Home Security System Options?
Home Security System Options?
Does anyone have any experience with home security systems? My wife wants to get one and I've just been seeing the standard ADT offers of free products if you sign a 36-month agreement at around $35 or $40/month.
Are there any other options out there. I don't like getting "free" equipment and have to get locked into some long-term commitment. Any suggestions?
Are there any other options out there. I don't like getting "free" equipment and have to get locked into some long-term commitment. Any suggestions?
Re: Home Security System Options?
I put in a very nice ademco system(Ademco Vista 50P). I purchase the panel and all related materials on ebay. My house was hardwired, but the wireless materials are also available there too. You would need the system panel, receiver, wireless window switches, smoke detectors, glass breakage detectors and motion sensors. I have Monitoring with a company and it is only $125 for the year (watchlight corp). If you are handy with wiring and running the phone line it is a doityourselfer.
- DiscoBunny1979
- Posts: 2054
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:59 am
Re: Home Security System Options?
There's been a thread on this, but I repeat a little bit. I had ADT when I renovated a house a few years ago, putting all connections into the walls. Nowadays maybe wireless works just as well - - - but the battery back up power to the system is the only safe guard to make sure the system will work when power is shutt off. The response time from the time the alarm sounded (in tests) to when the police actually arrived was litterally a few minutes. This can vary greatly depending upon where one lives. Therefore, if that's important, maybe get a neighbor's perspective first before signing up.
When I signed up it was a year to year contract. I prefer a year to year over longer contracts. One of the problems is that they are real strict on automatic renewal. If you don't give them the complete 30 day notice of not renewing the contract, the contract might renew automatically for the same period you just went through. Make sure your intitial 36 month period does not automatically renew into another 36 month period! Hopefully it will renew to a 1 year, year to year contract.
In my opinion, the alarm system became more of a headache. I would often trigger a false alarm by either not turning it off in time, or by accidentally triggering it by motion or other reasons. I like sleeping with windows or doors open. The problem - the alarm system if attached to doors or windows really requires the doors or windows to be closed. So that 'intruders' would be caught either trying to open a door window. If they come through an open window or open door, that's what a motion sensor is suppose to catch. But I don't like motion alarms because I have dogs and often need to get up in the middle of the night to stretch, walk around to the kitchen or livingroom and therefore would trigger the motion sensor alarm. The sytems was best when no one was home, at the store, or out for the evening.....turning it on as I left the house. BUT . . . the way I feel is that if someone really wants what I have - have at it! I have homeowners insurance to cover the expenisve things in my house AND if a burglar really wants my 5 year old computer, I really could use a new one - so take it!
The choice of getting an alarm system is just for peace of mind - if wife wants - fine. But in reality, it's an added monthly expense that could be used in other ways. For instance, my dog really works great in telling me if anything has changed in the environment. I also have cameras installed in various locations that record activity to a DVR. I find the cameras more comforting than an alarm system because catching activity on camera documents time and events, rather than an alarm that just notifies authorities that something might have occurred . . but cameras might actually catch the thief if face or car is recorded.
One other thing . . some juristictions allow for 1 time false alarms . . if more than 1 false alarms occur, the homeowner can be charged to the cost of police or fire to go to the house. Make sure you understand completely about the system so you don't have too many false alarms, as you will have at least one.....
When I signed up it was a year to year contract. I prefer a year to year over longer contracts. One of the problems is that they are real strict on automatic renewal. If you don't give them the complete 30 day notice of not renewing the contract, the contract might renew automatically for the same period you just went through. Make sure your intitial 36 month period does not automatically renew into another 36 month period! Hopefully it will renew to a 1 year, year to year contract.
In my opinion, the alarm system became more of a headache. I would often trigger a false alarm by either not turning it off in time, or by accidentally triggering it by motion or other reasons. I like sleeping with windows or doors open. The problem - the alarm system if attached to doors or windows really requires the doors or windows to be closed. So that 'intruders' would be caught either trying to open a door window. If they come through an open window or open door, that's what a motion sensor is suppose to catch. But I don't like motion alarms because I have dogs and often need to get up in the middle of the night to stretch, walk around to the kitchen or livingroom and therefore would trigger the motion sensor alarm. The sytems was best when no one was home, at the store, or out for the evening.....turning it on as I left the house. BUT . . . the way I feel is that if someone really wants what I have - have at it! I have homeowners insurance to cover the expenisve things in my house AND if a burglar really wants my 5 year old computer, I really could use a new one - so take it!
