Replacing an existing obsolete wired-in alarm system with a RING wireless alarm. Ring is very good, but it's Terms & conditions are terrible. The RING system itself does meet my needs, but there are lots of things you should know.
AFTER I started to install, I was required to read Terms & Conditions to set up an account. Upon reading them, HOLY SMOKES, that is the MOST one-sided agreement I've ever read. It is so bad, by agreeing, you are at fault for anything you ultimately don't like about RING. [Not that much of an exaggeration]. Blame their lawyers.
Why do I continue? After lots of research, it is otherwise a very good real world solution in this wireless age. All the sensors you will install ARE wireless. I am replacing a wired system, and it has wires everywhere. Not fun. Also my OLD system could have the phone line cut. Not with RING. If it generates an alert, it will sound the base station alarm AND connect to your cellphone, and if the house's internet/TV/Phone cable were cut, it would bypass the cable and go wirelessly through a cell phone tower. If it's a fire alarm and you sign up for the 24/7 monitoring, it will quickly dispatch the fire department. A false alarm might get you a bill for the nuisance of a false alarm. Not your biggest worry, I'm sure.
[ JAN 2024: Just had a prolonged power outage with severe cold. So cold, we drained water and left for warmer circumstance. It reported for 20+ hours by connecting thru cell tower, since house's router was down, and told us when the power came back on! Not Bad! ]
Compared to my old system, if I forgot to set it before I left, I was out of luck. Now, with RING, I could quickly set it from my cellphone.
You can even create a regular schedule for nitetime on and off and/or for working hours away. VERY handy. This solves the problem of constantly having to remember.
Your power goes out? PHONES go out? Unless your cellphone is dead or unavailable, you will be notified. So would the fire dept if need be.
Some say a RING doorbell might need a new transformer. All the big box stores stock the transformers. If so, some of you may want an electrician. Alternatively, bribe a friend or family member with a six pack. I'll do mine myself.
Motion sensors work well.
Door/Window contacts also work well. On my sliding glass doors, they are well enough hidden. On Entry doors such as the Front door, they stick out big time. I will eventually have to carve out 'pockets' in both the door and the door sill for the contacts. Do-able, but not fun.
Two ways to handle FIRE/CO [carbon monoxide]. FIRST, IF your existing alarms are fresh[new], RING sells a 'listener' sensor to stick up next to each fire alarm. That 'listener' will notify the base station of the type and location of any activated alarm in the house. SECOND option, replace the existing fire detectors with battery operated FIRST ALERT fire and CO sensors with Z-WAVE which will talk to the RING base station perfectly. Before you choose, consider this: Most if not all fire sensors have to be replaced with new ones every 7 - 10 years. You might not think that's a big deal, but your insurance company might disagree especially if they are giving you an alarm rebate. Don't know for sure. Check with your insurance about a rebate on your premium. It should be worth it.
Kitchen, garages, unfinished basements normally need HEAT sensors. There are heat sensors by others, and hopefully the RING listeners will respond. In my case, I will see if the RING 'listeners' can hear them, and if so, leave my old heat sensors in place. In any event, RING needs to come up with a wireless, battery operated HEAT sensor - my opinion.
The basic setup of a new system is easy enough, but takes some time as you install/activate each device. In my case, I have things to uninstall from the old system. That's on me.
As far as installing the new devices, IF you are like me, it will go fine, but it isn't something you can do during the halftime of a football game without a bunch of pre-planning [if not an entire afternoon]. My system is the 14 piece system. I needed to use contact cement on several sensors because the self-adhesive strip wasn't where I needed it. Double sticky foam tape might work as well. Also, several doors needed shims.
My windows are crank-out [casement] window, so they aren't getting contact sensors. My basement windows need sensors, but my guess is today's burglar is going to come in through the garage door anyways by hooking the manual release handle with coat hanger wire. I suggest cutting the cord right at the handle-end and leave it dangle but take the handle itself off. that way the cord can't be snagged from outside. Motion sensors will hopefully catch anyone who gets in anyways.
