Home Security Systems

[SoonerP226]

Seems Wyze is a confab with the two big boys. Can't get away, no way, no how.
Bottom of their main page.

© 2021 Wyze Labs, Inc

Amazon, Alexa, Echo Spot and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Google, Inc., Google, Google Home, Google Home Mini, G logo, The Google Assistant built-in, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google, Inc. All rights reserved.

From what I can find, I'm pretty sure Wyze is still independent, although it was founded by former Amazon employees. Those are just notices about trademarks that are used in the text; because they mention their Alexa and Google Home integration, they have to include the notice about using Amazon's and Google's trademarks. You'll find those notices under pretty much any ad copy that mentions trademarks held by another company--f'rinstance, if you check the fine print on those TV ads for cars that feature Alexa integration, I'm pretty sure you'll find the same verbiage regarding Amazon.

 

[chadh2o]

From what I can find, I'm pretty sure Wyze is still independent, although it was founded by former Amazon employees. Those are just notices about trademarks that are used in the text; because they mention their Alexa and Google Home integration, they have to include the notice about using Amazon's and Google's trademarks. You'll find those notices under pretty much any ad copy that mentions trademarks held by another company--f'rinstance, if you check the fine print on those TV ads for cars that feature Alexa integration, I'm pretty sure you'll find the same verbiage regarding Amazon.

Makes sense. Thanks

 

[harley128]

Go Wyze.
cheap 1080P cams that give a real-time alert to your phone and a 12 second clip to the cloud with zero subscription cost.
You can download the cloud clip or save the one stored in the app for 14 days.
What you download doesn’t disappear after 14 days.
the cams are cheap and have the features of the expensive models plus more for the initial price of buying them. Once bought and simply connected to the internet via WiFi your done.
They do offer a monitored service but with the real time alerts I see no reason for that.
We have a network of about 15 of those cameras all around the house inside and outside to cover everything.
Wyze even offers wireless that have to be recharged every couple of months or as we did, ordered the solar panels to keep them fully charged.
The version which must be plugged into a USB port is waterproof for outside. They offer a smart bulb and a smart bulb connector for porch lights so one can screw in the adaptor, connect the camera via usb, then screw the smart bulb on top of that.
Create a rule that when motion is detected, turn on the porch light and take pics with the cams.
For added security, our WiFi is connected to a UPS, so that if power is cut by a thief pulling the meter, or a power outage, our WiFi and cams are still active and recording.
They also have a mini SD card slot for onboard storage as a third method of retaining the videos.
Great product.

Wyze

Wyze offers smart home cameras and devices packed with features at a price that is accessible for all. Wyze Cam includes 1080p full HD video, smart motion and sound alerts at a revolutionary price.

wyze.com

Edit: you can also have two way conversation over them and create a rule that a siren will go off if motion is detected in the V-3 models.
There are also accessory lights for under $20 to attach so one can install a cam outside or in a confined space to turn on with a rule or manually. Another great feature.

My Wyze cameras have been great.

 

[Raido Free America]

A funny story. We have a monitored security system, as well as Rocky! Rocky is our neighbors dog, a HUGE Rotwaller, We live out of town but have neighbors in site and most dogs run free. Rocky is mean looking but just a pet, but is quiet and gives no indcation of what he is going to do. He sleeps on our front porch most of the time, which I have encouraged. I was working in the yard one day when this guy pulled into my drive way, and proceeded to try and sell me some frozen steaks. I grew up working for my father in the meat business, and have even cut steaks full time for restaurants. These stakes were cow meat yellow fat and very little of that, and dark red in color. This jerk was insistent and laid out a bunch of these frozen steaks on the lawn. Well about that time Rocky walked up to this guy, within a few inches and just looked this jerk in the eye, didn't bark, just stared! This guy was about to panic, so I told him to move very slowly, and try to pick up his steaks and put them back in the box, very slowly. If Rocky growls, to leave the steaks laying and back very slowly to his car but NOT to run, or turn his back on Rocky! Rocky allowed him to pick up his steaks, didn't start to growl, walked this guy to his car, and he hasn'r t been back!

 

[TerryMiller]

I like the Rocky system.

 

[Snattlerake]

I have an Alarm and camera system with Alert360 (Guardian Security Systems). They are out of Tulsa. 24/7 monitoring. My cameras are hard wired and I have an app that I can view at any time to check the cameras. They are attached to a dvr that records everything. I have been very happy with the service. I also have an app for the alarm system (the camera app is separate), and I can control the system and my thermostat. I pay $78 a month. After three years my price will go down to $59 a month as I will have the equipment paid off. They have always been very good at customer service and I really like the equipment. Plus it’s a local company.

This is the type of system I am used to and retired a few years before the IoT really took over.

Having said that, I do think the new stuff is better as far as quality and performance. The weak link is the internet connection which can just go away whenever it damn well wants to. How many times have you been working or watching internet TV and poof?

Time after time after time I have installed these new systems and within 6 months something happens and they need the video. Guess what? Nothing. Just a black screen or the file is corrupt or it just failed to record when it was set on motion detection. That never happened on a hardwired system unless the camera died or power was lost.

Now granted my involvement was when the technology was just coming out to the residential market. I'm sure it has improved since.

 

[SoonerP226]

This is the type of system I am used to and retired a few years before the IoT really took over.

Having said that, I do think the new stuff is better as far as quality and performance. The weak link is the internet connection which can just go away whenever it damn well wants to. How many times have you been working or watching internet TV and poof?

Time after time after time I have installed these new systems and within 6 months something happens and they need the video. Guess what? Nothing. Just a black screen or the file is corrupt or it just failed to record when it was set on motion detection. That never happened on a hardwired system unless the camera died or power was lost.

Now granted my involvement was when the technology was just coming out to the residential market. I'm sure it has improved since.

Simplisafe uses cellular for the alarm monitoring, not your Internet connection. Ring uses your Internet connection for the cameras, but I don't know about the alarm system.

 

[Parks 788]

Thanks for all the replies. Wife and I ordered the Simpli Safe system this morning. Should be here in the next couple days. Seems to have some big discount due to black Friday weekend deals. Will also eventually get some more Nest Cameras like we had in Socal. Sold them with the house sales, separately. Was happy with the quality. Also have two huge LED 40,000 LM flood lights going to mount to the back and side of the house. Hopefully these will keep the turds at bay.

 

[rlongnt]

The good part about Ring and Simplisafe is that they're both wireless and the entry sensors can be mounted with the supplied double-stick tape, so there are no screw holes or wires to run (IIRC, the supplied stuff is 3M Command Adhesive, so it'll come off without leaving residue or tearing up the wall). The Simplisafe system was installed in my house, so I used screws and can't comment on the long-term effectiveness of the adhesive, but the sensors are light, so it should be OK.

The Ring cellular backup is pretty impressive. When I moved from Sand Springs to Edmond I brought my base station and cameras. I was able to connect via the Ring app to my system and connect to any camera that had an onboard battery "doorbell cam" etc. and see inside my truck going down the Turner Turnpike. I thought that was pretty damn impressive. That means in a total power failure you are still up and running. Also, the adhesive works great, I've never had one come off. I did remove the window/door sensors when we moved, replaced the old tape with new 3M double-stick and was good to go. I get that many may not like Amazon's politics but the product is awesome.

 

[Snattlerake]

Simplisafe uses cellular for the alarm monitoring, not your Internet connection. Ring uses your Internet connection for the cameras, but I don't know about the alarm system.

It uses both.