Reference Library – Security Reviews
Good news: you don’t have to hire a professional to install a home security system. Do-it-yourself, or self-installed home security systems include everything you need to get started to monitor your home or small business, including motion and entry se…
Organizations have a lot to worry about these days. With security breaches on the rise and organizations subject to ever greater scrutiny and reputational risk, would you be surprised to learn that most of your efforts may not be as impactful as advert…
Ring may be best known for the Ring Video Doorbell Range, but the smart camera manufacturer has been steadily branching out; first with outdoor cameras of all shapes and sizes, and now with the Ring Indoor Cam, the first indoor-only camera from the Am…
Annke 4K NVR Security Camera – Sold Separately for £89.00 or the 4 camera kit £399[1][2]
In this latest review, we will be looking at another security camera this time from Annke. We have only been sent a single camera which was a little disappointing as I am aware this is part of a 4 camera kit that is available it would have been beneficial to have been able to test the whole kit but not a deal-breaker.
The camera is for outdoor use and is IP67 rated meaning it can handle all outdoor conditions from extreme cold -22 degrees to 140 degrees.
The camera itself offers ultra 4K HD quality and gives you a 120-degree field of view and comes with an H.265 video recording witch is 7x longer than the previous H.264 that was overwise available.
The camera also allows for night vision and gives you quality vision at night up to 100ft according to the manufacturer. The camera also comes with EXIR night vision allowing for a better quality image at night via IR adjustment meaning it will provide better quality image even in low visibility areas.
This camera can also be connected to a POE system and can be plugged in via the ethernet cable that will not only allow for a video signal to be received but also powers the camera. This camera has also motion detection via email alerts or via alerts via the app as long as you have accepted push notifications.
This camera also has ONVIF protocol meaning it can be connected to other IP connected camera as I only had one I connected it to my D-Link camera kit I have reviewed recently. As mentioned I feel this review would have gone better if I was sent the full kit but that is just a small issue I have with this review.
Inside the box, You have a drill template, CD with software for the camera this was a small issue for me as I normally use a Chromebook that does not have a CD drive so I had to use my PC instead. You also get a quick guide and some weatherproof covers and mounting screws.
The camera itself comes in white with a metal base and the camera has the lens on the right and the EXIR LED on the left. The camera also comes with a POE ethernet cable and a 12 volt PC option if you are not using a POE. In this review, we did not use the POE option.
The major negative to this camera is there is no built-in Mic so audio with this camera is not possible and this for me is a game-changer as not having audio is a major issue when it comes to security being able to hear what is happening when an alert happens or even being able to use a 2-way mic like in the recent D-link review pushes this camera down the order for me when it comes to security options.
The camera also comes with pixel-based motion detection which can lead to a lot of false alerts. This is also another reason why you might want to consider other security options.
The performance of this camera was also a mixed bag for me fast-moving items that appear on the camera where distorted at points but I was able to see if there was a disturbance up to 50 feet away in daylight and 45 feet in night vision.
To view the footage via the app was very easy to do you can download the Annke Vision app on either Andriod or IOS. Once downloaded and set up with the camera it was very responsive in regards to getting live footage but you are unable to change any settings of the camera via the app.
So overall if you do not mind having a camera that is very basic but does offer a good quality image both during the day and especially at night this camera worth considering but if audio is important to you when recording your security footage. I also found the motion detection of this camera to be a little too much as it seemed to pick everything up from a tree moving to a leaf moving into its path of view I would know about it. The Annke 4K camera sold separately costs … but if you was to buy the full kit it would cost …
Personally, for the cost and the fact, a brand like D-link offer better security options with audio. Am sorry but the Annke 4k HD camera has made a mistake not adding 2-way audio meaning this camera is a miss.
Annke 4K NVR Security Camera – Sold Separately for £89.00 or the 4 camera kit £399
[3][4]
This guy also sells all the advertising space of Mobile News Magazine (B2B) and advertising space on here What Mobile (B2C).
