Like most DIY home security companies, abode keeps things simple with their subscription plans. I had a spot in mind that was nowhere near the router, so I untethered the iota and set it free. The obvious advantage of choosing the Wi-Fi connection over Ethernet is that the Gateway doesn’t need to be buddy-buddy with your router - you can place it anywhere in your home. You don’t have that option with the Gen 2 Gateway, which is another reason I prefer the iota. And it’s not unusual to come across small hiccups when installing home security systems, even DIY ones.Īs far as the iota Gateway goes, you have the option of keeping it connected via Ethernet 2 (most reliable), or switching to Wi-Fi. Anyhow, this only set me back five to seven minutes total. Turns out, it’s important to press the tiny button on the back of each sensor before mounting, a small detail I must have missed. I just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, which wasn’t the right call. There was no chime or anything to let me know that I’d installed and connected the sensors properly. That said, I didn’t love how passive the hub was. Once I did, I hardly even noticed them anymore – they were that low profile. The main thing you need to do is pull out the plastic tab to activate each one and stick them in place. Setting up and installing the sensors is as easy as following the step-by-step instructions provided by abode. Plus, it comes with features to stop burglaries, like a motion sensor and a loud siren.Ībode Door/Window Sensor Compared to a Quarter Since you’ll likely place the Gateway in a central location, the built-in camera can help you monitor that location without adding an extra device. So the iota Gateway (pictured above) is all-around better looking, and it offers an added layer of video security. Honestly, the Gen 2 Gateway looks like an internet router from the ’90s. Otherwise, both units are identical, except that the iota is more compact than its predecessor hence the name iota, meaning “an extremely small amount.” 1 The iota comes with a built-in 1080p HD camera with motion detection the Gen 2 Gateway doesn’t. You have two options with abode: the iota Gateway and the traditional (Gen 2) Gateway. But at the end of the day, it’s just marketing speak for a base station. It’s called the Gateway because of its ability to connect you to a whole world of home automation. Plain and simple, the Gateway is your central base station or hub. And abode’s entry-level kits are cheap enough to land abode on our list of most affordable home security systems. At any rate, these prices are on-par with other DIY systems. It’s called the Smart Security Kit - but again, you won’t get the iota Gateway with built-in camera. You also have the option of scoring an abode system, sans iota, starting at $229. And in addition to protecting your house, abode doubles as a full-on home automation platform. This kit will set you back $502, which is pretty reasonable considering the iota Gateway has a built-in HD camera. Though abode offers several equipment kits, you can also build a custom system from the ground up. It came with the all-in-one Gateway hub, door/window sensors, and a few other accessories. I went with the iota Kit Elite, abode’s most high-tech system. Now back to my original experience with abode. While it makes shopping a bit more labor intensive on your end, it is nice to be able to purchase exactly what you need without any fluff or filler. Why’d they do this? We figure it’s because abode wants to focus more on customizability rather than offering scores of “kits” for customers. If you’re thinking about going with abode for your home security, now’s a good time to get out the checkbook. The iota kit is now going for $254.99, the Security Kit is $159, and the customizable package is $149.99. Pro Tip: All three security systems are currently on sale.
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