Ring security system

[GON]

Two months ago we purchased a home that had a Ring security system. We unplugged the system and put the main "Ring controller" on a shelf.

Wife inquired about using the Ring system. I did some research, and Ring is owned by Amazon. We have Amazon prime, but do not use Alexa. Wife does use SIRI.

Any significant reasons NOT to active the Ring system? I prefer not to use a AMZN subscription product, but this system is already installed.

 

[AZjeff]

You bought it and it's already installed. Amazon bias aside unless there's evidence it spies on you 24/7 or something why not give it a try? Is it operationally better or worse than other systems?

If nothing else just being visible is probably a deterrent.

 

[Urshurak776]

We use it. Works fine for us. Our subscription plan is through RING, not Amazon. Even though Amazon owns them.

 

[cptbarkey]

Law enforcement had near unfettered access, supposedly that isnt the case anymore but I have severe doubts.

The nail bomber in Austin was tracked down using them, so there are pro's and cons. I'm still leaning towards cons.

 

[John105]

I went with Blink because it was ridiculously cheap ($49.99 for a floodlight cam). I do believe the end goal is to gain a subscription. With blink, all the hardware has a 1-time replacement if stolen, and everything is covered under an extended warranty. Like you, I don't want to pay so I've had a free trial now for almost a year. I keep saying one day I'll just sign up. It will basically pile up thousands upon thousands of useless video, I'm at 3,730. I'm thinking just having those cams physically installed might deter an intruder. Not sure how that system works but with Blink all the cams use wifi and connect back to the "sync module." The hard wired floodlight cam connects back to the home router directly.

So it would seem as if you need a reset sync module and then need the devices to be added to it. Then you have a login/account that is tied to the sync module. I would not want to use the hub or module without a factory reset....

p.s. I miss the days when Lenny and Mike Logan would ask a bodega to see the video tape after a crime happened, and it either jammed or ran out. No such thing these days

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Law enforcement had near unfettered access, supposedly that isnt the case anymore but I have severe doubts.

The nail bomber in Austin was tracked down using them, so there are pro's and cons. I'm still leaning towards cons.

Yep. I don't trust it.
I don't do anything that would be illegal or even questionable, but I don't want my cameras phoning home to the cloud where anyone can compromise them.

 

[CKN]

Yep. I don't trust it.
I don't do anything that would be illegal or even questionable, but I don't want my cameras phoning home to the cloud where anyone can compromise them.

" Compromise them" how? To have them showing filming you mowing your lawn?

 

[BISCUT]

" Compromise them" how? To have them showing filming you mowing your lawn?

Very dangerous thought process. Don't ever trust "them" even if it's as tepid as mowing your lawn. It's called a slippery slope for a reason. If your mindset is similar concerning digital currency; please do some deep research and don't assume your (any) politician has your best interest at heart.

Not to mention all those who died/served so we could have that very option to not be spied upon.

 

[CKN]

Very dangerous thought process. Don't ever trust "them" even if it's as tepid as mowing your lawn. It's called a slippery slope for a reason. If your mindset is similar concerning digital currency; please do some deep research and don't assume your (any) politician has your best interest at heart.

Not to mention all those who died/served so we could have that very option to not be spied upon.

Here we go again.....

 

[SC Maintenance]

" Compromise them" how? To have them showing filming you mowing your lawn?

You don’t seem to understand how networks work. If you have a camera reporting to some service in a cloud there is now one more vulnerability / entry into your network.

If they want to watch me mow the lawn they can hack the neighbors camera.

 

[SevenBizzos]

I like ours. I'm going to add another to get the top half of the driveway. It caught a coyote hanging out of the front porch one night, which was pretty cool.

 

[BobsArmory]

Privacy with ring has been abysmal. Police don't even need a warrant to access them. All they need to do claim Exigent circumstances.

 

[CKN]

You don’t seem to understand how networks work. If you have a camera reporting to some service in a cloud there is now one more vulnerability / entry into your network.

