We tested the Ajax security system, a form of set up your home or business security system yourself, completely modular and expandable, with accessories of all kinds and with features reserved for the highest level teams. And best of all, no monthly fees.
A first-rate security system
When you consider setting up your own home security system, you have two alternatives. On the one hand you can hire the services of any company that you install it instantly and without complications, but in return we have to pay a monthly fee that depending on the number of contracted devices can involve a considerable outlay at the end of the year. The other cheaper option is set up your own system buying home automation accessories (motion sensors, cameras ...) and integrating them into a platform such as HomeKit, Alexa or Google Home. As I say, the latter is cheaper, but it has many shortcomings because these platforms do not offer many specific options in terms of home security.
Ajax offers us a mix of both options, actually the best of the two. We can set up our own security system, with devices specifically designed for this purpose, using state-of-the-art security protocols, in a completely modular and expandable way at our own pace, controllable from our smartphone and without having to pay any type of monthly fee.
The kit we have installed in this test includes all of the following:
- Main base 2 Hub: a base with an Ethernet connection, a battery life of up to 16 hours and two microSIM slots that allow them to operate independently without the need for a power supply. All the devices that we add to our security system are connected to this base. It is the only device that needs cables in the entire system.
- Wireless keyboard with which you can control the system.
- Motion sensor Motion Cam with image capture (640 × 480) and built-in 4-year battery life.
- Inner Speaker HomeSiren- A small wireless speaker that will activate when the alarm goes off to alert you and deter muggers.
- Door and window sensor Door Protect: sensor that detects the opening of doors and windows.
- Smoke and heat detector Fireprotect: a sensor that will detect both the smoke and the sudden increase in temperature that occurs in the event of any fire. It can work independently from the rest of the system thanks to its integrated siren.
- Water leak detector LeaksProtect: water detector to place in places of risk of leaks: under the washing machine, dishwasher ...
- Control knobs: one complete control knob Space Control with the different alarm modes, and a panic button that can also be used for automations.
- Smart plug socket: smart plug that monitors energy consumption and can also execute programmed automations according to schedules, or executed by activating / deactivating / skipping the alarm.
On the Ajax website (link) you can see other accessories available, although in the long existing list. Yes, there are third-party cameras that can be added to the system without problems.
Cordless, powerful and replaceable batteries
All devices except the control base have the enormous virtue of working wirelessly, which greatly simplifies their installation. You just have to find the most suitable place for each accessory that you are going to install and place it, regardless of whether there is a nearby outlet, or even if there is WiFi connectivity. The connection protocol used by this Ajax system is called "Jeweler", different from Bluetooth or WiFi. Action ranges of up to 2000 meters are achieved (yes, I don't have any zero left over) so you won't have the slightest range problem at home. It is a very fast communication protocol, sending alerts to its central base in just 0,15 seconds. As security mechanisms, all data is encrypted and detects radio interference and jamming.
This protocol also consumes little energy, achieving the autonomy of accessories, even the smallest ones, have a duration measured in years. In addition, all devices have the advantage that their batteries are easily replaceable, so that when they are exhausted you can change them. They use standard batteries, nothing exclusive Ajax models, but ordinary batteries that you can buy in any physical and online store.
Installation and configuration
Many of the accessories that are included in this kit come with double-sided tape, more than enough to place them where we want. At most we will have to make a couple of holes in the wall to fix the heavier units like the MotionCam motion detector. In just a few minutes you will have the devices placed in their corresponding place. All of them can be removed from that place thanks to the fact that they all include rear covers that are removed to be able to turn them off, change the batteries, etc. But if you prefer a professional installation, it is also possible, and thus receive the best advice on which accessories to place and where.
Si la instalación es sencilla, la configuración en la aplicación Ajax (App Store y Google Play) is not far behind. You will need to configure the base first, and then simply scan the QR code of each of the accessories, give it a name and assign it a room, and everything ready to go. The application is very intuitive, very visual and very easy to use, with clear and direct configuration menus. You will hardly have to waste a few minutes thinking about the application to get to know it and know all the configuration options that it offers you, which are many.
Conventional control or via your smartphone
A security system classically has its keyboard where you enter the access code to arm and disarm the alarm, and a remote control with which you can control it. These elements are not missing in the Ajax system, but we also have full control through our smartphone. Not only can we configure all the devices to work as we want, establishing activation delays, seeing the battery level or adjusting the sensitivity of the sensors, but we can also control the operation of the alarm and receive notifications of all the events that occur. .
