OLDFED
Member
I'm looking for advice based on your experience for a basic home security system to include monitoring. What do you have and your recommendations please. thanks!
Home Security Systems?
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Rugskipper
Member
I went with ADT because my son was a salesman for them at one time. Never really did much comparing, but when my contract runs out, I will be looking at who gives the most bang for the buck. As with any remote monitoring, I consider the system to be a deterrent at best. Check with your homeowners insurance company. Many give a discount if you have one.
Faulkner
Member
I used to work in the field of fire & security systems full time, mostly large commercial systems. When I built my house several years ago I put my own system in (a MOOSE Z1100, though I'm not necessarily recommending that to you) and wanted something effective yet simple. Most nusiance alarms are caused by operator error and not system malfunctions. Keep it simple. Here are a few pointers about what I did;
My house is two levels at about 3100 square feet. I zoned it so I could seperate the system into two areas, perimeter and interior. When no one is home I arm the whole thing. When I'm out of town my wife can arm the perimeter only, which allows her and the kids to move around the house without setting anything off.
Every door and window has a switch and are included in the perimeter zoning. I have several IR motion detectors on the interior zones that mostly have crossing fields of coverage.
I live out in a rural farm area (i.e., boonies) and do not have my system monitored. Waste of money in my opinion. Instead, I have two high dB sirens, one each installed in the highest peaks of my roof pointing east and west. They will wake up the dead at half a mile. I also have two internal piezo audible alarms inside, one in the basement and one on the main floor. I've set my system up so it's very easy for my family to arm and disarm the system and it has never, ever had a false alarm. I have talked to my rural neighbors and they know if they hear my system to call 911.
I also have two hi-viz strobes mounted under the eaves on each end in the front of the house that can be seen from the road for two reasons; 1) If my family comes home and sees them flashing, they know not to come up the driveway, and 2) to help the sheriff's deputy to locate the house quickly when he's responding to a 911 call a my house. The sirens are programmed to operate for 10 minutes then reset, the strobes will flash until manually deactivated at one of the keypads.
With flashing strobes and sirens you'd have to have some sizable cohonies to hang around my place with the system activated. I've never had the opportunity for mine to be used in action, but I have seen several similar systems that have and in each case once the system activated the perpertrator left the scene immediately.
My house is two levels at about 3100 square feet. I zoned it so I could seperate the system into two areas, perimeter and interior. When no one is home I arm the whole thing. When I'm out of town my wife can arm the perimeter only, which allows her and the kids to move around the house without setting anything off.
Every door and window has a switch and are included in the perimeter zoning. I have several IR motion detectors on the interior zones that mostly have crossing fields of coverage.
I live out in a rural farm area (i.e., boonies) and do not have my system monitored. Waste of money in my opinion. Instead, I have two high dB sirens, one each installed in the highest peaks of my roof pointing east and west. They will wake up the dead at half a mile. I also have two internal piezo audible alarms inside, one in the basement and one on the main floor. I've set my system up so it's very easy for my family to arm and disarm the system and it has never, ever had a false alarm. I have talked to my rural neighbors and they know if they hear my system to call 911.
I also have two hi-viz strobes mounted under the eaves on each end in the front of the house that can be seen from the road for two reasons; 1) If my family comes home and sees them flashing, they know not to come up the driveway, and 2) to help the sheriff's deputy to locate the house quickly when he's responding to a 911 call a my house. The sirens are programmed to operate for 10 minutes then reset, the strobes will flash until manually deactivated at one of the keypads.
With flashing strobes and sirens you'd have to have some sizable cohonies to hang around my place with the system activated. I've never had the opportunity for mine to be used in action, but I have seen several similar systems that have and in each case once the system activated the perpertrator left the scene immediately.
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Gutpile Charlie
US Veteran
I've had a monitored system for a little over five years now. In that time, I've had one event, when I was gone, and the police responded to an alarm. Lucily, it was a false alarm, possible a bug walking in front of a motion sensor.
The alarm company called me, I came to the house and let the police in and they did a room to room "clearing". Couldn't have worked better.
By the way, my systems is completely radio, no land line. It has never failed a test.
The alarm company called me, I came to the house and let the police in and they did a room to room "clearing". Couldn't have worked better.
By the way, my systems is completely radio, no land line. It has never failed a test.
JJEH
Member
We have ADT as well. Installation is quick and you have to open your wallet a bit.
But service and advise is just awesome.
AND - if you move you take the system (hardware) with you, because it's a 3 year contract (at least in our case).
But service and advise is just awesome.
AND - if you move you take the system (hardware) with you, because it's a 3 year contract (at least in our case).
G.T. Smith
US Veteran
Do a lot of research. I work in the security industry and have seen many alarm systems defeated rather easily. And I've seen video footage of robbers cleaning out a home/business after they have done so. And guess what the alarm company said? Basically "too bad".
I've said this before, home security must be layered and a complete package. Some put WAY too much faith in alarms and video. IMHO, they aren't enough of a deterance nowdays.
Many people spend a considerable amount of money on alarms and video when they should have spent the money to keep the bad guys out. Or at least make it much harder.
The old saying "if they really want to get in, they will" isn't true any more. There are many ways to stop them cold. Of course, it takes money.
In my home, no alarms, no video. I have the best deadbolts money can buy. Properly installed. Security film on all window glass. A good dog. And firearms.
The only way in is to drive through the front door.
We sleep comfortably at home and when we're away.
