Vivint Sky - Detailed Review
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Vivint Sky - Product Overview
Introduction to Vivint Smart Hub (Vivint Sky)
The Vivint Smart Hub, often referred to as Vivint Sky, is the central control panel for your Vivint smart home system. This intuitive smart panel is designed to simplify and enhance your home security and automation experience.
Primary Function
The primary function of the Vivint Smart Hub is to connect and control all your smart home devices from a single touchscreen interface. It allows you to manage your security system, locks, cameras, thermostats, and other smart devices seamlessly from one location.
Target Audience
The Vivint Smart Hub is ideal for homeowners who want a comprehensive and integrated smart home solution. It is particularly beneficial for those who value convenience, security, and the ability to monitor and control their home from anywhere. This includes families, individuals living alone, and especially those with elderly or disabled members who may need quick access to emergency services.
Key Features
- Central Control: The Vivint Smart Hub lets you control your entire home from one single touchscreen on your wall. You can lock doors, arm your security system, check video feeds, and adjust the temperature all from one spot.
- Communication: It features two-way talk, allowing you to communicate with Vivint’s 24/7 professional monitoring specialists and even with visitors at your door. In emergencies, you can press the panic button for immediate help.
- Backup and Security: The hub has a 24-hour battery backup and uses an encrypted cellular connection, ensuring your system remains operational even during power outages and protecting your information.
- Smart Home Integration: The Vivint Smart Hub connects lights, locks, cameras, motion sensors, and other devices, analyzing data to provide suggestions on improving security and energy efficiency.
- Emergency Response: In the event of an emergency, the monitoring center can contact you through the hub and dispatch first responders if necessary.
- Video Monitoring: You can easily monitor your home with video footage from all your security cameras directly from the Smart Hub.
Overall, the Vivint Smart Hub is a comprehensive solution that integrates all aspects of your smart home, providing convenience, security, and peace of mind.
Vivint Sky - User Interface and Experience
The Vivint Sky
The Vivint Sky, which includes the Vivint Smart Hub, offers a user-friendly and integrated interface that simplifies home automation and security management.
User Interface
The Vivint Smart Hub is a central control panel with a 7-inch capacitive touch display, typically mounted on a wall. This touchscreen interface allows users to control various aspects of their home, including security systems, door locks, garage doors, thermostats, and lighting.
Touchscreen Control
Users can manage all their smart home devices from a single location. The interface is intuitive, enabling easy access to features like arming and disarming the security system, checking video feeds from security cameras, and adjusting the temperature.
Additional Controls
The hub includes icons for specific functions such as camera access, temperature control, and lamp module control. Users can also customize settings like panel volumes and display options.
Ease of Use
The Vivint Smart Hub is designed for simplicity and ease of use. Here are some key points:
Single Central Location
All controls are bundled on a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple devices or apps to manage different aspects of home automation.
Intuitive Interface
The touchscreen is user-friendly, making it easy for anyone to use, regardless of their technical proficiency. The interface is clear and straightforward, allowing users to perform tasks quickly.
Emergency Features
The hub includes a panic button and two-way talk, enabling users to communicate with Vivint’s 24/7 monitoring specialists or emergency responders directly from the panel.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience with the Vivint Smart Hub is streamlined and convenient:
Convenience and Accessibility
Users can manage their home from anywhere in the house using the central hub or remotely through the Vivint Sky mobile app. This ensures that users can always stay connected and in control of their home.
Automation and Adaptation
The Vivint Sky system can learn and adapt to the user’s habits over time, sending alerts and automating tasks based on the user’s routine. For example, it can remind users to lock doors when the house is empty.
Security and Reliability
The hub features a backup battery and encrypted cellular connection, ensuring that the system remains operational even during power outages and protecting user information.
In summary, the Vivint Smart Hub provides a seamless, user-friendly interface that integrates all aspects of home automation and security, making it easy for users to manage their home efficiently and securely.
