Any suggestions with a wireless self-install monitored security system that has range that’ll catch my detached garage ~60′ away from the house? Are most people doing door and window sensors on every opening or just doors with a glass breakage sensor?

I certainly don’t mind doing an install, I have other home automation items that could be fun to integrate, not sure if that’s anything that’s worthwhile or not though? (lights, cameras, etc?) I’m open to any thoughts and suggestions as there was a break in the other night that has my wife a bit on edge!

Hello All,

I installed a DSC Neo HS2032 and a TL2803G communicator and I can not get to options 851 422 – 430. When I try I just get a long beep. This is required for adding the alarm to my automation system. I confirmed that option 382 “Alternat Com” is set to Y. I also confirmed that my DHCP server has given the unit an IP address. Another thing to mention is I’m not using the cellular so when I go to disable it via 851 006 it will not save my changes. If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them. Thanks!

Hi all,

Recently, my younger sister’s house was broken into New Year’s Eve and my neighbor’s catalytic converter was stolen last month which prompted me to get serious about upgrading my home security system. I have looked at some options such as Ring, Blink, Cove, SimpliSafe, etc. but I would really prefer to use the existing system as I already have a motion sensor inside my home that has power to it as well as 4 windows with two sensors (glass break and contact sensors on each) prewired and running to the old panel. I tried to power it up by plugging it in but to be honest, I got pretty overwhelmed with all tiny wires and coaxial cables everywhere.

Other options I am interested in are outdoor cameras with a black box such as a Lorex surveillance system but I worry about those systems solely relying on WiFi. I know there are security cameras with cellular service are available as well but just 1 camera with cellular service is so much money so I really am confused about where to even start. I had a guy I found on Thumbtack come out and give me a quote but he quoted me $3000 for setting up 4 wired outdoor Lorex cameras that would have a blackbox and monitor but I see those systems on the internet for much cheaper.

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Photos of my existing wired system here:

https://imgur.com/a/WlmfC8O

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Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hi. I’m new to CCTV, but I’ve already discovered that many CCTV controllers include proprietary software which forces them to ONLY work with that brand’s specific cameras (hikvision is one that does this). So my question is: Are there any boxes that DON’T do this? Because I have already bought some tp-link brand cameras and I don’t want to be forced to buy ONLY tp-link cameras from now because I don’t care about the brand, I just care about the value proposition that a specific camera can give…. so in the future, I’ll probably buy many different brands of cameras, and I don’t want to spend $$$ on a 32port camera controller unit that will not display the signal from my cameras just because the unit contains some malicious code which stops it from displaying the input signal from my differently branded cameras. Can you guys/gals help? Many thanks. Btw, I’m using only IP cameras that are PoE capable.

I have had both experience with a hardwire Vista 20P system at an older house and also the 2nd Generation Ring Security setup in a finished home.

For the purpose of a finished home, the Ring system would have been way easier to set up than a hardwired system. While the selection of sensor on the Ring system is limited and somewhat overpriced (especially the glass break sensor) it was trivial with a bit of soldering to convert the Ring contact sensors to work with a Honeywell flex guard glass break sensor by placing the glass break sensor in series with the reed switch. This approach could be used to integrate any sensor into the Ring system.

The mounting solution for the base station out of the box isn’t great, but also easily solved with a polycarbonate housing that bolts down into a stud with tamper resistant screws.

Finally, while the alarm that comes with the base station is not very loud, it’s also fairly easy to take apart the base station and wire in an external horn speaker.

The Ring system provides phone notifications, email notifications and what not whereas the Vista did not. Furthermore, the overall integration is just much easier. The base station has battery backup and falls back to GSM if internet goes down.

Sure, out of the box, it kind of sucks, especially the mechanical mounting solution for the base station but it doesn’t take all that much ingenuity to take care of some of the drawbacks. The way the average homeowner installs them may not result in a great system but that’s more of an installation problem rather than a fundamental problem with the technology.