DIY home security pros and cons

[Vette40th]

Today, while I was home with my dog, someone left a item in my garage. This means they came into my garage, which was open, and left a 20x102 or more likely IMO 20x110 USN practice projectile. Why, I dont know. I asked 3 neighbors, who are into weapons. None of them did it.
I have zero cameras, and my dog failed me big time. Not even one bark.
I was looking at something quick and simple that my phone can get alerts on.
Simpli Safe seems pretty easy to do.
What would or have you guys installed.

[zsr22]

If you want real security cameras then they need to be wired and on a UPS (along with your modem and router). Bad actors jamming Wi-Fi cameras is becoming more and more prevalent.

[Vette40th]

Okay. Thnx. UPS are easy to get. I can hard wire stuff.. Not difficult.
Or look into cellular systems

[Frankie the Fink]

Weird incident but it all depends on how paranoid you want to be....I have pretty simple PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras in various places and they are wired to power but are wireless for communications and video. No subscriptions needed and I've installed large memory cards that hold many days of video.

Anybody with enough serious intent to 'jam' my network will, to their misfortune, run into my next line of defense.

[lrobe22]

Just get an Ovcharka.

[GrandSportC3]

I installed a wired security system years ago. It was a pain crawling through the attic to run the wires but it was worth the effort. The included DVR records 16 channels for about 8 days.

[Trapper Sean]

I need to rejuvenate my security cameras.

I have a bunch of wired cameras that (did) work pretty well.

However,

1) They're mostly aimed at the house entrances, as if to capture an intruder coming in. What I really need is cameras on my yard, driveway to capture vandals (grown adult idiot neighbors, careless Amazon drivers) doing petty damage to landscaping, vehicles.

2) The computer system is clunky (hard disk drive) and hard to go back and look for and save whatever may or may not have been captured.

Thad be great if I could salvage the existing cameras and wiring with a modernized computer system.

[Rodnok1]

Hard wired here. Entrances and main driveway cameras. Not top of the line but good enough for what I use. Has no cloud contract but i can remotely veiw them.

[GrandSportC3]

View from 4 of my 16 cameras..

I also have 2 ring doorbells at my walk in and driveway gates

[Big bob]

Location Location Location and keep it private too many undesirables. :sadangel:

[Onebadcad]

There is no crime in my hood, for 24+ years.

90% of the crime in my city is an area which is less than 5% of the city's area.
Of course they go wandering on occasion,,,

[Big bob]

Just get an Ovcharka.

How does getting something that you can't leave provide any real security?:funniest::funniest::funniest::bslap:

[Swany00]

pretty much any camera out there is decent, just depends if you want it to notify you (which could be going off all day if you're home).

Maybe a camera system that you can "arm" to provide notices at your control, I just don't know which brands do that, I think the rings ping you anytime there is movement.

[TheHammer]

Attack raccoons?

[Onebadcad]

Just get an Ovcharka.

I would bet you cannot bring one to the USA, hell in my town, not sure if still in effect, they banned both Pit Bulls and Huskies---yeah, pussyhats!!

[Vette40th]

I would bet you cannot bring one to the USA, hell in my town, not sure if still in effect, they banned both Pit Bulls and Huskies---yeah, pussyhats!!

Someone on this forum has one or two I believe.

[Big bob]

Someone on this forum has one or two I believe.


Damn that would be a full-time job just brushing them. :rofl:

[lrobe22]

I would bet you cannot bring one to the USA, hell in my town, not sure if still in effect, they banned both Pit Bulls and Huskies---yeah, pussyhats!!

I’m pretty sure Tiki has one.

