I just installed this in my new home this weekend. I got the Iota system along with some more mini door and window sensors, wide angle camera motion sensor, smoke alarm detector, keypad, and regular motion sensor. I reached out to Abode about the wide angle camera motion sensor being exposed in HomeKit; they said it would be, but it is not. The app was a lil finicky but I am on a beta iOS so that could be the issue. The website was perfect and pairing was super easy. I got most of the system running in HomeKit like I want; just need to tweak a few things. Great vid can’t wait to see what Abode adds in the future.
@@ShaneCreates Not yet I want to get my wife’s phone up and running with HomeKit and do some test with arming and disarming (don’t want any false alarms 🙃) But the plan would be using HomeKit exclusively to arm and disarm.
@@NewHomeTech Gotcha. Yea I'd like to ultimately use it exclusively in HomeKit as well, but until they can fix the issue with the motion sensors "triggering" the alarm in HomeKit, I don't think I can. Keep us posted with your testing!
@@justjaymar_ yeah so after moving states and finally moving into my new house a couple months ago I got my Abode Iota up and running again with no issues. So Abode fixed the trigger issue of the alarm system in Home mode through a firmware update and they did add the wide angle motion sensor camera but they took it away (after they stop selling it go figure). I use a night automation to arm my system at night through HomeKit and when I go to work in the morning I disarm the system in the morning when I go to work (the keypad is next to room where the wife and baby sleep and it quieter to disarm on my phone). I love my system and very reliable throughout the years.
ModernDayTech thanks Eric! Yea fingers crossed they work out these few kinks. It has potential to be the best diy security system if they can figure out the modes within HomeKit.
As someone who installs security systems for a living. No commercial or residential system should let you arm when motion is detected. All faults (Zones) need to be closed. Regardless of the mode that is selected. That’s just how it works. There’s nothing wrong with that. Other then consumer facing education.
I have the aqara hub to work with eve so I have their hub to Arm and disarm when I’m not home with devices like eve and such and than a plug triggering for night/leaving my dog home so only door locks and door contacts will trigger it. Works like a charm
Thanks for the review. Discovered your site this morning and have watched several of your videos. I've been trying to find a native HomeKit system. Has Abode fixed the issues you mentioned in this review?
Honeywell Home / Resideo - Lyric Controller works well with Homekit. I work for a security company in north Chicago suburbs and am using it in my home. Besides that we sell Elk Products M1 with the serial to ethernet module for automation and smart phone control. With that I use HomeSeer and HomeKit with a Elk Plugin using Raspberry Pi's. @t It's real neat that with HomeKit alarms you can create sounds to play on your HomePods when the alarm activates using any sound from the Apple Music library.
Hi Shane. So I bought the abode system as well and was frustrated by what you’re experiencing. Interestingly enough I bought it to replace my nest security systems. But right after I bought the abode system I found starling’s nest bridge for HomeKit. And because they way that nest sees sensors, it works in HomeKit the right way when the alarm is on any of the three settings (off, home or away). However you do lose the ability to use nest sensors to trigger things when you’re home, because the sensors appear as closed always. Still other than that it works great.
Ernesto Maldonado yea I really hope they release a fix update for that functionality in HomeKit soon. Glad to hear you got your nest working in HomeKit!
Hey Shane. Love the channel. For the camera, can you scrub video? Meaning can you scroll through the video and see the video as you're moving the finger? That's important to me as most security cameras don't have that. My Vivint system does and it's practically a deal breaker because the scrubbing let's you find things in the video you may miss otherwise.
Hi really appreciate the channel would love a updated video on this after years of use pros and cons when I searched RUclips I could not find this video but when I search google it comes up very strange
i know this is a little later from date of this video but do you know if they got the motion issues worked for night and stay modes? Kind of interested in this system. Also I see this has Z Wave control. My outside lights are controlled via Z Wave. Can you make it where you disarm the alarm and turn on outside ZWave lights at night?
