REVIEW – When it comes to security around my home, I always like to have as many cameras as possible that cover as much of the immediate surroundings as possible. These days, most events criminal or not are captured by someone’s camera. It is even nicer when the cameras are capable fo really clear and crisp images/video, and include the ability to record locally as well as cloud-based. ThALC Wireless AWS3377 Full HD 1080p Surveillance System seems to offer similar features, so let’s see how things turned out.

What is it?

ALC Wireless AWS3377 Full HD 1080p Surveillance System with 7″ Touch Screen Monitor and 2 Weatherproof Cameras is exactly as this title states. It basically allows you to configure and view your cameras both locally via the included monitor or remotely via the app. Recording capabilities are included.

What’s in the box

1 x HD Monitor
2 x HD Cameras (AWS3377)
1 x Ethernet Cable
3 x AC Adapters
2 x Camera Brackets
3 x Antennas
2 x Screw/Anchor Kits
2 x Security Window Stickers
3 x Quick Setup Guides (English, French, Spanish)
1 x Warranty Leaflet
1 x 8GB micro SD card with SD adapter

Design and features

Overview of specs:

• 65-ft Night Vision – 6 surface-mounted high-power Infrared LEDs allow you to view potential security risk to your family or business, even in the dark.
• 4 Channel Full HD 1080p video to the 7” Touchscreen Monitor, Phone or Tablet.
• Email Alerts and Push Notifications – the free Observer HD app sends alerts to your smartphone or tablet when your camera has detected an “event”.
• On-Board Recording – Capture and record video to SD card so there is no need for expensive services to store your recordings. (8GB SD card included, maximum capacity up to 128GB)
• USB port allows the connection of a portable hard drive for scheduled or continuous recordings.

ALC AWS3377 Observer HD Full HD 1080p 4-Channel 7” Touch Screen, Wireless Surveillance System with two Weatherproof Cameras is a security solution for your home or your business. Installation is very easy, and since the cameras arrive already paired with the monitor, it is a simple DIY project. The system is expandable to 4 cameras and offers Full HD 1080p live and recorded video. The system is completely wireless, so there are no cables to run in between the cameras and the monitor. Just plug your cameras into AC power and you are good to go. You can view your live cameras, playback, and recordings on the 7” touchscreen monitor. You can view your cameras remotely from anywhere in the world via the free ALC Observer App with your Android or Apple iOS device.

The front of the monitor has a 7″ touchscreen and an approximately 1/2″ bezel with a wireless signal indicator and a power indicator on the top front bezel. On the back of the monitor, there is a power button on the top left rear and an antenna jack on the top right rear. In the middle raised section, there is a network jack, a USB port, a speaker and the stand.

On one side of the monitor, there is the reset port, a micro SD card slot, and the power jack.

On the front of the camera, there is a light sensor and infrared LEDs behind a glass long with a power status LED and a link status LED. On the 2 opposite long sides of the camera body are 2 mounting holes, and on the back, there is the antenna jack, a pairing button, and the fixed power cable. There is also a built-in mic that is not very visible even to the naked eye.

The picture below on the left shows the monitor displaying one camera with the possibility of adding 3 additional cameras. On the right is the picture of the camera mounted on the wall.

Performance

Right out of the box, this system gives the impression of being a well-built system, and it does not disappoint. The cameras come already paired with the monitor and they immediately communicate with each other once powered on. I placed one camera in my home, and I plan to set up the second camera outdoors. I have not yet set up the outdoor camera because I live in a building on a higher floor and I need to take care of some additional logistics first. I have not experienced any connectivity or latency issues between the monitor and the camera, nor any with the DVR process and performance. The monitor includes a SD card slot that can take a card up to 128GB for recording and a USB port that can accommodate up to a 2TB hard drive for long-term recording. Here are some manufacturer recommendations:

• It is recommended to use a 2TB HDD drive for long-term use.
• The max USB power for an HDD/Flash drive is 5V/1000mA. Use an external power supply for the
  drive if it is more.
• Format the drive/SD Card before using

The monitor is a touchscreen monitor and you can use the setup function by touching the screen or by plugging a mouse into the USB port at the back. (This is according to the manufacturer, but I used the touch screen method). The following is a stock photo of the monitor screen and the settings tab. As seen in the photo, settings include the ability to individually setup preferences for each of 4 possible cameras, the ability to change the view from single to double to quad, to change the audio preferences, to change the on-screen status display information, etc.