Vivint Sky - Key Features and Functionality
Vivint Sky Overview
Vivint Sky is a sophisticated home automation system that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to provide a seamless and automated home management experience. Here are the main features and how they work:
Remote Control and Automation
Vivint Sky allows homeowners to control various aspects of their home remotely using an internet-connected device. This includes turning lamps on or off, adjusting the thermostat, locking or unlocking doors, and watching live video of their home.
AI-Driven Automation
The system uses AI to learn and adapt to the homeowner’s habits. For example, if you consistently lock the front door at 6:00 a.m. when you go for a run, Vivint Sky will remember this pattern and lock the door for you if you forget. Similarly, it can adjust the thermostat based on your nightly routine.
Sensor Data and Behavioral Analytics
Vivint Sky utilizes sensor data and behavioral analytics to manage the home without user input. Sensors throughout the house help the system determine when all occupants have left and ensure that doors and windows are locked. It can also adjust the heating or cooling when no one is home, similar to how Nest’s thermostat works.
Custom Notifications
Homeowners can set up custom notifications to receive alerts via text message or email when specific events occur, such as a window being opened, a door unlocking, or a sensor being triggered. This keeps you informed about what’s happening at home even when you’re not there.
Integration with Smart Devices
Vivint Sky integrates with a wide range of smart devices, including doorbell cameras, thermostats, smart locks, and garage door controls. This integration allows for a cohesive smart home experience where all devices work together seamlessly.
Voice Command Compatibility
The system is compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, allowing users to control their home with voice commands. This adds another layer of convenience and ease of use.
Central Control Panel
The heart of the Vivint Sky system is the 7-inch capacitive touch Vivint Sky Control Panel. This panel allows users to arm their security system, view camera footage, and interact with various smart devices from a single interface. The panel also supports Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and a 345 MHz radio for communication with motion sensors.
Mobile and Desktop App
The Vivint Sky mobile app for iOS and Android, as well as its desktop version, provides the same functionality as the control panel. This allows users to remotely monitor and adjust settings, receive alerts, and watch recorded video clips from anywhere with an internet connection.
Security and Monitoring
Vivint Sky includes advanced security features such as the ability to arm and disarm the security system, send emergency alerts, and stream high-definition video from security cameras. The system also has a 24-hour battery backup and uses encrypted Wi-Fi for secure communication.
Predictive Modeling
The system uses predictive modeling based on sensor data to anticipate and automate various tasks. For instance, it can send an alert to your phone asking if you want to lock your doors when it detects that the house is empty.
Conclusion
Overall, Vivint Sky combines AI, sensor data, and smart device integration to create a highly automated and intuitive home management system that adapts to the homeowner’s lifestyle and preferences.
Vivint Sky - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating Vivint Sky’s Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating the performance and accuracy of Vivint Sky, the AI-driven smart home system, involves looking at its capabilities, user experience, and any identified limitations.
Learning and Automation
Vivint Sky is an AI system that learns from your daily routine and the data from various smart home devices such as smart locks, sensors, and thermostats. It uses this information to automate home settings, ensuring that your home is secure and comfortable without manual input. For example, it can lock doors and windows when it detects that all occupants have left the house and adjust the heating or cooling based on your schedule and preferences.
User Experience and Controls
The system integrates with the Vivint Smart Hub (formerly known as the SkyControl Panel) and the Smart Home app. These tools work together to provide intuitive controls, allowing users to make adjustments and receive recommendations based on their habits. The AI learns from user interactions and sensor data to make the home more efficient and comfortable.
Accuracy and Limitations
While Vivint Sky is effective in learning and automating home settings, there are some limitations and areas for improvement. For instance, the system’s reliance on motion detectors for automatic temperature adjustments can sometimes be inaccurate. If users are not moving around the house, the system might not detect their presence, leading to uncomfortable temperatures. This issue can be mitigated by setting temperatures based on a daily schedule and making manual adjustments as needed.
Real-Time Alerts and Monitoring
Another area of concern is the lag in phone alerts and camera footage. Users have reported delays in receiving alerts and viewing real-time camera footage, which can be critical in emergency situations. For example, there might be a delay in seeing the exact moment of a delivery or detecting a person on the property, which could impact the effectiveness of the system in real-time monitoring.