Very cool stuff again Shane. So. An oddly specific question(s). In any of your correspondence with Abode, was there discussion about powering their forthcoming outdoor cameras? In checking their website, the camera will be using a 5v USB source for power...and can also utilize an 8-24v (from a doorbell transformer) input. Wondering if there will be a POE work-around/solution? Also. What sort of ‘recorded video’ provisions are available for their cameras? Seems like someone could simply add a dedicated doorbell transformer to power multiple outdoor cameras - and repurpose any existing CAT-5e wiring to bring video monitoring into the HomeKit/Home App. Ideally, someone from Abode would be reading these comments and offer direct input. But. Who knows? Anyway. As we’ve discussed in the comments sections on some of your other videos, my wants are crazy-specific...so I’ve grown accustomed to being disappointed by the lack of products that fit my needs. Your videos are great tho! Thanks for the constant updates & content.
Thanks Brad. Those are some good questions. However I did not speak with them about the forthcoming cameras mentioned. My focus on this one was to really test and understand the HomeKit capabilities of these systems as security alarms. Maybe, once they are released and we have some more information, I’ll have a chance to review those cameras also. Definitely an interesting product that I’m excited to see hit the market.
Random question. If a door sensor is opened, will the alarm go off or will it give you time to enter the house and turn the alarm off? Aqara alarm doesn’t and just goes off
Mark, yes you have 60 seconds to enter the house and disarm the alarm before the siren sounds. The same applies for when you arm the alarm, giving you time to leave the house. I should have mentioned that. Thanks for asking!
Shane, great video. Thank you for this HomeKit specific look at the Abode system. Abode has it's own CUE automation system and you can use a Geofencing rule to arm/disarm the system completely outside of HomeKit. Can you have the Abode system added to Homekit, but still run CUE automations?
ahale1987 thanks for watching! Yes, it seems that you can still use the CUE automations even after adding it to HomeKit. I haven’t used them much, but I have set up one automation that works using the CUE automations.
Shane, thanks for the video. This was very informative. I do question Abode's response that HomeKit doesn't allow sensors to be included or not included based on the mode. I have the Honeywell Lyric security system, which is HomeKit compatible. It has 3 modes: Home, Away, and off. When we have it set to Home the motion sensors will not trigger an alarm condition. In Away mode, they will trigger an alarm. So, I doubt that it's a HomeKit limitation. Sounds more like an Abode implementation limitation that the folks at Honeywell avoided. Also, I'm not understanding what the difference is in Abode's system between the Home and Night modes. Seems like they would be the same, to allow you to move around inside your house while arming all of the sensor on the perimeter of your house.
Hey Greg, thanks for sharing. I haven’t used the Lyric system or know anyone personally who has it. So that’s good to know. Yea I’m not sure about the differences in home and night modes within HomeKit either. Honestly, I think it may be like a default for HomeKit alarms or something because in the Abode app you only have Away, Home, and Off. And I’ve seen the same 4 modes in another HomeKit alarm system that don’t really do much either (the Onvis burglar alarm contact sensor). I’m glad Lyric has figured it out within HomeKit...that gives me hope that Abode should be able to also. Thanks for watching!
@@likeke9 yea just like in the Abode App. I think the "night" mode showing up in Homekit is a default HomeKit setting for the Security Alarm feature. Maybe they will get that removed one day so as to just have the three modes like the Lyric system and the Abode app.
Hey Shane do you have a video comparison of the Mi app vs. the Aqara app? Can you use them at the same time or do they interfere with each other? Thank you sir, keep up the great videos.
Atrain Coming thanks! No I have not done a side by side comparison video on them. I’ve gone back and forth between the two a few times. It seems to me that they each have pros and cons depending on what you need to accomplish. And yes, in my experience, they do interfere with each other and you can only use one or the other.
Shane Whatley got ya, I thought you had mentioned something like that before in a past video. I only have a few Aqara sensors right now so I’ll just stick with the Aqara app. Thank you for the response.
