Home security is something no one should take lightly. While the loss of your possessions can be heartbreaking and expensive. Nothing is more important than the safety of your loved ones.
As you turn on the television or listen to the radio home security ads bombard you at a dizzying rate. There are so many options and types of products and services on the market. To help you navigate overload of information, we will look at home security and home automation over the next few months. We will bring you the best of breed products to keep your property and loved ones safe.
Today we are going to look at a west coast company called Ring. Ring has become known for their state of the art video doorbells. As you will see in this column, the Ring doorbell has expanded into a total home security system.
Unboxing the Ring video doorbell, I was quick to notice every tool you need to install it is included in the box. A level and screwdriver is included in the box along with all of the screws and hardware you would need for install. Even an easy to wire diode is included for those of you that are replacing an existing doorbell. For those of you that are challenged by anything that involves a screwdriver, there is also help. Ring has a network of professionals that will install your doorbell at your home for a $50 flat fee.
The first step of installing the Ring video doorbell is downloading the mobile app. To my delight Ring as an iOS app for you Apple fanboys and an Android app for Google devotees like myself. The app is slick and very intelligent. There are tutorials throughout the app to assist you in the setup of the video doorbell and phone app. The tutorial assisting in the activation of the motion detection was informative.
Ring uses IR (infrared) technology to trigger the motion detection. If an old newspaper blows through your yard it will not be triggered. The Ring video doorbell is looking for a heat signature. The app also gives you the ability to map the range, sensitivity and areas you would like monitored by the motion detection.
What I like best about Ring is there is no equipment rental. Once you purchase the hardware, you are free to move it from home to home or business to business. Ring users can opt to pay no additional fees after purchasing the hardware. With the equipment purchase, you will receive instant alerts, stream video & audio and live view.
Ring also has a small three dollar per month plan for video recording and storage per device per month. Users with multiple devices can opt into the Protect program which gives the user unlimited cameras for $100 per year and a lifetime hardware warranty. If your Ring malfunctions or gets damaged, they’ll replace it for free. The Protect program is significant savings when compared to the fees other home security companies charge for outdated technology. Using cutting edge technology most criminals will not even attempt circumventing your security system.
Despite TV shows and web features that profile “America’s Dumbest Criminals” all criminals are not dumb. However, by nature they are lazy. If a criminal knows there is high-definition video recording with IR motion detection and night vision, they are moving on to the next house. Your average criminal is not looking to put on an Ocean’s Eleven type caper to pull off stealing your flat-screen and watch. Criminals look for easy marks that give them the least chance of being caught as you can see in this video.
If said criminal is stupid enough to try and breach your security, you have safeguards with the Ring system. You will be alerted in real-time on your mobile app if your system is tripped. Real-time alerts allow you to call the proper authorities and protect your belongings. If you miss an alert, your recording is saved to access online or in the mobile app. If indeed your house has been compromised you can share a video of the party of interest with law enforcement.
Ring is also perfect for you condo owners and apartment dwellers. The Ring video doorbell can operate on its internal rechargeable battery. This battery will give you 6 months to a year of video security on a single charge. There is no existing wiring or doorbell needed in its install.
Another Ring product we reviewed is Chime Pro, the Wi-Fi extender and indoor chime for Ring devices. For those of you with larger houses, businesses or those of you that have dead Wi-Fi spots this is a great device. Chime Pro extends your Wi-Fi signal and amplifies your Ring alerts. In my case, I spend a lot of time in the basement workshop. I never hear the traditional doorbell. Now not only can I hear the doorbell but I can pick up my phone and see who is there. The Chime Pro plugs into any standard power outlet, and like the Ring video doorbell, it takes minutes to setup.
As I said at the top of this column nothing is more important than the safety of your loved ones. With a street price of $179, Ring makes it easy to buy additional units for friends, parents, adult children or your business. There is no greater gift than the gift of safety and security.
You can find out more about the Ring video doorbell, the Chime Pro and all the entire suite of Ring products on Ring.com, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.
