Alternative to Nest Protect?

sansnom · 7 Jun 2015 at 21:17

Any suggestions for two Mains Powered Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors? I was going to go with 2x Nest Protect but there's some horror stories floating about on the net about them. Seems like every other smoke and CO detector has similar false alarm issues too.

Just need something that works, period. Doesn't have to be stunning to look at but obviously not a dog either.

Valo · 7 Jun 2015 at 21:26

I've got two mains powered Nest Protects and they've never given me a moments bother.

sansnom · 7 Jun 2015 at 21:28

Valo said:
I've got two mains powered Nest Protects and they've never given me a moments bother.

I would love to have them, its just that I keep reading up so many horror stories and it makes me think...well if I'm going to spend 180 on smoke alarms I'd want to make sure i'm not going to have any trouble...

Any idea why so many people are getting false alarms with them? Is it down to user-error or ?

I forgot to mention, it also appears to be out of stock everywhere...maybe they're bringing out a new version?

teaboy5 · 7 Jun 2015 at 23:40

What does the nest do that a normal smoke detector doesn't? Does it email you if the house is on fire? Bit late then!

uchuff · 8 Jun 2015 at 08:55

Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detection, works with the Thermostat to tell it if anyone is in the house (Thermostat can switch "Auto away" if you go out), tells the Thermostat to turn off the boiler in case of fire / CO, night light if you walk under it in the dark, much less annoying when the batteries get low, can check status / receive notifications on mobile.

LeeUK · 8 Jun 2015 at 10:11

Horror stories are from people who site them in the kitchen above cookers and toasters.

No problems at all if you site them properly on the landing and hallway.

FerretBoy · 8 Jun 2015 at 10:50

I have an open plan ground floor (kitchen, dinning and living areas) and have no issues with false alarms.

Haggisman · 8 Jun 2015 at 11:40

teaboy5 said:
What does the nest do that a normal smoke detector doesn't? Does it email you if the house is on fire? Bit late then!

I almost ended up buying a couple of these...

Then I realised I could get 100% of the useful functionality by paying £20 for a pair of Fire Brigade approved normal smoke alarms and £5 for a plug in night light

They're cool and gadgety for a geek, but ultimately, as you say, getting an alert that there's smoke in my hall when I'm 40 miles away at work isn't exactly useful. Do you phone the Fire Brigade when you get the alert? What if it's a false alarm? Unless you have an IP camera hooked up as well so you can see if there's actually a fire, or it's a false alarm, then it's not that useful

LeeUK · 8 Jun 2015 at 12:35

Haggisman said:
They're cool and gadgety for a geek

This.

Valo · 8 Jun 2015 at 14:13

sansnom said:
I would love to have them, its just that I keep reading up so many horror stories and it makes me think...well if I'm going to spend 180 on smoke alarms I'd want to make sure i'm not going to have any trouble...

Any idea why so many people are getting false alarms with them? Is it down to user-error or ?

I forgot to mention, it also appears to be out of stock everywhere...maybe they're bringing out a new version?

I couldn't tell you why people have trouble with them. With every product comes failures or difficulties though.

I just installed a second Nest Protect last month in my Kitchen, which is fairly large and open plan. The Nest is at the end closet to my boiler, made sense for the CO and the ability for it to remotely switch it off by my Nest Thermostat.
I haven't had a single false alarm since it's been installed. My first Protect is in my Hall (live in a bungalow) so the alarm is in the middle of the house and has been faultless since it's was installed. I would happily recommend them to anyone.

I have a Nest Thermostat and as already mentioned further up the thread, the Protects act as additional movement sensors for the Thermostat so if they don't detect movement, for instance when you are out they'll help the Thermostat to switch your heating down quicker and save you money. If the Protect detects smoke it'll tell you by audible warning first before setting off the alarm to allow you to rectify the situation, which I think is a nice feature.

Not sure why there is no stock, you could be right about an update model.