Hey Shane, I know you can use Fibaro door/window sensors with Abode. Can the Aqara sensors also be used with Abode? I just bought the Aqara kit after watching your review. Keep the videos coming!
pwicketts thanks for watching! Great question. So I tried that and you are able to pair the Aqara contact sensor with the abode gateway but it pairs as a switch instead of contact sensor so I don’t think you can make it trigger the alarm. And I don’t think it gets exposed to HomeKit that way either.
Yes the door and window sensors act just as any HomeKit enabled sensors. So you can use them for automations in HomeKit. I haven't heard anything about their new camera supporting HomeKit Secure Video. Honestly, I'd be a little surprised if it did from the start, but it would be awesome if it did!
Hi Shane, thanks for covering this one. I’m really keen to get and test out one of these but seem to be unavailable in UK. Do you know if they have any plans to branch out? To avoid the gotchas of any system, I think we’re going to have to roll up our sleeves and tinker for a while longer to get precisely what we’d like!
Michael Blake I’ve heard that they are working on wider availability worldwide but haven’t seen any details or dates. I’d bet it has something to do with monitoring and contacting local fire and police departments and they probably don’t want to ship without those features (just my guess). But if you can find a way to get one shipped it should work just fine with self monitoring.
Will abode give all Homekit cameras such as Aqara cams the ability to stream and record during a power/internet outage? Of course, having a battery backup for all cams.
The Abode camera will not have anything to do with other Homekit cameras. I'm not sure about an iPad with cell service acting as a hub. I prefer not to use iPads as my homekit hubs. I suppose you could put everything on a battery backup (your router, homekit hubs, etc) if that is a concern.
@@ShaneCreates my problem is, when my power goes out, so does the internet provider power. I have a whole house backup system for power lose but no internet backup
I'm looking at this system...a couple questions, do you know if the issues you talked about, especially the fact that motion sensors will trip the alarm (in HomeKit), have been fixed? If not, what is the work around? if you arm the system through the abode app is that still and issue? Also have you used this system with any locks? If so which ones and how well does it work? Thanks
Announcing Homekit support was premature. Abode is solid but Homekit sees all the Abode contacts as "No Response" even though Homekit does properly report arming/disarming of Abode.
That’s odd. Of course I only have the one contact sensor that came with the kit, but it is working in homekit just like any of my other HomeKit contact sensors.
I have a Honeywell Lyric security system with HomeKit. The only sensors that you see on HomeKit are the contact sensors, motion sensors, and glass breaks. Those can all be used with automations. Sensors that are deemed “life saving” sensors like smoke and carbon monoxide are not visible, and that is deliberate. I’m not sure if this is a security industry convention or a decision by Apple, but life saving sensors are deliberately not visible in HomeKit and are accessible only through the security panel.
Hi Shane. Abode looked appealing for my needs with one exception. I'm looking, on behalf of my elderly mother, for zone monitoring (main floor & rarely used basement) and very simple to operate. Do any of the DIY systems allow zone setups? If so, which would be your recommendation? If not, what and who would you recommend? Thanks again.
@@williambuchanan6766 I'm not sure of any DIY systems that allow this. There may be some that I just haven't used. I've only tried systems that work with Apple HomeKit. One solution could be to set up separate alarms. The easiest and most cost effective would probably be the Aqara stuff. You could get multiple Aqara hubs to act as separate security systems. Then pair your sensors with the appropriate hub. You could have two separate systems that you could arm and disarm separately. I've done lots of videos on the Aqara stuff and even have a playlist on the channel.
Hi Shane, looking for this in Europe (Denmark) but it does not seem to be available outside of the US. Do you know if abode plan on pushing this to the EU anytime soon? Great channel by the way
Thanks Jesper! I've been told that they have plans to make it more available worldwide, but I haven't heard any specific details or dates. It's currently only available in US and Canada probably due to the connection with local emergency services. I'd imagine they don't want to ship without that ability. If you can manage to get one shipped somehow, it should still work fine with self monitoring.
