Intrusion Startup Kangaroo - No Hub/Panel, WiFi Motion Detectors, Pro Monitoring. What Do You Think?

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Ethan Ace
•Aug 29, 2018

This was in some of the mainstream tech news today. A startup called Kangaroo has launched a DIY security system based on $30 battery powered wifi PIRs with no hub and professional monitoring for $60/year (or self monitored for $1/month).

It strikes me as an odd but interesting move compared to a lot of the DIY security systems out there which are panel/hub based, but it seems quite limited considering there are literally no other sensor types available (no door contacts or glass breaks, for example) and no option for video which is common in systems like Nest Alarm.

What do you think of the no hub/panel approach coupled with cheap professional monitoring? I'm not convinced Kangaroo itself is headed for great success, but the decentralized approach seems to be catching on with things like Apple Homekit increasing in popularity.

U
Undisclosed #1
•Aug 29, 2018
IPVMU Certified

What do you think of the no hub/panel approach...

Kangaroo eliminates one hop.  Ironic.

 

(6)
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Ethan Ace
•Aug 29, 2018
In reply to Undisclosed #1

I hate you for this pun. And I hate myself for laughing at it.

(1)
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Brian Rhodes
•Aug 30, 2018
IPVMU Certified
In reply to Undisclosed #1

not impressed.  3/10

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #2
•Aug 30, 2018

Maybe they think contacts and glass breaks are pointless if you cover the inside of your building properly with PIRs.

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Sean Nelson
•Aug 30, 2018
Nelly's Security

I love improvements in simplicity. Although I am concerned about battery life with a Wifi connection. 

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Undisclosed #3
•Oct 21, 2018

Hubs are not a "bad" thing. You don't want a hundred WIFI devices on a network. You don't want a hundred WIFI devices anywhere in the same vicinity for that matter because of the nature of the WIFI protocol. WIFI is "loud" and will degrade you and your neighbors network with interference.

It's better for you and your neighbors networks to have as few WIFI devices as possible and utilize mesh networking with smart channel management when possible.

Hard to recommend WIFI devices over zwave/zigbee devices these days. The residential space is moving in to home automation etc and the allure of an all in one security/automation system is too great.

Their website seems a little misleading.

1) They say to dl the app, setup motion, boom, home secured. I laughed. That statement is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

2) The home owner will likely never get any discount on insurance as they state. If insurance companies offer it, they will likely require you to have it professionally installed. Again, I didn't see a disclaimer in there and is probably a lawsuit waiting to happen.

(1)
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