Photosynthesize: simple and reliable security camera for home and garden

Currently, the main method of protection of premises — apartments, cottages and villas — panel protection. It is a robust solution, however the subscription fee is a few hundred rubles per month. It is therefore not surprising that in sale there are cheap alternatives — Autonomous security system. Working with them is quite simple to handle, even a novice in the world of gadgets. The majority of systems do perform the claimed function. It of these devices — "Photosynthesize" company Dadzhet. The system is equipped with a camera, motion sensor and a GSM module without a need to enter into a contract with a security firm.

Fotogaleria has dimensions 110*66*58 mm, weight — 165 grams with batteries. On the front side of the camera and LEDs IR illumination and a motion sensor, semicircular plastic cover. On the rear side has the battery compartment and SIM card. Battery cover is fixed by the latch and moves with the effort. Battery — a regular AA, and they are included in the package. Declared yield — from 3 to 6 months or 60 photos.



The front half of the housing secured with latches and can easily be removed with a sharp instrument. The main Board is fixed with the latches for the rear half of the enclosure and sits in it snugly, with almost no backlash. This Board fixed the camera, six LEDs, motion sensor and other elements.



Take it out of the case and found that it installed another Board, smaller, with a GSM module. The quality of the soldering on unprofessional opinion it seems good. In General, the design of the device looks simple, but sophisticated — both from the point of view of Assembly and from the point of view of resistance to shocks or falls.

In addition to the device itself, the included key FOB to arm and disarm, as well as the manual and reusable Velcro to secure the alarm on the wall. Can also be attached and SIM card.



The FOB is nothing special. Three — button arming, disarming, balance inquiry, and two-color led; battery — CR2032. The body of the keychain is made of matte plastic that is quite resistant to scratches — a week and a half of wearing with no keys appeared.

Setting the alarm will not cause difficulties even for inexperienced users. Most importantly — attentiveness, because of the screen of the device is not, and you have to work “blind“. First you need to remove the cover on the back side of the case and insert the SIM card into the slot — he's one to confuse will not work. Followed by removing the insulating plastic plate is placed between the battery and contact device turns on (you will hear the control signal), then register in the cellular network (triple signal). After that within three minutes you have to send a SMS with the email address type 28)ivanov@mail.ru that in the event of an alarm will be sent pictures. Then the final button on the key FOB or under the back cover and the device is ready for operation. If necessary, you can add up to five additional phone numbers to which alarm SMS will be sent — for example, telephone numbers of family members.

Arming is fairly simple — for this you need only to press the appropriate button on the key FOB. Alarm starts beeping, to remind you to exit the protected area, and the phone will receive an SMS notification. In 40 seconds after pressing the keyfob button is enabled, the alarm mode is activated the motion sensor. When it is activated, the camera takes a picture, which will be sent to the specified when configuring the e-mail address. In addition, the telephone number (or several numbers) from which you made the setting will receive an SMS alert and dial.



Mounted in the alarm camera takes pictures with a resolution of only 640*480 pixels. The photos are not of very high quality, but the main features hit the frame of the person you can see. The motion sensor works consistently — even in the dark to sneak past it did not happen.



And there is IR illumination — the image in almost complete darkness, turns into a black-and-white, and the face still can be seen. In this photograph, taken at the same illumination on a smartphone at ISO 800 and shutter speed of 2 seconds, was a black rectangle.



But the implementation of the cellular network disappoint. The photos are transferred via GPRS, even EDGE is not supported, not to mention 3G. From the moment of alarm until receiving a letter with a photo takes about a minute, although the picture weighs about 50...100 KB.
There is also a deep customization of the device. It is done with the help of SMS-messages, which indicate the parameter number and its new value. The changes will occur only while the device in configuration mode — so set it up, knowing only the phone number will not work without physical access.

A complete list of settings you can find in the manual or on the website, I will mention only those that I recommend to pay attention. If the device uses a single person, it makes sense to disable send SMS when arming/disarming security (cell 16). This will allow you to save some money on your account, and battery alarm. It is highly desirable to turn off the beep when motion is detected (cell 25) — or when motion is detected the sound will allow the attacker to realize that the device it detected.

SMS to configure the device as possible to write and generate it using a special web application (http://service.arsenalnpo.ru/device.php). After entering the required parameters prompted to enter the phone number that will receive SMS with the new configuration. Also there is an app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alphasafe.panel&hl=ru) in Google Play, which you can use to configure the device, but is faster and easier to configure via SMS: the app interface is bad, the settings are not remembered it the first time, and some (such as main phone number) after incorrect input change was not possible. Perhaps, it makes sense to understand it only in the case if you use multiple alarms; for the sake of fiddling with them makes no sense whatsoever.

A separate issue is the choice of tariff for the SIM card installed in the alarm. Internet connection is needed only to verify the settings and if an alarm is triggered, therefore, to connect the nl does not make sense. If you disable notification about arming/disarming will only be sent the weekly SMS control with balance and “alarm” when triggered, so the optimal tariff is the cheapest SMS then you can spend 10 rubles a month. If notification is not disable, it makes sense to connect the SMS package or that their rate — depending on the operator and number of starts alarm monthly fee will leave from 50 to 200 rubles. It will be important to check whether services with a monthly fee, like melodies instead of beeps, disable and deny them — some operators like to send an SMS like “Wake the Beep — 7 days free and then a monthly fee if you do not refuse.”

And finally — the wishes of the functionality of the device. I would like to see the ability to work not only from batteries but also from the network — then the device will be able to inform about the outage, and it will not be necessary to change the battery. Also lacking is the ability to take pictures on request. A good addition would be the ability to enable or disable the protection mode with calls or SMS. However, in its current form functional enough to perform basic functions — notice of motion in the protected area.

Photosynthesize is a complete security device that can replace console guarding the apartment or in the country. Of course, it is less reliable than a wired security system with motion sensors, integrity Windows and doors opening, but also the price category he has another. For my money — and its price in the store dadget.ru is (https://dadget.ru/gsm-alarm) 9990 rubles — this is a good alarm system, which is able to prevent the penetration into the room and make a photo of the attacker, and it will work without requiring a subscription fee. The advantage is the full autonomy — don't need no wires, no contracts. For people who are concerned about the safety of their property is a good option. published

 

P. S. And remember, only by changing their consumption — together we change the world! ©

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Source: geektimes.ru/company/dadget/blog/275918/