The camera has built-in infrared LEDs for viewing at night. The LEDs will automatically activate at night and the picture being viewed will turn to black and white. The night viewing range is up to 40 feet.
You can also set up motion detection, motion sensitivity and motion area to trigger recordings.

The monitor does require constant AC power for operation, and a wired Ethernet connection for remote access/viewing. While there are available devices from various manufacturers that can make the network connection wireless, the required power option makes this monitor one that has to be placed in a fixed position. I did reach out to ALC Support regarding the availability of a monitor with a rechargeable battery that would make the monitor mobile, and here was the response:

“the AWS3377 does not have a battery inside. We tried to fit a battery inside during development but it would only get about an hour of power – without the hard drive recording. If we hook up the hard drive to it, then it runs out even quicker. This product supports 1080p (1920×1080) so components tend to drain more power. In our previous version, the battery could hold about 3 hours of power, but it was only recording at VGA (640×480) and it does not have external hard drive support. ”

App

Once you download the ALC Observer HD app, you follow the on-screen instructions and scan the QR code on the back of the monitor. The camera is automatically added and you then just need to enter the admin password that you would have created during the initial setup process. Once the camera is added, you select it on your phone/tablet, and the following 2 screens give you access to the video stream for up to 4 cameras. The screen on the left is first, and once you touch the play button on the bottom toolbar, the screen on the right shows with your live cameras. ( Again, for this test I only have one camera installed.)

When in low light or darkness, the images are very clear but show in black and white. When there is adequate light, they show just as clear but in color.

What I like

• The quality of the build of the cameras and monitor
• The quality of the camera images even in the dark
• The Wireless capability of the system

What can be improved

• This monitor for this model does not have any capability to be mobile
• This model does not allow integration with their security systems like their Connect Plus system.
• There is no built-in or removable battery for portability
• There is no chime or notification for the door and window sensors

Final thoughts

ALC Wireless AWS3377 Full HD 1080p Surveillance System with 7″ Touch Screen Monitor is a really nice surveillance system that offers very crisp and clear audio and video monitoring, along with good DVR functionality. The ability to add up to a 2TB USB drive for recording is absolutely great and provides for a nice look back period. The cameras are well built and the monitor is great for viewing. However, from my perspective, the limitations of not having mobility with the monitor even though the reasons have been explained by ALC, make this system specifically applicable to scenarios where the viewing location if fixed. While this is likely perfect for businesses, I would like to be able to take the monitor into my basement and have a live view of the cameras. I can do so with my phone or tablet, but I would prefer to do so with the included monitor. Since this is just a personal preference and not a dealbreaker, I definitely give this system a thumbs up!!

Price: $349.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by ALC Wireless.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Home Security

ALC Wireless AWS3377 Full HD 1080p Surveillance System with 7″ Touch Screen Monitor and 2 Weatherproof Cameras review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 10, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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REVIEW – Nine years ago I reviewed the SimpliSafe 1500 home security system and have been using it in my home all these years as a basic system that alerts me during the night if someone opens my front door. But that system didn’t offer a way to notify me in the event of an alarm when I’m away from home. Fast forward almost a decade later and SimpliSafe is still in business and now offers a full-featured system that can do it all. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

SimpliSafe is an affordable and expandable home security system that anyone can install without needing to do special wiring or other electrical work. It can be used with or without purchasing an optional police or fire dispatch service in the event of an alarm, but it’s recommended that you do opt for the monthly monitoring service which is $14.95 or $24.95 a month depending on the plan.