@@ShaneCreates Thanks, the european marked is huge so i always wondered why it is often not prioritized. I have the exact same issue with Idevices outdoor switch which is also not available outside of US AFAIK. A lot of europeans could use their product.
BBaoVanC yea I wish any HomeKit sensors could trigger the alarm but that seems to be a HomeKit limitation. Every security system I’ve used in HomeKit can only be triggered by it’s own sensors so far.
hjparma nope, unfortunately you can only trigger the alarm with Abode sensors. That seems to be a HomeKit limitation as that’s how every security system I’ve used seems to work in HomeKit.
Total noob here. I'm wondering why you need a separate security system. Can you just connect sensors, cameras etc. to Homekit then set automations like in the "3 easy steps to alarm system" video? Obviously, you wouldn't have the ability for professional monitoring service. Wondering why there's a need for a security Hub if you have a Homekit Hub already.
The method described in the mentioned video is definitely more of a DIY solution. And it totally works. But that video is intended to show what is possible and creative ways to think about automation, especially if you already have those products around the house. Using a dedicated security system like this will give you more benefits such as optional professional monitoring (as you mentioned) as well as battery backup, cellular backup, as well as numerous other sensors that you can pair with the hub.
Shane Whatley appreciate the quick response. It seems having a dedicated security hub is safer and more expansive than just HomeKit alone. Good looking out, bruv. Love the channel.
Hey Nathan, I honestly don't have a recommendation for any doorbell cameras, since I prefer HomeKit for my smart home setup. There currently aren't any good HomeKit doorbell cameras on the market, although we expect to see some released this year.
There's no way, that I know of to ask you this in private, but at 4:34 you show your Homekit code. Doesn't that make the device open for anyone else to add it to their Homekit system?
Thanks for the heads up and concern. But it shouldn’t be an issue because you have to be physically near the product to successfully connect something to HomeKit.
![[TF2] The Russian Bear Trap](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YFNSwz2_rOA/mqdefault.jpg)
Abode Essentials Starter Kit: $199 - amzn.to/2uKG7Xb (affiliate link)
Abode Iota Security Kit : $229 - amzn.to/2HkKgDQ (affiliate link)
► Recommended Playlist - HomeKit Security Systems: ruclips.net/p/PLSyPtAY5VFr2Bjgj4OcnZXLrVR-rN-btt
Shane Whatley hi Shane, love your videos! Would like to ask u now ,which shall I get abode or aquara for security system for homekit?
I just installed this in my new home this weekend. I got the Iota system along with some more mini door and window sensors, wide angle camera motion sensor, smoke alarm detector, keypad, and regular motion sensor. I reached out to Abode about the wide angle camera motion sensor being exposed in HomeKit; they said it would be, but it is not. The app was a lil finicky but I am on a beta iOS so that could be the issue. The website was perfect and pairing was super easy. I got most of the system running in HomeKit like I want; just need to tweak a few things. Great vid can’t wait to see what Abode adds in the future.
skiman24 thank you for sharing! Are you using HomeKit to arm and disarm the alarm? Also, congrats on the new Home!! 🎉
@@ShaneCreates Not yet I want to get my wife’s phone up and running with HomeKit and do some test with arming and disarming (don’t want any false alarms 🙃) But the plan would be using HomeKit exclusively to arm and disarm.
@@NewHomeTech Gotcha. Yea I'd like to ultimately use it exclusively in HomeKit as well, but until they can fix the issue with the motion sensors "triggering" the alarm in HomeKit, I don't think I can. Keep us posted with your testing!
How has it kept up ? Do you still like it ?
@@justjaymar_ yeah so after moving states and finally moving into my new house a couple months ago I got my Abode Iota up and running again with no issues. So Abode fixed the trigger issue of the alarm system in Home mode through a firmware update and they did add the wide angle motion sensor camera but they took it away (after they stop selling it go figure). I use a night automation to arm my system at night through HomeKit and when I go to work in the morning I disarm the system in the morning when I go to work (the keypad is next to room where the wife and baby sleep and it quieter to disarm on my phone). I love my system and very reliable throughout the years.