Design
Features
Performance
Value for Money
Home » Reviews » Accessories » Review: Annke 4k NVR Security Camera[9][8][7]
They are also suitable for outdoor installation, being IP65 certified. These are fixed cameras but with a wide viewing angle of 140 ° and infrared for black and white shooting at night.
They have a resolution of 1080p (Full HD). The cameras are also eq…
You want one of the best security cameras in 2020, and we can help: let T3 be your guide through the plethora of different models available, so you get the home security system that you need, and don’t pay over the odds.
Installing home security tech, …
Gone are the days when configuring a home alarm system used to entail getting a pricey expert installation and paying an extra fee for monitoring. Ring Alarm[1] is a smart home system you can install and manage yourself, then remotely control via…
While 2019 was a busy year for smart home security[1] company Abode – what with launching its all-in-one security kit Iota and becoming the first HomeKit compatible DIY security system – 2020 is shaping up to be even busier.
At CES this week the compan…
After becoming the first DIY smart home security system to offer HomeKit[1] support, Abode has announced its first smart camera at CES to integrate with the rest of its smart home security lineup. It offers nice versatility as it can be used inside, ou…
Ajax[1] is another new contender in the smart home alarm[2] industry. The system has a wide range of features and accessories, and it is contract-free, with optional monitoring services. They are not very well known in the UK, but several professional CCTV companies have started to stock them and they appear to be an excellent alternative to professionally installed and monitored systems such as ADT.
I have been trying out the system he past few weeks, I did the install myself, and I don’t use a monitoring service.
Table of Contents
Ajax is not a cheap system, the cheapest option I can find is the Ajax Kit 2 for £382.20 including VAT. It is a bit more comprehensive than other starter kits from Yale and Ring, you get two motion sensors, a door protect, two fobs, an indoor siren and the hub.
Amazon also has a starter kit for £330 including a motion sensor, indoor sensor, a door sensor, outdoor siren, indoor siren and a fob to control the alarm.
The Hub is the brains of the system and there are three options to choose from. The Hube 2 I was sent is capable of:
The Hub Plus expands the number of devices it can handle up to 150 which should be more than enough to hand commercial properties or extremely large homes.
The security features of the hub are a little beyond me but it uses Jeweller radio technology to monitor the detectors and ensure a quick response to danger. It switches the entire system to clear frequencies during jamming. The device is protected against viruses at the software level.
It is possible to integrate surveillance systems into Ajax, with the system being compatible with Uniview and Hikvision[3] including Ezviz cameras[4].
Ajax sent quite a few other additional devices with the pack, and this makes one of the most comprehensive systems I have used. I didn’t receive all of the below but these are the options you have from Ajax, and the current prices I can find online via www.cctvkits.co.uk[5]
Ajax LeaksProtect – £76.44
Wireless flood detector detects first signs of leakage within milliseconds. It is installed without using tools. The device detects first signs of flooding as soon as water gets on one of the four pairs of contacts on the bottom of the detector. The device has IP65 enclosure protection, meaning it is completely protected against dust and moisture. It can be installed in just one minute. The detector only has to be placed on the floor under a washing machine, dishwasher, bathtub or heating radiator.
Ajax FireProtect – £106.08
Wireless fire detector with a temperature sensor that monitors security in the room twenty-four hours a day and immediately notifies of smoke and sharp jumps in temperature. The device detects smoke by means of a camera with a photoelectric sensor. If no smoke is emitted, the additional detector registers temperature increase in the room. It can operate independently from the hub, emitting a fire alarm by means of a built-in siren. Several detectors indicate an alarm simultaneously.
Ajax SpaceControl – £56.16
A key fob for controlling security modes. Features a panic button for sending alarms to your inner circle and a security company in case of trouble. The device controls the security modes and sends an alarm signal to the Central Monitoring Station by pressing the buttons on the key fob. Authentication prevents replacement of the device and false alarms.
Ajax KeyPad – £109.20
Wireless touch keypad is used for arming/disarming of Ajax security system. It is mounted in the room near the entrance door to provide quick access to the keypad. The device operates security modes when a digital code is entered on the keypad. Indication notifies of current security status, problems with detectors or breakdown of communication with the hub.