Integration and Compatibility
Vivint Sky integrates well with various smart home devices, including doorbell cameras, thermostats, smart locks, and garage door controls. However, there can be issues with specific device settings and monitoring. For instance, some device statuses, like the water sensor, can only be checked through the control panel and not through the app.
Conclusion
In summary, Vivint Sky performs well in automating and learning from home routines, but it has some limitations, particularly with real-time alerts and the accuracy of motion detectors. Addressing these issues could further enhance the user experience and the overall performance of the system.
Vivint Sky - Pricing and Plans
The Pricing Structure of a Vivint Home Security System
The pricing structure of a Vivint home security system is composed of several components, including equipment costs and monthly monitoring fees. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
Equipment Costs
Vivint allows you to either purchase the equipment upfront or finance it over time. Here are some general costs associated with the equipment:
- Starter Kit: This can start at around $599 for the basic package, which includes essential security devices like door and window sensors, a control panel, and other basic components.
- Premium and Premium Plus Packages: These packages can cost $1,279.96 and $2,229.92, respectively, and include more advanced devices such as smart thermostats, smart locks, and additional sensors.
- Individual Devices: You can also purchase individual devices, such as door or window contact sensors ($50), wireless glass break sensors ($100), and cameras (ranging from $249.99 to $399.99).
Monthly Monitoring Fees
The monthly monitoring fees are a crucial part of the Vivint system, providing 24/7 professional monitoring.
- Base Monitoring Fee: The monthly monitoring fee starts at around $39.99 to $44.99 per month, depending on the plan you choose. This fee includes 24/7 monitoring and access to the Vivint Smart Home app.
- Discounts and Promotions: There are often discounts available, such as reduced monthly rates for long-term contracts or bundling equipment. For example, common discounts can bring the monthly cost down to $14.99, $19.99, or $29.99 per month.
Additional Features and Add-ons
Vivint offers several add-ons and features that can be included in your plan:
- Video Storage: Included in the monthly plan, providing 2 weeks of video storage.
- Vivint Smart Drive: An optional add-on for video storage, available for $250 upfront or $4.17 per month.
- Car Guard and Smart Thermostat: Additional features available for $3.33 per month each.
- Smart Home Devices: Integration with various smart home devices from brands like Philips, Kwikset, and Nest, allowing for comprehensive home automation.
Installation Fees
There is typically an installation fee starting from $199, although you can sometimes negotiate to have this fee waived.
Contracts
Vivint usually requires a long-term contract, often 60 months, especially if you finance the equipment. However, you may be able to negotiate different terms, such as a month-to-month contract if you pay for the equipment upfront.
In summary, the cost of a Vivint system can vary widely depending on the equipment you choose and the monitoring plan you select, but it generally includes an upfront equipment cost and a monthly monitoring fee, with various add-ons and features available.
Vivint Sky - Integration and Compatibility
The Vivint Smart Hub
The Vivint SkyControl Panel, or Vivint Smart Hub, is a central component of the Vivint smart home and security system, and its integration with other tools and devices is quite specific.
Compatibility with Other Devices
The Vivint Smart Hub integrates seamlessly with various smart home devices, including popular brands like Google Nest, Google Home, and Amazon Echo. These integrations allow for voice control and unified management of your smart home through the Vivint app or the Smart Hub itself. For example, you can use voice commands to control lights, locks, and thermostats, or arm and disarm your security system using smart speakers.
Compatibility with Vivint Components
The sensors and components used with the Vivint system, such as door sensors (e.g., 2GIG-DW10), smoke detectors (e.g., 2GIG-SMKT3), and cameras (e.g., ADC-V520IR), are generally compatible with other Alarm.com providers if you decide to switch. However, the SkyControl Panel itself is locked down and won’t work with other providers. You would need to replace the panel with a compatible one, such as a 2GIG GC3 panel, to continue using your existing sensors and components.
API and Third-Party Integration
The Vivint Smart Hub has an API, but it is not open and can only be used by approved partners. This makes third-party integrations challenging. However, some users have managed to integrate Vivint devices with other smart home systems, like Hubitat, using custom solutions such as Homebridge plugins and Node.js servers. These integrations require technical expertise and are not straightforward.