Congratulations if you have read this far. Their product seems very good to me. Their Lawyers? Not so much. Read their agreement.
The PRO level protection plan [the highest]is $20/month or $200/year, and that will do the job for me for less than a professionally sold and installed system. There is a $3/mo and $10/mo plan also, but the PRO plan includes professional monitoring and possible insurance rate reduction. They have a comparison chart you should read.
The RING components cost much less than to so-called pros, and the monthly service plan is also significantly lower.
If you want to save video for 30 days from your doorbell the $3/mo plan does that. Other cameras as well? that's the 10/mo plan with RING. Check it out. I do want the automatic fire dept notification though. That's 20/month.
The RING system has worked well out of the box so far without needing fancy adjustments. However, you CAN tailor each device separately to work how you want. VERY useful. While I can see improvements are possible, it is much more flexible than my old wired system.
While the RING system comes with very useful good keypad[s], you WILL NEED your cellphone for the install process, and afterward, for any system changes you'd want. Use the keypad while at home for setting/unsetting the system, or use your cellphone if you have already left but forgot to set it. I love that feature. For your safety, make sure you have strong passwords on RING [and also on AMAZON if you use an ALEXA service such as an echo camera].
I did have to upgrade my phone to a current model because I had an old version of GOOGLE ANDROID that couldn't be upgraded. If Android, the phone needs AT LEAST Version 10. I recommend a 5G phone but it will work on 4G phones as well. Also, you will need SMS messaging which also means a low usage data plan. 99% of the cellphone world already does that, but in my profession, I can't have my customers messaging me all the time. Again, that's MY problem. Most likely you will be fine.
Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit - home security system with 30-day free Ring Home subscription
4.7 | 6,871 ratings
Price: 197.99
Last update: 12-19-2024
About this item
A great fit for 2-4 bedroom homes, this Alarm Kit includes one Base Station, two Keypads, eight Contact Sensors, two Motion Detectors, and one Range Extender.
Includes an intuitive Keypad that can arm and disarm your Alarm and Contact Sensors that detect when doors or windows open.
Choose the Ring Alarm Kit that fits your needs and detect even more with additional Alarm Sensors and accessories (sold separately) at any time.
With a Ring Protect Plan (subscription required, sold separately), receive mobile notifications when your system is triggered, change your Alarm modes, and monitor all your Ring devices allthrough the Ring app.
Level-up your protection. Get 24/7 emergency police, fire and medical response with optional Alarm Professional Monitoring, keep your Ring Alarm online during a power outage, and more, for $20/month with a Ring Protect Pro Plan (subscription required, sold separately).
Better with Alexa. Arm and disarm Ring Alarm with your voice with a Ring Protect Plan (subscription required, sold separately).
Includes an intuitive Keypad that can arm and disarm your Alarm and Contact Sensors that detect when doors or windows open.
Choose the Ring Alarm Kit that fits your needs and detect even more with additional Alarm Sensors and accessories (sold separately) at any time.
With a Ring Protect Plan (subscription required, sold separately), receive mobile notifications when your system is triggered, change your Alarm modes, and monitor all your Ring devices allthrough the Ring app.
Level-up your protection. Get 24/7 emergency police, fire and medical response with optional Alarm Professional Monitoring, keep your Ring Alarm online during a power outage, and more, for $20/month with a Ring Protect Pro Plan (subscription required, sold separately).
Better with Alexa. Arm and disarm Ring Alarm with your voice with a Ring Protect Plan (subscription required, sold separately).
Top reviews from the United States
Friday Bridge
Very good, but not a no-brainer
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2023dragonlord
Comprehensive Home Security Upgrade
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2024Anonymous Reviewer 338
Inexpensive and great starter kit. Mostly perfect, and very quick/responsive to app.
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023