Security System for new home in Ft. Myers (Gateway, Christmas: sales, how much)

[ourtime4fun]

I'm in the process of having a new home built in Ft. Myers in a gated community. However we will be snowbirds for the first several years and want to ensure our home is protected while we're away. We would like to have a modern security system installed with the ability to see who is ringing the doorbell (home comes with a camera doorbell) and respond via our phone/Wi-Fi. We would like window sensors and door sensors, motion detectors inside and outside lights that are motion sensitive.

I've contacted one security system called Expert Security Services. They have excellent ratings but seem pretty expensive as far as equipment goes (not even sure how much the monitoring is yet).

Has anyone had a good experience with security systems in the area? Any recommendations?

Thanks!
Sam

[FlaLove]

I'd look into the Ring or SkyBell product line (Ring Pro would probably be ideal) for the video doorbell.

There's a lot of DIY home security tech out there right now that would probably meet most homeowner's requirements if you don't mind doing some of the initial setup/programming. Most of these gadgets are relatively easy to install from your phone and require minimal reoccurring fees, if any, for storage. It wouldn't be monitored by a company, but personally I don't think monitoring is necessary and you wouldn't have to deal with high monthly fees/contracts.

I'm not familiar with what monitored security companies offer these days, but I imagine they are behind the curve when it comes to tech.

[ND Snowbird]

We are snowbirds from ND. We had Xfinity home security installed recently and also have a Ring doorbell. We are very happy with Xfinity but the Ring goes offline periodically. It cannot be reset remotely so you either wait to see if it goes back on by itself, which it has after a few weeks or days, or have someone there have access to it to do it manually. The Ring is not fully reliable from such a distance but just a little added plus.

[ourtime4fun]

Originally Posted by ND Snowbird

We are snowbirds from ND. We had Xfinity home security installed recently and also have a Ring doorbell. We are very happy with Xfinity but the Ring goes offline periodically. It cannot be reset remotely so you either wait to see if it goes back on by itself, which it has after a few weeks or days, or have someone there have access to it to do it manually. The Ring is not fully reliable from such a distance but just a little added plus.

Does the Xfinity system include any cameras inside the house or just window/door/motion sensors? I'm wondering if we can just get away with something like that and maybe another RING camera in the pool area to monitor any activity going on in there while we're away. I would think that would be sufficient to deter any possible theft or vandalism.

We are in a gated community so once a percentage of homes are built, the gate will be up (or down so to speak) and running so that should limit some entrance into the community.

[wjj]

Originally Posted by ourtime4fun

Does the Xfinity system include any cameras inside the house or just window/door/motion sensors? I'm wondering if we can just get away with something like that and maybe another RING camera in the pool area to monitor any activity going on in there while we're away. I would think that would be sufficient to deter any possible theft or vandalism.

We are in a gated community so once a percentage of homes are built, the gate will be up (or down so to speak) and running so that should limit some entrance into the community.

We have Simplisafe as a security system with no indoor cameras. We don't see the need because between the sensors on the doors and the motion and glass break sensors in the house, the alarm will be tripped if anyone gets in. We have 3 Arlo Pro wireless cameras outside that have motion detectors that monitor the front door, walkway and driveway and the pool and lanai area in back. Anyone breaking in would trip the alarm and be caught on the external cameras coming and going. No need for indoor cameras.

We are part time residents in an established gated community with security patrols and think we are well covered. BTW, the Arlo Pro cameras are wireless and broadcast to a base station inside the house and record to the cloud. Irma's eye wall went directly over Gateway where our house is located and all of the cameras kept going throughout. We have recordings up until the power went out and took the base station off line which was just before the calm eye came through. None of the connectivity issues that other posters have experienced with Ring.

[MyITGuy]

I have Simplysafe and the Arlo Cameras as well and would recommend them without issue.

[FLHfan]

Aren't the Arlo camera's battery operated? Seems like it would be a PITA. How often do you charge/change the batteries?

[Corvette Ministries]

Plus one on Simplisafe. We have it here in Gateway and have been pleased with it. Simplisafe runs periodic sales on their website and we got a great deal last Christmas.

[wjj]

Originally Posted by FLHfan

Aren't the Arlo camera's battery operated? Seems like it would be a PITA. How often do you charge/change the batteries?

The batteries are simple to swap out. You do not have to take down the cameras. It's a single rechargeable battery in the shape of a cube that literally takes seconds to change in the camera. Push a button on top and the camera body opens - then pull out the old and snap in the new. The battery life depends on how much the camera is used and what video quality level is chosen. Mine are set to optimize the video and last about 4 to 5 months before I swap them out (the front camera is triggered more than the other two and needs to be changed a bit sooner). You get a spare battery when you buy the three camera package. I ended up buying a separate charger (charges two batteries at a time) and a second spare battery so I always have two charged batteries on hand.

[ND Snowbird]

Originally Posted by ourtime4fun

Does the Xfinity system include any cameras inside the house or just window/door/motion sensors? I'm wondering if we can just get away with something like that and maybe another RING camera in the pool area to monitor any activity going on in there while we're away. I would think that would be sufficient to deter any possible theft or vandalism.

We are in a gated community so once a percentage of homes are built, the gate will be up (or down so to speak) and running so that should limit some entrance into the community.

The Xfinity does have a motion detector inside the house. It never went offline during Irma due to the fact it has a battery backup.