The choice of getting an alarm system is just for peace of mind - if wife wants - fine. But in reality, it's an added monthly expense that could be used in other ways. For instance, my dog really works great in telling me if anything has changed in the environment. I also have cameras installed in various locations that record activity to a DVR. I find the cameras more comforting than an alarm system because catching activity on camera documents time and events, rather than an alarm that just notifies authorities that something might have occurred . . but cameras might actually catch the thief if face or car is recorded.
One other thing . . some juristictions allow for 1 time false alarms . . if more than 1 false alarms occur, the homeowner can be charged to the cost of police or fire to go to the house. Make sure you understand completely about the system so you don't have too many false alarms, as you will have at least one.....
Re: Home Security System Options?
Before you decide on a security system, take your time and shop around. I recently coverted from a $24.99 per month plan to another costing $15.95 per month. Same equipment both monitored by a UL rated monitoring station.
There are two parts of the security system business: the installers/sellers and the monitoring centers. A monitoring center may do the monitoring for hundreds of installers/sellers. You want to be sure you have a UL rated monitoring center.
Do everything you can to avoid signing a long term contract. You may have to though depending on your location. Shoot for 24 months or less if you have to go that route.
With my insurance discounts for having a monitored security system, it is only costing me about $90 per year. Well worth the peace of mind.
I have had no problems with my system. Trouble free.
There are two parts of the security system business: the installers/sellers and the monitoring centers. A monitoring center may do the monitoring for hundreds of installers/sellers. You want to be sure you have a UL rated monitoring center.
Do everything you can to avoid signing a long term contract. You may have to though depending on your location. Shoot for 24 months or less if you have to go that route.
With my insurance discounts for having a monitored security system, it is only costing me about $90 per year. Well worth the peace of mind.
I have had no problems with my system. Trouble free.
- Ozonewanderer
- Posts: 691
- Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:27 am
- Location: Southwest FL
Re: Home Security System Options?
I have an ADT home security system, but it is not centrally monitored so I have no monthly fee. If the alarm is triggered it sets off sirens inside and outside the house. I live in a suburban neighborhood with homes all around me. My thinking is that the audible alarms would scare off my most burglars and that I could rely on neighbors to call the police as well.
Re: Home Security System Options?
get a system from 2gig. www.2gig.com, available as a '3-1-1 kit' (3 door/windows, 1 motion, 1 keyfob--EASY to install yourself!). buy it from amazon
built in cell phone transmitter so no phone line is used. Saving you even more $$.
their overpriced (retail) site is www.vivint.com. they get $100-200 for the install bundle then 42-60 $ per month for 60 months.
you can sign up for a monitoring service (police dispatch etc, in most areas they buy this for 8.50-12.50 and resel it to you for 17.00-25.00. The reseller will get you setup with alarm.com. for a demo visit that site, and for an interactive demo go to www.demo-alarm.com. you can do home automation with it and the system is wonderful.
built in cell phone transmitter so no phone line is used. Saving you even more $$.
their overpriced (retail) site is www.vivint.com. they get $100-200 for the install bundle then 42-60 $ per month for 60 months.
you can sign up for a monitoring service (police dispatch etc, in most areas they buy this for 8.50-12.50 and resel it to you for 17.00-25.00. The reseller will get you setup with alarm.com. for a demo visit that site, and for an interactive demo go to www.demo-alarm.com. you can do home automation with it and the system is wonderful.
Re: Home Security System Options?
Just installed the 2gig.com system a few weeks ago. I am very happy with the system. If you are into home automation you may want extra z-wave devices such as wall plugins and thermostat to control heating and air and lights both at home and when away. I am able to set up lighting scenes both when I am home and away. Very cool system. Little more expensive monthly because of no land line required. Works of of AT&T cellular. I did not go with the alarm.com video monitoring but instead purchase a wireless 2 camera system with DVR from Costco. Wireless cameras outside work great. Make sure to check your local city police to see if you are required to have a permit. For me it was $30 a year to city.
