DIY Home Security System Recommendations

[mp9]

Hey Calgunners. Hoping some of you have experience with DIY home security systems. Please leave your recommendations and share your experience in this thread.

There's been some criminal activity in the area and I need to secure my first-floor condo. First thing I did, of course, is search Calguns for ideas. There are a few ancient threads and members offering help but the threads are so old that nobody is answering their PM's.

I researched the Simplisafe system but read a lot of reviews that weren't the best. Things I picked up from reading the threads here on Calguns is that it may be a better idea to design your own system compatible with Alarms.com.

Suretydiy.com offers some help but still doesn't answer a lot of questions.

Alarm.com lists their compatible partners on their website here: http://alarm.com/partners/hardware.aspx

However, they don't say where to buy the actual hardware. The websites set up by manufacturers don't list prices but rather forward users to authorized dealers. Well, the point DIY is to safe a few bucks by not going to the dealer.

So that brings me back here to Calguns. Those of you experienced with setting up your own home security system, please comment here and share your knowledge. Thank you in advance.


P.S. I currently have a Nest thermostat and surveillance camera. What I need are some door and window sensors. Preferably the system would have a feature to contact the local PD like Simplisafe.

[pitbull30]

I have no problems with simplisafe. It does the same thing my ADT system did.

You could also look into getting some security cams to record to your PC and the cloud. The software is free and so is the cloud. I mention the cloud in case the computer is stolen.

I think I wrote a detailed post in this forum before with some videos on setup.

[the86d]

If you program it yourself (easy on most modern systems), you can add all the sensors you can afford, to the max allowed by the system.

If you program it yourself, YOU know if you changed the master code, AND nobody else local knows where the sensors are, not to mention how many you have (keeping knowledge of your system unknown to local installers, also).

Alarmgrid, Geoarm, etc.

Some systems even offer multipath, such as POTs line, WiFi, AND Cellular communication with your monitoring company with failover to the next, for redundancy.

Crash and Smash Protection sounds good, as if someone breaks in and bashes your main control panel, this is the only way to notify your monitoring company this has happened (by lack of a "alarm has been disarmed") signal after opening the door, post-triggering event.

[MaHoTex]

Go on ebay and buy an Ademco panel and all the sensors you need. Make sure to get an "Unbranded" control panel. I did this and have a professional grade system for a fraction of the cost. For monitoring you can go to Alarm Relay and it is like $10 a month.

[Ninety]

Since we are on the topic ..

Are there any alarm systems that run wireless sensors AND have a relay at the main panel that will trigger when a wires sensor is tripped ? DIY of course.

I install CCTV..and have been looking for a DIY alarm system that can be integrated with the alarm inputs on the NVR.

Sent from my HTC Desire 626s using Tapatalk

[glockman19]

I installed an Amcrest 8 camera. CCTV security camera system on top of a home alarm system

[1sicklx]

I installed an Amcrest 8 camera. CCTV security camera system on top of a home alarm system

I also went with amcrest 960H...super easy to install, and not expensive..👍

[firstkill]

I went with alarmgrid. But they all work similarly

You will need
1. control panel, I opted for the cellular module to notify the company that the alarm was tripped. You can use a land line or wifi, but cellular in my opinion is most secure/reliable.
They will call 2 people before they send the police to check it out.

2. Sensors that are a magnet. If a door or window is open. Basically the magnets separate and trigger the alarm

3. Motion detectors.. you can arm the home and skip the motion if u are home, and arm the sensors if u are gone.

4. Glass break sensors. That check for the sound of broken windows if motion is not enough.

Camera, I went with the arlo system. 4 wireless camera. It uses the cloud to store video. Camera is all weather but uses battery. You can watch through your phone, and set it to record motion only. It will email/txt to your phone when activated.

Other option is a full system, cameras need a power source and a hard drive to record to, this gives better resolution and more flexibility. But it's more involving for the install

They have different monthly packages to monitor your home.

