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Home Automation & Security Gadgets...

posted Aug 8, 2012, 3:14 PM by Josh Vinson   [ updated Aug 10, 2012, 12:48 PM ]

I was looking for a door lock that I could lock remotely with my phone.   I saw the Schlage lock (by Nexia) on Amazon, but for $200 I wanted a bit more.  This turned into a time consuming process and at the end I was more confused than when I started!  There's so many different products and services for residential security & automation you kind of have to backup and ask yourself; what do I really want out of this system?
I wanted to lock the doors and monitor them with the ability to do this remotely via a smartphone or web connection.  Once I determined that I went with a home security package from 2Gig  for around $300 w/ and it can be monitored 24/7.



The good thing about this and other systems like Nexia and Mi Casa Verde is that they're communicating via ZWave and you can pick and choose what devices you want.  What that technical jargon means is you aren't tied to a specific brand or contract like your phone bill kind of...  It's good stuff -


I also came across this Nest 'learning' thermostat where they've taken the Apple approach; learn from the operator.  It has a iPhone app but $250 per thermostat is a bit high.  

  


Other Automation/Security companies:
Vivint is pretty cool, a package system but the monthly fee is a bit higher than some of the others out there.

Perfect Lil' Radio

posted Jul 1, 2011, 7:32 AM by Josh Vinson   [ updated Jun 13, 2012, 2:49 PM ]

Over the past several years I've gone through too many speakers, FM transmitters, cheap radios that use 10lbs of C batteries, docking stations, and mp3 players that break after the first hole golfing...  Recently a friend found this ECO box radio on Amazon for around $40 (free shipping of course with Amazon Prime!) and I have to admit, it's the best damn radio I've found.  I always have a radio for golfing or fish trips but there never seemed to be a good place to mount or tie a bulky radio down.  This little jewel comes with a decent sized clip, plus it is shockproof and waterproof!  I've yet to drop it in the water with my iPhone sealed up inside, but I have a feeling that it would be fine.  The sound this little thing makes when you seal it up is amazing - well worth it!




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