home security system with no landline and no monthly fee

[Omegachi]

Anyone have any experience or suggestion on self installed home security systems that don't run on a lane line and does not require a monthly fee?

I want to get a system for my home, got a couple of quotes from companies like ADT and alert alarm and their installation and monthly monitoring fees are pretty pricey. so I want to look into the option of installing my own system and be able to monitor or at least be notified by phone if the alarm trips. I don't have a laneline at home, and I do not plan on getting one, so I am looking for something that don't requires it.

 

[RossMAN]

Anyone have any experience or suggestion on self installed home security systems that don't run on a lane line and does not require a monthly fee?

I want to get a system for my home, got a couple of quotes from companies like ADT and alert alarm and their installation and monthly monitoring fees are pretty pricey. so I want to look into the option of installing my own system and be able to monitor or at least be notified by phone if the alarm trips. I don't have a laneline at home, and I do not plan on getting one, so I am looking for something that don't requires it.

Short answer: There is none, you're either going to pay $$$ upfront $$$ or a monthly fee. Checkout http://info.nextalarm.com and these older ATOT threads:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2296567&highlight=nextalarm

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2237073&highlight=nextalarm

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2168903&highlight=nextalarm

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2132062&highlight=nextalarm

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2118673&highlight=nextalarm

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=180050&highlight=nextalarm

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=148288&highlight=nextalarm

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=127288&highlight=nextalarm

 

[dabuddha]

I've been using simplisafe for over 1.5 years now an love it. You pay more up front because you buy the equipment but you don't have to pay for monitoring service. If you do want service, it's only 15 / month. All the equipment is wireless which makes it a snap to install. If you have any questions feel free to PM me or ask here

 

[luv2liv]

http://simplisafe.com/ does not require landline. and i believe the monthly fee is very reasonable.
wish i had known about it before buying my own system that requires a landline from http://www.homesecuritystore.com/

 

[DrPizza]

What the OP wants seems to make sense - I'm surprised there isn't a product out there (if there isn't one.) There are already devices that allow you to "spy" on your home from a computer elsewhere, often advertised for spying on babysitters, etc. Having whatever system alert you, rather than alert some home security people doesn't seem like that great a leap.

 

[mrrman]

I pay $25 month for my service...not alot of $$ IMO

 

[Sixguns]

I think I pay $45 a month and I dont have a landline for it.

 

[purbeast0]

I've been using simplisafe for over 1.5 years now an love it. You pay more up front because you buy the equipment but you don't have to pay for monitoring service. If you do want service, it's only 15 / month. All the equipment is wireless which makes it a snap to install. If you have any questions feel free to PM me or ask here

http://simplisafe.com/ does not require landline. and i believe the monthly fee is very reasonable.
wish i had known about it before buying my own system that requires a landline from http://www.homesecuritystore.com/

wow that seems like a really cheap setup. their main package is $375 and you don't have to pay any monthly fees? definitely seems like a nice deal. i am going to look into this a bit more.

those of you that have it, you simply install all the stuff yourself?

 

[sunzt]

wow that seems like a really cheap setup. their main package is $375 and you don't have to pay any monthly fees? definitely seems like a nice deal. i am going to look into this a bit more.

those of you that have it, you simply install all the stuff yourself?

I saw that too. Looks interesting. However, it seems like the big 105db alarm is only with the deluxe 375 package. Where's the alarm for the other packages?

 

[purbeast0]

I saw that too. Looks interesting. However, it seems like the big 105db alarm is only with the deluxe 375 package. Where's the alarm for the other packages?

yea i noticed that as well. but $375 in general is still pretty damn cheap. im going to look into this next month after i get back from a trip.

 

[microAmp]

I saw that too. Looks interesting. However, it seems like the big 105db alarm is only with the deluxe 375 package. Where's the alarm for the other packages?

Scroll down and you can add the 105dB for $59.99.

 

[Raizinman]

We built our house 10 years ago and before the drywall and such went up, we contacted ADP alarm company. We had them install the works, motion sensors, glass break sensors, everything! It was real easy since the house was still under construction. We used their services for a year or two then canceled. We then wanted a system that we could self monitor that would work with our landline phone. We just got out the yellow pages and started calling all the local alarm companies. Finally we found one who said that they would have to swap out the main control panel only. The cost was $500. But, no monthly charges and we own the alarm. I have it set so that it will dial my cell phone should an alarm be tripped besides a siren outside. Works great. At what alarm companies charge for monitoring, this system will basically pay for itself in a little over one year.

 

[sunzt]

Scroll down and you can add the 105dB for $59.99.

Yes, but what happens if someone gets the cheaper packages? Where will the alarm come from?

 

[SunnyD]

 

[Capt Caveman]

http://simplisafe.com/ does not require landline. and i believe the monthly fee is very reasonable.
wish i had known about it before buying my own system that requires a landline from http://www.homesecuritystore.com/

Any idea if the motion sensor would be activated by dogs? I'm guessing a large dog would activate one?

 

[gamefreakgcb]

Thanks. We are also buying our first house and if the house does not have a system, simplesafe seems like a good idea.

 

[PokerGuy]

The OP's requirements seem very reasonable. I want some sort of alert/alarm system, but I don't need a monitoring service, I just need it to let me know if something is going on.

It shouldn't be that difficult to do, you'd think some of the companies out there would have already put a package with cameras and software out there for this purpose.....

 

[dabuddha]

wow that seems like a really cheap setup. their main package is $375 and you don't have to pay any monthly fees? definitely seems like a nice deal. i am going to look into this a bit more.

those of you that have it, you simply install all the stuff yourself?

Yep. Took me all of 20ish minutes. I have a total of 4 door sensors, 4 motion sensors, and 1 external siren. I put the door sensors on my doors (obviously ) and I strategically placed the motion sensors in the rooms on my first floor so almost every square foot is covered. If someone comes through a window, they're setting off the alarm.

 

[dabuddha]

Yes, but what happens if someone gets the cheaper packages? Where will the alarm come from?

The base station itself has an alarm but I've read that it's not that loud. I bought the external siren and it's hella loud. I plan on getting one more to mount outside my house so my neighbors can come rescue me

 

[dabuddha]

Any idea if the motion sensor would be activated by dogs? I'm guessing a large dog would activate one?

A large dog can set them off probably. My cats don't set them off and my 3 kids playing downstairs didn't set them off either (oldest one is 5 years old so maybe the dog won't set it off).

 

[rsutoratosu]

I have that...

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Tagged

 

[rsutoratosu]

You can go to any local alarm store and buy a keypad with a system and do everything yourself. Basically no one will help when the alarm goes off. Basically the fee those place charge are for calling the local fire/pd if there's an issue. My friend runs a security company and it only cost them $12-14 to have a person monitor it, so they're making 15 (if they charge 28-30) per month

 

[MixMasterTang]

Most home automation stuff has the capability for home alarm systems as well. http://www.x10.com/homepage.htm

 

[Raizinman]

Any idea if the motion sensor would be activated by dogs? I'm guessing a large dog would activate one?

You are right. On my system, we have 5 different stages of alarm modes. One mode is just the door sensors with the motion sensor off. We often do that as we have a german shepherd at home. When I take the dog with me to work, I'll use a different alarm mode.