Google - Nest Secure Alarm System with Nest Cam Outdoor - White

I am not sure what's going on with people given "one star" on this product. Before you purchase the item, didn't you do some homework? Before I bought it, I also considered Ring, ismart and Samsung ADT, I know Nest can only be place on a flat surface, not on the wall, because there is a sensor to detect people on the main guard device. The main device is not huge, but will be too fat if you put that on the wall, unlike nest thermostat or ecobee or other security panel, the built in speaker is great. And all the nest detect works great. If there is something I don't like, that will be the detect is a bit too pricey, typically for the sensor, it is $20-35, and I dont really need all sensor to have "quiet exit" function. Also the camera subscription is expensive, while Ring offer $10/month flat fee for all the ring cameras installed, Logitech charge $3.99/month for each camera and Amazon icloud camera charge $9.99/ month for up to 5 camera, Nest charge $10/ month for each camera! That is really expensive. Other than these two things, installation is easy, and system runs well ! And it looks modern and great.

I purchased the starter kit. The online installation videos on Nest's website make it very easy to follow the setup and installation of the base (brain) and all of the sensors. The system is very easy to activate and deactivate not only at the base, but also with the Nest App. The door/motion sensors are very cool, because they have the ability to "bypass" a door sensor (in case you need to let your pet out to do their "business" without having to deactivate the entire alarm system). All you have to do is press the button on the bottom of the sensor, and wait for the green light. Then open the door. To let your pet back in, just press the button again. The sensor re-arms itself each time the door closes. The sensors and base also have courtesy lights on them, so if you're walking around in the house at night, they'll shine an (adjustable brightness) path light for you. The alarm monitoring is done by Brinks Home Security, and is affordable. And once you set up a contract, Brinks activates a cellular back up, so if your wifi or internet goes down, you're still protected.

There are MANY reviews online about this product, so I purchased it solely to try it out, with an eye on returning it unless it was a "perfect" fit. I had the unit in place for about 30 days, then returned it, I needed the scheduling and more consistent sensor behavior to justify the price, so maybe I'll get it down the road. I won't go into exhausting detail, many other reviews do that well, I'll only focus on the major areas that were good/bad for me. : GOOD: - Loud alarm (2600 sqft, placed centrally, we have 1st floor hardwood and ceramic tile floors, with a fully carpeted 2nd floor - no problems hearing with all doors closed) - Ease of setup (It was being introduced into an existing Nest environment - Hello, Yale, Outdoor Cam - it setup with no problem) - Package contents (the alarm plus the Outdoor Cam is a great package, especially with already having other components like the doorbell and another cam) - Base unit (It looks great, easy to read, great buttons, and I love that it's also a sensor) - Integration (no conflicts with other Nest devices, and it worked with the Yale to disarm the system upon entry) - Notifications (speedy on-phone notifications and emails, sent to multiple users with no noticeable delay) BAD: - Unable to schedule on/off (this is somewhat preferential, but for my needs, I needed it to be able to turn itself off at one specific time during the day, and there is no ability to schedule a time period) - Sensor inconsistency (there were more than a few times where I was in the detection area by a few feet and it failed to detect) - Sensor options (pressing the sensor to temporarily disarm is only useful if it's placed near your walking path; also, the base unit's sensor is in one direction only, and it doesn't have a very wide detection zone) - Sensor adhesive (not bad, but unexpectedly irritating: the adhesive strip on the sensor is extremely strong - be careful when placing, the paint will almost certainly come off the wall, maybe use scotch tape first or something to test the location)

I’d recommend the products to anyone. The camera is crystal clear, I can get live video anytime, anywhere. Without paying the subscription, you get notifications of motion when away or all the time, your choice. The subscription isn’t that much, but I was promised a free Hub with a new subscription and Google told me I had to ask Nest, Nest said I had to go to Google, and all they’d offer is a free Nest Mini. Customer service between Google and Nest is atrocious, but that has nothing to do with Best Buy or the product itself. Buy the product, avoid the Nest Aware subscription

Nest was a life saves. It's super easy to set up and so useful. It definitely made me feel at peace when I was at home and out. Having access to everything from my phone was the best. I recommend it 100%

Purchase this alarm system for my pool house that’s a separate structure from my house. The google system was easy to set up, video is crystal clear and the app links all of my nest systems together. Alarm is loud enough for me to hear in my house and notifications are sent to my phone when motion is detected or the door is open.

Overall I like the Google Nest products and how they all integrate together. However, I’m not a huge fan of the large base for entering your codes. I would prefer a flat one to be able to place on the wall - or even a choice. Right now it sits on a chair near my door when I would much rather have something on the wall.

Do not buy, Google just discontinued this Nest Secure Alarm System! Who knows how long they will support it. I did like it until I found out yesterday that Google just discontinued it. Good luck finding any Nest Detects as well, the two that came with the System just don't cut it. I have to stop trusting Google and their hardware.