Security and Connectivity
The Vivint Smart Hub uses LTE cellular and encrypted Wi-Fi connections to ensure your system remains connected and secure. It also features a 24-hour battery backup to maintain functionality during power outages.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Vivint Smart Hub integrates well with other smart home devices within the Vivint ecosystem, its compatibility with other platforms and devices outside of this ecosystem is limited due to the restricted API and locked-down panel. However, with some technical effort, it is possible to achieve integration with other smart home systems.
Vivint Sky - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
Telephone Support
You can contact Vivint customer service directly via phone at 800.216.5232 for immediate assistance with setup, troubleshooting, system problems, and any other questions or concerns you might have.
Live Chat
Vivint also offers live chat support, allowing you to connect with a customer service representative quickly and conveniently.
24/7 Monitoring
One of the standout features is the continuous 24/7 monitoring service, which provides peace of mind by ensuring your system is always being watched over.
Additional Resources
Online Account Management
Users can manage their account details, update information, and review their current plans through Vivint’s online platform.
Professional Installation
Vivint offers professional installation by trained and vetted technicians, ensuring that all components of your smart home system are installed correctly and function optimally.
Educational Content
Vivint provides educational content to help users get the most out of their smart home systems. This includes guides on how to use various features and troubleshoot common issues.
Vivint Sky AI
Automated Home Management
Vivint Sky uses artificial intelligence to manage your connected devices automatically, based on sensor data and your daily routines. It can lock doors, adjust the thermostat, and manage security settings without needing user input.
Integration with Alexa
Sky can take voice commands through Amazon’s Alexa, allowing for seamless voice control of your smart home system.
Smart Home App
You can control and interact with Sky through the Vivint Smart Home app, receiving notifications and making adjustments as needed.
Smart Hub Features
Central Control Panel
The Vivint Smart Hub serves as a central control panel for your smart home system, allowing you to manage lights, door locks, cameras, and more from one location.
Backup Power
The Smart Hub comes with a backup battery that lasts up to four hours, ensuring your system remains operational during power outages or natural disasters.
Community and Feedback
Loyalty Programs and Community Engagement
Vivint engages with its customers through loyalty programs and community initiatives, keeping them connected and informed about their smart home systems.
User Feedback Channels
There are channels available for users to share their questions, concerns, or feedback, which helps in continuously improving the service.
By leveraging these support options and resources, Vivint ensures that its customers have a supportive and user-friendly experience with their smart home systems.
Vivint Sky - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Intelligent Automation
Vivint Sky uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate various aspects of your home. It can learn your daily routines and adapt to your preferences, automatically managing tasks such as locking doors, adjusting the thermostat, and turning lights on and off.
Comprehensive Integration
Sky integrates seamlessly with other smart devices, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Philips Hue lights, Nest thermostats, and more. This allows for a cohesive smart home experience where you can control multiple devices through a single interface.
Convenient Control
You can control your home from anywhere using the Vivint Smart Home app or the Vivint SkyControl panel. Sky also accepts voice commands through Amazon’s Alexa, making it easy to manage your home settings.
Enhanced Security
Vivint Sky includes features like smart deterrence, which uses AI to detect and deter potential intruders. It also ensures all doors and windows are locked when you leave the house, enhancing home security.
Energy Management
Sky can optimize energy usage by adjusting settings based on your routine, such as lowering the temperature when you are not home.
Disadvantages
High Costs
Vivint Sky is part of a premium smart home security system, which comes with high monthly monitoring fees and significant upfront costs for equipment. Additional features like cameras and extra video storage add to the expense.
Contract Requirements
To use Vivint’s monitoring service, you typically need to sign a long-term contract, which can be inflexible and lock you into the service for up to five years.
Professional Installation and Moving Fees
While professional installation is a benefit, it also means you’ll need to pay for re-installation if you move, which can be $129 or more.
Limited Third-Party Integrations
While Vivint Sky integrates well with major smart home assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, it has limited compatibility with other third-party devices beyond these.
