Recently, Arlo wire-free security cameras have become extremely popular in New Zealand.

They are marketed as a simple product with a quick and easy installation.

For example, being "wire-free", you can mount them anywhere. This ease of install is great for houses where installing a hard-wired system is problematic.

But. And here is the but. And you'll notice it's a big but. A really big but...

"The batteries in your Arlo Pro Wire-Free... camera last for about four to six months with normal usage, which is about five minutes of recordings a day..."

Let's break it down:

Firstly, Arlo wire-free systems only output a 720p definition image1. Youtube now streams in 1080p, or even 4K ultra high definition - and 720p security cameras have been on the wane for a number of years.

Secondly - and more importantly - you need to change and recharge batteries. So when your cameras die, what do you do - take them down and recharge the battery.

If you wanted to run the cameras while you're charging the batteries you've just taken out, that's going to cost you an additional $109.99 each camera, to have a spare.2 So if you don't have spares, then no recordings for 2 hours (the time it takes to recharge a camera).3

Third, the specified normal usage of an Arlo is five minutes of recording a day. 5 minutes.

No camera has yet been able to master the same rejection rate as an alarm sensor, for example. Cameras rely on pixel movement to pick up on motion. Cats, dogs, birds, spiders, people, cars, bees flying close to the lens, spiders... you name it - the camera will likely record these events at some point.

When we put in a CCTV system, we allow enough storage for 2 hours of recordings a day... With Arlo, you've got a maximum of 5 minutes a day just to ensure the batteries will last you 4-6 months.

A camera also needs a pre-record ability. That is, an ability to store 10 seconds of video before the motion is detected to capture anything the camera didn't pick up in the preceding 10 seconds.

So if each event was 45 seconds long - 10 seconds of pre recording and 35 seconds of footage... the maximum number of events Arlo can support is 6.6 a day. That's it. That means your camera can only activate once every 4 hours. Is that really realistic?

If your camera picks up any more than 6.6 events a day, then your battery life will start to diminish.

Many people who have put an Arlo "wire-free" system subsequently come to us to put a hard-wired system in.

Based on our experience, we estimate your Arlo "wire-free" system would need recharging every 4-6 weeks. That's about 28 events a day or one every hour (which is still highly conservative, particularly at night).

Conclusion

While the Arlo wire-free systems may seem like a cost friendly, simple alternative to a professional system (coming in at about $1500 including GST), the limitations are painful.

Our residential CCTV systems start at about $1700 including GST (for two cameras) however they are hard-wired, 1080p definition, and includes 1 TB of hard-drive space. Our residential CCTV systems also include a generous 3 year warranty.

If you're after a free quotation for a residential CCTV system in Auckland, feel free to get in touch with us here: https://www.crosbies.co.nz/contact-and-free-quotes

References Used

1. https://www.arlo.com/eu/products/kit/VMS3230.aspx

Setting up your phone app (Insite Gold) is easy.

Insite Gold can be added to multiple iOS/Android devices to remotely arm/disarm and monitor your alarm system.*

Remember, there is an annual fee of approximately $14 USD payable per site which covers multiple devices. This fee is payable directly to Paradox. We've included your first 3 years for free.

Please ensure your keep your phone, and the Insite Gold app, up to date. This will ensure your device is equipped to receive alerts.

Step 1:

Go to your app store or Google Play store and download the application “Insite Gold” by Paradox.

Launch it.

Step 2:

Press the “+” button on the left side of the Paradox Insite Gold phone app, to add your new alarm to your devices phone/s.

Step 3:

In the first field, type anything you like in. This is your alarm name that is unique to your phone. What you write here, won’t copy into anyone else’s phone – if they too are using the app.

In the middle field, write in the SITE ID that was provided in your email sent by Crosbies Security (or your installer).

In the last field, write in the EMAIL that was provided in your email sent by Crosbies Security (or your installer).

Press “Add Site”.

Your alarm system will now appear in your phone.

Step 4:

Click on your newly created site within the Paradox alarm Insite Gold app, and enter your pin number. You will now be connected to your alarm system.

Terms & Conditions of Using Insite Gold

Crosbies Security Limited do not have any part in maintaining the Insite Gold application. It is imperative you keep your phone, and the app, up to date - to ensure you will achieve full functionality.Although Insite Gold is reliable almost all of the time, Crosbies Security cannot be liable for any downtime caused as a result of unplanned phone updates, app updates, power failures, internet connectivity issues (at the users end) or any other factor that may impact the apps performance.Insite Gold requires a reliable internet connection at both your alarm, and your phone. If you know that you can often have trouble with your internet connection, then you may need to consider using a standalone sim card module for your alarm to avoid your unreliable internet connection.Insite Gold should not be used as a monitored alarm replacement. Nothing is more reliable than having a guard receive an SMS through a solid 2G data connection, with the guard then being able to follow up by way of phone call.

