the front door opens)].
- If you have a Camera, you can get on anytime and see what is going on or receive an alert and recorded video if motion is detected*(see important note about this at the end.)
If an Alarm is triggered you and another person you set up with the app. will receive a text, an email and an automated phone call.
The Cost
Regarding the cost, I’d say most homes could get as much as they need with their Deluxe Package and the iCamera KeepPro which totals about $350 (at the time of this writing). But you may want a couple more sensors or motion detector so maybe plan on about $400.
I just write from a position of experience with the product not to steer you any any direction.
One ancillary benefit I disovered after purchase is that the alerts record the exact time a sensor was triggered. For instance, in addition to the alert being sent to your phone it tells you the exact time, say, the front door was open.
Our oldest son, who previously struggled to make curfew, is not a fan of this feature
Motion Detection and Luminara Candles:
*My wife has these Luminara Candles all over our Great Room. They are really cool, but she’s gone a bit crazy with them, it looks like Vegas in the room at night even when we turn all of the lights off.
I mention this because we learned last weekend that the Camera Detection is sensitive enough to react when the timer goes off and turns off the candle - meaning it sets off the the alarm. This wasn’t a fun discovery 1:00 a.m. in a hotel room (in the known vacation hotbed of Fishers Indiana, while away for a Baseball tournament).
However, it was nice to be able to pull up the app. see what was going on and also review the video clip of what “motion” triggered the alarm.
So if you have Luminara Candles on timers, make certain to turn them off when you leave – damn near gave me a heart attack when we got the call.
posted by dan@hebbeln-ins.com