Source
r/simplisafe•
mar7967

Replacing nest doorbell cam with SimpliSafe

Due to Google ending support for their Nest Guard, I am switching my home alarm system to Simplisafe. I bought a Video Doorbell Pro to replace my nest doorbell. I currently have nest's chime connector installed, which Nest claims is used to provide constant power to the video doorbell. It seems that simplisafe doesn't need this, so I'm guessing I should unplug it, and plug my wires back into the mechanical chime directly? Although I see some people need a simplisafe chime connector, so I'm wondering if anyone knows if I should just leave the nest one installed?

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Has anyone else replaced a nest doorbell camera with Simplisafes?

Posted Sep 18, 2023, 1:57 AM UTC

17
jdmtv001•

Has been a while since I had the Simplisafe Doorbell, but they have good instructions also customer service can provide you a clearer answer. On another note I would advise to stay away from any SimpliSafe cameras, especially the doorbell. I replaced 5 doorbells in 6 months. They never worked properly and they have a ton of issues. Outdoor cameras another nightmare. I have 3 of them and are on track to be replaced with Nest cameras. I also have a nest doorbell and never had one single problem in 3 years. Indoor camera is OK ish. Back to the doorbell, nothing but headaches. The system as far as sensors, monitoring it's good. The app is decent and does the job. When it comes to cameras stay away from SimpliSafe products. If you search here you will see endless posta and comments regarding the never ending issues with doorbell and cameras.

1
mar7967OP•

Thank you! I plan to return the camera.

1
nice_lookin_vehicle•

You might need the chime connector for the simplisafe doorbell camera. I did.

1
GarrettB117•

I know this doesn't answer your question, but don't do this. The rest of their devices work very well, but their cameras are awful. I have the doorbell camera. It regularly misses motion right in front of the door. It randomly quits streaming while I am actively watching. I get the "No video was recorded" error in video events all the time. And every freaking time a bus passes my house, no matter what settings I'm using, I get a motion alert and a recording. Very annoying at night, because I want to know if someone is at the door so I can't disable notifications, but I get about 30 bus notifs every night/evening. Anything from Nest is definitely better. If your doorbell isn't going to be usable anymore because of whatever Google is discontinuing, I'd still go with another company's cameras.

1
slippery-fische•

I'm doing the Nest -> SimpliSafe switch and my Nest camera goes off like 20 times a day on windy days because it thinks the cover for my patio furniture moving is worthy of note.

1
mar7967OP•

Thanks for the feedback! I am planning to return the cameras based on your comment and others here.

1
RoutineAdmirable5033•

Why replace the Nest doorbell? They are ending support for Nest Secure but the doorbell and cameras will still be supported. I had Nest Secure and switched to Simplisafe but kept my doorbell and cameras.

1
mar7967OP•

Yea, that's what I'm leaning to now. I was hoping to keep it all in one app, but it seems like it's not worth it with what I'm hearing about SS's cameras.

1
CarolinaFan1983•

I have Simplisafe but no cams or doorbells. All my cameras and doorbells are Nest. Having both works for me. I have a Nest Hub on the bar that separates my living room and kitchen and it's nice to see a live feed if someone rings my doorbell.

1
lovebug777•

I had the original wired indoor camera and recently upgraded to their wireless indoor camera. I think they do really well. Could get the doorbell to connect though.

1
K1ghter•

I did this exact thing last week. I removed the chime dongle and attached the wires at chime directly. The other side was a straight swap. The WiFi connectivity was worse with the new doorbell cam compared to the Nest. I repositioned a base station and it has been working at 1080 since. I have no issues so far with it. I do intend to return the battery outdoor cams I purchased. My suspicion is the doorbell works well because it’s powered, the others I will not be taking a chance on.

1