Simplisafe?

[Ghost River Retrievers]

Like many on this forum, I live miles from town in a county with few residents, so there's no police presence and most like a response time of at least 20 minutes, maybe more. We have a typical farm gate with an electric opener at the entrance from the road; our gravel driveway is roughly 3/8 mile and leads only to our house; the house is not visible from the road (well, the roof is visible). Only my bride and I live at the house, along with 4 dogs.
We have sort of relied on the dogs to alert us to folks entering the property ... even though the dogs cannot see the gate, they can somehow tell when someone turns into the driveway.
My primary concern is for safety, mainly my wife, but I don't want to wake up with a bad guy at the foot of the bed, and I like some of the stuff we have so I'd like to keep or at least recover it if possible.
So I'm thinking about a driveway alarm (obviously, this would only work when someone approaches via the driveway), as well as a motion detector in the house and a loud outdoor siren (I have a couple neighbors who live about 1/4 mile behind the house with separate entrances to their properties). Also considering a camera in the house and a few outdoor cameras with a couple directed at the house from different angles and a couple directed at the sheds which house a bunch of my "stuff." Notably, the sheds are around 400 yards form the house and, therefore, 400 yards from our wi-fi.
I don't plan on having it monitored because with the likely response time, the cops would not be there in time to even see the crooks' taillights.
I've looked at Simplisafe, which seems okay and popular, but I'd like some opinions of folks who have a situation similar to mine.
Thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated, whether about Simplisafe or another type of system!
Thanks!

 

[TnAndy]

Simplisafe seems to be a monitored system. You can set your own up with some internet shopping.

Best driveway alarm I've found is Dakota Alert MURS unit. You can have up to four zones, covering not only drive, but other areas as well, all reporting to one base unit in the house. Range good for miles and miles.

 

[tcreeley]

The state police barracks is 30 minutes away and the county sheriff is 40 minutes away. No local cops closer than a half hour. I like it that way.
Everything is unlocked, keys are in the vehicles. There is crime but not much. 33 years ago we had a bicycle stolen that we left on its side close to the road. Nothing since.
I feel bad for all of you folks who have to deal with crime and security issues. Having adult toys visible will attract attention. I put things out of sight of the road.
I don't think I would ever call the cops after you read about folks getting shot when they show up. Maine must just be a good state to live in.

A dog would be useful if there was a problem, but I'm not really interested in one.

 

[/pine]

One of the best natural burglar alarms (loose term)...are guineas...nobody will get even close to your habitat without them raising holy heck...but they will pull up your plants...

 

[RNeumann]

We have Simplisafe at the wife’s office. It has been a good product and provides some piece of mind. It has a camera as well. It uses a cellular signal and they work with most carriers depending on the area.

On the property we had an evaluation done and one of the recommended products was this-
Dakota Alert MURS Wireless Motion Detection Kit, can be purchased at: 1. Amazon.com Page Not Found
Station/dp/B00104QGXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432911488&sr=8‐
1&keywords=dakota+monitor

It is nice in that any HAM radio will pick up the beeps- ie you can wear a little portable radio and or have a base station as mentioned above. Setup two on the driveway and you will know how fast they are coming. They can be set in such a way to minimize false signals- but nothing will eliminate all false signals.

Other basics like gates, clear lines if site and the dogs will help.

 

[kthompson]

Without a doubt crime does vary across this county and even within local areas. However not aware there is any state that can report no major crimes for even one week and if there were only one and it was your or your loved one the victim that is all that matters. With illegal drugs and some other issues there is potential out there I did not grow up with and can understand anyone having concern.

Would say good out door dogs along with in house dog to warn you the outside dog(s) are upset or alarmed. Find out how to identify your property for the law in your state as yours so if found can be traced. Pictures can help but video of you giving the serial numbers and description of the item is better. Do not think any alarm system will get law there fast enough to be real help. Had business 15 miles from my house I bet the law to more than once even when broken into. On cameras doubt you can set up too many. I used wired ones to recorder. No experience with wireless cameras. But if you go with cameras do get them of quality for poor video is not much value.