[BuddyBoy]

You can't go wrong with a system from one of the big established vendors, meaning:

1) Honeywell/Ademco, makers of the Vista, Lynx, and Lyric panels

2) GE/Interlogix, makers of the Simon and NX panels

3) DSC, makers of the Power series and other panels

Some of the new vendors make good equipment too: 2Gig, which was founded by former Honeywell security execs, and Qolsys.

I highly recommend a system that is compatible with the Honeywell 5800 series of wireless alarm contacts and sensors. Those would be Honeywell/Ademco systems, 2Gig, and Qolsys. The 5870API asset protection sensor is a must for anyone with a gun safe. What I install in my homes and those of my friends and family is a Honeywell Vista 20p panel, IGSMV4G cellular/internet communicator, and whatever keypads, sensors, contacts, and other accessories that are needed. Part of the reason is I just have to learn one set of programming instructions, but I also really like the Vista panels.

For a condo, you could probably get away with a Lynx, Qolsys or 2Gig panel, with an extra keypad. I'd put the keypad by the entry and put the main control panel in a bedroom, so your system has enough time to transmit the "open" for "smash and grab" protection (system transmits the open, burglar takes a few seconds to find the control panel before smashing and destroying it, back-end triggers an alarm because it never sees the panel getting disarmed).

Check out geoarm.com for DIY-friendly alarm monitoring and complete alarm systems from all of these manufacturers. They support all the major platforms for interactive services: alarm.com, Alarmnet, and IpDatatel. In the past I purchased a lot of equipment from homesecuritystore.com, but the company has changed hands and I know nothing about the current owners. Once you know what you need, Ebay is a good source for additional components.

I don't like Simplisafe for two reasons:

1) The extremely limited selection of alarm contacts and sensors. I think Honeywell has fourteen different wireless door and window sensors, and then there are all the wired versions. Simplisafe offers just one. My door sensors are recessed into the door and door frame. Simplisafe is a big lump on your door that makes it look like a ****ty DIY job.

2) The fact that they shipped a system with a ridiculous vulnerability which cannot be fixed, and their solution is to buy the new system they are building which won't have the vulnerability. The firmware in their system cannot be updated after it leaves the factory, it isn't stored in flash or any other type of storage that can be modified.

I have Amesco SSX-52 120db strobe/sirens mounted under the eave of my garage, about 14 feet off the ground. When I set off my alarm (to test), the whole neighborhood knows about it. They have an even more powerful model, the SSX-82 that puts out 127db.

[BuddyBoy]

Since we are on the topic ..

Are there any alarm systems that run wireless sensors AND have a relay at the main panel that will trigger when a wires sensor is tripped ? DIY of course.

Relay output on a Vista 20p panel should do what you want. It's got two relay outputs. To add wireless sensor capability, you need to either add a wireless transceiver, or what most people do, use a keypad that has a wireless transceiver built-in. That's the cheapest way to add wireless capability to a Vista panel. In fact, the keypads with wireless transceivers (6150RF, 6160RF) have a relay output built into them too. I've never used the relay output on a keypad, but my guess is that the programming for them is separate and independent of the relay programming on the panel itself. The programming is likely local to the keypad and the panel probably doesn't even know that the relay output on the keypad exists.

[BuddyBoy]

For a semi-DIY approach, take a look at FrontPoint, LiveWatch, and similar companies. FrontPoint uses Qolsys IQ panels and GE Simon XT panels, depending on the package you choose. Just checked LiveWatch's web site and it looks like they offer the same.

Also, if you go with Honeywell/Ademco equipment, but want alarm.com interactive services instead of Alarmnet, alarm.com is now offering a communicator for Honeywell panels that talks to alarm.com. It is most definitely not supported by Honeywell, and they're letting everyone know, but it's an option of you really want alarm.com but have Honeywell equipment. The mfgrs that work with alarm.com out of the box are GE, 2Gig, and Qolsys. I think DSC works with alarm.com too, having failed miserably at their own attempt at an interactive platform.