[lrobe22]

How does getting something that you can't leave provide any real security?:funniest::funniest::funniest::bslap:

It’s not a princess beta 5 lb poodle purse dog:seasix:

[04 commemorative]

Simpli Safe worked great for us. Even have one of their cams in bedroom looking out the glass doors to walkway to/from beach.
You could put one in your garage:seasix:

[TheHammer]

Wyze

[tjfontaine]

Nothing wrong with simplisafe as a "good enough" or starter system. Yes you can go all in and get wired dedicated cameras with an NVR .... but this should suffice - simple, inexpensive, workable. Get the cameras they support.

[MY03C5Z]

View from 4 of my 16 cameras..

I also have 2 ring doorbells at my walk in and driveway gates


You need 18 cameras to watch your place????

I think it’s time to move…..jeesus

[Stangkiller]

Hard wired POE (with a few wireless) Ubiquity UniFi system, I love it, have another camera in my office to add. Running the NVR with 4x 8tb drives

[DAB]

get a moat.

[Torqaholic]

No need to install anything. Simply keep your garage door closed when you're not there to keep an eye on things. Place I live is like Mayberry RFD and I'd never dream of leaving the garage unattended with the door open. I close it just to go in the back yard :rofl:

[GrandSportC3]

You need 18 cameras to watch your place????

I think it’s time to move…..jeesus

Never had an issue. Very safe neighborhood. I have 18 cameras because of the size of the property. 5900 sq ft. under roof, single story. I also have guns and tons of ammo and I keep a camera pointed at the place where I keep my firearms and ammo.
It also helps to find items that we misplaced. Just watch the recording to see where we put the item.
We also can check on our housesitters when we are away. We pay someone to feed our pets when we are on trips.

[MadInNc]

Put one on each corner of the house

[dvarapala]

Anybody with enough serious intent to 'jam' my network will, to their misfortune, run into my next line of defense.

How would you detect the fact that your WiFi is being jammed? :waiting:

[04 commemorative]

I never left the garage door open unless I was in there,mice,chipfreakenmonks,squirrels,bees,cats...etc etc could come in and stay there .

[dvarapala]

I never left the garage door open unless I was in there,

* intentionally

Just the other day Wifie drove off and forgot to close the garage door. I got an alert on my phone and I closed it remotely. ;)

[Vette40th]

No need to install anything. Simply keep your garage door closed when you're not there to keep an eye on things. Place I live is like Mayberry RFD and I'd never dream of leaving the garage unattended with the door open. I close it just to go in the back yard :rofl:
I was home.. Dog didnt do anything, which was really odd.
I can see right out into my garage from Kitchen. And I have a 2 door system to garage, as it separates the laundry room Door to garage is almost full glass, and door was open to laundry room.
So, whomever came in was very comfortable walking in.
As it stands now, none of my neighbors or any cameras show anything. But, the cameras are all set up to not detect traffic on street so they dont chime all day long.

[Vette40th]

Right now, as I am time constrained, I have a simplsafe system in the works, and 60% off due to labor day.. 3 cameras, will cover all doors and windows.
My wifi at far corner outside, through the garage is -52. Which meets there requirements. I did the measurement with an app at 5 pm

[Vette40th]

Put one on each corner of the house

I have some trip wires. But, I need primers, 209 I believe.

[CurtP]

Right now, as I am time constrained, I have a simplsafe system in the works, and 60% off due to labor day.. 3 cameras, will cover all doors and windows.
My wifi at far corner outside, through the garage is -52. Which meets there requirements. I did the measurement with an app at 5 pm
-52 dBm is a very good signal. Minimum is -68 dBm, but the goal should be -65 dBm for any area to be covered. Just make sure you're measuring the right spectrum for the device - no reason to check 2.4GHz if the device can only do 5GHz. Just keep in mind that you're reading AP Tx, which means dick-all as far as a client. You'd need to know the Tx power of the client, replicate it and see what client RSSI (Rx) is on the AP.

I'm sure you're already aware, Simplisafe is a monitoring system, not a security system. It's very compromised and they refuse to acknowledge or fix. I wouldn't recommend using their warning stickers on your doors/windows.