Ajax will notify us on our iPhone and Apple Watch of all events related to the system, not only possible violations of it, but when it is activated, deactivated and who does it. Because we can share our system with the users we want, so that from their smartphones they can control the system. Our partner and family will be able to control the Ajax system with a simple invitation to their email. The application offers us functions as advanced as notifications according to location, which remind us to activate the alarm when leaving home, or deactivate it when we arrive at it.
The notifications we receive on our iPhone vary, being much louder and more evident when there is a violation of the system, and more discreet when it comes to another notification. If we have a loudspeaker, as is our case, it will also sound when an event occurs, and the alarm will sound if an intruder makes it jump, with a rather strident beep that can help intruders stop trying to enter our room. home to see that there is an alarm system that has betrayed them.
No monthly fees
You build this system yourself, at your own pace. You can buy one of the starter kits that you can find, or purchase the accessories individually, obviously starting with the main base, and expanding the system as possible. It is not necessary that you pay any type of monthly fee, but if you ever want to do it, you can. Ajax has a long list of services that are compatible with its system, including some well-known ones, therefore you can make use of your own system and connect it to that service, and if at any time you want to stop paying, you will continue with your Ajax system intact.
Editor's opinion
If you want a security system that does not tie you to any type of monthly fee, the one that Ajax offers us will surely interest you. Its main virtues are modularity and expandability, the great autonomy and reach of its devices, and also having a very easy-to-use mobile application that greatly facilitates the configuration of the entire system. It also has a wide catalog of accessories of all kinds so that you can find the ones that may interest you the most. You can buy it in the official distributors that Ajax have in Spain (link) with variable prices depending on the accessories you include.
- Editor's rating
- 4.5 star rating
- Exceptional
- Ajax Security System
- Review of: Luis Padilla
- Posted on:
- Last modification:
- Integrated
- Durability
- Finishes
- Price quality
Pros
- Modular and customizable
- Wireless
- Long range and autonomy
- Very intuitive application
Cons
- Without own cameras (yes from third parties)
This alarm system is incredible, I had wanted it for years and just this week I bought it and I already have it installed and working perfectly, it is incredible how well it works.
I have the Hub2 control panel connected by ethernet and as a backup Simyo sim card, as elements a keyboard, a motion detector that is also a glass break sensor, an interior siren and an exterior siren, a magnetic contact that is also a vibration sensor and inclination, and I have added 2 curtain sensors that are the best, alarm systems always forget about the perimeter and it is more important to protect the perimeter than the interior since the perimeter is well protected, intruders have not reached the interior of the housing and the alarm has already gone off making it possible to abandon it quickly.
The best truth is everything, the alarms arrive super fast, the anti-inhibition frequency system is great, when it detects an inhibition in a frequency it changes to another frequency automatically, it works in 860.0 / 868.6, the elements are supervised every 12 seconds (almost none CRA achieves that) this is very important since in case of inhibition of all the bands the system will detect in 12 seconds that all the elements have fallen, so the system will jump, also very important the ajax cloud supervises the central hub every 10 seconds , so if the internet and GPRS connection is cut, the ajax system notifies you instantly communicating that there is a connection cut. In addition to using the protocol (Jeweler) created by them that makes the elements arrive at a great distance as the article says (2000m) and the batteries last a long time since the system is also intelligent and emits the necessary power from where the device is located. detector, so if the detector is close it will emit lower, saving more battery since it is not necessary to "yell" at that detector.
The app is incredible intuitive, creating users, you can even create groups called partitions and you can put the elements you want in the group you want, you can for example protect even the storage room of your house since the elements arrive at a great distance and you create a group as a "storage room" and you can always leave it armed, it has infinite parameter modifications, and the app is very fast. One very important thing is that the APP FOR IPHONE uses CRITICAL NOTIFICATIONS, that is to say, having this activated it will always warn you even if the iPhone is silent or in do not disturb mode, this is very important to be able to receive notifications always now that these notifications are very critical and should always be received. I have NOT found any app that has this notification system, nor nest, nor any brand or the apple HOME app itself has this of critical notifications.
