Stealthalert by Simtek 

By David Henty 

For those of us who want to be reassured about the security of our possessions, be it firearms, trade tools in the aluminium lockable box on the back of the ute or our precious boat or caravan, there is now a portable and reliable way to monitor them. 

The Stealthalert wireless alarm operates off grid without the need for Wi-Fi or external power. One of the main alarm restrictions of previous systems like Arlo motion activated cameras or Chipolo location trackers has been battery life. The Stealthalert lithium battery can last up to a year without the need for recharging – even with up to 10 alerts a month. When not sensing motion, light or vibration, it is in ‘passive mode’ and is not connected to the 4G telephone network and therefore is saving power. It also reports on humidity and temperature. 

About the size of a softball, it is highly portable so can be in your firearms safe one day and your luggage the next. In fact, the options are endless: hotel room, tent, job site, office or storage shed. Even if the space has a fixed alarm or CCTV camera, the portable sensor offers another level of protection that is likely to trick any intruders. Experienced crooks know how to disarm fixed alarms before robbing their targets, but they are unlikely to be expecting a portable alarm that will notify its owner in less than a minute. 

Added security: Experienced thieves know how to disable common household alarms, but they won’t be expecting this stealth sensor. 

If the area has ambient light, the light sensor can be covered up with tape to enable the sensor to arm itself. As the sensor uses 4G through its inbuilt global sim card instead of Wi-Fi, it operates well in a metal box such as a gun safe or tool kit where Wi-Fi cannot penetrate.  

A monthly or annual data plan is required for the sensor to notify you of activations via its phone app, which costs about $75. That might scare off some purchasers, but it is the reason this alarm is superior to Wi-Fi- or Bluetooth-based units and will operate anywhere in the world – perfect for overseas travel. On initial purchase, the Stealthalert comes with a 30-day free trial to activate the 4G. If you change your mind, Simtek offers a 30-day full refund. 

The sensor will only arm itself once there is an absence of motion, light and vibration. It comes with two Velcro stickers for semi-permanent placement or for $50 you can mount it on a portable magnetic base, which is handy for gun safes or metal shed walls. It also has two antennas: an inbuilt one and an external magnetic base with a long chord. The external antenna increases the connectivity; however, if someone pulls it off, the internal antenna will kick in. A tip is to have the external antenna already connected when turning the sensor on so it knows to use that antenna and not the internal one. 

Two more tips if you decide to buy the Stealthalert: don’t panic when first setting it up, as it can take 10 minutes to first alert you and after that less than a minute; and watch the Simtek 16-minute video on YouTube. It helps explain how it works and goes through its features, however, keep in mind models may change and features may vary. For the added protection of your valuables, it is well worth the investment. 

Available from Queensland Shooters Supplies for about $300; 07 3202 2111. 

The portable sensor inside a camper trailer. It lets you know if anyone is looking through your gear. In this case, the skylight and side vent have been blocked out to allow the light sensor to remain on. 

The app lets you know when the sensor has picked something up.