Tag: smart home tech

The Latest in Lake Home Security

Posted on Staff
Man in suit pressing high tech screen with security icons

Whether your lake place is a primary residence or a home away from home, protecting it from break-ins and uninvited house guests should be at the top of your priority list. This security tip is true, especially if the property will be unoccupied this off-season.

It’s always a good idea to ask a friendly neighbor to keep an eye on your property while you’re away. Hire someone to maintain the yard in your absence. Planting thorny shrubbery under your home’s windows and installing an alarm system are great options for keeping your lake place safe, too.

Adding the latest lake home security systems and gadgets to your property can provide you with a little extra peace of mind that your investment is secure while you’re away.

Smart Locks/Keyless Entry

Smart lock on blue glass front door
Photo courtesy of HGTV.

Instead of trying to keep up with who has keys to your home and fretting about finding a safe spot to keep a spare, consider using the latest in security technology for your lake home. 

Replace your traditional locks with keyless entry devices, which can be programmed to recognize multiple unique access codes, reducing the chances of a stolen or copied key.  

Every member of your household can have a user-specific entry ID, safeguarding your property against potential wrongdoers who may try to memorize entry strokes.

Assigning family and friends with personal entry codes can also help you identify who enters your home and when through your device’s accompanying app.

Additional smart lock safety features include password-protected Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, remote accessibility, voice command options, and even fingerprint scanners on some models.

You can purchase most smart locks for less than $275, and installation usually takes less than a day. 

For a list of the top-rated keyless door locks on the market in 2019, check out this helpful PCMag article.

Remote-Access/Controlled Lighting

Smart device with controlled lighting app
Photo courtesy of Protect America.

Creating the illusion that your home is occupied is a simple way to deter burglars and vandals from entering the property while you’re away for the off-season.

Installing remote-access lighting makes this easier by allowing you to turn lights on and off in different areas of the home to mimic your presence.

Most programs allow you to manually program your lights, via your smart home hub or wireless app, to activate and deactivate at specific times throughout the day and in specified areas.

Other options allow you to set your lighting system to “vacation mode,” which will turn your lights on and off randomly. Smart lights can also be set to turn on when they detect motion or sound. 

You can purchase the Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch Starter Kit for about $100 at The Home Depot, a relatively inexpensive smart device option.

Lutron’s Caseta wireless devices take roughly 15 minutes to install per dimmer switch, each of which can control up to 17 light bulbs in a single circuit.

Facial Recognition Security Cameras

Facial recognition security camera by Google
Photo courtesy of The Silicon Review.

Security cameras equipped with facial recognition software are the latest lake home security devices to hit the market.

These camera systems alert homeowners when a device registers anyone on the property whose face is not in its user-programmed recognition databank.

Some facial recognition-equipped cameras can also be programmed to monitor specific areas around the house that may be most susceptible to unlawful entry or damage.

More advanced systems offer heat mapping and analysis capabilities and can even alert homeowners when cars with unfamiliar license plates are detected.

Nest smart home devices, like the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor, are among the most popular security camera systems available.

You can purchase this particular model for about $350. However, Nest IQ systems do not include “familiar face alerts” automatically. This bonus feature is accessible through a monthly subscription to Nest Aware.

Subscriptions start at $5 a month.

Do you have a favorite lake home security tip to share? Tell us in our comments section below!

Smart Docks, Smart Boats, Smart Living

Posted on Staff

American homes are getting smarter at a rate that was hard to imagin only a few years ago. According to one Nielson study, nearly a quarter of the United States population today owns at least one smart device.

So, while consumers are arming their homes with the latest in smart security systems, smart thermostats and even smart appliances like refrigerators, lake homeowners can now add similar technology to their boats and docks, too.

Dock IQ

Designed with asset protection and personal safety in mind, Dock IQ is a remote management and monitoring system for your dock.

Changing water levels can wreak havoc on these structures, often resulting in costly damages. Dock IQ helps provide dock owners peace of mind by tracking lake levels and alerting them via the system’s mobile dashboard when levels get too deep or too shallow for the structure’s stability.

The system, which runs on its own private wireless service, also features a high-resolution camera, a motion security sensor, geo-fencing technology and a dock GPS locator sensor.

If there is  movement outside the geo-fenced perimeter, or should an unwelcome guest trip the motion sensor, DockIQ immediately sounds an alarm.

The system automatically activates exterior lighting and its camera begins rapidly capturing images of the area. Dock owner’s instantly receive these images through their IQ dashboard so they can alert the police and their neighbors.

Shock IQ, DockIQ’s companion system, offers a more aggressive response  its Shock IQ detection sensor, dock frame and in-water electric current sensors.