I was recently asked to join and contribute advice to a local Facebook community group dedicated to crime and safety.

Here is my first post.

Have you ever avoided calling Police after seeing something suspicious, because you thought it might waste Police time, or that it wasn’t an emergency?

Even after years of experience, I still feel the same way before picking up the phone.

I phoned Police a few weeks ago to report a suspicious vehicle driving up and down the street. This was actually while I was on the way to complete a quotation for a home alarm system down that very street.

The single occupant was looking into houses as he drove on slowly (with a hood up) during a very quiet weekday.

A car jam search on the number plate revealed that the car hadn’t had a warrant of fitness since 2011. The model of the vehicle he was driving was also different to the plate on car jam.

The combination of everything together fitted a classic 1C event - that’s Police for suspicious car/person. In other words, I thought he was going to commit a burglary.

A burglary happens in NZ every 7 minutes. So it wasn’t at all impossible that he was up to no good, seeking an easy opportunity to target a vulnerable home.

But even I delayed ringing Police.

The thoughts entered my mind: he hasn’t DONE anything criminal (apart from the number plate), so is it an emergency? Who am I to judge if this person is suspicious? What if he’s genuinely in the area?

But then I reminded myself. Most Joe abiding citizens don’t drive at 5km/h, while wearing a hoody up, in an unwarranted vehicle (7 years unwarranted at that) with mismatched plates, down a quiet street during midday.

Right now, Police don’t operate a non-emergency line (other than *555). I believe that’s about to change.

So I phoned 111. I immediately questioned my decision (you shouldn’t feel guilty for doing your bit!)

The conversation was very brief. Enough details to get a job in the system.

It felt as though the call taker wasn’t interested - but this is not the case at all!

They are desperately needed to answer the next call (and the next... and the next...)

Once the jobs in the system, Police staff on the ground receive a general broadcast of the details.

If they’re free, they might take a look. If their dealing with something serious - they probably won’t.

But the record is there. And I did my bit. And down South we’re lucky to have a pretty well resourced Police.

I never minded attending a job like that and it turned out to be nothing. In fact, I’d rather attend and it turned out to be nothing than not be called and then a burglary report comes through the next day!

➡️➡️➡️ So don’t feel guilty if you feel something truly isn’t right, and you ring 111!

If you’re unsure whether it’s an emergency - ring anyway and ask.

Police will tell you what to do.

Facebook is a great medium for sharing events but by no means at all should be your first port of call for reporting!

You can also take steps to protect your home. Installing window stays is a great start. And of course, having an alarm system is a massive deterrent.

The newest space in home security is CCTV. As costs come down, home CCTV is becoming more and more affordable - so you can keep an eye on your home while you're not there.

- Josh

It probably comes as no surprise to you that across New Zealand, 77% of reported crimes in 2017 were against property. [1]

Those crimes included 51,922 home burglaries and 17,544 commercial burglaries. There were also 137,538 other theft relates offences (including 30,204 vehicle thefts) in the same period. [1]

That means across New Zealand, one burglary occurs every 8 minutes.

You might also be surprised to learn that most burglaries actually happen in the early afternoon.

That's why it is increasingly important to protect your home or business from property crime.

Home security alarm systems are used to first and foremost deter burglars from entering your home.

In the event a break in does occur, the burglar alarm sensors will detect the intrusion and the alarm systems 120db internal sounder will hopefully send them running out the door to avoid being caught.

This article has been written as a guide to help you make an informed decision about your home security needs.

Crosbies Security Limited offer quality, affordable alarm systems. You can email office@crosbies.co.nz or phone 0800 112 335 for a free, no obligation chat, 7 days a week.

Key Components for Modern Burglar Alarms

There are a multitude of alarm system brands out there, so it can often be hard to know where to start.

Depending on the size of your house and a few other factors, entry level alarm systems can start at around $600, and go right into the thousands.

This article will hopefully help steer you in the right direction about what you want to achieve out of a home alarm, so when you're speaking to a sales consultant, you can ensure you are getting the best possible deal for both your security and your budget!

Alarm Sensors / Alarm Motion Detectors

Often known as "PIR's", which stands for Passive Infrared Sensor. A passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor) is an electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR) light radiating from objects in its field of view.

Essentially, these alarm sensors detect heat from objects in a given area.

Most burglar alarm sensors can be adjusted to be pet friendly as well - it's often not a bad idea to get the pet friendly sensors, even if you don't have pets, in the event you sell your home or decide later on to get a fury friend.

Sensors can come either wired or wireless. First option should almost always be wired, because you don't have to worry about batteries going flat, and they are often faster and sending the intrusion signal back to the control panel.

