Disappointed since installing our system

We relocated from Ohio to Florida in January 2024. We had a very good Vivint system in Ohio, but chose to try SimpliSafe in Florida. This has been a terrible mistake since that decision. I installed our system in our 2300 square foot one story south central Florida home. We have the doorbell camera, 5 outdoor cameras, multiple entry sensors, motions sensors, glass break sensor, and water sensor. The base is placed in the center of our home and about the same distance from each camera. Our internet and WiFi is 1200 Mbps, the fastest available in our area and works flawlessly with all of our other WiFi devices. Our cameras go offline more than they are online. Motion detection never detects deliveries or people in our driveway, despite the fact that I have all of the settings set up to detect any motion, day or night. The video quality when cameras decide to come online is subpar. As a family practice medical provider with a pediatrician wife, we expect our home to be protected when we are home and away. The SimpliSafe system just is not capable of providing this service for us. The battery life on the outdoor cameras is pathetic. Each battery lasts 2-3 weeks, then time to change again. Aside from my profession, I am very much tech savvy and was an engineer prior to changing professions many years ago. I am capable of doing far more than the average homebody. I have seen multiple people commenting that their cameras were replaced with upgraded equipment for free, systems upgraded for free, yet I never get any responses or suggestions when I express my concerns. Before anyone suggests it, I have also tried WiFi extenders which also make no difference at all. The cameras with this system are just not good enough to provide the service they advertise. We have since started to investigate other system that actually work effectively every day and night without fail. I don’t care what it costs, we will find a system that actually does what it says. Protecting my family is priority one.

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captain11

Captain

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6.5K Messages

7 days ago

@Billm1229 I have a 52 piece SS3 system in a two story, center hall colonial just shy of 2600 sq feet. No connection issues on sensors or my 2 OD cameras, doorbell pro and 4 indoor SA camaras. The dozens of other systems I have placed, same. On the OD camera batteries, I agree and why all of my cameras are on AC. Possibly solar panels may be a solution for you. As far as the range, have you contacted support to troubleshoot? Base off the floor, not near electrical? My Google WIFI first gen with 3 points does nicely with my 300mbs down and 25 up.

If you do contact support, please post your outcome if you get a chance.

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Billm1229

5 Messages

I considered running new outlets to all of my camera areas for the battery concerns, but the lack of WiFi connectivity gives me pause. I double checked our WiFi router and speed last evening and we are at 1300+ download speed and 35 upload. More than capable. I have reached out to customer support in the past and get no help other than “install WiFi extenders”. I have already done that and get the same result. Even as I type this response, I just tried to view my camera while I am sitting inside my home. The driveway camera will not even connect, or two of my other cameras. I can connect the back yard camera by my pool, which is further from the router than the driveway camera or the other two that will not connect. I continuously have to take them down, bring them inside my house to get them to reconnect before reinstalling them. Within 24 hours, right back to not connected again. I feel like there is an issue with the cameras, but SimpliSafe does not bother to respond to my emails or continuous complaints, other than recommend WiFi extenders. If their system works so well for others, why am I having such a poor experience? Poor customer service and very inadequate equipment for what bought the system for.

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7 days ago

0

dlpsr

1.6K Messages

7 days ago

Vivint although expensive and maybe contracts is touted as the top tier brand by the fake review websites.

Don't know, never will, built my own system.

I couldn't read all of the above it was a lot.

If you have USB powered OD SS cams , captain11 is sorta correct. But you'll need mesh wifi, a single router won't cut it and neither will extenders.

Each mesh node, including router, I have 3 nodes including router, will blanket the property with up to 3000 sq ft of Wi-Fi coverage "per node" or access point.

Having said that, I have a mesh and 2 access points with 5 solar powered OD cams. If you're in the 60 day return window, send it back for a refund.

Mesh isn't the do all end all for this 2018 ancient technology. Generally better all around though for any cameras brand amd iOT products.

Mine are pathetic for security even with mesh and drop for no known reason, when they feel like. So does the base station.

If you're wrapped in all brick like me that's even worse.

I still have it, I self monitor, sensors work ok for RF sensors.

In addition, the base sends an RF wake-up to the OD cameras. Doorbells are just wifi.

8 seconds+ live views at my place. Construction does matter and so does the equipment.

(edited)

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simplisafe_admin

Community Admin

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1.6K Messages

5 days ago

@Billm1229 If setting up a Wi-Fi extender has not helped your cameras' connectivity, we recommend setting up a guest Wi-Fi network and connecting your SimpliSafe devices to it next. This will free up bandwidth on your network, and can help your cameras maintain their connection.

Regarding your cameras' motion detection, we would first want to look at how they are physically installed. We recommend mounting the Outdoor Camera 6-8 feet off the ground, as installing it any higher than 8 feet can impact its motion detection. Our cameras' motion sensors are also most sensitive to lateral motion, so they should be mounted to the side of the area you want to monitor. That way subjects move across the cameras' field of view rather than walking straight toward it.

