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Home Security Systems
Our house was broken into while continuing our trip to the eclipse. In the end nothing was taken; it seems the intruder may have been scared off by something. But the house was a mess and this is disconcerting to say the least.

We’ve never felt unsafe in our neighborhood, and still don’t, but decided we’d best install some sort of home security system if we wanted peace of mind on future travels. And we’re gone a lot. I thought I’d share what I learned since others may want to do something like what we did.

The first lesson is that you only need this to happen once to change your perspective on home security, probably forever. I of course now wish I’d done done before what I’ve done recently.

There has been a lot of recent innovation in the area of DIY home security, utilizing modern wireless,  home network and cellular communication technology. I don’t want to spend any more than necessary on “professional” monitoring, what with its monthly fees, so settled on a DIY system.

After quite a bit of research I settled on a hybrid system consisting of a home security and automation system from Abode and video surveillance from Blink.

abode - a Professional-grade DIY, Home Security & Automation System

Home Security Camera | Blink Home Security Camera Systems | Blink

Abode gets high ratings from reviewers and users and now that I’ve had it installed for awhile it seems to live up to its representations. Installation was very easy. You download their app to your phone and follow instructions. Physically it consists of a “gateway” and whatever sensors you decide to install. It has its own wireless communication between components and also uses Wi-Fi to communicate with you via email or the Abode app on your phone. The gateway requires AC power (it has a battery backup) but all of the sensors are battery powered, via long life lithium batteries. Other than an ethernet connection to your router everything else is wireless.

I installed sensors on every exterior door and motion activated cameras in any room likely to be visited by intruders. Our break-in experience tells me just kicking in a door is the most likely mode of entry, but the motion cameras will detect other entries, as well as post-entry activity.

The system has three modes: standby, away and home. Standby is just that. Away arms everything. Home just arms the perimeter devices (door sensors in our case), not the interior devices (motion cameras in our case). When the system is armed the sensors trigger a local alarm (on the gateway) and notify you via your phone of an intrusion.

The Abode system is quite sophisticated. It can arm and disarm based on your location as determined by your phone. And it is capable of managing many sorts of home automations. For instance, I use it to turn our hot water recirculation pump on and off daily.

Everything can be managed remotely from either your phone app or your laptop. The latter is required for some management duties, but not for arming/disarming, viewing alerts and alarms, etc., all of which can be handled by your phone.

The motion cameras capture three sequential images when they are triggered, which you can use to determine if you have a real problem or a false alarm. You can also capture images remotely at any time if you just want to check things out at home. No video though.

Other systems are similar but what clinched it for me is that with Abode you have several options for professional monitoring when you might be out of communication. You can sign up for a no-contract monthly plan ($30), but you can also sign up for short term monitoring, $8 for three days, $15 for a week. This seems very well suited to RVers who come and go.

I also wanted video monitoring capability, both inside and outside. For that I settled on Blink. Again, very easy to install and all wireless except for AC power to its little base station. The cameras run on lithium batteries. Cameras are motion activated and take short videos when triggered, that are stored on the Blink site, but can be downloaded for a period of time after.

When activated you are notified by the Blink app on your phone. No alarms or professional monitoring with Blink. It just lets you know something is going on. You take it from there, taking more images, calling a neighbor or the police, whatever. The Blink cameras can be integrated with the Abode system but I haven’t done that yet. Blink makes both indoor and outdoor cameras.

Because of the vulnerability of my home network to power outages I also installed an uninterruptible power supply that has the added advantage of keeping the network running for 2-3 hours, perhaps more, during outages while we’re home.

This is very clever technology that is exceedingly easy to install. You can get started for just a few hundred dollars, but can spend many times that depending on how far you decide to take this.

My conclusion is that no RVer should be without this. The time and effort required is small, and technology and cost are both favorable right now. Add in the home automation potential (all remotely controlled when away from home) and it seems like a winner to me. Best to do it before something unfortunate happens.

