r/homesecurity

We are purchasing a home and looking at home monitoring/security systems. Something with outdoor cameras, alarm system, possibly water and/or glass breaks. Doesn’t have to be monitored, but not opposed.

Previously we have used the Ring system and had a good experience with that. It has been a few years since we’ve used it, so there may be better options. We had Eufy at a home we rented previously, and I did not like it. The cameras were very inconsistent and didn’t notify of someone at the door until they were walking away. The home currently has Vivint, but I do not want to keep it - I have heard too many horror stories of it.

What other/best options are out there? Not opposed to mixing things (ex one brand alarm system, one brand cameras) if that is a better fit.

Just curious - I had a wired system built into my house when I bought it 20 years ago. But - replaced the windows - so - no more wired sensors there anymore, and - nothing is still attached to anything anymore. Does wired make sense anymore anywhere, or is every new system - even on new construction wireless now? Thanks!

New house, always had ring, never had an issue, sensors never malfunction and always trip when I do routine tests, calls for professional monitoring come in quickly.

Looking into surety and alarm.com. Def more pricey up front. I do need new sensors regardless because during the sale of our house, the buyers pushed for wanting ring system left behind for them.

I keep reading ring sensors can be jammed easier whereas powerG has better encryption. Not sure if marketing or what. Is it really better to pay more for powerG with surety?

I've been meaning to add a couple of outdoor cameras around the house, mostly for the driveway and backyard. Nothing has happened, but I'd rather install them now than wish I had later.

The problem is every camera seems to have a mix of amazing and terrible reviews. One person says the motion detection is perfect, while someone else says it misses everything that matters and sends notifications every time a tree branch moves.

The biggest things I care about are clear night vision, reliable motion alerts, decent weather resistance, and something that doesn't need to be recharged every other week if it's battery-powered.

For anyone who's had outdoor security cameras for a while, what did you end up buying? Would you choose the same ones again, or is there something you'd avoid if you were starting over?

New home has a back alley. I was always told alleys were big crime concerns. It looks like we occasionally get some graffiti, illegal dumping, and vandalism in the alley, but so far nothing to my property. I'd like to keep it that way.

A lot of security advice assumes I don't have a back alley, but I haven't found a lot of tips on ways to reduce risk from the back alley.

Should I just not worry? No crime yet... Or is there some practical advice I just haven't found?

 currently searching for the best long range driveway alarms that are sensitive, weatherproof, and effectively detect everyday activity like approaching vehicles, visitors, and intruders well before they reach the home. I want something with an impressive detection range, adjustable sensitivity settings, and that delivers instant alerts consistently without false triggers from animals or passing traffic.

I've come across several options during my research, but I'd love to hear about your personal experiences and recommendations.

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a farm and am looking for recommendations on the best PoE security camera systems.

I already have a 12-camera Lorex package from Costco that I plan to install around the house, but I'm looking for additional cameras with excellent night vision for the rest of the property.

I've used Eufy and Arlo in the past, but they didn't perform as well as I'd hoped. For those with farms or large properties, what PoE camera systems have worked best for you? I'd especially appreciate recommendations for reliable night vision, durability, and long-range coverage.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

My Guardian alarm was set iff last night, i dont have the code to it and i had to turn the power off at thr switch board to make it stop. How can i get my power back on and make it stop? It was installed in 2019 if that helps. I would appreciate any advice.

I’m 20F, random people keep coming to my apartment door late at night and yanking the knob trying to get inside, I think a group is trying to get in and squat or break in, I want a camera that will record everything, at the moment I have a blink door bell the latest one that’s on AA batteries and that camera doesn’t record everything, there’s a time limit on how much it can record then it cuts or if the person isn’t there for long realizing they are on camera the camera doesn’t record since they aren’t standing looking at it long enough, but most altercations are longer than 30 seconds, I would like something that captures everything and not cut out when someone’s yanking on the door, I’m concerned if they actually get in the camera won’t actually record that and my evidence is non existent, what kind of camera should I get? I was thinking a ring that’s wired that can record 24/7, my door or actually on the trim has a small little doorbell button that makes a buzzing noise come out of the intercom as an I guess digital doorbell, I think it’s from the 80s?, could I somehow take that button out and use the wires from that if this was the route I’d take, please send me some recommendations on what I should do or what cameras are out there. Thank you for reading!