Proprietary Equipment
Vivint uses its own proprietary equipment, which means other alarm companies cannot take over monitoring if you stop paying Vivint. This makes the system unusable if you cancel the service.
These points highlight the advanced features and convenience of Vivint Sky, as well as the financial and contractual commitments involved.
Vivint Sky - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Vivint Sky
- Intelligent Learning: Vivint Sky is distinguished by its ability to learn from homeowners’ behaviors and make intelligent suggestions to enhance convenience and energy efficiency. It can adjust HVAC settings based on daily patterns, ensuring optimal energy use.
- Comprehensive Control Panel: The Vivint SkyControl panel features a 7-inch capacitive touch display, one of the largest in the industry. It allows homeowners to control lights, thermostats, door locks, and monitor high-definition video feeds from a single interface.
- Enhanced Security: The system operates on its own private Wi-Fi network with a firewall and industry-leading encryption, ensuring secure communication. It also uses cellular technology to maintain functionality during Wi-Fi disruptions.
- Backup Power: The Vivint control panel comes with a backup battery that lasts up to four hours, ensuring the system remains operational during power outages or natural disasters.
- Proactive Notifications and Instant Response: The Vivint Sky app provides automatic notifications for various home activities and ensures commands are executed instantly, such as locking doors or arming the system.
Potential Alternatives
SimpliSafe
- While SimpliSafe is a more budget-friendly option, it lacks the advanced features and high-quality equipment of Vivint. SimpliSafe uses a keypad and Base Station instead of a touchscreen interface, and its cameras do not leverage AI technology to the same extent as Vivint’s.
- SimpliSafe does not offer the same level of integration with smart home devices or the learning capabilities that Vivint Sky provides.
Other Smart Home Systems
- Other systems, such as those from ADT or Xfinity Home, may offer similar smart home automation features but often lack the advanced learning capabilities and seamless integration with a wide range of devices that Vivint Sky provides.
- These systems might also not have the same level of security features, such as a separate Wi-Fi network and cellular backup, that Vivint Sky includes.
Integration with Other Devices
- Vivint Sky stands out for its ability to integrate with other smart home devices, including Google Nest products. This allows for comprehensive control over various aspects of the home, such as thermostats and security cameras, all through the Vivint app.
Voice Control
- Like many smart home systems, Vivint Sky is compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, providing a hands-free way to control and monitor the home.
Conclusion
In summary, Vivint Sky’s unique blend of intelligent learning, comprehensive control, enhanced security, and seamless integration with other smart devices makes it a strong contender in the smart home automation market. However, for those on a tighter budget or with simpler needs, alternatives like SimpliSafe might be more suitable, though they will lack the advanced features and high-quality equipment of Vivint Sky.
Vivint Sky - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about the Vivint Sky System
What is the Vivint Sky system?
The Vivint Sky system is a proprietary smart hub that integrates various smart home devices, including lights, thermostats, door locks, and security cameras, into a single automated hub. This system allows users to control all these devices from a central control panel, smartphone, laptop, or tablet.
How do I control my devices using the Vivint SkyControl Panel?
You can control your devices through the intuitive touchscreen interface of the Vivint SkyControl Panel. For example, you can arm and disarm your security system, adjust thermostat settings, turn on/off or dim lights, and monitor your security cameras all from the panel. The panel also allows remote control through the Vivint mobile and web apps.
What features does the Vivint Smart Hub offer?
The Vivint Smart Hub, which is the central component of the Vivint Sky system, offers several key features. It includes a two-way talk system to communicate with Vivint’s 24/7 monitoring team, a backup battery and encrypted cellular connection to ensure continuous operation, and the ability to monitor home video footage from security cameras. It also has a panic button for emergency situations and allows you to adjust settings and check system status from the home screen.
How does the Vivint Sky system use data from my home devices?
The Vivint Sky system collects data from various devices such as motion sensors, door and window sensors, lighting modules, and smart thermostats. This data is uploaded to Vivint’s servers, where algorithms analyze it to provide suggestions on improving home security and energy efficiency. For instance, if the system detects that your home is empty but the heating or cooling is on, it will suggest adjusting the temperature via the Vivint app.