Design and features

SimpliSafe offers several different system packages that include a base station and keypad with a variety of sensors. You can also build a custom system that includes all the sensors you need for your particular situation. That’s what I did, so you won’t find a pre-configured package on SimpliSafe’s site with all the sensors that you see in the image above without going with a customized system. The system I created includes:

1 Base station
1 Keypad
1 Key fob
2 Motion sensors
2 Entry sensors
2 Glassbreak sensors
2 Water sensors
2 SimpliCam security cameras
1 Smoke detector
1 Carbon monoxide detector
1 Extra siren
1 Yard sign

Base station

The SimpliSafe base station is a requirement of any SimpliSafe setup. It’s available in white or black and uses an AC adapter for power, but also has a battery backup so it will still function for up to 24hrs even if the power goes out.

The base station has a built-in speaker that is used for system sounds and alarms. The base also has an LED ring that lights up in blue when the system is armed and turns off when the system is unarmed.

As the brains of the SimpleSafe security system, the base station uses WiFi to send and receive system updates, and it uses cellular (Verizon and T-Mobile) to contact the COPS monitoring company when an alarm is triggered. That means you do NOT need a landline phone to use this system however you will need cellular or WiFi for the COPS monitoring service.

Motion sensor and Glassbreak sensor

The motion sensor (left) and glassbreak sensor (right) are small battery-powered sensors (both are powered by CR123A lithium-ion batteries) that will trigger an alarm when movement is detected or the sound of breaking glass is detected.

The motion sensor can detect motion up to 30 feet straight out from the sensor and 90 degrees to the left and right as well as 45 degrees downward (but not upward). The instructions tell you to mount the motion sensor in a corner of the room for maximum room coverage. If you don’t have pets in your home, you can mount this sensor 4-5ft above the ground, but if you have dogs, you’re instructed to mount the sensor upside down about 4ft above the floor to prevent the sensor from “seeing” the dog. For cat owners, you’re told to mount the sensor right side up and 6-10 feet above the floor. I live with a 15 lb fluffy cat named Max, so I mounted the sensor in the corner of the basement at about 7ft above the floor. But even when mounted according to the instructions, the motion sensor triggered when Max walked into the room. But more about that later.

As for the glassbreak sensor, it triggers when it detects the sound frequency of breaking glass. The idea is that if someone is breaking a window or glass pane in a door while breaking into your home, this sensor will hear it and trigger an alarm.

I wasn’t willing to shatter a glass to test the sensor, so I tried playing some glass shattering noises near the sensors like the ones in the video below.

But no matter how loud or close to the glassbreak sensors that I played the audio files, the sensors would not trigger. I realize that my test isn’t completely true to life, but I was surprised the sound bites would not cause an alarm to trigger.

Water sensor and Entry sensor

Like SimpliSafe’s other sensors, the water and entry sensors are also battery powered. The water sensor uses a CR2032 lithium-ion battery and the entry sensor uses a 3V 2032 battery.

The water leak sensor is a small hockey puck shaped sensor that has electrical contacts on the bottom. When water touches the contacts, an alarm is triggered. The best place to mount the water sensors is on the floor where you usually encounter water leaks. I placed mine near the hot water heater in my utility room and under the sink in our kitchen.

The entry sensors have two pieces that have a magnetic connection to each other. The idea is that you attach one piece on the door and the other on the door frame so that when the door is opened, the connection is broken, causing it to trigger an alarm. You can also use the entry sensors on a window. I placed mine on my front door and the other one on my basement patio door which is the only two entry points into my home.

Each time the door is opened, the connection is broken and the base station will sound a ding-dong type of tone. In my home, these are the sensors that get activated multiple times per day and they work perfectly without any false triggers.

Smoke detector and Carbon monoxide detector

I love that SimpliSafe offers the option of adding smoke AND carbon monoxide detectors to their security systems so you will have all of your bases covered when it comes to protecting your home when you’re there and obviously when you’re away too.

The smoke detector uses a CR123A lithium-ion battery and the carbon monoxide detector uses 3 L91 lithium-ion batteries. When either of these sensors triggers an alarm, the COPS monitoring service will dispatch the fire department to your home.

Siren

If you have a large home with multiple levels, you can add extra sirens like the one you see above. Just place them within 100 feet of the base station and you’re good to go. When an alarm is sounded, the extra alarm will sound a 105dB siren that will sound in addition to the base station’s built-in alarm. The extra alarm is powered by 4 AA batteries.