Ajax MotionProtect Outdoor – £193.44
Wireless outdoor motion detector with intelligent protection against false alarms. The device operates at low temperatures and is protected against dust and splashes. LISA turns MotionProtect Outdoor into a formidable barrier for intruders. The digital algorithm accurately identifies the movement of a person while ignoring animals, swaying of trees and plants as well as birds and insects that land on the detector.
CombiProtect – £126.36
CombiProtect is a wireless combined motion and glass break detector. It detects motion at a distance of up to 12 meters, breaking of glass within 9 meters; and is immune to animals.
MotionProtect Curtain – £113.88
MotionProtect Curtain is a curtain type wireless motion detector. It detects movement at ranges of up to 15 meters and is resistant to dust and splashes.
DoorProtect – £60.84
DoorProtect is a wireless magnetic opening detector that features a connector for an external detector.
DoorProtect Plus – £85.80
DoorProtect Plus is a wireless magnetic opening detector equipped with a shock and tilt sensor; and features a connector for an external detector.
GlassProtect – £71.76
GlassProtect is a wireless detector detecting glass break at a distance up to 9 meters. It is used inside premises, can operate up to 7 years from a pre-installed battery and is furnished with a socket for connecting an additional detector.
FireProtect Plus – £165.36
Wireless smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detector with sounder
Relay – £51.48
Relay is a remote control low-current relay equipped with volt free “dry contact terminals.” It is used to control appliances and electrical circuits.
WallSwitch
WallSwitch is a 110/230V remote control power relay equipped with a power consumption meter. It manages electrical appliances that require up to 3 kW of power.
Socket
Socket is a 110/230V remote control intelligent socket equipped with a power consumption meter. It is used to manage electrical appliances that require up to 2.5 kW of power.
You can use this system as is, and none of the features are hidden behind subscriptions. However, you can optionally sign up to a monitoring service too. You need to send a monitoring request to the company covering your area, and the price will be dependant on your system and their specific fees. I have not used this so don’t know how effective it is.
The monitoring service will likely offer different services but primarily it will call a response unit to your home upon alarm activation. This is something Ring and Yale do not offer, but Simplisafe[6] does for £19.99 per month.
I have reached out to the recommended companies for a price based on my system and will update this review if and when they respond.
As you can probably work out from the above, this system is not cheap. The base system costs more than popular competing brands, and the additional accessories are very expensive compared to other smart alarms such as Ring or Yale Sync[7].
A basic Yale Sync Smart Home Alarm system with two motion sensors, a door sensor, control panel and outdoor siren will set you back £239.00. So roughly £100 cheaper. For the optional sensors, you pay between £30 and £70 with a motion detector costing £40 vs £72 and the Smoke/ Heat Detector costing £70 vs £106.
A bit of research online also indicates that this is more expensive than other alarm brands such as Risco, Pyronix and Scantronic. Due to the way ADT sells their products, getting a price comparison against them is difficult.
For the sake of clarity, the below table was provided to me from Ajax, so there will likely be some bias, but everything stated within the table appears to be accurate to me.
| Ajax Smart Alarm | Ring Alarm |
|---|---|
| 1. Ajax provides professional monitoring in each country where the system is available for sale.
Unlike Ring, Ajax possesses a Grade 2 certificate which means Ajax meets the highest security standards among wireless security systems recognized by European professional community. Over 700 alarm response companies in Europe connect Ajax to their CMSs and react to Ajax alarms. |
. So far, Ring Alarm provides professional monitoring only on the territory of the US and Canada.
In the UK, Ring provides only Assisted monitoring option which for £8 a month allows you to include 3 emergency contacts such as trusted family members, friends, or neighbors who would respond appropriately in case of a security issue. (Ajax software allows users to do the same free of charge, adding unlimited number of closest people to share the management and alerts of the system). |
| 2. Ajax own protocol Jeweller ensures secure communication between the devices at a record distance of up to 1,800 m in an open space. It also provides high energy efficiency – the batteries in Ajax detectors live up to 7 years. | 2. Ring Alarm website says that the connectivity of Ring Alarm devices equals 76-meter range to Base Station.
