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i have ADT and have been entirely pleased
Home security systems
- Thread starter D Binx
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Rastoff
US Veteran
Why? How many times has the system saved you from burglary or fire?
dogngun
US Veteran
Well, I own my old house on the edge of a small but nasty city with several imported drug gangs and assorted local idiots.
I have a steel front door with 3 locks- I have the only keys - a 6' high wooden fence around the yard with 2 padlocked gates and solar lights...but my alarm system consists of my dogs Jasper, a Lab/Rottweiler at 110 pounds and Rocco, a Lab/Spaniel at 74 pounds.
They wake up the old man with the Mossberg 500 and the 2 Ruger .357 magnums, and then it hits the fan.
mark
I have a steel front door with 3 locks- I have the only keys - a 6' high wooden fence around the yard with 2 padlocked gates and solar lights...but my alarm system consists of my dogs Jasper, a Lab/Rottweiler at 110 pounds and Rocco, a Lab/Spaniel at 74 pounds.
They wake up the old man with the Mossberg 500 and the 2 Ruger .357 magnums, and then it hits the fan.
mark
Here is something to think about, for what it's worth. A local gun shop here had every possible protection system in place, alarms, cameras inside and out, and a direct line to the police dept. about one mile away. The crook came at about 2 am smash the glass in the front door and cleaned out the handgun case, 14 guns worth 8500.00. It took the cops only 4 minutes to get there, way to long. A total of 45 seconds to get in and out and a stroll through the back parking lot.
Bottom line, if they want your stuff bad enough, they're going to get it.
Bottom line, if they want your stuff bad enough, they're going to get it.
Brian41
Member
My service door to the garage got kicked in just prior to our moving here when my buddy owned the place. ADT called the police who responded very quickly but the outside alarm horn scared the burglar away. Neighbor saw him drive off and gave a description to the police but too late to catch him.
Cost was a new service door which the insurance company covered and some shook up cats. No the alarm didn't catch the bad guy but it saved a lot in way of robbery.
Cost was a new service door which the insurance company covered and some shook up cats. No the alarm didn't catch the bad guy but it saved a lot in way of robbery.
OP
D Binx
Member
That's the biggest reason why I want one. While I know a burglar can get in if they really want to, they don't like the attention of a loud alarm and having one will serve as an initial deterrent. I like being able to make my residence less attractive to a burglar by having an alarm.
joesmith357
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I agree with this guy, if they want it they are going to get it.
Now a couple things with this: the guy who hit the gun store knew exactly what he was going for. The average cat burglar does not know what is in the house, they are in it for a quick smash and grab. They usually come in through a low window or sliding glass door. A loud audible siren on a home security system will likely compel them to leave fairly quickly. But if they see a large gun safe, they might be back.
An observation about the gun store robbery: They left their guns in the case overnight? In my experiences with gun shops, that's a big no-no. Everything in the cases goes in the safe(s) at nights, or some have hardened display cases with roll-down doors for long guns.
I personally experienced a burglary a few years ago. I did not have an alarm, or gun safe at the time. I was on vacation, thousands of miles away, so that pretty much ruined my vacation. When I got back, I was relieved that they did not take much. But I immediately got an alarm. I met with several different alarm companies, but ended up going with a local company. ADT seemed all smoke and mirrors and high pressure tactics to me. My system is also wireless, AND cellular, it does not depend on a land line to work. Also I made a point to have an external siren installed. Apparently most now do not have this by default, you have to ask for it, I actually had to pay an additional charge, but it was worth it.
1bdvet
US Veteran
I have hard wire, wasn't impressed with wireless, and I used cell phone to call the central house, then using phone line ever since I got U-Verse were all they have to do is cut little wire going into the house to kill out going signal.
To be honest I have ADT home security and have the video camera package as well around my house and never had any problems with ADT or they're customer service whats so ever. When I first had the package installed the installer from ADT came out showed me how the package worked via my iPhone, Macbook Pro and iPad. I really do enjoy they're service I am paying $53.49 for home wireless security and video camera.
the ringo kid
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I dont have a "real" alarm system but I used to live at a place that I placed a "fake company" sticker in the window of my front door-a couple other windows and a fake yard sign--never had any probs.
OP
D Binx
Member
I just called my apartment to double check if they allow wireless security alarms and the lady there said they don't have any problems with them. So as of now I think I'll get the wireless ADT system unless I have better luck finding a good local company before my move-in date.
Rastoff
US Veteran
Yes, this is a perfect example of what not to do. He left thousands of dollars worth of guns unprotected. Why wasn't there any bars on the door ans why weren't the guns in a safe? These two minor changes and the outcome would have been different.