SimpliCam

If you really want a full-featured home security system, you need cameras that capture what’s happening when an alarm is triggered. The SimpliCam cameras will do just that. But unlike SimpliSafe’s sensors, the SimpliCam cameras are not battery powered and have to be connected to a wall outlet and they are required to be connected to WiFi as they will NOT transfer footage over cellular.

The cameras feature HD video and audio and have a 120-degree field of view. They also have a built-in motion detector.

You can use SimpliCams by themselves without any other SimpliSafe system or you can add them to your SimpliSafe home security setup. If you use them as stand-alone cameras, you don’t have to pay any extra monthly fees to use them as a live view camera. If you want the cameras to save a 1-minute video clip when motion is detected, you’ll have to pay $4.99 for one camera or $9.99 for up to 4 cameras. If you add SimpliCams to an existing SimpliSafe system with the $24.95 monitoring plan, you don’t have to pay anything extra to get the 1-minute motion video clip recording for up to 4 cameras, but if you’re on the $14.95 a month plan, you’ll have to pay an additional $4.99 for one camera if you want the recording feature and an extra camera will pop you into the $24.95 plan.

The live view of the cameras can be viewed through the SimpliSafe app.

Turning the phone to landscape orientation gives you a larger view. Here’s an example of a video clip.

The sound quality gets a little wonky when I’m washing a glass, but the picture quality is decent enough.

Keypad

In addition to the base station, you also have to have a keypad with your SimpliSafe system because it is what you use to arm, disarm, add sensors, and customize the system’s settings.

The keypad is a big update from the first gen SimpliSafe keypad that I’ve been using the last 9 years. The new one has a backlit screen and keys that make it much easier to arm and disarm the system in the dark. You can also touch the body of the keypad to “wake” it up.

The keypad is powered by AA batteries.

Key fob

The key fob is an easy way to arm and disarm your SimpliSafe system without needing to key in the PIN number. The key fob also has a built-in panic button on the end of the fob.

The key fob does not have a user replaceable battery but the battery is supposed to last around 3 years. After that time you’ll need to buy a new one but from what I read in the SimpliSafe forums if the battery dies before 3 years, SimpliSafe will replace the fob for free. Don’t quote me on that though.

SimpliSafe sign

If you want to advertise the fact that your home is protected by a SimpliSafe security system, you can purchase a plastic sign that you can put in your yard. Just seeing a sign like that can be a deterrent for evildoers.

Setting up the SimpliSafe system

Setting up the SimpliSafe system is….wait for it… simple! Seriously though, it is a painless process. All you have to do is plug in the base station, pull the battery tab out of the keypad, set a master PIN number, and then follow the keypad prompts to add each sensor to the system by pressing the test button on each sensor. The keypad will detect the sensor and will let you choose from location names so you’ll be able to know which sensor triggered an alarm when you receive a notification. You will also use the keypad to connect the system to WiFi.

Activating alarm monitoring

You can use the SimpliSafe security system as a “dumb” security system that will trigger alarms but won’t actually dispatch emergency personnel in the event of a break-in or fire. But to really take advantage of all the features, you need to opt-in for either the $24.99 per month plan or the $14.99 per month plan. What is the difference in the plans besides the price? The cheaper plan does not allow you to arm and disarm the system via the SimpliSafe app and will not send you text messages and emails when alarms are triggered. The cheaper plan also does not add the recording feature if you have SimpliCams.

How does the monitoring feature work?

If you have the system armed and one of the sensors is triggered, you can immediately disarm the alarm by pressing the OFF button on the key fob or by keying your 4-digit PIN into the keypad. If you have the $24.99 plan, you’ll immediately receive a notification on your phone, a text message, an email, or all of the above. If you’re not at home to cancel the alarm within a minute or so, it will send a notice to the COPS monitoring service and someone will call you on the phone number that you set as your primary contact. If they can’t reach you on that number, they will call your secondary number, and if they can’t get anyone to answer that number, they will contact the police to dispatch them to your home. If you or your secondary contact do answer the COPS call, you can use your safe word cancel the emergency dispatch or approve it.