Another factor that could impact an Outdoor Camera's motion detection is its connection to the Base Station. While the Outdoor Camera relies on its Wi-Fi connection in order to record and livestream, it also relies on its connection to the Base Station to wake up when there is motion detected. We recommend adjusting the placement of the Base Station to bring it closer to any cameras not detecting motion to try and strengthen their connection.

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Billm1229

5 Messages

I have done everything you guys recommend, including placing my router and base central in my 2300 square foot single level home. The camera pick and choose if they wish to work or not. I have struggled with this system for more than one year and am just about ready to pitch in the garbage and find another system that actually works.

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5 days ago

Billm1229

5 Messages

@simplisafe_admin aside from being unhappy with this system, I get an email today that my monthly monitoring cost is going up $3 more! Are you kidding me? I am paying for a service that monitors a system that does not even work! I am trying one last option this week and possibly incorporating a mesh WiFi system. If that fails, SimpliSafe will find its way to my garbage can. I will continue to deter my patients from even considering this awful system for their homes.

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5 days ago

cornholio

73 Messages

@Billm1229 I'm in the same boat as you. And SS raises the monitoring fee, for what? Cameras are either disconnected or can't connect in two our different houses. The connection check is good. That would be easy to show programming wise, even though the connection doesn't work. You see, in my previous life, I was a programmer, network engineer, and systems guy. I am on a 2.4GHz guest network and have an extender in one house. I'm not going to call support and have somebody read me a script. The only thing that does appear to be fairly stable are the sensors. I'm going to wait for a sale and get two different systems to replace SS.

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5 days ago

dlpsr

1.6K Messages

@Billm1229 With a single router and if a larger home, they are adequate for inside, maybe some low WiFi spots if you checked with a Network analyse app.

I bought my own modem too, I don't rent modems from Xfinity our ISP.

Mesh wifi, especially wired Ethernet backhaul is best all around. It will broadcast thru your walls up to 7500 sq ft.

But wireless backhaul works fine for me.

Presumes your walls are not stucco with chicken wire, or some other metal or steel siding that would create a Faraday cage and limit or breakup wifi penetration of the exterior walls. Etc.

If the home is over 2000 sq ft, Mesh with a router and two access points at least.

Test moving them around for best coverage.

Router centered if possible, if using Ethernet backhaul, you're limited with moving them.

Using wireless backhaul, which I do, you can move access points anywhere you need. I'm stuck with router position, south end of our rancher.

I could run Ethernet, but I'm too ild to crawl around running cables, or I'd run POE for exterior cameras.

Speed is not Dbm wifi strength. Upload matters for sending vids up, but bandwidth and Dbm is what matters.

I personally could not justify wiring in receptacles for wired SS USB camera power.

Probably a couple to several thousands.

If your cameras are just battery they will be slow and if lots of detections they will deplete the batteries rapidly. And probably get slower as battery deplete.

I have 5 solar and still have 8+ second live views, the detections speed are not terrible, when the cameras are online and the base works.

As to Mesh brand, I won't recommend one.

I have an old Orbi RBK53, wifi 5. Single SSID cannot be split for their constant suggestions of a seperate 2.4ghz "just for Simplisafes cameras". Lol

If you want that split SSID you'll have to search, some have it and some do not. It probably won't matter in the end

My other brand cams and some I've been testing work fine on my router. No batteries and NO RF. Lol

Ask @captain11 about Google mesh, his seems to work, he uses wired USB camera power, seems the only way SS cams work sorta adequately. Perhaps he'll comment.

Some admins that used to go by name also may use Google mesh.

I've seen many complaints with folks using Asus wifi 6 or 7 Mesh, or any Asus. I'm not saying buy a particular brand, it's your decision to make if you go there.

The SS cameras will never please me. Ever.

Also, remember, that base sends wake up signals to those OD cams and it is not the strongest RF signal in large spaces with lots of walls. (Doorbells are just wifi.) Not perfect either thru my brick walls either.

Amazon Eero might work, less settings for average users, ask here on the forum. They do have exterior IP66 models, quite salty in price though. Don't have any.

You'll have Wi-Fi that drowns out the neighbors with Mesh. Lol

For future cameras that actually work as advertised, you'll be pleased with Mesh Wi-Fi ir anyhring neeing WiFi.

I'm retired, so I have time now to do testing and due diligence before I buy anything and I'm probably addicted to technology, automations and building my own local only to LAN system. Which I did, and continue doing. After making the SS mistake.

Good luck! just suggestions, you can takem or leavem. 😉 Ask away if future questions or DM me here.

My SS goes in the evidence box when they finally fail.

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5 days ago

thml1

1 Message

1 day ago

I agree with @billm1229. I've had this system since April, and reliability is just not there. Sensors, sirens, door bell, dropping out of contact. The key pad dropped out today, and that convinced me to return

this extremely unreliable system. My home is a single story with unremarkable walls, and centrally located base station. The upside is that the support guy approved the refund even after

the 60day return period.

I envy @captain11 as I, sadly, haven't had that success with my system . Maybe I received substandard components, but at this point, it's time for plan b.

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