The advice of keeping items hidden or locked up of course helps. If you need decent secure storage checkout the ocean shipping containers. Not costly and you can even park small tractors and such in them. Of course locks and all this is only a help. Oh have good insurance. If you have the mind set to have and use guns then do have and train with them. Be sure your wife is comfortable with them and can use quickly. My wife is decent shot and have no doubt she is willing to if needed. But to get her there it has taken some trial of getting guns she can handle well. You may need to get expert help on this. Do test the guns and ammo on more than paper. I know people who count on bird shot to protect them, well bird shot may not penetrate a winter coat much less stop a person. Then pray all your preparation is never needed.

 

[RNeumann]

I’ll add most of the WiFi cameras, like simplisafe (I have had good luck with iSmartAlarm too) store any motion or sound detected remotely.

 

[tomplum]

The Dakota driveway alert is what we have. No surprises. They are simple to install and you are running no cables for power in addition, I have a strobe light that flashes for a minute (the way I have it calibrated) so if there was ever a thought, did I hear something? I can verify if I would have been asleep when the chime goes off.

 

[EddieWalker]

Simplisafe seems to be a monitored system. You can set your own up with some internet shopping.

Best driveway alarm I've found is Dakota Alert MURS unit. You can have up to four zones, covering not only drive, but other areas as well, all reporting to one base unit in the house. Range good for miles and miles.

Thanks, I've learned that you are one of those posters on here that I trust a lot. Your recommendation for a product goes a long way with me. I've been wanting some sort of driveway alarm for awhile, and this one just went to the top of my list to research.

 

[TnAndy]

Thanks, I've learned that you are one of those posters on here that I trust a lot. Your recommendation for a product goes a long way with me. I've been wanting some sort of driveway alarm for awhile, and this one just went to the top of my list to research.

Well thank you Eddie.....I certainly enjoy your posts and experience with things. That gazebo of yours is a true work of art.

On driveway alerts, like I said....I tried several over the years, and the Dakota MURS unit, while not perfect, is the best I've found. The range is way superior to most, literally miles, you have the choice of magnetic in-the-road probes or motion detector, or combination of them up to 4 per base unit. Each transmitter has a separate frequency, and the base picks it up as a voice alert "Alert Zone 1 (or 2,3,4) so you know which zone was tripped.

I have the magnetic probe right at my gate for the first alert. It runs off 12v (comes set up for 8 AA batteries), and I've got it connected to a 12v battery on a trickle charger as I've got 120cAC at that location. My other sensors are the motion detector type, they use 6 AA's (roughly 6mo/set), two of them are line of sight from the house because the dogs/deer/crows will set them off.

Base unit comes with a 'wall wart', or can be run directly off 12vDC. It also has a set of NO contacts you can wire other things like siren/light/etc. You can also set up 2 base units, say one at the house, one at the shop/barn, and have a wireless intercom system on your place if you want, plus the second base will pick up the sensors as well...or 4 more different ones if you want...frequencies are field setable.

They also sell a hand walkie talkie that picks up the transmitters, AND you can use it as a 2 way radio between it and the base unit....so that has handy uses when momma has lunch ready

LOT of features with these units.

I've had individual transmitter units fail over the years, sent back to Dakota, they repair/replace for a fair fee (way less than new unit), good technical advice if you need it, overall, I've have to say they are good to deal with.

 

[bdog]

I have had simplisafe in my house and shop for years. $19.99 a month. Works great. I get a text message instantly when the alarm is triggered and a few seconds later their dispatch calls. The only downside is it is all wireless and runs on AA batteries. The ones in the house do good and last a long time and the sensors in the shop last long but the keypad in the shop I replace the batteries on 3-4 times a year. The cold gets them I guess. The house keypad batteries last a year.

 

[aczlan]

I have had simplisafe in my house and shop for years. $19.99 a month. Works great. I get a text message instantly when the alarm is triggered and a few seconds later their dispatch calls. The only downside is it is all wireless and runs on AA batteries. The ones in the house do good and last a long time and the sensors in the shop last long but the keypad in the shop I replace the batteries on 3-4 times a year. The cold gets them I guess. The house keypad batteries last a year.

Try Lithium AA batteries for the shop keypad.

