Home Automation Update 28Nov18

I perused the smart doorbell offers and couldn't pull the trigger on the Google/Nest offer despite the great reviews - just too expensive. Since we have a Logitech/Arlo security/camera setup, I went with Arlo Doorbell and Arlo Chime. They are now installed at the Nest and work great ~ although latency is an issue with all these systems. I didn't have existing doorbell wiring so the pure wireless was a boon. Both items are fully integrated now... I know motion at the front door and record video on the event and I know a doorbell press, which rings the indoor chime, and can answer in person, or rings a call on my phone and I have a conversation with the visitor, or just allow the visitor to leave a message - without any intervention. Pretty cool. We'll see about battery life.

I now have the biggest config for Arlo which is still free. Five security cameras, including one added to cover the front door and one looking out back at the weather and wildlife, and a doorbell & chime (shown above). I've set up all appropriate rules and modes and it all works pretty well. I still get some false positive alerts though when I open the iPhone app and view a camera live - something is cross-wired in Arlo's cloud service. Too, the latency to the doorbell speaker, when answering on the iPhone as a phone call, is too long. Both of these issues are not show stoppers and the monthly fee of $0 is just right.