On a similar note …
Here's a neat little gadget I recently acquired. (This is not an advertisement, just a report of my experience.)
My old doorbell wiring was removed ages ago when a security door was installed. Since then I had an antique "wireless" doorbell that had been failing for months, replacing batteries in both the push button gadget at the front door as well as the interior "bell" housing became an exercise in futility, not to mention a constant nuisance. Even with fresh batteries it's reliability was marginal.
In my increasing state of "antiquity", I'm perambulating with some difficulty. With such difficulties getting about, I am a frequent Amazon customer, and I also have fairly frequent deliveries from my mail order pharmacy.
I don't particularly like having USPS/UPS/FedEx deliveries sitting at my front door for an extended period; that applies doubly for prescription meds — some in gelcaps — left sitting at the front door in the blazing heat of an Arizona summer. On at least one occasion I've had a FedEx driver park his truck across the street, tiptoe up to the front door and discretely place a package there and tiptoe back to his truck — virtually without making a sound, not even the courtesy of a knock at the door. Fortunately I caught that one in the act.
Well enough of that! Here's my solution:
The Ring™ Video Doorbell. (It's available from Amazon as well.)
- Someone rings your doorbell.
- The Ring™ Video Doorbell communicates with Ring's servers via your in-home Wi-Fi.
- The Ring™ servers send a "push" notification "ring" alert to the smart phone(s) you designate.
- Upon receiving the 'push" notification, you "click" it and the Ring™ smart phone app pops up with a video image of the scene at your front door, offering you a chance to either "Accept" or "Deny" (or ignore) the alert.
- If you accept the alert, you may immediately have a two-way conversation with the "visitor". (If you deny the alert, that's the same as if you aren't home at all.)
Now wherever you are on the planet, you can be "home" to respond to the doorbell, and no-one will know the difference. (As long as you're in cell phone range.)
Then there's the matter of the surreptitious FedEx driver, who subtly drops a package and tiptoes away. Also, just last week I had an
OnTrac© delivery gomer drop a package at my door, then in spite of the prominent sign "Please Use Doorbell", what does he do? Knocks timidly on the door, then departs. Arrgh! Or how about the peddler/prowler or other miscreant? Ahaa! Gotcha! In the absence of a "doorbell ring", the Ring™ Video Doorbell's built-in motion sensors detect any activity at your front door and trigger instant mobile "motion" alerts as well, allowing you to either "Accept" or "Deny" (or ignore) the alert, as above. Accept the alert and confront the interloper by voice!
For an in-house doorbell chime in addition to "ringing" your smart phone, see also the
Ring Chime, which plugs into any household 110-220 volt power outlet and connects to the Ring™ Video Doorbell via your in-home WiFi.
Even Ring's packaging is a beautiful piece of engineering, and includes everything you'll need (except an electric drill)!
- Ring Doorbell
- Micro USB charging cable
- Mounting bracket and level
- Screwdriver
- Screwdriver bit
- Drill bit
- Wood screws
- Masonry screws and anchors
- Users manual
For $3.00/month (or $30.00/year) you can have all of your alert videos stored "in the cloud" for future reference — including any alerts that you denied, or even missed, (Had your cell phone off, perhaps?) They could be great "evidence" in the event that some criminal activity was captured. Recorded videos are stored for up to 6 months and can be downloaded and/or saved to your device — or to your PC (by logging on to your account at the Ring web site).
"Slicker than snot on a brass doorknob!"
Remember, many burglary attempts begin with a doorbell "ring", nominally to determine if anyone's at home.