[Vette40th]

-52 dBm is a very good signal. Minimum is -68 dBm, but the goal should be -65 dBm for any area to be covered. Just make sure you're measuring the right spectrum for the device - no reason to check 2.4GHz if the device can only do 5GHz. Just keep in mind that you're reading AP Tx, which means dick-all as far as a client. You'd need to know the Tx power of the client, replicate it and see what client RSSI (Rx) is on the AP.

I'm sure you're already aware, Simplisafe is a monitoring system, not a security system. It's very compromised and they refuse to acknowledge or fix. I wouldn't recommend using their warning stickers on your doors/windows.

Thnx. I currently have decent router, ASUS RT-AX86U. My neighbors across the street can see it and use for TV..
If they are compromised, why get it then? Even on their site its mentioned in FAQ in support. Hmm
I should just mount a couple PELCO cameras sitting around at work, power them up. Almost a better deterrent..lol
Seriously, I measured 2.4 and thats what they use.

[MY03C5Z]

Never had an issue. Very safe neighborhood. I have 18 cameras because of the size of the property. 5900 sq ft. under roof, single story. I also have guns and tons of ammo and I keep a camera pointed at the place where I keep my firearms and ammo.
It also helps to find items that we misplaced. Just watch the recording to see where we put the item.
We also can check on our housesitters when we are away. We pay someone to feed our pets when we are on trips.



Just sounds like lot of overkill, unless you just really enjoy that sort of thing. I have two Ring spotlight cameras, one at the drive way and one for the backyard. I’ve got plenty of guns and ammo as well, it’s all secured in a good safe. We live in a pretty rural neighborhood, not much to worry about crime wise.

[GrandSportC3]

Just sounds like lot of overkill, unless you just really enjoy that sort of thing. I have two Ring spotlight cameras, one at the drive way and one for the backyard. I’ve got plenty of guns and ammo as well, it’s all secured in a good safe. We live in a pretty rural neighborhood, not much to worry about crime wise.

The number of cameras is a result of needing to cover a large area. As I said, 5900 sq ft under roof single story. I wanted to cover the entire area around the house. 9 cameras around the exterior to cover all angles. 1 camera in indoor pool room, 1 camera in 2 car garage, 1 in the 4 gar garage, 2 in the living room/dining room (great room) and one facing the gun storage closet in master bedroom and 1 at each gate (walk in and driveway gate)
I kinda like overkill on everything. I also carry a gun that has 20+1 rounds of armor piercing ammo.. Little chance that I'll ever have to shoot a crook wearing a Vest but better safe than sorry. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[ZipZap]

I’m pretty sure Tiki has one.

Two.

Tikiman

[SteveOceanside]

Location Location Location and keep it private too many undesirables. :sadangel:

:iagree: ALthough most of us have burglar alarms.

[MY03C5Z]

The number of cameras is a result of needing to cover a large area. As I said, 5900 sq ft under roof single story. I wanted to cover the entire area around the house. 9 cameras around the exterior to cover all angles. 1 camera in indoor pool room, 1 camera in 2 car garage, 1 in the 4 gar garage, 2 in the living room/dining room (great room) and one facing the gun storage closet in master bedroom and 1 at each gate (walk in and driveway gate)
I kinda like overkill on everything. I also carry a gun that has 20+1 rounds of armor piercing ammo.. Little chance that I'll ever have to shoot a crook wearing a Vest but better safe than sorry. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.



Great. So now I know how to defeat your security system. lol. That’s a whole lotta cameras…..whatever makes you feel comfortable though.

[GrandSportC3]

Great. So now I know how to defeat your security system. lol. That’s a whole lotta cameras…..whatever makes you feel comfortable though.

like I said, I'm all for overkill.. I bought the system and it came with 16 cameras.. so, why not use them. There was only 2 options. 8 or 16 and I chose 16.

[Tikiman]

Two.