If they want to watch me mow the lawn they can hack the neighbors camera.

Yea- I do understand. I sold RAID and SAN systems . The chances of someone hacking in to my network is miniscule.

 

[tbm5690]

I have one and it works well. No cameras inside though...that's where I personally draw the line. My elderly retired neighbors watch me way more than my doorbell cam does so that's a non issue.

 

[Cropduster172]

Have had Ring doorbell and security system for 4 years now. It's fine. Easy to setup and use. I'd get an ADT or Vector sign or some other legit alarm company sign other than Ring to post on your lawn though. Throw a curve ball to any goofs trying to signal jam.
I pay $100/year for the video storage and alarm monitoring, although I believe that ends in another year. Then it goes to $200/year. You do get a minimal discount on your homeowner's policy. You can arm/disarm the system with the app with the monitoring subscription. A hardwired system is ideal, but these systems are fine too for most folks. As a retired cop, I'm more concerned about some fentanyl addicted idiot looking for an opportunity than Amazon seeing me sweep my porch. That's a special kind of paranoia.
I also have the water leak sensor for my HVAC condensate pump. When you add in smoke detectors and security...it's pretty good bang for your buck for the monitoring.

 

[GON]

Have had Ring doorbell and security system for 4 years now. It's fine. Easy to setup and use. I'd get an ADT or Vector sign or some other legit alarm company sign other than Ring to post on your lawn though. Throw a curve ball to any goofs trying to signal jam.
I pay $100/year for the video storage and alarm monitoring, although I believe that ends in another year. Then it goes to $200/year. You do get a minimal discount on your homeowner's policy. You can arm/disarm the system with the app with the monitoring subscription. A hardwired system is ideal, but these systems are fine too for most folks. As a retired cop, I'm more concerned about some fentanyl addicted idiot looking for an opportunity than Amazon seeing me sweep my porch. That's a special kind of paranoia.
I also have the water leak sensor for my HVAC condensate pump. When you add in smoke detectors and security...it's pretty good bang for your buck for the monitoring.

Your post brings up a great concern. The Ring system requires a user who can regularly change out batteries, remove Ring doorbells for USB charging, and able to troubleshoot wireless issues.

A hardwire system reduces much of the time spent maintaining a wireless alert system. My Wife is not tech savvy whatsoever- she doesn't change light bulbs........


hmmmmmmm

 

[CKN]

My Ring Doorbell is hardwired. No batteries. I have a couple of Blink cameras, the batteries last a very long time.

 

[Cropduster172]

Your post brings up a great concern. The Ring system requires a user who can regularly change out batteries, remove Ring doorbells for USB charging, and able to troubleshoot wireless issues.

A hardwire system reduces much of the time spent maintaining a wireless alert system. My Wife is not tech savvy whatsoever- she doesn't change light bulbs........


hmmmmmmm

The batteries in the contacts last years... they're the button LIon ones. The batteries in the motion sensors are AAs. I get about 6-8 months from them. The keypads are USB charging... every 6 months. The system has cellular backup when WiFi goes down assuming you go with Ring monitoring service. You can check battery levels with the app and it notifies when the batteries needs to be changed.
The doorbell comes in several
configurations...hardwired, rechargeable...I think there might be a solar option as well.
Overall, it's a decent system. I connected 2 Dome Z-Wave sirens to it. It's better than adequate security alarm protection for the low risk area in which we live.

I don't have an alarm system in our beach house but I did put up some inexpensive, solar powered WiFi cameras. They work flawlessly and there's no cloud storage fee as they take memory cards.

 

[KrisZ]

The fact that all of these companies give away the data/footage just by a phone call from the law enforcement and without a warrant is enough to sway me from using such system. If it’s not stored locally, it’s not for me.

 

[CKN]

The fact that all of these companies give away the data/footage just by a phone call from the law enforcement and without a warrant is enough to sway me from using such system. If it’s not stored locally, it’s not for me.

So you don't want the bad guys caught using footage from your system which could be beneficial to the Police? Is that what you are saying?