SimpliSafe - Home Security System with Indoor and Outdoor Cameras - 12 Piece System - White

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• Rated 5 out of 5 stars

  Simple Security Customized to Your Home

  • Tech Insider Network Member
  • Top 100 Contributor

  ----- SUMMARY ----- Verdict: Every living space is unique, so there shouldn’t be a “one-size-fits-all” approach to home security. SimpliSafe does an excellent job providing you with a variety of sensors and cameras to build your own custom security system, and the DIY setup process is easy. This 12-piece security kit helps ensure your whole home is covered inside and out, and additional sensors or cameras can be added as you see fit. Based on my experience so far, I feel confident that each sensor and camera works reliably well. Its versatility, ease of use, and performance make this SimpliSafe kit an ideal choice for whole-home indoor and outdoor security. Pros: - Quick, simple installation - System is controllable via a mobile app - Outdoor cameras are wireless - Indoor and outdoor cameras have great video quality - Sensors are reliable - Quick response from 24/7 monitoring center Cons: - Indoor camera isn't wireless ----- DETAILS ----- Unboxing & Setup: This 12-piece kit is one of the most all-encompassing security packages I’ve seen from SimpliSafe. You can always add more sensors or cameras to it, but what’s included in this kit will satisfy most homes in terms of overall coverage (both inside and out). In the box, you’ll receive the base station, keypad, six entry sensors, a motion sensor, an indoor camera, and two outdoor cameras. There’s also a thorough owner’s manual, a yard sign, and window stickers. The SimpliSafe app (available for iOS and Android) is where you start the setup process. First, you’ll create an account and the app guides you through each step of the process. I applaud SimpliSafe for providing instructions specific to each component of the security system and for the level of detail. It was easy to follow, and I had everything set up in minutes. The only exception was waiting for the outdoor camera batteries to charge before I mounted them. It took a couple of hours for them to charge, but the batteries last 3-6 months on a single charge, depending on your usage, and settings. SimpliSafe App: When you open the SimpliSafe mobile app, the “Overview” tab is the first thing you see, and it puts the ability to arm or disarm your system at the forefront. Below that, you might see some motion history from your cameras, if there is any. Other tabs in the app include “Cameras”, which allows you to hop into a live view of any of your indoor and outdoor cameras, and “Timeline” which gives you a breakdown of events, such as when you armed/disarmed the system and when a camera detected motion. For the camera motion events, tapping on the event in the timeline will show you a recording. Notifications and a variety of other device settings like camera motion detection sensitivity can be managed in the app as well. It’s an easy-to-use interface that puts system management at your fingertips wherever you are. Outdoor Cameras: Mounting the outdoor cameras is simple. There’s a dome-shaped mounting bracket that you attach to the desired location using two screws, then the camera magnetically attaches. The design allows you to easily swivel the camera around to find the best angle. The one tricky part was finding the optimal location for the cameras. Several locations did not work well because of a poor Wi-Fi connection. There was some trial and error to find the right spot for each camera but afterward, the setup went smoothly. With 1080p resolution, the outdoor cameras capture clear and colorful video. At night, it automatically switches to night vision which you can choose to be infrared (black and white) or in full color with a spotlight. I like the spotlight option because it shines a bright light when motion is detected which could scare potential intruders away. Motion detection has been reliable during my tests, and you can customize the sensitivity in the app. There’s also two-way audio which allows you to hear what’s happening or broadcast your voice through the camera’s speaker. With high-quality video, night vision, and intelligent motion alerts, the SimpliSafe outdoor cameras are an effective way to keep an eye on your home. Indoor Camera, Sensors, and Other Features: Like the outdoor camera, the indoor camera offers 1080p resolution, night vision, two-way audio, and motion detection. In terms of features, not much is different from the outdoor cameras. The main differences are that one is designed for outdoors and is weatherproof, and the other is not. For peace of mind, there’s also a privacy shutter on the indoor camera that you can set to automatically cover the lens when you’re at home. I just wish the indoor camera was wireless like the outdoor camera so that it could be placed in locations that aren't near an outlet. The entry sensors are ideal for doors and windows, and the motion sensor is ideal for any key areas where an intruder could pass through. I initially worried that the motion sensor would detect my cat when I’m away with the system armed, but I haven’t had any issues. SimpliSafe says that it works great with pets up to 50 lbs, but they also recommend installing the motion sensor 6-10 feet off the ground with the test button on top for pets under 30 lbs. For pets over 30 pounds, they recommend installing it button-side down, about 4 feet off the ground. Whether it's the entry sensors or the motion sensor, each mounts easily with the already attached adhesive tape. Just peel the paper backing off and stick them in the desired location. By default, they will trigger the alarm but you can set up “Secret Alerts” in the app as well. “Secret Alerts” is a neat feature that sends you a text, email, or push notification when a sensor is triggered but doesn’t alert the monitoring center or sound an alarm. Perhaps there’s a drawer or cabinet that shouldn’t be accessed by children. You could use an entry sensor that triggers a secret alert upon opening. Monitoring: With SimpliSafe’s monthly plans, you pay to have 24/7 monitoring and dispatch, and other features, like allowing the monitoring center to access your camera feeds (with your consent) for visual verification and priority police dispatch. The plans are described well on SimpliSafe’s website, so I won’t cover all the details here. However, you can choose to forego the monitoring plans and keep track of your system yourself. Again, details on what you do and don’t have access to are listed on SimpliSafe’s website. My experience with a 24/7 monitoring plan has been great. When I had a false alarm, I promptly received a call from the monitoring center, and when I told them it was a false alarm, they still asked for my safe word to confirm it was actually me. The person who called me was kind and courteous as well. ----- WHAT’S IN THE BOX ----- 1 x Base Station 1 x Keypad 1 x Indoor Camera 2 x Outdoor Cameras 6 x Entry Sensors 1 x Motion Sensor 1 x SimpliSafe Yard Sign with Stake 2 x SimpliSafe Decals/Stickers 1 x Owner’s Manual

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  Posted 3 years ago by Kelby

• Rated 5 out of 5 stars

  Intuitive to use home security system

  • Incentivized
  • Verified Purchaser
  • My Best Buy® Member
  • Owned for 1 week

  Very effective, easy and intuitive to use home security system

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  Posted 2 years ago by

• Rated 5 out of 5 stars

  Robust Starter Kit, Easy Set Up!

  • Tech Insider Network Member
  • Top 250 Contributor

  This home security system has been a blessing since day one. In the past I had used the 100% hard wired solutions that have been the go-to until the recent wireless times. This kit involves little to no screws too and can nearly completely be set up without a screwdriver. As most pieces of this bundle have adhesive backing, it really makes the process smooth. The companion app that manages all of these pieces is very intuitive too and really walks through the management process of this system. As mentioned above, this system comes with every piece a medium sized house needs to cover all access points, both internal and external. It comes with several indoor and outdoor cameras, 6 door entry access points, a motion sensor as well as the deterring yard signs to let everyone know your home is covered. The keypad is also very easy to use, while arming and disarming the home. The base station needs a clean line of sight to the sky as it acts as your mobile access point too, which, out of the entire process has the potential to be the most annoying part, depending on the design of your home. The only addition to this set that i would add would be an additional external camera, it feels that 2 is adequate but 3 would give much better coverage. All in all, if you are looking for a home security system that is mobile friendly, has a great intuitive companion app and can easily be expanded in an ala cart fashion, then I would highly recommend this as a solution to your needs as set up is easy and it delivers on what is promised!

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  Posted 3 years ago by JorgeST