I have also been able to connect my 6 cameras from the ezviz brand (hikvision brand) and they integrate perfectly with the AJAX app, which means that you can quickly open the cameras and not change app.
The only drawbacks that I have found is that in order for different users to arm from the keyboard, they must enter the number of the user they have in addition to their code, this is a delay since to be able to arm by a user with their code they must enter the number followed by an asterisk then the code and then the arm / disarm option, something like 01 * 1234 arm, this makes it more complex for older people, for example, if it is true that they can enter the generic code that is created on the keyboard and only 1234armar would be entered, but his thing is that each one has their own user and arm with that code in a simple way without having to enter the user number, it is a delay since any alarm system entering the user code created already identifies and knows who it is. This should be fixed and I hope they will do it in an update, as well as the possibility of creating user codes without having to register in the app with a phone number and email, for example for cleaning personnel etc, these things I suppose they will update them over time since it is a system that they update very often, it is an apple style, they launch continuous updates of the system called OS Malevich and one a year (which now they have just launched the last one) they launch improvements very significant such as this year with the possibility of creating automations and programming automatic arming and disarming, etc. But hey in the end we always arm and disarm with the app so we don't even use the keyboard since the app is very fast, intuitive and safe.
Another option to improve would be compatibility with HomeKit, this more and more alarm centers are becoming compatible and it is the future, since many users already have many HomeKit devices, because why not take advantage of all those devices to be able to create automations without spending In buying new devices of the brand or even that such devices do not exist, in this way, making it compatible with HomeKit, the user can create rules or automations, for example that if the alarm goes off such lights are turned on, all the lights in the house and close the blinds, and thus a multitude of possibilities without spending on buying more devices and taking advantage of the ones we already have, which users already have many and therefore why not take advantage of them and include them with the alarm system. Sure and I hope they make it compatible soon.
The fire detectors I cannot tell you because I do not have it, but from what I have seen they are very good but for my taste the nest protect ones still win, which are the ones I have and they notify you with a voice in all the detectors in the house of the possible fire or smoke and in this way by voice it tells you in which room the incident is occurring, therefore nest beats him, AJAX would have to do the same and speak.
Another very important aspect is that the door and window opening detector (DoorProtectPlus), in addition to using the classic magnet for its operation, has a motion and tilt sensor (Accelerometer) so it can be placed on a window and the window can be be left open a little to ventilate and arm the system, since if the "bad guy" moves the window to enter, the alarm will go off, so that is another great advantage that does not force you to close the window completely since moving it will jump the alarm, in addition to working as "seismic" since any knock on the window or door will also make it jump. Very useful since before reaching open the door or window if they are forcing it to blow the alarm will go off.
And the motion detector (Door ProtectPLus) in addition to motion uses a microphone with an algorithm that detects glass breakage, this is also great, and all this is perfectly configurable from the app, such as adjusting the sensitivity of the sensors etc.
The curtain sensor (MotionProtectCurtain) as I have commented previously is great, in this way I have put two on the balcony, one on one wing of the balcony and in this way I cover the entrance door and the other one on the other wing that I cover both Windows, in this way whoever sets foot on the balcony will set off the alarm without reaching or forcing any window and therefore without reaching the interior of the house, they are great, also it does not produce false alarms neither by wind nor by birds nor plants since it has a very good algorithm and it has two sensors that verify if it is a real person, the truth is that I have done the tests and it works great. These sensors are very important and many times we do not forget to better protect the perimeter.
Sorry about the billet but I just got this alarm just this week and I am very motivated hehe, if you have any questions or something write to me and I will be delighted since I am very happy with this alarm and I studied everything very well.
Of course I recommend it 100% 100 to everyone, I was looking for a really professional alarm that was beautiful, elegant and intuitive at the same time, but that was very effective and this AJAX is the perfection of all this, this brand is spreading every time and In Spain it is expanding a lot, it is not for less since for me it is the best alarm system on the market. I work in a CRA as head of security and many alarm systems go through my hands with that I tell you everything hehe.
Well a pleasure to share my experience with your review.
A greeting.
It seems interesting to me, but as long as it does not have compatibility with HomeKit or another home automation system, such as Abode, it is somewhat at fault with current preferences. Yes, it is very interesting that it integrates with a third-party camera and that makes it even more interesting, in case of integration with HomeKit in the future.
The review of the previous comment is almost better than the news itself hahaha!