[BakoJ]

Interesting discussion. I have a Vivint system which was expensive but it has worked. In fact, It did thwart a break in so I guess it paid for itself. I don't want to renew a contract and I'd like to self monitor. My preference is to just change out the panel and maintain the z-wave wireless sensors. Any ideas?

[BuddyBoy]

Interesting discussion. I have a Vivint system which was expensive but it has worked. In fact, It did thwart a break in so I guess it paid for itself. I don't want to renew a contract and I'd like to self monitor. My preference is to just change out the panel and maintain the z-wave wireless sensors. Any ideas?

You don't need to change your panel. Your Vivint system is just a 2Gig Go! panel with an alarm.com back-end. The differences between your system and one purchased from a retailer are:

1) Yours has "Vivint" printed on it
2) Your cellular communicator will never be released by Vivint for reuse
3) Vivint locked you out of your panel's programming

This is what all the big alarm companies do - ADT installs mostly Honeywell/Ademco panels and some DSC. They don't make any of the hardware themselves.

Because of #2 and #3, you will need to swap out the cellular module (available online for a little over $100). Once you do that, your new alarm company can unlock the panel. 2Gig originally only worked with alarm.com, but they also support Telular (Telguard) and Uplink now. Each back-end requires a different cellular communicator. I recommend you stick with alarm.com. You still need an alarm company for self-monitoring and the alarm.com interactive services. You save about $9/month by self-monitoring rather than having your system monitored. Wholesale cost of outsourced alarm monitoring is about $3/month.

Here are the instructions on how to takeover your out-of-contract Vivint 2Gig Go! panel:

http://www.2gigforum.com/threads/3-How-To-takeover-a-2GIG-vivint-panel-(or-any-locked-panel)-or-switch-monitoring

*If you've had your system long enough to be out of contract, and Vivint didn't upgrade you to their "Sky" panel, you have a standard 2Gig panel, and can go with any alarm company that supports alarm.com. If you have a "Sky" panel, you'll have to replace it, as there are no replacement communicators available (Sky panel is a 2Gig developed panel that they never released to the general public and made into a Vivint exclusive - Vivint did not develop it, as they like to claim).

[BakoJ]

You don't need to change your panel. Your Vivint system is just a 2Gig Go! panel with an alarm.com back-end. The differences between your system and one purchased from a retailer are:

1) Yours has "Vivint" printed on it
2) Your cellular communicator will never be released by Vivint for reuse
3) Vivint locked you out of your panel's programming

This is what all the big alarm companies do - ADT installs mostly Honeywell/Ademco panels and some DSC. They don't make any of the hardware themselves.

Because of #2 and #3, you will need to swap out the cellular module (available online for a little over $100). Once you do that, your new alarm company can unlock the panel. 2Gig originally only worked with alarm.com, but they also support Telular (Telguard) and Uplink now. Each back-end requires a different cellular communicator. I recommend you stick with alarm.com. You still need an alarm company for self-monitoring and the alarm.com interactive services. You save about $9/month by self-monitoring rather than having your system monitored. Wholesale cost of outsourced alarm monitoring is about $3/month.

Here are the instructions on how to takeover your out-of-contract Vivint 2Gig Go! panel:

http://www.2gigforum.com/threads/3-How-To-takeover-a-2GIG-vivint-panel-(or-any-locked-panel)-or-switch-monitoring

*If you've had your system long enough to be out of contract, and Vivint didn't upgrade you to their "Sky" panel, you have a standard 2Gig panel, and can go with any alarm company that supports alarm.com. If you have a "Sky" panel, you'll have to replace it, as there are no replacement communicators available (Sky panel is a 2Gig developed panel that they never released to the general public and made into a Vivint exclusive - Vivint did not develop it, as they like to claim).

Wow great info thanks!

[peekay331]

I have a Ademco unit that some of the others have referenced. Very nice unit. But the programming is really hard. It took me several days to figure it all out and I still have never been able to program the wireless remote control.