Question

Does anyone know if the wireless devices for the ring security system communicate through WiFi or are they using their own proprietary system? Thanks

Answer 1

Ring Alarm uses a mesh z wave network

Comments

And it doesn't interfere with my smartthings z wave network

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Thanks Chris. I have mesh WiFi that works through my house, detached apartment and detached garages. I was hoping using that would allow the signal to work back to the control panel in the house from the farther buildings. I don’t know much about the z wave, can I get the distance with that?  

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All depends on the distance but they have extenders that just plug into an outlet

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Remember though that each device also acts as an extender

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@frankiefrankincense that’s great information, I didn’t realize their devices also act as extenders. Thanks for responding.  

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Been using Ring alarm almost since launch, only 1 issue and support spent 45 minutes on the phone with me till it was fixed

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@frankiefrankincense I’ve been using their doorbells and cameras for a few years now. If I understand it right my annual fee I pay will also cover monitoring if I use their security system. That would be quite a savings per year on monitoring.  

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$10 month, $100 a year, best part is the extended warranty I had some ok ne the other day get their 4 yr old flood cam get replaced free

Answer 2

You can also get another expander. (One comes with the base unit)

Answer 3

The statement that each device is an extender is misleading AFAIK. Read the document, it clearly says that sentence BUT also says that only the devices that plug into the wall are actual extenders due to power requirements. Hence, base and an extender unit or chime pro. Misleading to be sure. Z-wave also works at a lower freq, which means it gets thru walls easier but can be overall slower. Technically, it depends on the efficiency of the protocol riding on the carrier wave, but that discussion is for another time.  

Answer 4

The cameras, doorbell and chime pro are Wi-Fi, just to clear that confusion. I know they are not technically security system components and are listed separately on the dashboard, but personally I still consider them as such.  

Comments

@telestich yes, I did know the cameras were WiFi.  

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@telestich is the only purpose of the chime pro is doorbell ringer and wifi extender

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And the chime pro is a waste of money.  

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@laodicea yes, that's right.  

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@guzzle3 I would beg to somewhat disagree. In my particular case, I had an incompatible door chime, so needed the chime anyway, which has a multitude of sounds. Adding a wi-fi extender for $20 essentially is never a bad thing. Could I have Alexa do the chgime or announcement, sure, but I didn't find that impressive. To each his own I guess.  

Answer 5

Wifi uses more power so it would drain sensor batteries too quickly