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- Posts: 57
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 7:12 am
- Location: New York
Re: Home Security System Options?
The ultimate theft deterrent system:
Doberman Pinscher
About $1200-1500 initial cost plus maintenance fees (vets, food, etc) but an excellent 10+ years of companionship. And teaches the kids about responsbility.
My next alarm system will be a Rottweiler.
Doberman Pinscher
About $1200-1500 initial cost plus maintenance fees (vets, food, etc) but an excellent 10+ years of companionship. And teaches the kids about responsbility.
My next alarm system will be a Rottweiler.
Re: Home Security System Options?
I got the GE Simon XT system from www.safemart.com a few months ago and have been very happy so far. They program it before they send it to you, so all you have to do is mount the system (panel on a wall, sensors on doors/windows). Monitoring is much cheaper than ADT, has only a 12-month contract (and month-to-month thereafter), and includes remote monitoring via smartphones or internet (which I think is a substantial extra expense from ADT).
The up-front cost of the system was more, but my monthly fees are substantially less, I have a more advanced system, and I don't have a long contract. Overall I am happy and would recommend it.
The up-front cost of the system was more, but my monthly fees are substantially less, I have a more advanced system, and I don't have a long contract. Overall I am happy and would recommend it.
Re: Home Security System Options?
I second both the Vista system (mine is a 20P) and Watchlight/Alarm Relay monitoring.
My home was already wired, so installing the new 20P was a snap.
You could come out ahead hiring an electrician (or if you know a friend?) to install a hard-wired system and get your own innexpensive monitoring, vs ADT.
i bought mine from homesecuritystore(dot)com, which also hosts a pretty good bulletin board / FAQ.
My home was already wired, so installing the new 20P was a snap.
You could come out ahead hiring an electrician (or if you know a friend?) to install a hard-wired system and get your own innexpensive monitoring, vs ADT.
i bought mine from homesecuritystore(dot)com, which also hosts a pretty good bulletin board / FAQ.
4X top-twenty S&P 500 prognosticator. I'd start a newsletter, but it would only have one issue per year. |
dumb investor during 1999 tech bubble, current slice & dicer.
- daytona084
- Posts: 909
- Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:47 pm
Re: Home Security System Options?
Best bang for the buck, in my opinion.... purchase the yard sign and/or window stickers available on eBay. Good deterrent, low one-time purchase price, no monthly fees.
Re: Home Security System Options?
Clark Howard recommends http://www.simplisafe.com. I bought it and I like it.
Re: Home Security System Options?
Out of curiousity, it seems like most of these systems do not include very many window sensors. In a lot of cases 3 or 10 (at the very high side). Do people put them on all their windows? I have a ranch house with probably 25+ windows that can open. Would I buy 25?chrikenn wrote:I got the GE Simon XT system from http://www.safemart.com a few months ago and have been very happy so far. They program it before they send it to you, so all you have to do is mount the system (panel on a wall, sensors on doors/windows). Monitoring is much cheaper than ADT, has only a 12-month contract (and month-to-month thereafter), and includes remote monitoring via smartphones or internet (which I think is a substantial extra expense from ADT).
The up-front cost of the system was more, but my monthly fees are substantially less, I have a more advanced system, and I don't have a long contract. Overall I am happy and would recommend it.
Re: Home Security System Options?
you can use a audible glass-break sensor to monitor entire rooms of windows. Many cover up to a 25 foot radius.davebo wrote:Out of curiousity, it seems like most of these systems do not include very many window sensors. In a lot of cases 3 or 10 (at the very high side). Do people put them on all their windows? I have a ranch house with probably 25+ windows that can open. Would I buy 25?chrikenn wrote:I got the GE Simon XT system from http://www.safemart.com a few months ago and have been very happy so far. They program it before they send it to you, so all you have to do is mount the system (panel on a wall, sensors on doors/windows). Monitoring is much cheaper than ADT, has only a 12-month contract (and month-to-month thereafter), and includes remote monitoring via smartphones or internet (which I think is a substantial extra expense from ADT).
The up-front cost of the system was more, but my monthly fees are substantially less, I have a more advanced system, and I don't have a long contract. Overall I am happy and would recommend it.
another option is to use motion sensors inbetween the windows and you, i.e. in a hallway.
