Home Security Gadgets & Reviews

If you’re looking for an inexpensive home security system that you can install yourself, X-10 has quite a few offerings.

For instance, their Protector Plus Dial-Up burglar alarm costs less than $100 and comes with several bells and whistles (well, actually they’re flashing lights and sirens). When triggered, the alarm also automatically calls up to 4 pre-set phone numbers to alert you and family members that someone may be trying to break into your home.

Security systems like this, while not the most high-end, are an affordable alternative to pricy security cameras and monitored systems run by alarm companies. The Protector Plus is supposed to be simple enough that the average do-it-yourself type can install without trouble.

Protector Plus Dial-Up Home Security System

So, we’ve talked a lot about home security, but some of the most expensive items you own may be the things you tote with you to work or school every day. $3,000 for a laptop, $500 for an iPhone, a few hundred for the iPod or other mp3 player… these things add up, and the ease with which someone can swipe them make them big targets for thieves.

So, how do you protect your electronic goodies?

You might want to check out GadgetTrak.

It’s kind of like a burglar alarm or home security system, but it’s designed to protect your gadgets. You download the system onto your laptop, iPhone, etc. for a fee (costs start at $13 a year), and then if someone steals your gadget, the software alerts the company whenever someone else tries to use it. The company lets the police know where the product is being used, and chances are you might actually get your device back.

If you don’t mind paying the fee for your peace of mind, it sounds like a better option than just getting your name engraved on the back of your iPod.

If you own an RV or motorhome, you may want to invest in a burglar alarm or home security system for it. This is especially true if you are a full timer (live in your RV) or take frequent vacations.

There are two types of RV security to consider: protecting the entire vehicle from being stolen and protecting the vehicle from being broken into and valuable items from being stolen.

Many luxury models have easily stolen items such as portable satellite dishes and flat screen televisions. You may also have personal information that thieves could use to perpetrate identity theft.

You can buy alarms that work similar to car alarms to keep the vehicle from being stolen or entered when you’re not around. You may also want to consider safes that can be secured under the seat or screwed into the floor in a closet or similar area. Even if you don’t want to get a full fledged burglar alarm, at least consider upgrading the locks on your motorhome or trailer. Many of the standard ones are extremely flimsy. Also ensure windows can’t easily be forced open.

Your dealer may have some upgrades available, but you can also look on the internet and make additions after you’ve purchased your RV/motorhome.

If you’ve been thinking about getting some kind of driveway alarm or motion sensor to alert you to when someone comes onto your property, but haven’t wanted to deal with installing something complicated, this Dakota Alert wireless motion detector from SmartHome might fit the bill.

It’s specifically made for outdoor use, so it can be used to monitor your driveway or any part of your property.

“The Wireless Motion Alert system will send an instant alert from the foot of your driveway to your home when a person or car enters your property. The weatherproof transmitter operates on one 9-volt battery (sold separately) and is easily mounted on a tree or post near the driveway (mounting materials sold separately). The transmitter uses a passive infrared (PIR) beam to detect people or vehicles to a distance of up to 80 feet, then sends a radio signal back to the receiver, which can be placed in your home up to 3000 feet away.”

It looks pretty easy to install. Since everything is wireless, there aren’t any cables that need to be run underground or anything. Set-up shouldn’t take long.

The wireless driveway motion detector is $159 from SmartHome:

Dakota Wireless Driveway Motion Detector

For a lot of people, the main way they secure their sliding glass door is with a chunk of wood dropped into the slider at the base. That might help keep an not-so-ambitious burglar out, but it’s possible to jostle one of those free with a little determination. These Honeywell security bars aren’t much more expensive than that wooden stick, but they’re a big improvement.

First off, they can be made to fit the space exactly and snuggly (they can be positioned at waist level, too, so you don’t have to bend over to move it in and out of the door). Secondly, they have an alarm built into them. If somebody tries to break in through your sliding glass door, the bar will flash a bright light and sound an alarm, which will deter most intruders. The bars sell on Amazon for $12.

Honeywell Security Bars

If you have a swimming pool, you may be concerned about the neighborhood kids getting in and hurting themselves while you’re not home to watch over things. Or maybe you just don’t want to allow potential burglars access to your backyard.

This gate alarm can be programmed to alert you whenever someone opens the door and tries to get inside. (If you’ve got dogs that are escape artists, it can also help keep them from getting out of the yard.)

The gate alarm is available for $50 from SmartHome, a relatively inexpensive way to add some peace of mind:

Yard Guard Programmable Gate Alarm

If you want the peace of mind of a burglar alarm guarding your house, but you don’t want the hassle of remembering key codes and punching them in every time you walk in the door, you could try something like this wireless system. The 510050 Remote Home Security Alarm can be armed and disarmed simply by pressing a button on a remote, which is small enough to hang on your keychain. That means no complex combinations to remember. (Just don’t lose your keys.)

Installation is simple. You just mount the alarm near the door or window (you could have multiple alarms for whole-house coverage) and plug in 2 AA batteries. Once it’s armed, if the alarm detects motion, a piercing 110 decibel siren will sound.

Does it work? Well, I guess you’re out of luck if you have pets that wander around the house while you’re gone. In my opinion, this inexpensive alarm would probably be better for a little extra peace of mind when you’re traveling (i.e. staying in a hotel room) than as a true home security system.

The remote control alarm costs $60:

http://www.ekitchengadgets.com

Okay, this is obviously a just-for-fun “burglar” alarm and not a serious home security tool (unless you’re very serious about protecting the beers you’ve claimed for yourself).

The beer burglar alarm attaches to your can, then delivers a short, sharp, shock to anyone who tries to grab it. It even has a motion sensor to detect would-be drink thieves on the approach, and it goes off if anyone comes within 30 cm of the can. You can choose what audio you want to sound from a mafia-esque voice growling “Keepa da hands off ma beer” or a simple banshee-like siren that will alert everyone in the house as to what’s going on (God forbid, you bump the can on your way to the tomato juice).

It’s not clear how the device distinguishes thief from owner though. I have a feeling it’s going to go off no matter who grabs the beer can. Still, it could be a fun gift for a beer lover.

Beer Burglar Alarm