The battery life in the detectors is approximately 3 years. |
| 3. While Ajax doesn’t produce its own doorbells or cameras like Ring, it’s possible to easily integrate a broad range of video surveillance cameras into Ajax security system.
Besides, this December the company releases new MotionCam detectors with a photo camera to verify alarms. In contrast with the video surveillance, MotionCam detectors make an animated series of images only if triggered, which is good for privacy. |
3. Ring Alarm provides users with opportunity to integrate other company’s devices including Ring Video Doorbells and Ring Security Cams into the security system and monitor them through the Ring app. |
| 4. Ajax doesn’t provide integration with popular voice assistants so far. Instead, the company created its own ecosystem of devices combining home security and home automation into one whole.
With the upcoming update of OS Malevich 2.8 this Dec, automation scenarios will become available to all Ajax users. With them, not only the system can counteract threats (for example, to turn off the water in the house when a sensor detects a leak), but it also allows to manage home and office appliance (for example, the system can schedule the work of the heated floor or automatically turn off the water heater or boiler at night – when electricity is cheaper) |
4. Ring Alarm offers compatibility with Alexa-enabled devices. Users can arm, disarm and check the status of their Ring Alarm system by giving Alexa a voice command. |
| 5. Ajax provides no monthly subscription fees – the system is completely free to operate when you use it yourself to self-monitor. You’ll only need to pay a monthly fee (starting from £10 per month on annual basis) if you connect to a central monitoring station. | 5. Ring Alarm provides a paid subscription to the number of features. Assisted Monitoring, cellular backup, video history, saving and sharing, and Snapshot capture are available only through Basic and Plus plans. |
| 6. Ajax range extender, which is called ReX, has a signal range up to 1,800 meters and functions up to 35 hours after power outage.
The December update will make it possible to connect to Ajax up to 5 ReX devices simultaneously, potentially extending the Ajax radio coverage area up to 45 km². This makes Ajax suitable for the protection of large premises such as a multi-storey office or a large production plant. |
. Ring Alarm Range Extender doubles the 76-metre range to Base Station and has 24-hour backup battery. It is suitable for large homes, eliminating dead zones, so Ring Alarm devices can stay connected and on the lookout.
Ring company doesn’t recommend its users to connect multiple Range Extenders to cover an excessively long distance between the base station and contact sensors. |
Set up was a lot easier than expected. I experienced no issues getting things up and running and the overall experience went smoother compared to both Yale and Simplisafe.
Like all smart systems, you will need to download the app and register. From here you will need to add the hub first, then all the devices you want to attach.
All of the devices are added via the serial number or QR code because Ajax uses its own wireless network, and the hub is connected to ethernet, there is no awkward Wi-Fi pairing like many other devices. The Hub Pro has an optional Wi-Fi connection, I didn’t receive this so have not tested it.
With each device, you then assign it to its appropriate room, this should help you identify where and when an alert is generated.
Each device has batteries pre-installed, so you don’t have to worry about that for a few years in most cases. When you do need to change batteries, you need to unscrew the back of the device, so it will be a little more time consuming than usual.
When it comes to physically mounting the various bits you need to screw everything in, they all come with easy-mount brackets, so you screw the bracket in and each device slots into place. However, there are no sticky/magnetic mounts which have become popular in recent years. Most of the sensors are light enough that you can probably get away with using some 3M tape.
With all your sensors and other devices in place, you can go into each item and view its status plus make changes to the settings. This aspect is far more thorough than any other system I have used.
Going into the hub provides you with the main configuration options for the system and hub in general. This includes:
An example of some of the settings you can tweak is the MotionCam, which is a motion sensor which will then take photos of the object it identifies.
When you first select this, you can view an extensive list of stats including the temperature, various signal strengths and battery life.
