House broken into

[Sleepy]

So I have checked into three different companies so far.
FrontPoint
Vivint
SimpliSafe

FrontPoint - Roughly $50 a month, start up costs are going to be around a thousand out of pocket. This is for window/door sensors, glass break sensor.
Vivint - Around 60-70 a month, by far the most advanced and best options. Still trying to figure out with them what start up costs will be. There is a $200 install/start up fee plus equipment but I can not get a strait price out of them.
SimpliSafe - $25 a month, ZERO contract(frontpoint and vivint both want 36 month contracts). They have by far the least options, but the options that really matter are there. They have motion sensors, window/door, fire. Start up costs would run me about $550. The one thing I really dislike is the lack of video.

Simplisafe is really getting me on the cheaper start up and no contract. I really really hate loans and contracts.
The one hold back is the lack of video. If I am at work and a motion/door sensor goes off, it would be nice to see what was going on before rushing home or calling the police.

Is there a way to have a couple camera's set up and to be able to view them with an android/windows app? After some reading it sounds like I may need a dvr, however those set ups seem to be $$$.

[Stg4raddo]

If i was in the dsm area i would help you out. I could guote you equipment and have you install it if you were up to it. With alarm.com you can tie cameras into your system with no dvr and view them with the same web login or smart phone login. No dvr is required as alarm.com does offsite video storage.

You wouldnt even have to do full on video you could use image sensors that are more along the lines of a digital camera but still offer remote viewing.

[AutoMods]

you have to have video in my opinion. its useful and reassuring to look at. you really don't need windows/door sensors if you have cameras in your home because the cameras detect motion and can alert you. i sometimes watch my kids on camera if i'm in another room, etc etc

sounds like you haven't checked out independent systems yet, you should

[StreetSweeper]

Vivint will haggle with you on start up cost's. The only out of pocket expense I had was 200 dollar install that they broke down and added three separate increments to my monthly bill. All equipment was free. so make sure you haggle with them to work to your benefit.

[Sleepy]

I will have to give that a try. Unfortunatly the guy I spoke to kind of sounds like a new guy, stumbles a lot and does not sound comfident.

He did mention the 200 start up cost and 3 pay if we did not want to pay it all at install.

He wouldn't give me a straight price for sensors, control panel and such. Possible because there were no prices to give?

If thats the case then Vivint is the way to go. Any other company is going to cost an easy 1k to get started and still have a 50 a month payment to moniter.

I know Ryan, I should look into DIY systems. However I can not seem to find one that gives me sms notifications and app service with out a monthly fee.

[81LS1Camaro]

Sorry to hear about your loss. It always seems like other people want your stuff. A few weeks ago I was working out in the garage, lights on, stereo blasting, making noise and everything. I was carrying a old 55 chevy gas tank outside when I looked up a crack head was rummaging through my truck. I dont know what he was thinking, I was obviously home. All I can say is man he could run fur a scurvy bastard. I chased him 7 blocks before I lost him in a dark alley. He didnt seem to want to stop and talk to me very bad. I was lucky and he didnt get anything and left 4 porn dvd's for me for my troubles lol. What did you ever pick for an alarm?