I thought Adobe started making alarms lol
😂 I know right. You're not the only one!
Any update on the abode regarding the issues that u have brought up ?
Great review Shane. It's shame the limitations that Homekit has on these security systems. Hopefully, Apple will setup up their game soon.
ModernDayTech thanks Eric! Yea fingers crossed they work out these few kinks. It has potential to be the best diy security system if they can figure out the modes within HomeKit.
As someone who installs security systems for a living. No commercial or residential system should let you arm when motion is detected. All faults (Zones) need to be closed. Regardless of the mode that is selected.
That’s just how it works.
There’s nothing wrong with that. Other then consumer facing education.
Shane, any updated videos on the Abode system? Is the arming of system while motion is detected still an issue?
I have the aqara hub to work with eve so I have their hub to Arm and disarm when I’m not home with devices like eve and such and than a plug triggering for night/leaving my dog home so only door locks and door contacts will trigger it. Works like a charm
Thanks for the video! Looking forward to future reviews
Piotr K thanks for watching!
Thanks for the review. Discovered your site this morning and have watched several of your videos. I've been trying to find a native HomeKit system. Has Abode fixed the issues you mentioned in this review?
Honeywell Home / Resideo - Lyric Controller works well with Homekit. I work for a security company in north Chicago suburbs and am using it in my home. Besides that we sell Elk Products M1 with the serial to ethernet module for automation and smart phone control. With that I use HomeSeer and HomeKit with a Elk Plugin using Raspberry Pi's. @t
It's real neat that with HomeKit alarms you can create sounds to play on your HomePods when the alarm activates using any sound from the Apple Music library.
Hey David, that’s awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Shane. So I bought the abode system as well and was frustrated by what you’re experiencing. Interestingly enough I bought it to replace my nest security systems. But right after I bought the abode system I found starling’s nest bridge for HomeKit. And because they way that nest sees sensors, it works in HomeKit the right way when the alarm is on any of the three settings (off, home or away). However you do lose the ability to use nest sensors to trigger things when you’re home, because the sensors appear as closed always. Still other than that it works great.
Ernesto Maldonado yea I really hope they release a fix update for that functionality in HomeKit soon. Glad to hear you got your nest working in HomeKit!
Hey Shane. Love the channel. For the camera, can you scrub video? Meaning can you scroll through the video and see the video as you're moving the finger? That's important to me as most security cameras don't have that. My Vivint system does and it's practically a deal breaker because the scrubbing let's you find things in the video you may miss otherwise.
This looks like a great new addition to HomeKit security systems. It’s exciting to see more support in this area.
Eric Welander yes I agree. Excited to see the security system features/functions evolve and mature over time.
Hi really appreciate the channel would love a updated video on this after years of use pros and cons when I searched RUclips I could not find this video but when I search google it comes up very strange
Thanks for the suggestion!
i know this is a little later from date of this video but do you know if they got the motion issues worked for night and stay modes? Kind of interested in this system. Also I see this has Z Wave control. My outside lights are controlled via Z Wave. Can you make it where you disarm the alarm and turn on outside ZWave lights at night?
For the key pad does it have to be wired or is it sticker based ?
Is this working better now with HomeKit regarding the issues Shane brought up?
Very cool stuff again Shane.
So. An oddly specific question(s). In any of your correspondence with Abode, was there discussion about powering their forthcoming outdoor cameras?
In checking their website, the camera will be using a 5v USB source for power...and can also utilize an 8-24v (from a doorbell transformer) input. Wondering if there will be a POE work-around/solution? Also. What sort of ‘recorded video’ provisions are available for their cameras?
Seems like someone could simply add a dedicated doorbell transformer to power multiple outdoor cameras - and repurpose any existing CAT-5e wiring to bring video monitoring into the HomeKit/Home App.