Tikiman

Sweetest, most gentle little dogs you ever want to see. Also have a donkey you probably don't want to mess with. My wife believes we will be losing one of them soon (old age) and is actively looking into a Kangal as a possible replacement. We had a 190 pound Kuvasz before the Ovcharkas. We try to have a male and a female to avoid the issues with same-sex aggression.

[LATB]

No security cameras. No alarm system. Don’t need it and don’t want it. Don’t want to live where I need it.
I really don’t have much of anything that someone would want. And if their intentions are to cause us harm I will kill them dead so fast it won’t be funny.

[GTOguy]

No security cameras. No alarm system. Don’t need it and don’t want it. Don’t want to live where I need it.
I really don’t have much of anything that someone would want. And if their intentions are to cause us harm I will kill them dead so fast it won’t be funny.
I agree. Same here.
My house came with a GSC3 system, hardwired with cameras and a deluxe mega-channel recorder. I left the cameras and wiring but removed the recorder and don't use the cameras. Same deal. Nothing in the house worth stealing except for my guns and a few valuables, all in a 800+ pound safe bolted to the slab. Not really worried about a 12 year old TV or 40 year-old stereo getting stolen. I don't have any high tech stuff. My tools are worth more than all of my household furnishings, etc. And I'm insured. No worries.

[TheHammer]

I'm not to worried about criminals on my property when I'm home. Most everything I have that's worth anything to me is backed up electronically, pictures, important docs., etc. and stored offsite.
I did, and still do enjoy learning the in and outs of camera survelliance. I have an 8 camera POI system with decent quality cams, 14 day playback. I also have Wyze cams for more inconspicuous locations, which provide decent video and capabilities for the buck.
I actually enjoy catching perps, and almost perps, (they see my cams) and busting there asses.
My camera video was used a couple times by local police which aided them in the arrest of a few perps. One went back to prison for 3 years.

[BayouCountry]

Nothing wrong with simplisafe as a "good enough" or starter system. Yes you can go all in and get wired dedicated cameras with an NVR .... but this should suffice - simple, inexpensive, workable. Get the cameras they support.

Hide the SimpliSafe Base station and set entry time to 30 seconds. I supplemented with Ring cameras for extra layer of protection.

[GrandSportC3]

No security cameras. No alarm system. Don’t need it and don’t want it. Don’t want to live where I need it.
I really don’t have much of anything that someone would want. And if their intentions are to cause us harm I will kill them dead so fast it won’t be funny.

This gang of illegals from Colombia stole millions of $ in stuff from people in "Safe" upscale gated communities across several Florida counties. You can live in the safest neighborhood and no guarantee that nobody will break into your house.

https://youtu.be/rnWr1InNCgg?si=cPZpYOweYlEFl2l5

[Frankie the Fink]

Great. So now I know how to defeat your security system. lol. That’s a whole lotta cameras…..whatever makes you feel comfortable though.

And a great chance to brag about all his stuff..

[GTOguy]

This gang of illegals from Colombia stole millions of $ in stuff from people in "Safe" upscale gated communities across several Florida counties. You can live in the safest neighborhood and no guarantee that nobody will break into your house.

https://youtu.be/rnWr1InNCgg?si=cPZpYOweYlEFl2l5

Sheriff Grady Judd makes me feel that there is still hope. The man is simply the best.
"Mr Judd, can you tell me why your officers shot the suspect 26 times?"

"Certainly. We ran out of ammunition."

The man is priceless.

[BRUIZER]

Without going into detail; we have cameras focused mainly on the perimeter of the property. We want to clearly see anyone coming up the hill from all directions.
110067

Don't need interior cameras as thats kinda creepy.
We utilize the terrains natural boundaries ie culverts, steep embankments. BGD's with hyper awareness is also a necessity up here. Cut down all trees within a certain distance to provide clear view of surroundings. Etc etc.
Your security starts at the perimeter. Not at your dwellings.