Wireless sensors now days are excellent, but make sure the brand of wireless sensor you are purchasing is known for it's reliability! You don't want a cheap, nasty wireless sensor that drops off from the wireless receiver at the control panel all the time, as it will cause false alarm activations and drive you mad!

Alarm Control Panel / Burglar Alarm PCB (Printed Circuit Board)

These are the main control panels that power the entire burglar alarm. Not to be confused with the "keypad" which simply influence the control panel!

Always enquire about the number of zones the PCB you're being quoted has. The standard is 4-zones, which is suitable for most New Zealand homes. But if you're after a bigger alarm system, then you may need to consider getting a larger PCB.

A basic PCB will set you back about $60 or $70 + GST.

Alarm Keypads

As mentioned above, the keypad is the user interface that influence s the alarm control panel.

Modern alarm keypads now include the TM50 touch screen keypad pictured to the left. These make controlling and configuring your alarm seamless.

You can still get traditional non-display keypads if you're on a budget, that will do the job well.

Alarm Back Up Battery

Every alarm needs a back up battery in the event there is a deliberate power failure. Most alarm systems now won't go off in the event of a power failure - the back up battery will kick in, and the alarm will work as normal - meaning that in the unlikely event the power goes off in the middle of the night, you won't get woken up.

There are many batteries to choose from - from a 4 hour life battery up to 20 hour life battery. The battery will generally need to be replaced every 3-5 years.

Crosbies Security Limited can supply and replace your alarm battery (and perform a routine service) for around $150 including GST. Be careful as some companies will charge much more than this.

iOS/Android Integration

Read our article here about iOS/Android integration (opens in new window): https://www.crosbies.co.nz/single-post/2018/03/21/iPhone-Android-Alarm-Monitoring

Most modern alarm systems can be capable of being self-monitored through your iOS or Android device.

Ask whoever the alarm sales consultant is to show you the app they're promoting! Not all of them are great. You want one that is easy and simple to use.

Sirens

Most security alarm systems will have at least one internal siren and one external siren. At the very least, you should have an internal siren to cause distress to the burglars.

Having an external siren is still very important, to draw attention to your home in the event a burglar breaks in.

Most alarm kits will include both.

Optional Upgrades for Home and Commercial Burglar Alarms

There are many optional extras you can add to your alarm system to make life easier and enhance your home security.

Alarm Remotes

Remote controls offer the convenience of arming and disarming your alarm system with the push of a button.

Crosbies Security can also set up a relay so the same remote can open and close your garage door - meaning you can arrive home and use the same remote to quickly access and then disarm your alarm system.

Wired Smoke Detectors

If you're installing an alarm system, you should seriously consider installing a wired smoke detector at the same time.

Having a wired smoke detector is the best protection you can have against fires. Hard wired smoke detectors don't need battery replacements, and will sound your entire alarm siren in the event of a fire - meaning it's much louder than your typical supermarket smoke detector.

How Much Do Burglar Home Alarms Cost?

Firstly, ensure the consultant you are liaising with is Ministry of Justice licensed. All security consultants entering your home must be MoJ licensed.

Also, check with the security company that their installation technician is either a qualified Security Systems Technician or a Registered Electrician.

If they are a Security Systems Technician, they must also be Ministry of Justice licensed to install your alarm.

If they are a Registered Electrician then they do not need to be MoJ licensed as they will already hold an Electrical Workers registration.

Crosbies Security Limited are pleased to let you know we are Ministry of Justice Licensed (you can search us up on the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority website - visit https://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/licences-certificates/pspla/.

So what's the cost?

An entry level, full alarm kit supplied and installed for an Auckland home would cost about $600-$700 including GST.

This should include:

A complete basic alarm system package should include:

Alarm control panel and tamper cage + a transformer or a plug packBackup battery2 (PIR) sensorsKeypadInternal sirenExternal siren

Alarm Installation Types - Auckland Alarm Installations

There are three common types of alarm installation types.

Hard Wired Alarms

All sensors, control panel and key pads are wired into the homes mains supply with a backup battery in case of any power outage.

This is best suited to new builds, or homes with adequate roof access where a retro-fit isn't costly.

Wireless Alarms Systems

These remove the need for any wiring installation with all parts of the system being self battery powered.

Wireless alarm systems have been known to be inferior to hard wired systems, however technology improvements have seen the development of many quality wireless systems and now they are as effective as wired systems.

However, be cautious of entry level self install wireless systems or unbranded wireless systems, as they can be prone to false alarms and signal problems causing you headaches in the middle of the night or when your neighbour phones you while you're trying to work.

Wireless systems are best suited for existing build homes and rentals where running new cabling is problematic.

Hybrid Alarm Systems

These have elements of both a hard wired and wireless system, e.g. control panel and the keypads maybe hard wired, though some sensors are wireless.