Ideally, someone from Abode would be reading these comments and offer direct input. But. Who knows?
Anyway. As we’ve discussed in the comments sections on some of your other videos, my wants are crazy-specific...so I’ve grown accustomed to being disappointed by the lack of products that fit my needs.
Your videos are great tho! Thanks for the constant updates & content.
Thanks Brad. Those are some good questions. However I did not speak with them about the forthcoming cameras mentioned. My focus on this one was to really test and understand the HomeKit capabilities of these systems as security alarms.
Maybe, once they are released and we have some more information, I’ll have a chance to review those cameras also. Definitely an interesting product that I’m excited to see hit the market.
The aqara alarm will not arm if a door sensor is opened
Random question. If a door sensor is opened, will the alarm go off or will it give you time to enter the house and turn the alarm off? Aqara alarm doesn’t and just goes off
Mark, yes you have 60 seconds to enter the house and disarm the alarm before the siren sounds. The same applies for when you arm the alarm, giving you time to leave the house. I should have mentioned that. Thanks for asking!
Shane, great video. Thank you for this HomeKit specific look at the Abode system.
Abode has it's own CUE automation system and you can use a Geofencing rule to arm/disarm the system completely outside of HomeKit. Can you have the Abode system added to Homekit, but still run CUE automations?
ahale1987 thanks for watching! Yes, it seems that you can still use the CUE automations even after adding it to HomeKit. I haven’t used them much, but I have set up one automation that works using the CUE automations.
Shane, thanks for the video. This was very informative. I do question Abode's response that HomeKit doesn't allow sensors to be included or not included based on the mode. I have the Honeywell Lyric security system, which is HomeKit compatible. It has 3 modes: Home, Away, and off. When we have it set to Home the motion sensors will not trigger an alarm condition. In Away mode, they will trigger an alarm. So, I doubt that it's a HomeKit limitation. Sounds more like an Abode implementation limitation that the folks at Honeywell avoided.
Also, I'm not understanding what the difference is in Abode's system between the Home and Night modes. Seems like they would be the same, to allow you to move around inside your house while arming all of the sensor on the perimeter of your house.
Hey Greg, thanks for sharing. I haven’t used the Lyric system or know anyone personally who has it. So that’s good to know.
Yea I’m not sure about the differences in home and night modes within HomeKit either. Honestly, I think it may be like a default for HomeKit alarms or something because in the Abode app you only have Away, Home, and Off. And I’ve seen the same 4 modes in another HomeKit alarm system that don’t really do much either (the Onvis burglar alarm contact sensor).
I’m glad Lyric has figured it out within HomeKit...that gives me hope that Abode should be able to also.
Thanks for watching!
I have the Abode touchpad and it shows only Away, Home and Standby.
@@likeke9 yea just like in the Abode App. I think the "night" mode showing up in Homekit is a default HomeKit setting for the Security Alarm feature. Maybe they will get that removed one day so as to just have the three modes like the Lyric system and the Abode app.
Hey Shane do you have a video comparison of the Mi app vs. the Aqara app? Can you use them at the same time or do they interfere with each other? Thank you sir, keep up the great videos.
Atrain Coming thanks! No I have not done a side by side comparison video on them. I’ve gone back and forth between the two a few times. It seems to me that they each have pros and cons depending on what you need to accomplish. And yes, in my experience, they do interfere with each other and you can only use one or the other.
Shane Whatley got ya, I thought you had mentioned something like that before in a past video. I only have a few Aqara sensors right now so I’ll just stick with the Aqara app. Thank you for the response.
I wonder if iOS 14 fixed these issues...
Do you still like this alarm system
Yes
with with android phones?
Have you had any issues lately after 5.0 update?
