kitchen

Mounting a Nest Protect Smoke and CO Detector

The Nest Protect is a big step forward in smoke and CO detectors.  It’s a smart detector that integrates into the Nest app that is used for the popular Nest Cam line of home security cameras.  The app allows you to check the status and even do a reliability test from the convenience of your armchair. There are two types of connectivity hence two different models.  The Battery Powered Nest Protect provides the most flexibility in placement however you will need to replace the battery periodically.  Battery life is stated by Nest as being multiple years.  The Wired Nest Protect … Read more

Cool Things to Do with Echo Dot

Seems like every technology site has an article about cool things to do with Echo Dot so why not join the crowd.  After living with a bunch of these for several years, we’ve learned of some useful skills and smart home automation.  Today, we share some cool things to do with Echo dot. Entertainment Coupled with one of the mounts described in our article about mounting the Echo Dot around the home or office, turn the device into a built-in speaker.  There are a lot of skills that allow playing your favorite radio station.  We’re in New Jersey so have … Read more

Physically Securing Echo or Google Home Devices

Physically securing Echo or Google Home devices is a good idea for areas where you need to worry about the device being taken.  Think places like a mall kiosk or perhaps an office.  It’s especially important in areas that aren’t secured at night and you need to worry about someone walking away undetected with your personal device. We’re going to borrow from our experience with other devices in terms of making it difficult to remove.  Physically securing Echo or Google Home devices makes it more difficult to remove, not impossible.  A determined thief will always find a way to take … Read more

Where to Put a Roku Express and How to Put it There

The Roku Express is an excellent low-priced streaming device.  It delivers a huge amount of functionality in a very small footprint.  The performance matches up with most other streaming devices.  It lacks an Ethernet port which definitely contributes to the smaller size. This is the second device we have looked at on our site.  Unlike the traditional Roku streaming box, this only weighs a bit more than an ounce and has a much smaller footprint.  It’s a cross between a streaming box and streaming stick.  It’s smaller than a streaming box and it is not a stick that inserts directly into … Read more

Honeywell Lyric Water Leak and Freeze Detector Placement

Faithful readers of our MountGuys site know we like to stray from our traditional phone, motorcycle and car mount articles once in a while.  So today, we’ll talk about the Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector.  Specifically we’ll discuss where to place the Honeywell Lyric Water Leak and Freeze Detector and how to mount it. Why do you need one of these?  Those that have experienced a leaking hot water heater can appreciate the advantage of knowing there’s a leak as soon as it hits.  A delay can be very costly.  As in, buy a new carpet and paint the … Read more

Mounts for the SmartAlarm Spot Security Camera

Today we will be looking at some alternative mounts for the SmartAlarm Spot Security Camera.  If you’re thinking this camera looks an awful lot like a Wyze Cam, you’re right.  While it shares the same material design, the software is completely different, as is the company that distributes this camera. The SmartAlarm Spot is one of the smallest mainstream security cameras we have seen.  The attached mounting stand folds up under the camera.  The camera can swivel and pivot.  This versatile mounting system, included with the SmartAlarm Spot camera at no additional charge is excellent for leaving your device on a shelf … Read more