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Review on πŸ” SimpliSafe 8-Piece Wireless Home Security System - Optional 24/7 Professional Monitoring - No Contract - Alexa and Google Assistant Compatible - White by Tom Beland

Revainrating 5 out of 5

A well thought out system for non-technical installers who do not require supervision.

I installed this system in a 3,600 sqm building. feet to test it. I have not used the monitoring service and do not intend to use it, so I have no comments on this feature. Here are my observations: GOOD - Easy to install. I installed a professional wireless alarm system and for those who need an engineering degree to understand. Simplisafe is as easy as it needs to be for any average non-technical homeowner. There are text and voice instructions to guide you through simple procedures. -- Easy to add sensors. Each sensor has a button that connects it to the system when pressed, after which you call it up using the keyboard. It is so easy. - Easy to name sensors. When naming sensors, you can select a name from the default list in the keyboard menu or create your own unique name using the keyboard. -- Touch devices have an adhesive backing that can be attached anywhere. - Good spacing between sensors: Sensors that need to be magnetized are spaced about an inch apart before they trigger. This is good because it prevents false alarms from rattling through windows or doors on windy days or other events that can shake the house. -- The keyboard is easy to use. It features on-screen instructions with 4 control buttons on each edge of the screen for easy navigation when installing or operating the alarm. - It's not difficult at all. Just a custom configuration is enough. If you're not at home, just set the time you want to leave before the alarm goes off. For Home, set it to 0 seconds for the alarm to activate immediately. -- Intelligent alarm configuration; For home, motion sensors are automatically disabled so you don't have to do anything. -- Open Warning and Bypass: The alarm will warn you that the window or door is open when you try to trigger the alarm. It will bypass them if you keep activating the alarm. -- Excellent range!: I placed the keypad and door sensor about 75 feet from the base station with 4 walls and 1 floor in between and Simplisafe detected the sensor opening as well as the keypad communicating with the base station. -- The system will warn you when the batteries need to be replaced. -- Attractive appearance: Devices from the base station to window and door sensors are attractively designed in an off-white color that suits most interior styles. -- Several additional sensors are available at a reasonable price: key fob for arming, disarming or panic; smoke, carbon monoxide, water, temperature, broken glass, sirens, cameras and frost. For example, an optional window sensor costs $15. -- The nice thing is that the system comes with a yard sign and stake and two stickers on the windows, but there are very few stickers. -- Reliable!: Update: No false alarms or inexplicable behavior in 12 weeks of system operation. -- Sirens are loud: In addition to the scope of delivery, I bought 2 sirens and installed them in front of the house. Since they run on batteries, they are surprisingly very loud. The sirens definitely got the neighbors' attention. A good thing! - Keychains are great! I bought 2 keychains in addition to what was included. You can set or turn off the alarm with the key fob. There is also a panic button at the top of the fob. It's slightly recessed, but the button is easy to press with your fingernail. -- No monitoring service required! This alarm can be used without monitoring service. The alarm warns you that it's getting out of control every time you turn it on, but those are just minor inconveniences. CAN BE IMPROVED: - The base station siren is not very loud. The volume of the base station can be adjusted, but it's not enough even at the highest volume. While you might be able to hear it in the same room or in a small apartment, it will be difficult to hear it throughout the house. In this test, an elderly person who normally wears hearing aids did not wake up when the base station siren went off in the next room. Indeed, for practical home use it will be necessary to add additional sirens. - No garage door sensor. The garage door moves a lot in the wind and the small magnet and Simplisafe door and window sensor switch do not allow enough movement to prevent false alarms during a storm or other door movement. This problem could be solved simply by providing terminals for the door sensors so that a larger magnet/switch configuration could be connected to them instead of the Simplisafe switch/solenoid. - No heat sensor. The garage is one of the most important areas for fire detection. Smoke alarms in the garage are a bad idea as they give false alarms when driving in the garage. The alarm industry will put a heat or fire alarm in the garage to eliminate false alarms, but Simplisafe doesn't offer one. Update: I have now installed 9 additional sensors, 2 key fobs and 2 outdoor sirens. Everything is very easy to pair and set up. I was impressed with the ease of installation. The sirens and keyfobs work great and after 6 weeks of continuous use there hasn't been a single false alarm or unexplained behavior in the entire alarm system. Additionally, a non-technical elderly couple using the alarm can install new sensors and set up the alarm themselves. Proof of how easy it is to set up an alarm. UPDATE: During the recent Santa Ana window incident, the standard Simplisafe sensor installed on the garage door worked well even during a storm. This is due to the large gap between the sensor and the aforementioned magnet before the switch activates. Fire/heat sensor and identifier for specific open sensor warnings before arming.

Pros
  • fuses for your fuses. A 24-hour battery and dual Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity ensure your home is safe and protected from the unexpected. We care about you - Customize your Simplisafe security system with additional sensors to protect your entire home - up to 100. Pair your Simplisafe security system with your favorite smart home integration platform - Works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Cons
  • Only available in black