Hey Shane, I know you can use Fibaro door/window sensors with Abode. Can the Aqara sensors also be used with Abode? I just bought the Aqara kit after watching your review. Keep the videos coming!
pwicketts thanks for watching! Great question. So I tried that and you are able to pair the Aqara contact sensor with the abode gateway but it pairs as a switch instead of contact sensor so I don’t think you can make it trigger the alarm. And I don’t think it gets exposed to HomeKit that way either.
Shane Whatley that makes sense! Thanks for getting back to me!!
I have SimpliSafe and I am so over it. It is constantly picking up my cats. How does this system do with pets? The motion sensors I mean.
While you can adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensors, I don't believe they are pet immune.
Can you control other HomeKit devices using the door and window switches?Also, do you think the indoor/outdoor camera will use HomeKit secure video?
Yes the door and window sensors act just as any HomeKit enabled sensors. So you can use them for automations in HomeKit.
I haven't heard anything about their new camera supporting HomeKit Secure Video. Honestly, I'd be a little surprised if it did from the start, but it would be awesome if it did!
Hi Shane, thanks for covering this one. I’m really keen to get and test out one of these but seem to be unavailable in UK. Do you know if they have any plans to branch out?
To avoid the gotchas of any system, I think we’re going to have to roll up our sleeves and tinker for a while longer to get precisely what we’d like!
Michael Blake I’ve heard that they are working on wider availability worldwide but haven’t seen any details or dates. I’d bet it has something to do with monitoring and contacting local fire and police departments and they probably don’t want to ship without those features (just my guess). But if you can find a way to get one shipped it should work just fine with self monitoring.
Can you use third party door sensors with the Abode Security System via Homekit to trigger the alarm? Like Fibaro or Eve?
Nope. Only the Abode sensors will trigger the alarm.
Will abode give all Homekit cameras such as Aqara cams the ability to stream and record during a power/internet outage? Of course, having a battery backup for all cams.
If not, would an iPad with cell service function as a hub during power/internet outage?
The Abode camera will not have anything to do with other Homekit cameras. I'm not sure about an iPad with cell service acting as a hub. I prefer not to use iPads as my homekit hubs. I suppose you could put everything on a battery backup (your router, homekit hubs, etc) if that is a concern.
@@ShaneCreates my problem is, when my power goes out, so does the internet provider power. I have a whole house backup system for power lose but no internet backup
If you have 2 Keypads (i.e) one on the 1st fl and one on the 2nd fl, do you have to armed/disarm both or do they connect to one another?
Not completely sure, but since it’s still just one alarm system I’d guess that you would only need to disarm one.
I'm looking at this system...a couple questions, do you know if the issues you talked about, especially the fact that motion sensors will trip the alarm (in HomeKit), have been fixed? If not, what is the work around? if you arm the system through the abode app is that still and issue? Also have you used this system with any locks? If so which ones and how well does it work?
Thanks
Did you ever find out if the HomeKit issues were solved? Thank you in advance.
Announcing Homekit support was premature. Abode is solid but Homekit sees all the Abode contacts as "No Response" even though Homekit does properly report arming/disarming of Abode.
That’s odd. Of course I only have the one contact sensor that came with the kit, but it is working in homekit just like any of my other HomeKit contact sensors.
I have nine sensors and they all work just fine.
I have a Honeywell Lyric security system with HomeKit. The only sensors that you see on HomeKit are the contact sensors, motion sensors, and glass breaks. Those can all be used with automations. Sensors that are deemed “life saving” sensors like smoke and carbon monoxide are not visible, and that is deliberate. I’m not sure if this is a security industry convention or a decision by Apple, but life saving sensors are deliberately not visible in HomeKit and are accessible only through the security panel.
Hi Shane. Abode looked appealing for my needs with one exception. I'm looking, on behalf of my elderly mother, for zone monitoring (main floor & rarely used basement) and very simple to operate. Do any of the DIY systems allow zone setups? If so, which would be your recommendation? If not, what and who would you recommend? Thanks again.
Hey William. What exactly do you mean by "zone monitoring?"