What is the installer code, and how do I use it?
The installer code is a unique code required to access advanced settings and the installer toolbox on your Vivint SkyControl Panel. This code is necessary for adding or removing devices, checking diagnostics, and performing system tests. You need to enter this code to gain access to these advanced features, which are typically reserved for installers or advanced users.
How do I add or remove devices from my Vivint Sky system?
To add or remove devices, you need to access the installer toolbox using your installer code. Once in the toolbox, you can manage your Z-wave devices, such as thermostats and lights, by adding or removing nodes. This section also allows you to check diagnostics and perform other advanced tasks related to your smart home devices.
What happens during a power outage?
The Vivint Smart Hub has a 24-hour battery backup, ensuring that your system remains operational even during a power outage. The panel will indicate a power outage through a flashing indicator, and it will continue to function using the backup battery.
Can I monitor my home remotely?
Yes, you can monitor and control your home remotely using the Vivint mobile and web apps. These apps allow you to arm and disarm your security system, adjust thermostat settings, turn lights on and off, and view live video footage from your security cameras from anywhere.
How do I invite other users to control my Vivint system?
To invite other users to control your system, go to the Settings menu on your Vivint SkyControl Panel, select User PIN, and then Users. You can generate a code and send an invitation to the new user, allowing them to access and control the system via their phone, tablet, or computer.
What kind of support does Vivint offer?
Vivint provides 24/7 customer support through the Smart Hub’s two-way talk feature. You can speak directly to Vivint’s monitoring team at any time for assistance or to contact emergency responders if needed.
Vivint Sky - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Vivint Sky
Vivint Sky is a sophisticated home automation system that integrates artificial intelligence to provide a seamless and intelligent home experience. Here’s a comprehensive look at what it offers and who would benefit most from using it.Key Features
Remote Control and Automation
With Vivint Sky, you can control various aspects of your home, such as lights, thermostats, locks, and security cameras, from any internet-connected device. You can program the system to perform tasks automatically based on your daily routines.
Artificial Intelligence
The system learns your habits and preferences over time, allowing it to make intelligent decisions and adjustments without your constant input. For example, it can lock doors, adjust the thermostat, or turn off appliances based on your usual patterns.
Security and Monitoring
Vivint Sky includes advanced security features such as live video monitoring, motion sensors, and doorbell cameras. The system also offers 24/7 monitoring and support, ensuring quick responses to any security alerts.
Voice Control and Compatibility
The system is compatible with voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for easy voice commands. It also integrates with various smart home devices, including lights, thermostats, and locks.
Notifications and Alerts
You can set up custom notifications to receive updates on various events, such as doors opening or sensors being triggered. This keeps you informed and in control of your home even when you’re not there.
Who Would Benefit Most
Busy Families
Families with tight schedules can benefit from the automated features that ensure their home is secure and comfortable without constant manual adjustments.
Homeowners with Special Needs
Families with special needs children or elderly relatives can use the system to monitor and ensure their safety. For instance, the Vivint Ping Camera allows for two-way communication and alerts if someone leaves the house unexpectedly.
Tech-Savvy Individuals
Those who are comfortable with smart home technology will appreciate the advanced features and integration capabilities of Vivint Sky.
Homeowners Seeking Convenience and Security
Anyone looking to enhance their home’s security, energy efficiency, and overall convenience will find Vivint Sky to be a valuable investment.
Overall Recommendation
Vivint Sky is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a comprehensive and intelligent home automation system. Its ability to learn and adapt to your habits makes it highly convenient and efficient. The system’s strong focus on security, energy management, and remote monitoring ensures that your home is safe, comfortable, and well-managed.
While the initial setup and monthly fees may be a consideration, the benefits of having a fully integrated smart home system, along with professional installation and 24/7 support, make Vivint Sky a worthwhile investment for many homeowners. If you value the ease of use, advanced automation, and enhanced security that Vivint Sky offers, it is definitely worth considering.