iSmartAlarmDeluxe Home Security Package | Wireless DIY No Fee IFTTT & Alexa Compatible iOS & Android App | iSA5, White

** Update Oct 2019 **I previously rated this system as 4 stars but have now given up on the solution. It had so much potential but after several code releases, the system is not reliable.I am constantly dealing with smart switches (for my lights) that don't follow schedules, rebooting the cube or disconnecting/reconnecting smart switches to force them to resync to the cube for basic on/off operation or to follow schedules + the iPhone app doesn't display the functions correctly 70% of the time -- forcing me to be close the app and restart it several times just to get access to the features. If these issues happened once in a blue moon, I could live with it but it's monthly, sometimes weekly. It's no longer a system I can rely on now and I'll be implementing a Ring solution now.** Original Review **I originally wanted an alarm system that 1. didn't have monthly charges, 2. would call and text me if alarm was set off and 3. was easy to setup and use. I figured to address #1 and #2, I had to look for a GSM alarm and purchased an Eray system from Amazon. There were two reasons that didn't work for me: although the system was full featured, the company offering it was from China and the documentation was awful and setup not as easy as I hoped + it only supported 2G which AT&T is discontinuing support for in the US at the end of 2016. So, instead of considering another 3G/4G system from China (which were not rated very high) I saw the iSmartAlarm solution and although it didn't have GSM support, I still thought I would give it a try.The iSmartAlarm was super simple to setup and operate. The instructions are very basic as it's pretty intuitive to add sensors and configure -- they also have videos on YouTube to help -- everything was setup in 30 minutes. In contrast, I spent a good two hours reading, re-reading and guessing on the Chinese system I had purchased before I got around to installing the system.You get an iSmart Alarm cube (which is the system's brain) and just need to connect it to power and your router via an Ethernet cable for it to operate. I like the configuration flexibility of the iSmart system, it let me defined names for sensors and discovery of the sensors was quick and easy. The operation of the alarm is only through a mobile app or via a remote keyfob -- there is no panel to mount and control the alarm. I thought this would be an issue but the app tells you everything about the alarm system status and in my experience, it conveys it in greater detail and simpler language than you would get through the front panel of an alarm system (which is sometimes cryptic or often very brief) -- in the end, I didn't miss the front panel.The iSmartAlarm only uses the Internet connection to message you of an alarm and it will call and text you with information of an alarm and which sensor went off (and if sensors fail, it will notify you of that). To get the system to notify you, you do have to create an account with iSmartAlarm but there is no charge to do this and there is no charge for notifying you. My kids and wife have the alarm app on their phone's too and adding was easy -- they signed up for an account and then scan a code off your phone app to give them access -- very easy -- also, you can add them as users only so they don't mess-up the configuration too. I thought GSM capability would be essential but when I considered the number of times I lose power or the likelihood someone would "cut" my phone line, I figured it wasn't as important as I thought it would be.I did get an iSpot camera and it connected quickly and painlessly and works flawlessly -- it was very easy to use in the mobile app. The speaker on it (as you can talk through it) is very very weak and if there was anything I could fix on the camera, it would be that.The only negative things I can see with the iSmartAlarm is 1. the motion detectors don't have sensitivity adjustments -- they say they work with pets and maybe if they walk on the floor, but cats jump on sofas and chairs and it always sets off the alarm, 2. There isn't an outdoor siren available, 3. in lieu of the motion sensors not working with cats, there isn't a "broken glass" sensor available.I am happy with the system and it's easy to expand as needed.A summary of my experience:PROs- Very easy to setup and use- Configurable - you can define names for every sensor or remote- The mobile app is easy to use and has enough information to understand the alarm status (what's open, what's closed, what has alarmed...)- It will call and text you if the alarm triggers (it does it via the Internet, no phone line needed) + notifies you through the mobile app- Very expandable - a cube will support up to 80 devices- Easy to add family members to operate itCONs- Motion sensor sensitivity is not adjustable (not friendly for cats)- Limited components -- no broken glass sensors or outdoor siren- It does not have a front panel to interact with the alarm -- I don't feel this is an issue but others might.*** Update Feb 23, 2018 ***They offer a keypad now that is wall mounted so you can interact with the alarm system -- only basic features: arm, disarm, home, panic features but it removes one of the CONs I listed. The wall mount is simple -- just a metal plate and the keypad is magnetic, where it sticks to the metal plate - it's easy to change the batteries when needed and with all their devices, the keypad is wireless too.More things I like:1. They do a great job of notifying you when the battery is low on a sensor -- I didn't appreciate it until I started getting warnings (well ahead of time).2. If the cube loses connection to the home office via the Internet (either through power loss or someone cuts your telco or cable line), you get a text message on your mobile phone telling you power is lost to the unit.3. I like that you can specify which sensor will notify you (via text) when triggered. This is useful when the alarm is off while I am at home, but still want a notification if someone opens/breaks into the outdoor shed (where I installed a door sensor) overnight.I am still liking it after a year of use -- a good purchase. If they would fix the motion sensor sensitivity so my cat wouldn't trigger it, I'd give it 5 stars.

I've had this unit for about a year and a half now, and I've had it in two different homes. Overall it's not a bad system, but if the company would change a couple of features that users have been asking for repeatedly since it was released it could be a great system. First the good, it's easy and relatively cheap to tailor it to your home. I've had no issues with false alarms, or not going off when it should etc. It's easy to add and remove additional sensors etc. and battery life in the sensors seems very good as well, I've only replaced the batteries once and that was more of me just doing it once a year. You can also name each of the sensors so when you are testing them or one goes off, you know exactly which one. The key fob range could be better, but it's not horrible, but don't expect to be able to say keep it in your car if you park on the street and dis-activate it. I've simply gotten into the habit of using the phone app to arm/disarm it. Now for the bad:1) The siren is WAY too quiet, this has been complained about since the unit was released, if it's going off in the living room you cannot hear it in the garage and barely hear it upstairs or in the basement, especially if say a TV is on etc. A home alarm system needs a LOUD siren. Even when they released a remote siren add on it's also way too quiet. I have no clue why they don't use a louder siren, it's plugged into power, and you can always offer the option to turn down the siren if people want a lower volume. You're neighbors would never ever hear this going off except maybe in an apartment with paper thin walls. You can tip the unit on it's side and it will be a little louder but it's still way too quiet for a alarm siren. The cheap $5 door/motion sirens on ebay are significantly louder than this, and it's not even in the same ballpark as a professional alarm system. I bought the satellite siren and it's also not very loud.2) There is no interface to use geofencing (using your phone location to arm/disarm the alarm automatically). I use this with my cameras and it works very well. This is another feature that has been requested since the unit was released. Not only should there be a geofencing option, but it should also be able to add multiple family members, so the alarm arms when the last person leaves, and disarms when the first person returns.3) The Alarm really needs more customization options. For example the ability to create a profile that allows you to set various profiles by time/day so you can have the alarm operate while you are sleeping but have it automatically turn on when you wake up. You can create a profile that lets you select what sensors are active, but being able to arm/disarm by time, location, etc. would be nice.4) There's very limited option for how many numbers you can have the system call and/or email if the alarm is triggered.5) It does work with IFTTT, but it's very limited. You can't for example set a motion sensor to turn on the lights when you come home.Overall it's not a bad unit, especially for the price, and what they do have works reliably, but with a louder siren, and some extra application features it could be great.