Would like to be able to arm basement sensors while leaving main floor unarmed. Thanks.
@@williambuchanan6766 I'm not sure of any DIY systems that allow this. There may be some that I just haven't used. I've only tried systems that work with Apple HomeKit.
One solution could be to set up separate alarms. The easiest and most cost effective would probably be the Aqara stuff. You could get multiple Aqara hubs to act as separate security systems. Then pair your sensors with the appropriate hub. You could have two separate systems that you could arm and disarm separately. I've done lots of videos on the Aqara stuff and even have a playlist on the channel.
Thank you Shane for your quick and informative reply. Definitely something I'll investigate.
Hi Shane, looking for this in Europe (Denmark) but it does not seem to be available outside of the US. Do you know if abode plan on pushing this to the EU anytime soon? Great channel by the way
Thanks Jesper! I've been told that they have plans to make it more available worldwide, but I haven't heard any specific details or dates. It's currently only available in US and Canada probably due to the connection with local emergency services. I'd imagine they don't want to ship without that ability. If you can manage to get one shipped somehow, it should still work fine with self monitoring.
@@ShaneCreates Thanks, the european marked is huge so i always wondered why it is often not prioritized. I have the exact same issue with Idevices outdoor switch which is also not available outside of US AFAIK. A lot of europeans could use their product.
Playback speed to 1.25x, you're welcome
🙏
I bumped it up to 1.5. Good catch. Thank you!
Can you use other HomeKit door sensors to trigger the siren on the abode?
BBaoVanC no, unfortunately you cannot. Only sensors paired with the Abode gateway can sound the alarm.
Shane Whatley that’s a shame. But it’s not too bad because the door/window sensors aren’t expensive compared to other companies.
BBaoVanC yea I wish any HomeKit sensors could trigger the alarm but that seems to be a HomeKit limitation. Every security system I’ve used in HomeKit can only be triggered by it’s own sensors so far.
not sure if covered in the video (maybe i missed it), but is it possible to trigger the alarm with non-abode HomeKit sensors?
hjparma nope, unfortunately you can only trigger the alarm with Abode sensors. That seems to be a HomeKit limitation as that’s how every security system I’ve used seems to work in HomeKit.
Shane Whatley understood, thanks. Hopefully iOS 14 will allow this kind of integration
Total noob here. I'm wondering why you need a separate security system. Can you just connect sensors, cameras etc. to Homekit then set automations like in the "3 easy steps to alarm system" video? Obviously, you wouldn't have the ability for professional monitoring service. Wondering why there's a need for a security Hub if you have a Homekit Hub already.
The method described in the mentioned video is definitely more of a DIY solution. And it totally works. But that video is intended to show what is possible and creative ways to think about automation, especially if you already have those products around the house.
Using a dedicated security system like this will give you more benefits such as optional professional monitoring (as you mentioned) as well as battery backup, cellular backup, as well as numerous other sensors that you can pair with the hub.
Shane Whatley appreciate the quick response. It seems having a dedicated security hub is safer and more expansive than just HomeKit alone. Good looking out, bruv. Love the channel.
Hey what recommendation do you have for a affordable doorbell camera? I just purchased this unit today the abode
Hey Nathan, I honestly don't have a recommendation for any doorbell cameras, since I prefer HomeKit for my smart home setup. There currently aren't any good HomeKit doorbell cameras on the market, although we expect to see some released this year.
Update:
For doorbell camera went with just a arlo pro 2 work good. And the so far the abode work good
Did anyone else think this was an Adobe security system lol?
haha I still see “Adobe” every time...
There's no way, that I know of to ask you this in private, but at 4:34 you show your Homekit code. Doesn't that make the device open for anyone else to add it to their Homekit system?
Thanks for the heads up and concern. But it shouldn’t be an issue because you have to be physically near the product to successfully connect something to HomeKit.
@@ShaneCreates Good point
Honestly, NO ONE SMART ever uses a motion sensor. Only install the doors/windows.