4X top-twenty S&P 500 prognosticator. I'd start a newsletter, but it would only have one issue per year. |
dumb investor during 1999 tech bubble, current slice & dicer.
Re: Home Security System Options?
I have to agree, my in-laws had a number of left over stickers and signs that I affixed to my own house. My rationale is that someone coming through the neighborhood would be more likely to focus their efforts on a house which appears to have no security system then one which does.wjwhitney wrote:Best bang for the buck, in my opinion.... purchase the yard sign and/or window stickers available on eBay. Good deterrent, low one-time purchase price, no monthly fees.
Admittedly they will do nothing against a night time invasion, which having a wife and young kids, is what keeps me up at night.
Re: Home Security System Options?
I just spoke with a company that installs systems in my area. The guy was an old-timer and you can tell he kinda looks down upon companies ADT..calling them "Marketing Companies". He said that he matches, for comparison purposes, the packages that ADT offers plus one extra keypad control in the master bedroom. He prices those as $400 + $21/month for monitoring, no contract. That's compared to the $99 install plus $38-$45 that ADT offers. This would be a hardwire system that would breakeven (vs ADT) after about 1.5 years.
He said they typically recommend a couple extra things in most cases....one of them was an outside siren. Outside of that, he says it's kind of up to me how much security I wanted to go with.
The one thing that I'm kinda not sure about is the number of window sensors to go with or if I should even go with them at all. I have a LOT of windows since it's a ranch. He said that window sensors have some limitations in that you obviously can't have the alarm set if you want to sleep with the windows open. If we did sleep with the windows open, he said you could go with "Alarm Screens" that would sound if the screen was broken in any way. He said big outfits don't offer those because they are low-margin. BUT, they cost like $90/window. OUCH!
Lots of choices. I could just go with a motion detector and call it a day for a room.
He said they typically recommend a couple extra things in most cases....one of them was an outside siren. Outside of that, he says it's kind of up to me how much security I wanted to go with.
The one thing that I'm kinda not sure about is the number of window sensors to go with or if I should even go with them at all. I have a LOT of windows since it's a ranch. He said that window sensors have some limitations in that you obviously can't have the alarm set if you want to sleep with the windows open. If we did sleep with the windows open, he said you could go with "Alarm Screens" that would sound if the screen was broken in any way. He said big outfits don't offer those because they are low-margin. BUT, they cost like $90/window. OUCH!
Lots of choices. I could just go with a motion detector and call it a day for a room.
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- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 8:11 am
Re: Home Security System Options?
I use the Frontpoint alarm service. It is totally wireless and does not rely on a phone line. It is a full monitoring system (connected to Police/Fire/Emergency) @ 40 a month. I installed the sensors myself and the website lets you create a custom install package for your home with different types of sensors, cameras, etc. I also use the Interactive monitoring so I can arm/disarm from my phone as well as peek in on the cameras and see the history of doors opened/closed.
For anyone interested, the system also allows for home automation and can control lights remotely and set up lighting schedules to give the appearance of people home. I also control my thermostat remotely and have energy schedules set up. Customer service has been impeccable and on the couple of occasions that I have set off a false alarm, a cruiser was at my front door in about 3 minutes. Gives some nice peace of mind. Have a look.
http://www.frontpointsecurity.com/
Take care,
Rob
For anyone interested, the system also allows for home automation and can control lights remotely and set up lighting schedules to give the appearance of people home. I also control my thermostat remotely and have energy schedules set up. Customer service has been impeccable and on the couple of occasions that I have set off a false alarm, a cruiser was at my front door in about 3 minutes. Gives some nice peace of mind. Have a look.
http://www.frontpointsecurity.com/
Take care,
Rob
Re: Home Security System Options?
Here are some independent reviews of the SimpliSafe Security System.
http://simplisafe.com/clark-howard-disc ... y?pop=true
http://www.diy-guides.com/review-of-sim ... ty-system/
http://gunsafehaven.com/simplisafe-do-i ... -security/
http://simplisafe.com/clark-howard-disc ... y?pop=true
http://www.diy-guides.com/review-of-sim ... ty-system/
http://gunsafehaven.com/simplisafe-do-i ... -security/