This is very old and is hard wired in my basement. Windows and indoor motion detectors. I never arm it because I'm afraid to set it off. Some of the connections aren't working. I don't know how to disable it. it has a backup battery. Can I just snip the wires or will that trip it up. I'd like to remove it.

I suspect my husband has been having an affair for a few years and I suspect he has out hidden cameras in our home. I’ve searched but haven’t found any. But, when they are together early mornings, like 4:00am I can heard them talking. It’s a low whisper but I can hear their whole conversations. And on weekends I’ve caught my husband whispering and I can hear her. My question is what type of nanny cam, two way audio are they using? She is obviously in her home and my husband would have to be using WiFi. I’ve checked the remote, his watch and other suspicious items but can find nothing. How are they communicating and what devices are they using?

Hi - my step father passed away yesterday. My mother lives in the far north out of town. No cel coverage but luckily have high speed internet.

My mother is getting older and doesn't always hang up the phone correctly and sometimes I can't get a holder of her for a few days.

I have to go up within a few days to deal with the death and would like something quick and easy to put in to make sure she hasn't fallen down the stairs etc.

I saw another post for a pet camera topa c120. Cheap and 2k and most importantly I can get delivered to my home before I leave.

I don't want to spy on her but need something just in case. Access through internet preferably by my phone.

As they are currently 44 bucks I was thinking of getting at least 4 of them. 1 for upstairs hallway 1 for downstairs l, 2 for basement laundry as there is no phone and parts are hard to see with 2.

Possibly door looking outside a window each for front and back stairs.

Will this work quick and cheap for now and I can do something better when I have more time to come up with a better plan.

I don't need a server as no one is going to break in or anything just want to make sure she's not lying at the bottom of the stairs for 3 days cause she didn't hang the phone up or doesn't have one.

I seriously doubt I'd get her to wear a lifeline type thing and even if I did she'd forget to have it on

Huge homelabber here.

For the last many years I've been running Zoneminder to keep an eye on the yard, etc.

I'm looking for a change - something I can run in a VM that does the same/similar job.

Remote web access and maybe push notifications would be nice.

What's out there, software wise, that I could replace my ZM install with?

Thanks in advance.

Hello.

My current system is a non-smart bticino video doorbell and an electric lock on the main door. The bticino allows me to see who is at the door and open the electric lock. the lock is not smart. I’m in EU.

I'm looking for a smart doorbell for better security (i.e. that will record videos as you get closer, VVE is ok with that) that however also allows from the app to open the electric lock. Preferred ecosystem: Apple Homekit.

Any suggestion? alternative could be that i just open the door with a simple button on the wall, and i see who is at the door via the app, but was wondering if there are better options.

thank you

I need a camera security system w 4 cameras. 4k res..good night vision. nd most importantly. The user interface. I've been burned by cheap security systems like swann. Having to go through a bunch of​ menu just to copy videos one at a time. I settled on POE , with 100 ft cable runs through attic

I need to be able to grab all the videos at once and throw them on a flash drive so I can just view them on my pc.

They also need to be saved in some r​ecognizeable f​ormat. No proprietary chinesium crap l lol

preferably $200 range, 1 week of recording with good motion sensing

Alright posted a little while back but wanted to ask a different way, so looking into some solar/ WiFi security cameras. I’ve done a ton of research and know that POE is better but not an option sadly only able to do WiFi and solar panel. Not a lot of ambient light either for the night so take that into consideration but need something to to track and watch over my front yard/ driveway and side yard/ backyard. I know I’m going to have some issues regardless of who I go with since it’s not high end PoE cameras so understood. I’m looking into reolink Argus pt ultra and the Altas pt Altas as well as eufy s340. Either system will be getting a hub. I’m looking for something that will run good off the solar, I want to Install and forget about it as much as possible but be reliable from my phone. Not trying to have to get up and take it down often. Also find with upgrading solar panels. But really want something reliable, good user interface, great night vision/ tracking with low or no light. Something that’s just going to have the least amount of problems. Open to other suggestions and other curious what experiences you have with these systems or other tried and true to you! thank you!

Ubox came with my outdoor Sehmua cameras it freezes or disconnects constantly and has to be refreshed. Customer service says it’s my router and internet. Not so. Any one have recommendations for better software ?