Abode

I got an Abode system hoping to run a barebones security system for my house without having to pay a monthly fee to a security company. The Abode products have worked fine, but the app severely limits how you can use the products unless you purchase a subscription. Basic features like keeping a history of alerts or even telling you what an alert is are gated behind a monthly fee. Very frustrating.

I wish that the widget that shows the alarm status whether it’s armed or not or what mode it’s in would actually update based on the status of the alarm. It will not update if the status is changed at the key keypad or some other way so you can’t look at your app and see whether or not the alarm is on.

My system fails to send alarm notifications to my phone, runs automations that I deleted months ago, and is generally just full of bugs. I don’t know how I can trust my family’s safety to Abode when it can’t properly accomplish basic alarm functions.

Without a subscription the app and hardware are all but useless. Notifications that an “event has occurred” with no way to turn it off. Even getting “events” at 2am when nothing is happening. Need to turn off notifications all together and basically the app is a glorified remote at this point… which they are adding ads to now.. I would avoid the abode ecosystem all together if I were to do it again.

They have been upgrading well just wished everything was fully integrated with HomeKit

I have the system for about a year now. The hub constantly disconnects so doesn’t matter how good the camera image is or easy to install if the system is always disconnecting. Everything is updated, internet service is working but it just disconnects.

The app should be great on paper, but actually using it is a glitchy mess where things don’t respond, are extremely laggy, or cameras fully lose connection and constantly need to be power cycled. I regularly trip my own alarm because the app fails to recognize my phone’s location and disarm when I come home. I had automations for lighting presets on timers, sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. Tried adding motion sensors to trigger lights with Automation scripts, wound up walking into a room and fumbling through the dark for 30 seconds, then the lights finally turn only after I’ve already left the room. If you’re using just the base unit, maybe this is a simple cheap system that could work for you. But if you’re serious about security or plan to buy any significant peripherals to build a smart home, this ain’t it. Spend your money elsewhere.

Battery in hub is not user replaceable, a new unit must be purchased.

An absolute joy to work with compared to the aggravation with ttrqditional wired(even wireless) systems like Honeywell. The integration with my home automation was seamless and allows for doing things I couldn’t do before.

terrible system. Door alarms work well.. but cameras won't stay online. All 5 external cameras went offline after a couple of months. replaced all of them with new cameras... and placed them inside this time... and within 2 weeks...3 of the 5 are offline again. and it isn't my network... have 500 mps with a mesh network... that covers all areas where cameras are. will replace whole system as soon as I get home.