For basic security cameras and an NVR, for your typical neighborhood, these guys have some decent equipment for the lower price point.
https://m.reolink.com/flash-sale/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq4X8g4uiiAMVIAWtBh1Q6CV9EAAYASAAEgLfK_D_BwE

[GTOguy]

Without going into detail; we have cameras focused mainly on the perimeter of the property. We want to clearly see anyone coming up the hill from all directions.
110067

Don't need interior cameras as thats kinda creepy.
We utilize the terrains natural boundaries ie culverts, steep embankments. BGD's with hyper awareness is also a necessity up here. Cut down all trees within a certain distance to provide clear view of surroundings. Etc etc.
Your security starts at the perimeter. Not at your dwellings.

For basic security cameras and an NVR, for your typical neighborhood, these guys have some decent equipment for the lower price point.
https://m.reolink.com/flash-sale/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq4X8g4uiiAMVIAWtBh1Q6CV9EAAYASAAEgLfK_D_BwE
When you're out in the sticks, you stand out more. I have friend who lived on an isolated ranch out of Fallon NV and his house was shot at from the road a lot at night. They were also burgled multiple times. This was the early '70's.
Out in the sticks, you need to be vigilant. It's a different dynamic.
Still better than the city by a million miles, but with it's own set of concerns.

[GrandSportC3]

Sheriff Grady Judd makes me feel that there is still hope. The man is simply the best.
"Mr Judd, can you tell me why your officers shot the suspect 26 times?"

"Certainly. We ran out of ammunition."

The man is priceless.

He is very popular here in Polk County.

[Torqaholic]

Hate to suggest it but there's a possibility that you're attributing your own actions to that of an intruder. How old are you? Ever hear of Alzheimers?

Losing your memory sucks. Somehow lost my favorite measuring cup last week. How does this happen? Been using it for 25 years and it's always in the same place. Searched everywhere for the thing. Did it grow legs? Somebody broke in and stole it? Makes no sense, a real mystery :yesnod:

[Big bob]

Hate to suggest it but there's a possibility that you're attributing your own actions to that of an intruder. How old are you? Ever hear of Alzheimers?

Losing your memory sucks. Somehow lost my favorite measuring cup last week. How does this happen? Been using it for 25 years and it's always in the same place. Searched everywhere for the thing. Did it grow legs? Somebody broke in and stole it? Makes no sense, a real mystery :yesnod:


It's in the freezer. :leaving:

[Vette40th]

Hate to suggest it but there's a possibility that you're attributing your own actions to that of an intruder. How old are you? Ever hear of Alzheimers?

Losing your memory sucks. Somehow lost my favorite measuring cup last week. How does this happen? Been using it for 25 years and it's always in the same place. Searched everywhere for the thing. Did it grow legs? Somebody broke in and stole it? Makes no sense, a real mystery :yesnod:

If you are referring to me, I am only 57.
The ordnance put on my counter prior to entering my house from inside the garage is where I walk every day.. I have never owned ordnance like this, ever.
I have one inert grenade, and it holds my laptops power cord down.
All other live ordnance is stored..
All my neighbors that are into weapons etc said it wasnt them.
All cameras here in my neighborhood face down, so they arent alerting all day on traffic. Except one, and the trees block my entire house, sidewalk and yard.
I am perplexed. More disturbed my Dog didnt even bark at all.

[Over140mph]

Wyze

Chyyyynaaaaa

Well, everything is at this point. I heard they offer free hosting which is kinda scary because they can look in on you at any time.

[Over140mph]

Sheriff Grady Judd makes me feel that there is still hope. The man is simply the best.
"Mr Judd, can you tell me why your officers shot the suspect 26 times?"

"Certainly. We ran out of ammunition."

The man is priceless.

I remember him saying that. He stressed that "we didn't do anything the criminal didn't want us to do. He was shooting at us first"

He's been making the rounds on some YouTuber channels discussing his perspectives which are stelar in my opinion.