Some caveats…

• If your smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector alarms trigger, the COPS service will only try to contact you at your primary number and if no one answers, they will send the fire department. They won’t try to contact your secondary contact number.
• Once a sensor is triggered, it will not re-arm that sensor once the alarm has stopped but you can re-arm the whole system yourself using the SimpliSafe app.

SimpliSafe app

The SimpliSafe app gives you an easy way to see the status and arm or disarm the system from anywhere in the world as long as you have a net connection AND you are paying the $24.99 monitoring plan.

You can also use the app to check the status of the connected sensors and change the way they behave in each mode: OFF, HOME, and AWAY.

The app will also allow you to see a timeline of activities.  If you also have SimpliCams, you can tap on the activies and see any video clips that were recorded when the sensors were triggered.

SimpliSafe web client

You can also use the SimpliSafe web app to check your sensor settings, current status, alert history, and even view a live view of your SimpliCams if your web browser has Adobe Flash installed.

A few weeks with the SimpliSafe system

Setting up the SimpliSafe security system with all the sensors and 2 SimpliCams was easy. I think it took me about 30 minutes. I used the system without activating the COPS monitoring for a couple of days just to get the hang of it, but there’s almost zero learning curve. But since I had to set up a new master PIN number to disarm the system, I wanted to make sure that Jeanne and I would remember the number before I decided to turn on the monitoring service.

When you first turn on the monitoring, it gives you a 72 hours training period before it will dispatch emergency services to your home after a sensor has been triggered. Once that time has expired, you’re sent an email to let you know that monitoring is active. Of course, within hours of the monitoring service getting activated, one of the motion sensors was tripped by my cat Max. We were out with friends at a restaurant and I remember receiving a call from a 1-800 number but my habit is to automatically reject the calls. I had also failed to set up the notification feature, so I didn’t know anything had happened until I got home checked the SimpliSafe app and saw the info about the sensor being triggered. I was also able to watch a video clip from the SimpliCan that was captured when Max tripped the motion trigger. I then checked one of my Wyze cams and captured a sheriff looking in one of our windows within 15 minutes of the alarm being triggered. How’s that for service! Check out the video below.

I was very impressed by how quick an emergency responder was dispatched. I’m also happy that I didn’t get in “trouble” due to a false alarm.

What I like

• Easy to install
• Expandable
• Affordable monitoring
• No contracts

What needs to be improved

• Auto re-arming a triggered sensor after an alarm event
• Motion sensor sensitivity with pets might be a problem

Final thoughts

I tend to groan when I find an app or service that I like only to find out that to use it, I have to pay a monthly subscription. But in the case of SimpliSafe, I think the $14.99 or $24.99 per month charge is actually well worth what you get for that price. The fact that a human will call up to 2 numbers and then dispatch an emergency responder is pretty huge. Pair that with an easy to set up system that anyone can install and use, with SimpliSafe’s proven track record of 10 years of service, I have no problem recommending their products and services. I’ve been using their products since 2009 and will continue to use them.

Price: Systems start at $229.00
Where to buy: SimpliSafe and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Simplisafe.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Home Security

SimpliSafe home security system review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 7, 2018 at 11:23 am.

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REVIEW – For many years, I have invested in several different home security systems aimed at providing safety for me and family that includes threats from human intruders, fire, carbon monoxide, etc. My current system works quite well with a few annoying features and failures, and a growing monthly monitoring charge. I was recently offered the opportunity to review a home security system that seemed like it could accommodate most of my security needs albeit not all. Nevertheless, I was eager to try it, knowing that depending on what features were missing, I could possibly find solutions that would ultimately keep me satisfied and eliminate that pesky monthly charge. Here is how it went:

What is it?

The ALC Wireless Connect Plus kit (AHS627-23) is a home/premise security system/kit with a base package that includes the necessary equipment and features for basic security. Optional add-ons are available to enhance the system.

