Insteon: What Was It? Insteon wasn’t just another smart home brand — it was one of the first companies to make whole-home automation reliable and affordable. Their dual-band technology (wireless RF + powerline) created mesh networks that were genuinely more dependable than pure Wi-Fi or Zigbee alternatives of the era. Detail Insteon Founded 2005 (by […]
Home Security Company Comparison
Central Security Group Review 2026: Tulsa’s 50-Year Alarm Dealer Charges $35-55/Month for the Same Alarm.com You Can Get for $20 — Full Cost Breakdown
Central Security Group: 50 Years of Contracts in Oklahoma Central Security Group (CSG) is a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based alarm dealer that’s been operating since 1973. They serve residential and commercial customers across the Southern US — primarily Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri. With over 50 years in business, they’ve built a regional presence. But longevity doesn’t […]
Moni Smart Security Review 2026: Monitronics Changed Its Name 4 Times, Got Sued by the FTC, and Still Wants a 3-Year Contract — Full History
Moni Smart Security: The Full Rebranding Story Moni Smart Security doesn’t exist anymore. It was a brief marketing rebrand of one of the most controversial companies in the alarm industry — Monitronics International. Here’s the full timeline of name changes designed to outrun bad reviews: Year Name Why They Changed 1994 Monitronics International Founded as […]
LaView Security Cameras Review 2026: Amazon’s Cheapest 4K Cameras — What You Sacrifice for $60 NVR Cams (and 3 Better Buys)
LaView Security: What Are They? LaView is a budget security camera manufacturer that sells primarily through Amazon. They focus exclusively on video surveillance — IP cameras, PoE NVR systems, and Wi-Fi cameras — at prices 40-60% below Ring, Arlo, and Nest. But budget cameras come with trade-offs, and in 2026’s crowded market, those trade-offs matter […]
SimpliSafe vs Frontpoint 2026: $17/Month DIY vs $50/Month Alarm.com Dealer — Why You’re Overpaying With Frontpoint
SimpliSafe charges $18-28/mo with no contract. Frontpoint charges $35-50/mo on 1-3 year contracts. Both are DIY-install alarm systems with sensors, cameras, and professional monitoring. The difference: Frontpoint runs on Alarm.com (the industry standard platform). SimpliSafe runs its own monitoring infrastructure. 3-year total: SimpliSafe $647-1,208. Frontpoint $1,260-1,800. Frontpoint’s only advantage is Alarm.com — the same platform Abode offers at $6/mo. SimpliSafe is cheaper but has had 3 price hikes since 2023. Neither supports HomeKit. Abode does both for $199-415 over 3 years.