Reference Material:

[1] - http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/crime-at-a-glance-dec2017.pdf

Perhaps you've just been quoted up an MG5050 series? Wondering what that is?

This article has been written to share with you the benefits of the MG5050 series, and also talk about the other model alarm systems Paradox sells.

Crosbies Security almost exclusively sell Paradox alarm systems for Auckland homes and businesses.

Although we can source almost all brands (if you desire a particular brand), we shifted to reducing our product offering to make selecting an alarm system more simple for our customers.

In choosing the right alarm system we wanted to offer a 5 year warranty on the product.

We looked at numerous alarm brands to cover off capability, technology, reliability and design - and Paradox came out on top each time.

Paradox offer 3 models of system. The Paradox MG (Magellan) series, the Paradox SP (Spectra) series and the Paradox Evo series.

The most common types of Paradox burglar alarms for homes and businesses are the SP and MG series. (For example, the SP4000, SP5500 or MG5050 would be common systems on alarm quotes)

So how do you know what is right for you?

The MG5050 Paradox Alarm System Series vs The Spectra Series

Often, I see the MG5050 series being quoted for even basic, entry level alarm systems.

The MG5050 system is more expensive than the SP4000 or SP5500 - so what exactly is it offering that the Spectra series isn't?

In brief, the best way to describe it is like comparing an entry level phone (SP4000) or a mid end phone (SP5500), to a top end phone (MG5050).

Both the Spectra and Magellan systems will complete the desired functions most alarm owners need, and be compatible with most components.

The main difference is the MG5050 will outperform the other systems in terms of its processing capacity.

That doesn't mean you should upgrade to the MG5050 system immediately though.

If you are only after a basic alarm system (perhaps with the ability to add a couple of wireless sensors or remotes), then the Spectra series will serve you well and save you a bit on the price.

However, if you need a complete wireless system, or a wireless siren for example, then you'll need to get the MG5050 system.

If you would like some free advice on an alarm system you've been quoted, then give us a call on 0800 112 335. We're more than happy to have a no obligation chat with you and give you some advice depending on your requirements.

Comparison Chart

MG = Magallen series

SP = SP series

Touchscreen Keypads:

MG or SP

Wireless Sirens:

MG

Wireless Keypads:

MG

Wireless Sensors:

MG or SP (with RX1 receiver)

Phone App Monitoring:

MG or SP

Remote Controls:

MG or SP (with RX1 receiver)

As a Police Officer, you very quickly learn that PREVENTING crime is far easier than investigating crime.

That works for home owners and business owners too - but rather preventing crime is far easier than making a report, filing an insurance claim, cleaning up all the mess and replacing all your items.

A visible external siren is brilliant - if it gets spotted!

By visibly displaying to criminals that your property is not only secured but also alarmed with a home alarm system, opportunistic burglars will be more likely to continue onto a more vulnerable home.

Adding our Monitored Audible Alarm stickers is a simple yet effective solution to make that extra display of security.

Our security alarm stickers are designed with the widely known Police battenberg markings. This is so your common crook would immediately associate the security sticker with Police!

You can order your alarm stickers for free. Just email office@crosbies.co.nz or send us a message today!

Already have an alarm system installed?

Thinking of installing a new alarm system?

It's 2018 - future proof your alarm and install one with smart phone communication modules!

You can now arm and disarm your alarm system directly from your iPhone or Android device using various phone applications.

Your current alarm system may already be capable of being upgraded to communicate with the internet - which will ultimately save you costs by having to install an entirely new alarm.

The phone apps are super simple to use. Just open, enter your pin and arm/disarm right from your phone.

You can also get real time notifications that an intruder or alarm activation is occurring. That means you can self monitor your alarm 24/7.

If you want to learn more about installing or upgrading an alarm so that you can control it right from your smartphone, talk to us now! Phone 0800 112 335 for a free no obligation chat.

IP CCTV security systems are state of the art CCTV cameras that protect your home, business or commercial premises.

Hikvision IP CCTV cameras are leading the way with their technological advancements and integrated video recorders. The Hikvision brand is well regarded as manufacturing reliable, high quality products.

So you might be wondering what the key differences are between IP CCTV cameras and Analog CCTV cameras?

IP stands for Internet Protocol, and refers to a digital video camera that can send and receive data via a computer network, as opposed to sending a feed to a Digital Video Recorder (DVR).

IP CCTV security cameras sending and receiving data over a computer network are advantageous for many reasons:

PICTURE QUALITY

The best analog security cameras can't even be compared to the worst type of IP camera when it comes to the resolution of the image it captures.

This speaks volumes of the difference between an IP CCTV camera and an analog camera. Additionally, IP cameras capture a much wider field of view than comparable analog cameras, meaning a single IP camera is potentially able to do the job of three to four of the traditional CCTV camera systems.