Smart Home Security Vs Monitored Alarm System

A year ago I bought a house that has a Bosch security system installed. It would have cost a fair bit to install as there are window and door sensors, along with a bunch of room motion sensors throughout the house. I have not set up the alarm for remote monitoring, but am considering doing so. Kage quoted $500 for the SIM device (includes both Optus and Telstra in case one fails), and then $11/month for the service.
However, smart devices seem to have come a long way, and I'm thinking that there may be a method to set up a system that alerts me by text message if there is a problem/intruder using the home WiFi.

Has anyone decided between a monitored security alarm, and a smart home security solution? Would it be possible to rig up the existing sensors from the Bosch system to work with a smart home system, so that I don't have to install a bunch of new sensors?

Thanks!

Comments

  • +1

    This looks like the kind of thing you're looking for, I couldn't live with that interface though and would most likely just build my own.

    http://projects.privateeyepi.com/

    Obviously a system like this wouldn't offer much in the way of redundancy, if your internet or power goes down then you're cut off but other than that pretty convenient.

  • -2

    Smart devices are absolutely hopeless when it comes to security. Why in God's name would you turn to them for securing your house? It could mean the entire internet has access to your security system.

    • +1

      You've been watching too much CSI cyber

  • I wouldn't trust these smart devices over an old fashioned hard wired security system. If you don't require 24/7 monitoring then don't bother with it. If you have good neighbors around they should hear your alarm going off and the noise should scare off any would be intruder.

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