Posted on 08/26/2015 2:15:49 AM PDT by csvset
I've been thinking about installing a home security system. Any recommendations, dos and dont's?
I love my Night Owl systems.
You can buy them at most WalMarts.
http://nightowlsp.com/products/cameras.html
We have a Samsung system I got from Sams Club. 4 HD cameras, 1 terabyte hard drive, software, 4 60’ siamese cables (2 of which were a little too short for the run, so we had to buy 100’ cable from Best Buy for those runs)... when I bought it, it was $399. A month later it was $299. Sams gave me the allowance for the price drop.
Video quality is incredible. Best $300 I think I’ve spent in a long time.
By all means, go for the HD camera system.
I have a 4 camera system utilizing regular CCTV cameras. The quality is “good”, but NOT good enough to read the license plate of the truck that backs into your driveway to steal your lawn mower.
I built this system myself, over time, buying one camera at a time, covering all 3 doors plus the backyard where the deer and raccoons play.
It’s a computer based system which means you need a card to plug the cameras into.
Anyway, I have been thinking of upgrading to HD - and what I’m seeing today is that the prices have come way down on a 4, 6, 8, 16 camera system.
HD all the way. And don’t get wireless...
I’d like to be able to sit on the couch and see what the dogs are barking at without getting up. (bring the camera feeds up on the TV)
bfl
Many of the systems now even allow you to send the feed to your phone via an app and a wireless internet connection in your home.
I have an old sys that I installed and looked to upgrade
Bid on a security system at local fundraiser and won. The win was worth 1K to me for $500. Wahoooo
Security “professional” came in and after applying what I won and getting what I “wanted” I was going to owe him 3K.
Nothing fancy only one camera with PTZ, and 2 other cameras hardwired into system.
I think I will just write off the 500 and build my own again. Dang I am tired of building everything myself.
I sound like a little whiney biotch, right?
Yeah if you are into writing custom code for your cameras
There are some very affordable options. A pit filled with punji sticks concealed under the floor mat is a traditional and time-honored alternative to fancy-shmancy more expensive sledge-hammer tied to the ceiling in front of the door with pull-string attached to the door handle models. And in case of the never-can-tell incident involving a neighbor just wandering in thinking he’d be welcome, no one wants a neighbor like that anyway. Manslaughter charges don’t always involve prison sentences either.
I would suggest a Remington 12 gauge and a Smith and Wesson revolver.
Good topic...we were curious about these camera/computer systems too.
Rottweilers eat a lot but are otherwise pretty low maintenance.
I tend to follow a different drummer. I got a local security company to install a cheap system — in the house next door. No burglar is going to try to disable the neighbor’s system. :)
This isn’t always feasible, but the house next door was vacant (and not very alluring) and the owner agreeable since the system watches both and I think he got a little insurance discount too. His place simply has a much better view of my place. (For example, you can’t see my front porch well from anywhere but the 2nd floor next door.)
Some neighbors would probably kick in a monthly payment to offset the cost. Mine didn’t.
I have a cousin whose place includes a secret room behind a hidden door. He’s in the boonies on a big farm, has all the makings of a prepper but he isn’t.
A good gun and a good dog are also well recommended.
I second onemiddleamerican’s Samsung recommendation... I would get the 8 camera system however.
If you can afford a HSCS, you have way too much money.
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