Aaron Z

 

[Ghost River Retrievers]

Thanks for the responses! I'll certainly be checking out Dakota and iSmartAlarm, as well as SimpliSafe.
So far as defense if Mr. BadGuy shows up when we are home, we have the equipment and training (even momma has her c.c. permit and has on multiple occasions ridded the property of no-shoulders with her 20 gauge).
When we aren't there, we lock our stuff up as best as we can, but with the house hidden and neighbors not being exactly "right next door," the bad guys can quickly get in and out without a problem.
Hence, that's why I'm thinking alerting-type security for our personal safety and video for possible capture and/recovery would be sensible.
Thanks again!
(Any other ideas are appreciated!)

 

[Navvet]

I'm a retired US Navy electronics tech and I specialized in security systems and secure communications for Uncle Sam.

I don't normally make recommendations on products to people I don't know, but, SimpliSafe is the one product I will recommend.

Based on my research, I have it, 2 neighbors, 2 brothers and my sister have it as well as my (almost 90 year old) parents.

It's simple, solid and reliable.

For added security I would also add a Samsung "wired" camera system. A good high def system is available from most warehouse stores ( Sam's, BJ's Etc ....) for under $500. Easy to set up and if anything does happen, you have the video.

Just my 2 cents worth ...

 

[beowulf]

We are set back about 850' from the highway where we have a gate - set back about 70' from the highway. We wanted to know when anyone approached the gate - not only for possible intruders but also for package deliveries and guests, etc. so we could go and unlock the gate.

For years (5+) we have used a wireless alarm (link below). It beeps in the house whenever anyone approaches the gate. Very reliable and extremely simple to set up and use. There are options for multiple sensors and likely some with longer ranges. Again, it has worked perfectly for us and I will buy another if this one ever conks out.
Amazon.com: Chamberlain CWA2 Weatherproof Outdoor/Driveway Wireless Motion Alarm and Alert System, Includes 1 Battery/AC Powered Base Receiver and 1 CWPIR Sensor, Additional CWPIR Sensors Sold Separately: Home Improvement

 

[timswi]

I have a driveway alarm as well--Wireless and works great..No crime here to speak of but the wife still wants a whole house security system. She'll talk me into it eventually. Guns and Dogs handle it now.

 

[beowulf]

I have a driveway alarm as well--Wireless and works great..No crime here to speak of but the wife still wants a whole house security system. She'll talk me into it eventually. Guns and Dogs handle it now.

timswi, I also have a gun nearby just in case. Before we had the gate at the highway we had a lot of "guests" drive up to the house saying they were looking for this or that. Never sure. I have beware of dog signs as well, but my dogs. . . well, they are every man's best friend. Also have a sign at the gate advising "There is nothing in here worth dying for." Seems to all work as no problems for past 20 years (since the gate and signs went up).

We have always felt that the locked gate and the very long drive way as the only way in and out, and inability to see much of what they would be going in for, were all deterrents. Anyone trying to decide to come in for mischief has to consider whether it is worth it to enter the unknown. So far no one has been that curious. And being lazy, thieves would not want to walk the 850' up to the "compound."

 

[Navvet]

I have a driveway alarm as well--Wireless and works great..No crime here to speak of but the wife still wants a whole house security system. She'll talk me into it eventually. Guns and Dogs handle it now.

As a local detective told me "You only have to justify the first shot, The rest are free ...."

 

[timswi]

timswi, I also have a gun nearby just in case. Before we had the gate at the highway we had a lot of "guests" drive up to the house saying they were looking for this or that. Never sure. I have beware of dog signs as well, but my dogs. . . well, they are every man's best friend. Also have a sign at the gate advising "There is nothing in here worth dying for." Seems to all work as no problems for past 20 years (since the gate and signs went up).

We have always felt that the locked gate and the very long drive way as the only way in and out, and inability to see much of what they would be going in for, were all deterrents. Anyone trying to decide to come in for mischief has to consider whether it is worth it to enter the unknown. So far no one has been that curious. And being lazy, thieves would not want to walk the 850' up to the "compound."

Try a "Found Here At Night, Found Here In the Morning Sign"..We get the snoopers too...So far they have been harmless, more scared than anything and I'm not all that imposing.

 

[timswi]

As a local detective told me "You only have to justify the first shot, The rest are free ...."

True that...A retired cop (before the castle doctrine) told me just drag the dirtbag back in the house after you cap him...Good lord, I don't even want to think about that.