What’s in the box

1 x Control Hub with AC Adapter
1 x Ethernet Cable
1 x Wireless Camera with AC Adapter – 1080P HD
1 x Camera Mounting Bracket (Adhesive pads and screws included)
1 x Motion Detector (Battery and adhesive Pads included)
2 x Power Switch
2 x Door/Window Sensors with Batteries (Adhesive Pads and screws included)
2 x Remote Controls
3 x Quick Start Guides (English, French, Spanish)
2 x Warning Stickers
1 x Warranty Leaflet
1 x Micro SD Card with SD Adapter

What I need in a Security System

• The ability to expand to include several entry/exit sensors, motion sensors, cameras and sirens
• A built-in notification for entry/exit sensors that can be enabled/disabled
• A control panel that includes a keypad that can manage all functionality
• Available accessories like a smoke/carbon monoxide detector, water leak detector, etc that can be easily integrated into the existing system
• HD cameras that work well and provide clear images even in very low light/darkness
• If a dedicated live view monitor is available, it should include Wi-Fi and a built-in rechargeable battery so that it is mobile
• DVR capability in the cameras, via the local network and optional cloud storage
• Capable of smart-home integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, etc
• The Option of DIY or paid monitoring

Design and features

Specifications

• Frequency: 916 MHz up to 500ft.
• Maximum Pairable Sensors: 36
• Maximum Pairable Cameras: 4
• Modes: Arm (Away), Arm (Stay), Disarm
• Remote status and camera viewing on iOS and Android Connect Plus App

The ALC Wireless Connect Plus Security System is much like the typical alarm system with the main control box, a camera, and door and window sensors that monitor opening/closing, and a motion sensor. In addition, with this system, 2 power switches are included and they are (or will be) compatible with Alexa, Nest and Google Assistant. ALC also includes quick setup guides in 3 languages, English, French and Spanish, and window security stickers for those that want to display the presence of the system. Unlike most control panels that I have seen and worked with, this Control Hub is the central communication brain for all of the linked devices, but it does not feature a keypad nor any other type of interactive interface other than via the ALC app. On the top/front of the device, there are 2 LEDs that indicate power and connectivity. On the back, there is the AC jack, a reset button, and the Ethernet jack.

The camera is a pan/tilt wireless camera. On the back there is the wireless antenna jack that accommodates the antenna, a power jack, an Ethernet port for hard wiring, a micro SD slot for on-board recording, a power LED and a reset button.

The door/windows sensors are the typical sensors, as is the motion sensor.

The system comes with 2 remote controls that allow you to arm and to disarm the alarm in both away and stay modes, and a panic button.

Performance

App

The app works very well and is nicely designed and easy to use. It allows you to add/remove devices, view cameras, trigger/retrieve recordings, set notification triggers/contacts and set up scenarios for multiple actions to be triggered based on an initial action by the system. Speaking with someone remotely via the app through the camera, and seeing them in front of the camera is a crystal clear experience for both parties and for both the audio and video, with very little latency that is hardly noticeable. Here are some screens from the app:

Arming and disarming the device both from the app and the remote controls is very easy, and the notification that you receive via email and text is just about instantaneous. As previously mentioned, there is no keypad on the control hub, so all functions must be controlled via the app or remote. The camera image is really crisp and clear and works very well even in darkness. The following is a screen capture from the app at 9:25 in the morning with the blinds still closed and no lights are on so it is still quite dark inside.

As shown in the picture below, once I open the blinds and there is sufficient light, the images show in color and are still very bright and clear.

I found that the motion detector was not as sensitive in terms of the distance from a moving object as some of the others I have tried. This could be good or bad depending on your desired level of sensitivity. Just recently, I armed the system and left the house. Shortly thereafter, I received an alert on my phone that the alarm had triggered. I have cameras from another surveillance system pointed at my kitchen and windows and doors. (This system only has one camera installed). I was able to see from my cameras that all was well in terms of an emergency. When I got home, I checked to see what had triggered the alarm, and it was my kid’s balloon that was filled with helium and had floated in front of the motion sensor. Thankfully, and perfect for my needs, this security system only supports DIY monitoring and can send notifications to multiple phones/email addresses. It will NOT contact the police or fire department in the event of an alarm being triggered, which is what I want for now to prevent a costly police/fire false alarm and possible resulting fines. The way it works and the fact that it almost instantaneously notifies me both by text and email, allow me to take a quick look via the cameras and then determine the need for an emergency response.

