Home Security Systems

[bmac]

Any of you have a monitored home security system? If so, are you using locally monitoring or a national (e.g. ADT, Brinks) company. I see a huge difference in monthly monitoring fees between one of our local providers ($14 / month) and ADT ($32-$35 / month).

Just checking online, the ADTs hardware seems to be more sophisticated with lcd panels, options for lighting controls, carbon monoxide, water and low temp monitoring, etc.

I'm supposed to meet with a guy tomorrow to discuss things like security systems, intercom, and other low voltage things. Waned to see if anyone here would steer me one way or another. Thanks in advance for your sugestions.

 

[slowrev]

When I lived in FL I just installed the little sensors on my windows and such and put stickers on all the windows and doors. Just had the appearance of having a security system and it seemed to work fine. Remember if it is a pro the first thing they do is cut the phone and catv line.....
Ben

 

[bmac]

<font color="blue"> Remember if it is a pro the first thing they do is cut the phone and catv line... </font>

True. Some of the better systems have cellular back-up on the phone line. Unfortunately, the cellular service at my house is spotty. My verizon phone has no reception. My builder uses Nextel and he does get a signal there. Haven't tried any other providers. So, I guess it would depend on who the security system uses for their cellular connections to know if this is even an option for us.

 

[YanmarFever]

I have had 4 ADT. alarms in my time & only had a small problem with one, and they came out fast to fix it.

I used to own a Co named Bridge City Home Security for 18 yrs. I went all over town to the places that were robbed, burglarized, ect... some had alarms , some didnt.
I never saw one robbed that had an ADT. alarm in all that time.
Thats what we have in our shop & home now.
By the way i dont sell alarm systems or work for adt. never did.
Ernie

 

[EddieWalker]

When I lived in California, I had a system in my home. I stared out by asking around people I knew and what they had, along with their satisfaction.

In the SF Bay Area, I didn't find any positive comments on any of the big national companies. I scheduled interviews and estimates with four of them.

The results were very dissapointing, but again, it could just reflect the area I was in with absolutely no customer service.

I also called a few locally owned companies and ended up going with one of them. The owner came out, discussed my options and worked with me to get what I wanted.

One thing I have a personal problem with is the wireless sensors. They are supposed to last two years between battery changes, and if they fail earlier, some are guranteed, some are not.

In the end, I went with hardwire sensors that I installed myself. I ran the wires to the location of the monitor and let the alarm company put their control panal in.

I didn't save any money from what I could have gotten a wireless system installed for, but I did get a superior system that I never had to worry about.

One thing I really liked having with my system was a monitored fire alarm. If you're away and none of your neighbors can see your house, or are paying attention, then your house can burn for a very long time until the fire department knows about it. Same thing is true when your asleep. If there's a fire, will you have time to call the fire department as your getting out of the house?

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[heehaw]

where did you get your sensors etc: i've been looking at the x10 stuff, but its all wireless, and i prefer wires..no phone line to call out on, so i just want to be able to set off a loud siren that goes for about 5 minutes then resets.
heehaw

 

[EddieWalker]

heehaw,

The owner of the Security Company I ended up using recommended an electical specialty store in Berkley, CA. Unfortunately I have no idea of what it was called.

Sorry,
Eddie

 

[Volfandt]

I have a DSC alarm system at the humble abode and with the exception of the battery needing replaceing (it told me it needed ot btw), it hasn't given me additional any trouble for going on 16 yrs.
It has the capability to transmit codes to a central monitoring station via a telephone line but you'll have to check with the various alarm companys to see if they can and will monitor it.

I have 3 keypads (one in my bedroom) and they have zone status LEDS as well as several definable panic buttons.
I have it set up to chime everytime a door is opened & closed and if it's at night and I'm in the bed I can look over and see which door was openned.

I have several loud warble horns outside and a deafening pizo squealer inside.

If it goes off due to an electrical storm or false alarm it will shut down after 15 minutes.

Running cable in an already constructed home is a PITA if not impossible in some places. If you're not experienced in this I'd recommend hireing a pro.

Good luck
Volfandt

 

[meledward23]

A pro that cuts the phone line automatically sets mine off.

My system, monitors the phone line, and when it goes dead the system immediately goes off (silent) and calls ADT. (of course this is more the system than the monitor). Oh and it works, I have set it off twice myself by cutting the phone line (hasnt been buried in six weeks now, love utility companies).

I am happy with my system. Could I have gotten equal service for less. Yes. But the wife was pushing and who had time to deal with that when everything else is going on... and ther was ADT at the door, so I have it, it works and Wife is happy. Geez and she wants kids.

 

[MossRoad]

If someone cuts the phone line, it sets it off, but who will hear it if you live out in the middle of nowhere? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Still, better than no noise at all. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

If I was serious about being burgled, I'd put up some decoy phone box on the side of my house with the alarm wire in it just begging to be cut. Then I'd bury the real lines to a remote, hidden location, right next to the fake rock with my front door key under it. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif