Shop Alarm

[DCarr]

I am looking into getting a non-monitored alarm for my shop. I'm looking at something like this:
http://simplisafe.com/home-security-system-5-components?gclid=CP6oqsLir7gCFcZj7AodPVsAXQ

what type of non animal ( have 3 large dogs ) alarm system do you have ?

Input on any non-monitored system would be appreciated.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I have the Simplisafe alarm in my house and garage. Mine is monitored for $15 a month, but it works non-monitored as well. One good thing with Simplisafe is you have no contract so you can have it monitored for a month while you are on vacation, then turn it off for monitoring when you are not away. Either way it can be stand alone as well. Get the extra alarm siren as the bas station is not loud enough for me.

Jim

 

[nehog]

Most of the new digital security video systems have good motion detection capabilities. This makes installation easy to do, and you can monitor the video with your smart phone anywhere you can get a signal or WiFi.

As to monitored vs. unmonitored, my experience with monitored tells me to skip that. I've found that too many of the alarm monitoring companies don't take any action other than to call the property and ask "Is everything OK?" to which the thief, murderer or ****** will reply "All's well, thanks for calling!" and continue with their nefarious deeds!

Oh, and my system does have a set of dry contacts to trigger alarm systems and/or remote dialers.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Most of the new digital security video systems have good motion detection capabilities. This makes installation easy to do, and you can monitor the video with your smart phone anywhere you can get a signal or WiFi.

As to monitored vs. unmonitored, my experience with monitored tells me to skip that. I've found that too many of the alarm monitoring companies don't take any action other than to call the property and ask "Is everything OK?" to which the thief, murderer or ****** will reply "All's well, thanks for calling!" and continue with their nefarious deeds!

Oh, and my system does have a set of dry contacts to trigger alarm systems and/or remote dialers.

My Simplisafe system does call us, but we have to have the code word or they call the police. By the way, when we first got it we screwed up twice and both times the police came. It does work, for us.

Simplisafe can also do the smart phone thing, and hook into the fire and video cameras.

Definitely not the only, or maybe even the best, system out there. But the price is very reasonable, you can set it up yourself, and it is all yours wheather or not you use their monitoring service. You can even remove it and take it with you if you are renting or you sell.

Jim

 

[pepi]

Whatever you get I think video recording is a must, to many promises from salesmen and monitoring companies, when push comes to shove their systems are down, being upgraded or tape lost, be responsible for your own protection. Use one if it gives you that warm and fussy to have another looking over your shoulder so be it, but that would be a back up not primary.

Ever here the saying "Born free hyped to death", there is a load of truth in that statement.

Another one ''innocent until proven guilty ........'' not anymore.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Whatever you get I think video recording is a must, to many promises from salesmen and monitoring companies, when push comes to shove their systems are down, being upgraded or tape lost, be responsible for your own protection. Use one if it gives you that warm and fussy to have another looking over your shoulder so be it, but that would be a back up not primary.

Ever here the saying "Born free hyped to death", there is a load of truth in that statement.

Another one ''innocent until proven guilty ........'' not anymore.

Video monitoring, as in recording, or someone actually watching all the time?

Video recording is useful for catching the theif after the fact, has some deterance value, but won't call the police for you.

Jim

 

[DCarr]

Thanks for the input !

I do plan on getting the optional siren along with a couple of other things.

Being able to sign up to be " Monitored " as needed is something I really do like.

I think this is the system I will buy.

Thanks again !

 

[aka Larry]

I was doing some reading on their forum and more than a few users having uses with their app that let's you control the system remotely.

Also I'm wondering if my shop could be covered from the "base station" since it's within the 500' range? The sensors would have to transmit through metal walls then through the walls to the house?

 

[jdub63]

I installed a video system in my son's house, it's motion detection system can be used to activate the alarm, which sends a text message to his phone or sound an alarm. The system even has the ability to block certain portions of the viewing area for movement, i.e. if the wind blowing a tree activates the alarm you can screen the tree and even the tree shadows on the ground. Very sophisticated for the money. I'm looking at installing the same system in my shop once I get it wired for internet.

 

[nehog]

Video monitoring, as in recording, or someone actually watching all the time?

Video recording is useful for catching the theif after the fact, has some deterance value, but won't call the police for you.

Jim

Oh yes it will, or have it call you and you can check on your smart phone and see what's up and make a decision as to who to call! Motion detection is a great feature, protects areas, and doesn't require a lot of additional wiring.

 

[pmason0]

+1 on SimpliSafe

 

[JimVonBaden]

Oh yes it will, or have it call you and you can check on your smart phone and see what's up and make a decision as to who to call! Motion detection is a great feature, protects areas, and doesn't require a lot of additional wiring.

OK, I should say that ones with no monitoring won't call. But, like I said, Simplisafe does too, with monitoring.

I am curious though, how does a motion detector video cam system make a determination to call the police? Seems a stray animal will set off the motion detector, and with no monitoring you really do not want an auto-call to the cops.

Jim

PS Simplisafe = NO wiring.

 

[Riverside]

Maybe I'm missing something, but on the Simplisafe website I see a motion detector, but not a video camera. It appears to me that there is no video monitoring with that system. If that is correct, then they do not watch over anyone's shoulder, they just call the police if the system tells them that the alarm has been triggered. Or you can set it up to communicate with your smart phone, so you can call the police (not knowing what has triggered the alarm). Right?

 

[nehog]

... Seems a stray animal will set off the motion detector, and with no monitoring you really do not want an auto-call to the cops...

With video motion detecting you set hot spots, and restrict where the system looks for motion. And as well, you'd only want to detect motion in a secure area (indoors) not out in the wild (so to speak.)

With video motion detecting, for example, you can tell it to watch the upper part of a door, so when the door opens that triggers the system, but when a pet walks past the lower part of the door that doesn't. That's part of what makes them so flexible.

 

[432bullet]

By all means do install a security system, But also post signs. This property under video surveillance 24/7. It works for Wal-Mart, So don't laugh. The thieves with any brains will go on down the road and pick an easier target. I have the signs but all my cameras are hidden, That way they don't know for sure if they should smile for the camera. Just what works for me. Happy trails

 

[Glenn M.]

Also I'm wondering if my shop could be covered from the "base station" since it's within the 500' range? The sensors would have to transmit through metal walls then through the walls to the house?

I've got a similar situation, anybody have any experience with this?

 

[nehog]

Also I'm wondering if my shop could be covered from the "base station" since it's within the 500' range? The sensors would have to transmit through metal walls then through the walls to the house?

I've got a similar situation, anybody have any experience with this?

Metal walls will likely block virtually all signals.

 

[805gregg]

I went out this morning and I had left my Jeep unlocked and windows down, no big deal here, I would move

 

[crewchief888]

the man door to my garage isnt even locked.....



thankfully i dont like in an area where crime is as rampant as it seems elsewhere..

 

[JimVonBaden]

I've got a similar situation, anybody have any experience with this?

My detached garage is about 30 feet from my house, and 70 feet from the base station. I cover the garage with no problem.

Jim

 

[M17715]

Buy an ADT sign for about five bucks and post it on the building. Kids swipe the signs from people's yards (who actually do have the systems) and sell them all the time.

 

[DCarr]

I went out this morning and I had left my Jeep unlocked and windows down, no big deal here, I would move

Do you have any sort of insurance ?

Not to jinx myself .....but ..

I've lived in this sub-division just on the outskirts of town for over 20 yrs. and never had a problem. I've " lost " my keys before and found them the next day in the ignition of my truck, left my garage door open all night w/ lights on accidently and nothing was taken.

When I'm working in the shop and need to go into town I dont shut the roll up door. And the best yet ... in the 20 yrs. We've lived here, the house has never been locked 100% ... even when we go out of town for a week or more.

So I dont need to hear about moving.

The reason I am interested in an alarm is because I got to looking around the other day and realized that " If " the shop got " hit ", the perps could get away with quite a bit of value in just what 1-2 guys could carry in a few minutes if left alone.

I bought the # 2 system last night w/ some upgrades as insurance. It was very cheap compared to what I could lose in a matter of minutes.

 

[TheGraveDigger]

I always lock up the shop at night, but there has been a few times where I've left the truck or tractor sitting out with the key in it. But you would have to have balls the size of Texas to try and steal anything off of the property..seeing as I live inside of a cemetery