Going into the settings you can re-assign it a different room, change the sensitivity level, image resolution, the number of photos it takes, delay times when entering or leaving, whether it arms in night mode or not, and if it is always on or not.
The app itself is much better than average, certainly better than Yale. It is a simple minimalistic design with a white user interface. You will be asked to set up a pin to secure it at the start, and within the settings, you can enable fingerprint to unlock
Every event in the system gets recorded to a timeline so you can see as people come and go or when and where things get activated. For things like the MotionCam, you can load up the images it records. Everything on the timeline is stored on Ajax servers. With photos done with the MotionCam, they are encrypted during transmission and no one analyzes and processes the photographs from your detectors.
Arming the system can be done in multiple ways, the app itself, the optional keypad or the optional keyfob. Within the app you get an image of the fob and press the buttons, I would have preferred it just to say the option in text, but it works perfectly well.
Both the fob and app have a panic button which will send an alert to the users of the app with a GPS location. I assume this will also send a notification to the monitoring service if this is activated.
I was sent the indoor alarm, which is quite small so doesn’t have the loudest alarm. On the very loud setting, it is probably enough to wake me up from anywhere in the house. You can have it set to go off for 3 seconds all the way up to 3 minutes, and when the alarm goes off, your phone will also be notified. While it is not the loudest, it should be enough to deter burglars and wake you up, while not waking the neighbours up. You can combine this with an external alarm too, I think you can even have it so that the indoor alarm would go off in night mode, while the outdoor one can be used for when you are away from the property completely.
As I use Ezviz for my home CCTV[8], I was able to add a couple of my cameras to the system. In the case of Ezviz/Hikvision it requires you to login to your account, then adds the cameras from the main menu and add the verification code for each camera.
There seems to be limited functionality with this system, it just brings up the camera feed, and there is no other integration with the alarm system.
It is useful, though, if you get an alarm alert you have direct access to your camera feed without having to switch to a different app. I imagine this will also be used by the monitoring company if you opt for that service.
The MotionCam works very well, even though the picture quality is not amazing it is ideal to identify what has caused the alert. I am not a huge fan of indoor cameras so this seems like a nice in-between solution.
From what I can gather there is currently no third-party integrations. Ajax does have an API for enterprise use, and I believe there has been some development towards Alexa but no functionality yet.
It would be good to see some form of third party integration as you could set up scenarios much easier rather than relying on the WallSwitch to power on certain devices. For example, both Ring and Yale have options to flash your Philips Hue lights for certain events.
Ajax is the most thorough system I have used the range of sensors, and overall features of the system are extensive. I am not aware of any other system that can compete with this for features.
All this comes at a cost though, this is easily the most expensive self install solution I have encountered. A very basic system for a small property will set you back around £400 which could quickly add up to over £1k if you add several of the optional devices.
Most of my comparisons have been made against Yale, Ring and Simplisafe, however, due to the features of the system the comparison is a little unfair, with the options for a professional install and professional monitoring services this is perhaps more closely related to ADT alarms which are generally much more expensive, less smart and require an expensive monitoring contract.
The sensors themselves are big and clunky, so not that most attractive things to be sat on your wall. The outdoor sensor is massive. The one advantage is the very long claimed battery life of the sensors, with my Z-Wave sensors, I am lucky to get a year out of each one, the wireless motion sensor of this system is rated for 7-years.
The MotionCam is a superb addition to the system, and I like the fact you can include your own CCTV cameras, but I feel like they could also roll out their own cameras with proper motion detection to improve the system further.
The price of the system makes this something hard for me to universally recommend, but for anyone that is serious about their home security, this is a superb system and well worth considering. From my limited understanding of monitored alarm systems, Ajax appears to be the system with the best smart features and overall functionality.
Features – 95%
Performance – 90%
Easy of use – 90%
Price – 70%
Summary
An impressive smart home alarm system with unparalleled features and accessories, with options for self or professional installation as well as optional professional monitoring. It is, however, very expensive.
Last Updated on 5th January 2020
Last Updated on 5th January 2020
Last update on 2019-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API