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Cheap Home Security System - Cause I can't afford another PS3
firekiun
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hey I been reading this forum and NeoGAF for a while, I noticed the number of thread about "break-in"/"thief" happens pretty often. So I am considering a home security system.
Of course, I am a pretty poor gamer with a low paying job, I don't need something expensive or fancy. Just something that sound tigger an alarm to scare the scum off, or may be something that will call my cell phone when there are unwanted visitor.
I did some research, most packages will cost me nearly over thousand, there got to be cheaper way to do this.... My place is pretty small, so there are not much "point of entry".
Anyone have experience on those kind of stuff, I am sure many people are interested.
Of course, I am a pretty poor gamer with a low paying job, I don't need something expensive or fancy. Just something that sound tigger an alarm to scare the scum off, or may be something that will call my cell phone when there are unwanted visitor.
I did some research, most packages will cost me nearly over thousand, there got to be cheaper way to do this.... My place is pretty small, so there are not much "point of entry".
Anyone have experience on those kind of stuff, I am sure many people are interested.
PSN ID : Kiunch
I play Blazblue, Soul Calibur 4, Street Fighter 4 and soon Tekken 6... yeah... so add me if you want to play any of those.
I play Blazblue, Soul Calibur 4, Street Fighter 4 and soon Tekken 6... yeah... so add me if you want to play any of those.
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http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10093776&catid=25754
I realise it doesn't do the calling stuff, but it'd help you catch people if anything did happen.
Another thing to look at is Logitech's Wilife series, though that looks to be more expensive.
Essentially the cost was a webcam (about £10 or £20 I think) and the price of leaving the pc on overnight. However, that was for work and it didn't stop the thief from stealing stuff in the first place. It merely caught the person in the act.
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I've got a spare copy of Portal, if anyone wants it message me.
Home invasion?
Cue deliverance banjo playing...
EDIT:
Infact...
Da da ding ding ding ding ding
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I've got a spare copy of Portal, if anyone wants it message me.
Actually, a quick google search proves me wrong. It can be as cheap as slightly over $12/mo:
http://realestate.msn.com/rentals/insurance.aspx
Do make sure the insurance plan covers video game systems (and whatever else you might worry about losing), preferably without limitations, before subscribing.
PSN: theIceBurner, IceBurnerEU, IceBurner-JP | X-Link Kai: TheIceBurner
Dragon's Dogma: 192 Warrior Linty | 80 Strider Alicia | 32 Mage Terra
I am a homeowner, small yeah.. does house insurance cover thief also?
Actually I am not looking for something fancy, sure security camera is useful, but it stop nothing.
I am more looking for something that will make a huge scary sound if someone bypass in, it doesn't have to phone the police or the security guard or anything, just something that will (hopefully) scare them away.
I play Blazblue, Soul Calibur 4, Street Fighter 4 and soon Tekken 6... yeah... so add me if you want to play any of those.
PSN: theIceBurner, IceBurnerEU, IceBurner-JP | X-Link Kai: TheIceBurner
Dragon's Dogma: 192 Warrior Linty | 80 Strider Alicia | 32 Mage Terra
http://www.hectorshardware.biz/shop/product.asp?dept_id=1902&sku=547433&
Edit: Or maybe these:
http://www.amazon.com/First-Instant-Window-Sensor-System/dp/B0009QAJSS
I'd recommend against those cameras. The quality on them is pretty poor, poor enough that for most people you'll just end up losing what ever gets stolen + the cost of those cameras. As opposed to just being out what was stolen. You'll also need a time-lapse to record that to or a DVR. Neither of those are very cheap.
The lenses on most web cams have their focal distance set to a few feet. So they tend to be very, very poor at seeing any real distance. But the deterrence factor of CCTV is up for debate. But the general opinion I hear in the industry is that the deterrence value for home users is next to non-existent.
That's within normal prices for a small CCTV package. And that's pretty much where the low end junk is. I just finished up speccing out a project in which it looks like the cost per camera for just equipment is going to be around ~$800 per camera. That's not quite top of the line gear. Nor is any labor factored in.
Disclaimer: I have been in the buisness of installing and servicing security systems for about 7 years.
If you are looking for a reasonably cheap/easy security system, just get a cheap wireless system. (ADT security sells them, but you can usually find them cheaper) it will most likely consist of a single wireless door switch, a wireless motion detector, a control box, a keypad, and an indoor siren, you mount the box on the wall, plug in the battery, plug in the included a/c adapter, and sync up the wireless modules, the only wire you have to run is from the control box (that locks, and should be at least a little hidden) to the keypad. A system like this should run you between $100-$300, and be just as good as anything I have installed residentially.