If electricity is detected in the water surrounding the dock, Shock IQ automatically trips the structure’s power breaker.

Using it’s 10-hour battery back up, ShockIQ then sounds an alarm and notifies the dock owners and neighbors of the threat through the IQ mobile app.

Dock IQ also offers bonus features like boat and jet ski tracking devices and solar power capability that can also be added to the DockIQ system.

For more information on this must-have lake technology, please visit www.dockiq.com, or click here to watch the company’s informational video.

ProNav Angler and Motion

Kiss manual boat control goodbye with ProNav Angler, ProNav Marine’s GPS autopilot system.

Photo Courtesy of ProNav Marine

Connected though Bluetooth, ProNav Angler allows you to pre-set trolling routes, lock in your headings and anchor at your favorite fishing hole, all from the convenience of your phone or tablet.

The company also offers point-and-go navigation and hand-held automatic positioning devices, which connect and run through the ProNav Angler app.

The company’s ProNav Motion devices, PointDrive and PointJog, are controlled using a small device similar to a video game controller.

The PointDrive device allows anglers to essentially steer their boats’ trolling motors by simply toggling in the direction they want to go.

Using PointJog, boaters can point their devices at a specific area of the water, and the ProNav system will reposition their bow-mounted trolling motors to take them there.

Other benefits of this smart boat technology include speed control and the ability to mark and store favorite locations.

ProNav Angler and Motion can even be used while phones are in airplane mode or without cell coverage.

Learn more of ProNav’s innovative navigation systems by checking out their website here.

The lake life is all about relaxation, leisure and enjoyment. So — start living smarter, not harder, with these lake-focused smart technologies.

Smart Home Tech for Seniors

Posted on Staff

Smart gadgets for your home are becoming more and more commonplace. But homeowners don’t have to be tech gurus to make smart updates to their homes, especially those who are reaching  retirement age.

The”aging in place” movement emphasizes how smart home improvements can help the baby boomer generation save money, time, and energy though simple smart home improvements.

See how your life can be made easier, safer and greener with these handy smart home gadgets!

Ecobee Smart Thermostat

Ecobee devices work by monitoring outdoor, indoor and body temperatures through sensors placed throughout the home.

These sensors help regulate room temperatures based on occupancy by detecting temperature changes caused by people entering or exiting a space.Smart home map

Through this technology, the Ecobee smart thermostat saves consumers an average of 23 percent on energy bills annually, according to the company’s website.

Like many modern thermostats, Ecobee can be set to kick on when residents are expected to be home and off when they are away.

Unlike traditional devices however, temperature readings and activity reports can be accessed remotely through Ecobee’s smartphone app.

Homeowners can also control temperature settings from the app as well as receive energy conservation reports and system alerts at no additional cost.

Most Ecobee systems are compatible with smart hubs like Amazon Alexa, Echo and Samsung SmartThings and can be installed without the help of an electrician.

Ecobee home systems start at $169.

For more product information and pricing, visit the Ecobee smart thermostat website here.

Roomba and Braava Cleaning Systems by iRobot

iRobot is making the “self-cleaning home” dream a reality with their Roomba automatic vacuums.

Each system features the iRobot patented three-stage cleaning technology, which “loosens, lifts and suctions dirt” from all floor types and can run for 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the model.

All Roomba vacuums are wifi compatible, with the exception of the base model, Roomba 614. Wifi connection allows users to schedule cleaning times, pause cleaning and keep the device up to date with the latest operating system.

These hands-free cleaners use sensors to make 60 decisions per second to detect dirt, cleaning paths and obstacles to avoid while operating. Such obstacles include furniture, toys, and corners of the room.

The Roomba’s companion, iRobot’s “Braava,” combines the basic components of the vacuum with Swifter-like elements to provide homeowners with an automatic broom and mop system.

Braava offers two devices, the jet and 300 series, which can perform wet mopping, damp or dry sweeping and can clean spaces 200 square feet to 1000 square feet in size.

A complete list of models and performance capabilities can be found at irobot.com.

Lutron Automatic Lights

Lutron products are all about conserving energy and saving money. Simply installing one of the company’s motion activated lighting controls can help homeowners cut annual energy costs by 20 to 60 percent.

Lutron’s Maestro occupancy/vacancy sensors detect motion through temperature changes and ultrasonic sound waves upon one’s entering or exiting a room.

As changes and motion are detected, wall or ceiling sensors will trigger the light.

Spaces to consider installing motion sensors include closets, bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens, where lights are frequently lit while not in use.

Maestro sensors can typically be installed without the help of a professional and can be found online or at most major hardware stores starting at $20.

Discover how Lutron can make a difference in your home by visiting their products page here.