A:AnswerHi! The Monitoring Service is required for the system to communicate outside of your home. Without Monitoring Service, the system will be able to trigger local siren alarms, only.
A:AnswerThe two systems are completely incompatible, Nothing on the old works on the new, nothing on the new works with the old. (I saw in a forum that the camera MAY work with both. Check before buying.)
Best Buy is currently selling both the old and the new systems. I believe the old are SS2 (second generation) and the new are SS3. In addition you can tell the two apart because all the new components are smaller than their earlier counterparts. If you care which you get, check carefully before you buy.
I think it is unconscionable for Best Buy to sell both systems side-by-side without a very clear indication that one is the newer model, incompatible with the old. (If the difference is indicated in the descriptions, I missed it.) The fact that they are different systems should be clearly stated and obvious to the consumer.
A:AnswerYou do need to have Monitoring Service active in order for the system to communicate outside of the home - including for Smart Alerts. But to be clear, we do not have contracts. So you are able to subscribe and cancel service at any time.
A:AnswerOur Standard Monitoring Plan includes 24/7 dispatch and cellular backup for only $14.99 per month.
The Interactive Monitoring Plan is our all-inclusive service that adds Online Command through the web and smartphone app, Smart Alerts to your phone or email, and cloud-based recordings for any SimpliCams in your system for only $24.99 per month.
A:AnswerNo, you do not need internet service. Alerts are sent to dispatch via a cell phone signal. The base station that came with my startup kit apparently had a T Mobile sims card in it and the signal would disconnect intermittenly. Simplisafe sent me a new base station with Verizon service and all is good. FYI, if you put the base station on a stone surface such as granite or marble, or other solid surface material such as Corian, the signal will also lose connectivity. Solved that by putting something under the base so it is not in direct contact with the solid surface. I had mine on my Corian counter and put a cork coaster under it and now I have a strong consistent signal with the dispatch center. Wood surfaces are ideal.
A:AnswerYes, the alarm is audible. The main component sounds an alarm when security is breached. It also has an audible voice that notifies you when the alarm has been turned on or off, and where any breach has taken place. It's not extremely loud - meaning your neighbors certainly won't hear the alarm, but the monitoring company is notified right away. There is a monthly fee. I'm a new customer, so I dont recall exactly what it is, but it was much less than my prior service. It's in the $12-15 per month range.
A:AnswerThe home base does make a siren noise that is pretty loud. Just unsure how loud. Not enough to alert neighbors but alert anyone who shouldn’t be in your home.
A:AnswerHi! We don't require any checks to set up monitoring. We don't even have term contracts! Our Standard Monitoring Plan with 24/7 dispatch and cellular backup is only $14.99 per month.
A:AnswerYou don't have to purchase a plan and can just monitor yourself. However, you will not be notified if you are away. It you get a camera then the app will notify you when it sees movement, but will not keep a recording unless you pay for that service.
A:AnswerHi Darlene! SimpliSafe is designed so that it can work without monitoring, as a local alarm with sirens. We did recently update the system so that when it's connected to WiFi, you an also get notifications for alarm events through the SimpliSafe app.
If you opt for monitoring though, you'll also get 24/7 dispatch, so when there's an alarm, you'll get a call from a human operator. If you're not able to answer, they can call the authorities on your behalf!
A:AnswerA long time. I've had my system for several years and only had to replace 1 sensor battery. The rest are fine. Yes, you set up how you want notifications and are notified when a sensor isn't working.
A:AnswerSimpliSafe keeps your systems locked down, with all communications encrypted in transit, AND at rest. No one, not even our own employees, can access your account without your permission.
The main security system links with Monitoring through your home's WiFi, as well as its own built-in cellular connection (which does not need to connect to your personal cell service).