The nice thing about these systems is they are fairly modular, you need a few more doors? great, just buy some more door switches. Want to have the system monitored, get a phone module (you can program it to call your phone, but it will just make modem sounds at you. so if you do that, and get a call from your house, that is just modem sounds, it is your security system trying to tell you something)
I am looking around for the model that I used to install, it is quick and easy.
When we got busted into, the cops suggested additional lighting (spots with motion detectors can be had for $10-20 a piece), cutting back overgrown vegetation that could serve as cover, installing secondary locks on windows, and getting to know your neighbors better so they know when you're on vacation or know to call the cops if they see a truck getting loaded up with all your stuff.
If you get a dog, make sure you're getting it for companionship as he'll likely cost more than monitored security once you factor in food, vet bills and normal medicines.
The reason that security companies give out those stickers is not only advertisement, but because they know that thieves see them and go to the next place, unwilling to take the chance that they are merely stickers.
Do both, this way you have a visual deterrent in the stickers, and an audio deterrent in the dog.
Plus, this way you get a dog. Dogs are awesome.
Couple these things with renter's insurance in the rare event that someone does break in and steals your gear.
Side note: Looking for a product that will alert you to someone being in your house by e-mail or phone while you're away is stupid and worthless. They'll be gone before you get back, and even if they weren't, do you really want to risk getting shot or stabbed by some tweaker to save some material posessions?
A webcam? Really? That would only be useful if it got a good, clear, solid image of the guy's face, and then the police would have to either know who he was, or somehow catch him using nothing more than his face for it to be any good.
Do you live in a particularly bad neighborhood?
Steam / Bus Blog / Goozex Referral
Yeah you're right, I'd have no reason to want to know if my home's being broken into and my pets, wife and child are at home.
Reduction in response time. It works better with clients that have longer lag times between break ins and discovery, like educational facilities and corporate environments but the same theory does hold true for the home user. It's not a guaranty that cops will arrive while the break in is occurring but it's not impossible either.
Steam / Bus Blog / Goozex Referral
Who said anything about you going home during the break-in? Why would a camera that emails you pictures during a break-in be a stupid idea? You could call the police, tell them exactly when/if the burglars left the house so they could possibly stop them on the road. If you coupled this with a camera outside that took pictures of your driveway when there is motion detected inside, then you could also provide the police with the car make/color and perhaps a license plate. If all else fails you’ve got a recording of what your insurance owes you.
!!!!▓▓▓▓▓Gravy?▓▓▓▓▓!!!!!!
!!!!!!▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓!!!!!!!!!
of doom
License plate capture is a huge PITA btw. It usually requires carefully controlled conditions to accomplish and it's almost impossible to do with a camera that is tasked with general surveillance. Getting make and model is fairly easy and still quite useful to the police.
So I suggest that instead, you consider insurance. Even if you live in an apartment, you can get tenant's insurance. I pay under $20 a month AND I've got an expensive bicycle and camera scheduled, such that if the camera goes missing/gets damaged/whatever, I pay no deductible for the $800 of insurance money. If it's my bike, I've got a $25 deductible.
I imagine you could convince them to schedule a PS3, too. Although, unless your break in rate is > 1 every 24 months, you could just put away $20 a month and probably replace both the PS3 and games after your first break in.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
Real security stickers in the windows or signpost in the yard, plus lights all around your house will go a long way for deterrence. Make sure your doors and windows are as secure as they can be - no weak frames, no crappy locks, double locks with deadbolts on doors, no keys hanging near door windows, nail your window sashes to the frames, no sliding doors without charlie bars, etc. No doors and windows hidden from view (if you can help it; clear as much as you can and light them at night if not).
Then get insurance, making sure your coverage will include specific high-value items. Yeah, lots of people get away without insurance, but they're being dumb. And insurance is going to cover more than theft, too (eg, fire). Make an accurate list of all your valuables. This will be required when you get insurance most likely, and you need to keep it updated. (Oh, and don't store your only copy in your house!)
If you want alarms and are a DIYer, the cheap motion-sensor stuff mentioned above is good. Only problem is that you may start wanting them everywhere, and then you're in for a big job. But it's still cheaper than monitoring services or video. Video in particular really isn't going to do you much good most of the time, from what I've read.
BTW, dogs are generally not good deterrence or protection. Unless you've trained your dog to physically attack strangers.
> turn on light
Good start to the day. Pity it's going to be the worst one of your life. The light is now on.