As I continue to use and test the system, I must mention that the customer service and support for this company are excellent. They responded quickly even in the evening and adequately answered my questions. The most impressive response was when I inquired about the entry/exit chime notification. Here is a record of some of the conversations:

My question:

“I have one of the Connect Plus systems and the Observer HD AWS3377 system. Can I configure them so that I can see the Connect Plus Camera on the Observer HD monitor and app, and the Observer HD cameras on the Connect Plus app?”

ALC response:

“The 2 systems actually run different protocols. The Connect Plus uses 915Mhz radio frequency to contact the sensors, while the Observer HD system uses 2.4Ghz radio frequency to get the video feeds. The sensors themselves do not require a large bandwidth, therefore we could use a lower, more penetrable frequency. With video, however, the data size is much larger so we tend to use 2.4Ghz for that purpose.

However, if you get SightHD cameras – these cameras are WiFi, and therefore can be pulled into the Connect Plus system.”

My question:

“Is there a chime notification that I can turn on for the door/window sensors?

What I like

• The ease of the installation
• The sensors and camera come already paired
• The option of both wired or wireless network connection for the camera and Control Hub
• The well laid out app
• The quality of the camera image (resolution)
• The ease of integration with other products from the same company
• Nest, Alexa, and Google Assistant compatibility

What can be improved

• Integration with a smoke/carbon monoxide detector
• A louder siren on the Control Hub (Additional siren can be purchased separately)
• Camera triggers the alarm in the “stay” mode. Fix this!
• Need window and door sensors to provide notification on entry or exit.
• A fully functional keypad on the control hub

Final thoughts

ALC Wireless Connect Plus kit (AHS627-23) is a nice security system that functions quite well. Installation was very easy and since the system arrives with all of the provided sensors already paired, it is an easy DIY project. The app is well designed and the notifications are quick and consistent. The equipment is well built and so far I have no performance complaints. I do have a desire for the system to have more capabilities and additional design options, and when compared to my “What I need in a Security System” list, the missing features that I desire are evident. However, for the price, this security system is a great value.

Price: $89.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by ALC Wireless.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Home Security

ALC Wireless Connect Plus home security system review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 4, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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REVIEW – The Abode DIY Home Security System is an Internet-enabled, simple system of sensors, alarms, and cameras to help secure your home. It’s very easy to set up and maintain and there are a number of affordable add-on modules and services. At $229.99 for the basic system and no monthly contract needed, it’s a terrific bargain for those looking to add some security to their home or apartment.

What is it?

The Abode Home Security System is a modular alarm system that connects to your modem or router and, with the help of a mobile app, helps keep tabs on the security of your home. The Basic Abode System comes with a Remote KeyFob, a Mini Door/Window Sensor, and a Motion Sensor. You can add as many cameras, sensors, and alarms as you like because of the modular design and easy setup process.

For such an affordable system, the Abode offers some high-end options such as battery backup, cellular connected monitoring, and online cloud storage.

There are three no-contract options for professional monitoring plans; free, $10 monthly, and $30 monthly. There’s even an option for on-demand monitoring for vacations or times when you’re away from home and want to have some extra peace of mind. The monthly plans are able to be paid annually for significant savings.

What’s in the box?

• 1 Abode Gateway
• 1 Mini Door/Window Sensor
• 1 Remote KeyFob
• 1 Motion Sensor

Setup

The Abode Gateway is the brains, and mouth, of the whole Abode Security System. It runs the entire system and contains a 93db built-in siren to alert you of activity on your network.

On the back of the Gateway, there is an Ethernet port, a USB port, a battery backup switch, a SIM card slot, and a power connection. The battery switch enables the internal Gateway battery backup which can power the unit in case of a power outage. The SIM card allows for an emergency cellular connection for the paid monitoring plans.