Alarms are great, but they only notify the police that stuff is already gone. Further, cops don't respond with urgency to home alarms because most are false.
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obviously,you have no idea...i have over 30 years as a LEO/investigator and have seen over and over that alarms can and do work...not perfect always but they do work...how about you?
.455_Hunter
Member
My family has used an ADT system for 6 years and are very pleased with the results. We have a wireless system with cell phone only communication- no phone lines to get cut. Their sales tactics and customer service have been very professional. The only "false" alarms we experienced occurred when a motion detector battery level dropped too low, and was promptly replaced. The system worked as intended when the back door has blown open from the wind (not latched properly), or when I asked my brother to stop buy and forgot to give him the code.
The key reason why we like the alarm is that it provides an additional layer of protection and perhaps a few more seconds of notice in case somebody broke in during the night. Don't relay on alarms alone!
We will definitely get a new ADT system when we move, and I am recommending them for my parent's new house as well.
The key reason why we like the alarm is that it provides an additional layer of protection and perhaps a few more seconds of notice in case somebody broke in during the night. Don't relay on alarms alone!
We will definitely get a new ADT system when we move, and I am recommending them for my parent's new house as well.
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Yes, I do you have an alarm security systems in my home and I'm currently using motion sensor security lighting since 12 years and till now I didn't find any kind of problem, previously I had ADT but it didn't me nay kind of good results.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I never said they don't work. What I was asking is why a particular person was happy with their system.
Alarms are like insurance; you have no idea how good they are until you have a need. I've made several claims on my insurance so, I can tell you they're good based on that experience. If the alarm company in question was never called upon, how can you say they're any good?
I've personally seen loud alarm systems send criminals running. This is a good thing. However, it shows nothing about the particular company. Only that a loud noise disturbed some low life scum.
I've also witnessed police response to home alarms. Some good and some not so good. I'll stand by my statement that an alarm only notifies the police that stuff is already gone. Has one ever lead the police to catch a criminal in the act? If so, I'll bet it was a silent alarm and the cop was already within 1/2 mile.
Again, alarms are great, but due diligence is better.
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We used to have ADT but switched over to a Local Company 18 years ago. They are less costly, have better installers, better service, and issued us a service contract for a very reasonable fee. They have more than exceeded our expectations, and the owner (a local resident) is always there when needed.
He did advise me that as advanced as the wireless systems have become over the last few years, the best way to go is still hard wired. Nothing to foul up with all the radio waves, remote controls, and neighbors near by. We listened and have not had any issues at all.
Some parts of the alarm system to consider:
* hard wired smoke detectors
* hard wired heat detectors
* hard wired low temp. detectors
* water (on the floor) detectors
* panic switch in the bed room
* a separate keypad for your gun safe or room with a separate code.
He did advise me that as advanced as the wireless systems have become over the last few years, the best way to go is still hard wired. Nothing to foul up with all the radio waves, remote controls, and neighbors near by. We listened and have not had any issues at all.
Some parts of the alarm system to consider:
* hard wired smoke detectors
* hard wired heat detectors
* hard wired low temp. detectors
* water (on the floor) detectors
* panic switch in the bed room
* a separate keypad for your gun safe or room with a separate code.
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audible alarms,at least in this area are a thing of the past....police response is based on number of staff and priority of calls for service...you state u have seen a police response....i was the response for over 30 years and can say many,many ppl.are locked up due to alarms (silent and audible) the last burglar i caught on premise was at a very loud audible alarm....he told me he thought that noise was a passing fire truck so...your statement clearly holds no water...
my alarm system pays its own rent by way of my lowered insurance costs for alarm installation
you may not have any idea how efficient your system is,i on the other hand have a very clear idea how mine in fact is...
i agree as to your remark regarding dilligence however....whats your dilligence when you are away from home?friends etc.checking is added security but i'll be keeping my security sys.on
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Rastoff
US Veteran
Are audible alarms illegal where you live?
As you say, police response is not necessary, but a decision based on availability and priority. This is what I'm driving at. Like I said, alarms are great, but not the whole answer.
I know people who believe they are safe because they have a gun. Even though they've never shot that gun and really have no idea how to defend themselves. I also know people who don't lock their doors because they have an alarm system. Yes, that's right, it's not just criminals who are stupid. And that's what I'm driving at. You still have to lock your doors and secure your valuables.
I'm glad that you responded with gusto to every alarm call you had. I'm also glad you caught several bad guys.