(I have no connection with any of these companies.)

Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV (now in the LD at Lake Tahoe's Nevada Beach campground, with Abode and Blink keeping an eye on things at home)
Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Re: Home security
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Terry Burnes  - 
The first lesson is that you only need this to happen once to change your perspective on home security, probably forever. I of course now wish I’d done done before what I’ve done recently.

Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV (now in the LD at Lake Tahoe's Nevada Beach campground, with Abode and Blink keeping an eye on things at home)

Sorry to hear that and glad it was no worse. For a period of my working life, I specialized handling homeowner theft claims. Wish I had a dollar for every homeowner who shared the same sentiment. A lot of alarms are sold after thefts.

Nice write-up on your solution.

Jim
Re: Home security
Reply #3 –
We just installed the Arlo pro security camera system. Only have 3 cameras now. But going to add a couple more.
Lynn and Lori
Re: Home security
Reply #4 –
Yikes, Terry, glad nothing was taken. Just 5 minutes before reading these posts, I was reading my latest daily specials email from Costco, today featuring home security systems. I'm now inspired!  -- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Home security
Reply #5 –
(Knock wood.)  Went to the LexisNexis crime website; happy with the nice big bubble around us.

Chip
2000 Front Lounge
Re: Home security
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Jim & Gayle  - 
Here is something you can have some fun with. It is the Lexis Nexis community crime map. Not every city participates.

Community Crime Map - Crime mapping, email reports and tips for the public
Jim

Interesting but must be faulty . . . no crime where I live!   ;D
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Home security
Reply #7 –
I wouldn't mind putting in a security system for when we're gone in the winter, but I could not do wireless since, when we leave, we take our Internet with us (phones as hotspots).  I'd probably have to pay to have a service.  Although we do have a neighbor who watches over the house and takes a walk-through occasionally.
Linda Hylton
Re: Home security
Reply #8 –
Lynda,

Abode uses it own wireless protocol to communicate between the gateway and your various sensors and security devices, so that part of the system does not use your Wi-Fi network.

And Abode offers a cellular backup system for $10/month that uses the system's own cellular connection to communicate to you instead of Wi-Fi. It's designed to deal with the problem of your network being down. I don't believe it requires a contract, just month-to-month. I believe the system has to have access to ATT or T-Mobile where it is located. But it's independent of your own cellular service.

Blink however requires a working Wi-Fi network.

I think the Abode system could work for you. Install the base station and whatever sensors you want and then sign up for the $10/month cellular backup plan when you leave home and cancel it when you return. I'd suggest giving them a call to be sure though.

At this point I would not install a wired system. The future is wireless. And I would not buy a system that depends entirely on professional monitoring. I want to manage things myself and use professional monitoring only when needed.

Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Re: Home security
Reply #9 –
I installed a Fortress Security system a couple years ago.  It doesn't require monitoring but can be if you want through them or another provider.  My system is not monitored and I get a text if/when there is an alarm.  It is mostly wireless although I am using some of the pre-existing sensors for the windows. 
There newest system is either wifi or cellular and they also now have wireless cameras available.
2004 26.5 MB
Enjoying retirement traveling, Rzr riding, photography, and of course the 2 grand girls!
Re: Home security
Reply #10 –
Recently installed Simplisafe in replacement of a hardwired system that only had "old fashioned" monitoring. Simplisafe reduced our monthly outlay from $45 to $24.99. (We prefer some type of independent monitoring). We did the install ourselves and are finding the system to be reliable so far. We gained temp monitoring and ability to monitor the system and control it from a smart phone. Also text alerts. We turned off wifi and land line at S+B since Simplisafe is independent of these systems...all it needs is power....adding to our monthly  savings. Simplisafe customer support has been very impressive.
Todd (and Steve)
'17 Winnebago Minnie Winnie and '13 Honda CRV
(Former '99 RB owners from 2012-2016)