Once you connect the Gateway via ethernet cable to your modem or router and give it access to your network, it can interface with the Abode app and website. The Gateway itself doesn’t use your Wifi network, it communicates with the Abode devices via encrypted long-range 433MHz, ZigBee or Z-Wave wireless protocols.

Abode makes a number of useful modules such as glass break/vibration sensors, temperature and light sensors, smoke alarm monitors, and water leak sensors. The modules are all powered by small long-life batteries.

The Abode system can interface with a number of third-party cameras and smart home systems such as Alexa, Google Home, and Nest. Abode is also compatible with an impressive number of Z-Wave and ZigBee devices such as garage door openers, fire alarms, and smoke detectors. Utilizing IFTTT can expand Abode’s versatility even more.

Once the Gateway is wired to your network, the rest of the setup happens via the Abode app. The Abode app walks you through the whole setup process and then allows you to add in individual modules as well. The app is available for Android and Apple iOS.

In addition to the Mini Door Sensor, Remote KeyFob, and Motion Sensor included with the Basic Kit, I added a second Mini Door Sensor and a Wireless Keypad.

All of the sensors I installed had options to mount them with screws or double-sided tape. I opted for installing the modules with the double-sided tape because I wasn’t sure what locations would work best and I wanted the ability to change the module locations.

The included Motion Sensor utilizes passive infrared detection and can detect motion in most rooms up to 39 feet in a 110° field of view. It can be mounted flat on a wall or in a corner.

The Mini Door Sensors are able to be used on windows as well. Both sides of the sensor contain a magnet and when the magnetic field is broken because of too much distance, the sensor triggers the Gateway.

The Remote KeyFob looks just like a car alarm fob and acts much the same. There are buttons on the fob for arming, disarming, and setting the system to Home mode. There’s also a fourth button earmarked for future development such as a panic button.

Mounting the modules was very easy once I found the optimum spots for them. The Keypad was easiest, I placed it by the main entrance to the house. The Keypad and web app allow you to assign different PIN codes for different members of your household. This helps keep track of who did what at what time. Of course, this only works if nobody knows the PIN of anyone else.

With the Keypad, KeyFob, and Abode app, you’re able to set your system to Away, Home, or Standby. Away arms all sensors, indoor and out, and is used when you’re leaving your property. Home arms all external sensors and is used when you’re home and still want to be secure. Standby disables all security sensors; sensors like fire alarms and water detectors still stay active in this mode.

There’s also a great option for adding a Duress PIN code if you’re using one of the paid monitoring options. Entering the Duress PIN on the keypad will automatically alert the monitoring center. This is useful in a situation where someone is forcing you to disarm the system via the Keypad.

The Mini Door Sensors were a little more difficult to mount only because of the different types of door frames in our older house.

After some trial and error, I was able to find configurations that worked perfectly to trigger the sensors when the doors opened and closed.

Having the option to mount the motion sensor flat in the center of a wall or tucked into a high corner is great and adds flexibility to where you can place the useful sensor.

Performance

From the second the Abode System was set up it has run flawlessly. The instructions are easy to understand for old and young alike and everyone in our family has quickly taken to making sure the system is set to Away when we leave, Standby during the day, and Home at night.

Using the Abode website I was able to configure all sorts of alerts and notifications to keep me informed about the activity on the system. If you opt for one of the paid tier monitoring plans, the customization goes even deeper.

Given the success of our testing, we’re already planning on adding a number of other useful Abode modules to our system.

What I like

• Super easy setup
• Very reliable
• Easy for all family members to understand
• No required monitoring contracts
• Modular design
• A large number of compatible smart home products
• Great customer support
• Not reliant on WiFi

What needs to be improved

• It would be great if the Basic System came with a few Door/Window Sensors
• The website can be a little difficult to navigate if you’re just looking for basic explanations of how the system works

Final thoughts

I love the Abode DIY Home Security System and I’ve recommended it to a number of friends and family members. The price is right, the functionality is outstanding, and the performance is flawless. But, the best part about this system is that it can be as simple or advanced as you like because it’s completely modular.

Price: $229.00
Where to buy: Abode and Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Abode.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Home Security

Abode DIY Home Security System review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 9, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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