Faulkner's advice is excellent. If you can set up your monitoring arrangement as cell vs. landline, you'll have increased your protection immeasurably --- any idiot with any tools to cut your landline (usually exposed at the exterior of your house) can disable your monitoring system, so strobes, sirens, etc, are well worth their cost, and may be your final line of defense. After completely protecting the "perimeter", you may also want to divide interior protective zones, according to your floor plan and habits. For example, if your entire household sleeps on the second floor, you may want a first floor interior zone equipped with various motion detection devices that will alert occupants to an interior intrusion (that has defeated the perimeter system).
Faulkner
Member
I absolutely agree. Though the OP specifically asked about security systems, that is only one part of a security plan.
truckemup97
Member
We had ADT for the contract period, not one day longer. Now a local company had done a couple of upgrades to the system and monitors it for us, for less than half the price. I wish I had called them in the first place. Yeah, I'd have paid quite a bit more for the system, but I would have saved more than that fairly quickly. Plus, I like doing business locally with folks I can talk to face to face.
If you can find an established local company with local monitoring, that would be my first choice. The big guys have centralized locations that may be thousands of miles away.
That said, I couldn't find a local alarm company my last move, so I got ADT because they gave me a USAA discount.
That said, I couldn't find a local alarm company my last move, so I got ADT because they gave me a USAA discount.
I worked in the home security industry for 30 years. For two different major national companies, one of which has received several mentions here. I will not get into who I think was better. Monitoring can be done anywhere - it's local repair service for any system malfunction that is the deciding factor for me. I will say one thing - armadillo is right about ADT and USAA. USAA says jump and ADT jumps. If there are two people that want you at the same time, the USAA person gets preference.
I agree with Faulkner and jkc about a much of what they said in their posts. You must do more than the "free install" or "$99 install" advertised by ADT, Protection One, Stanley, or whatever company that advertises in your area. That gets you 3 contacts and one motion sensor. Big whoopee. Also remember that the actual cost of the install is amortized through the length of that three year monitoring contract - the alarm company breaks even after roughly two years on average - their profit is in that 3rd year, and beyond.
I realize the OP asked about security, but I would be remiss if I didn't bring up the main reason (IMHO) to have a monitored system.
FIRE.
It's great that your 120db siren or your dog(s) scare away an intruder, but Fido or Fifi can't call 911 if, God forbid, a fire breaks out. You certainly don't want your pet trapped inside a burning building if you are gone. I daresay for many of you that would be a more devastating loss than any possession you may have.
I'll stop now before I really get going...
I agree with Faulkner and jkc about a much of what they said in their posts. You must do more than the "free install" or "$99 install" advertised by ADT, Protection One, Stanley, or whatever company that advertises in your area. That gets you 3 contacts and one motion sensor. Big whoopee. Also remember that the actual cost of the install is amortized through the length of that three year monitoring contract - the alarm company breaks even after roughly two years on average - their profit is in that 3rd year, and beyond.
I realize the OP asked about security, but I would be remiss if I didn't bring up the main reason (IMHO) to have a monitored system.
FIRE.
It's great that your 120db siren or your dog(s) scare away an intruder, but Fido or Fifi can't call 911 if, God forbid, a fire breaks out. You certainly don't want your pet trapped inside a burning building if you are gone. I daresay for many of you that would be a more devastating loss than any possession you may have.
I'll stop now before I really get going...
Well, that's obvious.
In my professional experience, I see people every day that rely solely on good ole electronics to save the day.
You know as well as I do that alarm systems are your second to last line of defense. The TV commercials don't tell you that. They are in fact misleading while providing a false sense of security.
Like I said, I see and help people every day that get robbed or burgled because of this false sense of security.
Just trying to help. Your experience may vary.
Brian41
Member
We've had ADT for the last ten years. In that time twice we've had false alarms from glass breakage sensors I suspect the dog somehow set off. Both times the local police responded and found the house secure and I received a call from the alarm company to go meet them.
Once before we moved in someone kicked in the garage service door and set off the alarm. The horn scared him off and my neighbor got a look at the truck but couldn't read the plate number.
They are worth having in my opinion but as said only part of your home security.
We set ours at night too when we're sleeping as a notice to us should anyone attempt to break in as the dog died. In a home invasion I suspect it would alert the police to come make a report as we rely on S&W for home security then.
Once before we moved in someone kicked in the garage service door and set off the alarm. The horn scared him off and my neighbor got a look at the truck but couldn't read the plate number.
They are worth having in my opinion but as said only part of your home security.
We set ours at night too when we're sleeping as a notice to us should anyone attempt to break in as the dog died. In a home invasion I suspect it would alert the police to come make a report as we rely on S&W for home security then.
JJEH
Member
Interesting post. Can you please give more advise about these deadbolts?
Steve in Vermont
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We installed a Honeywell wireless system many years ago and use it daily. Sensors on two main doors and a motion sensor in the living room. Connected into the phone system which goes to our cell phone, plus an internal siren comes on as do the interior lights. The cost of this system in now between $ 200 and $ 300 with extra sensors for fire and glass, etc. Very simple to install, we have the main panel on our dresser in the bedroom, and activate it every night as we go to bed. What alarm system you buy depends on many factors, such as the crime rate in your area, location of neighbors, and what you have to protect. Most burglars will run at the hint of any alarm, they're the druggies looking for a quick buck. The pros, they will concentrate on more expensive homes with expensive toys.
1 old 0311
Member
I would assume that installing an alarm system would be much easier and more comprehensive in a "new" build as opposed to an existing house. How do the wireless systems work?
Steve in Vermont
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You start with a "console", plug it in, installed a 9V battery for backup, then install the (wireless) accessories. Each one, for the windows, motion detectors, fire, etc, need 2 AAA batteries, that's it. No wires to run other than to a phone jack
(if you want to connect to a phone, it's optional). There's a hand remote to activate and disarm the system from anywhere inside or outside the house. A remote siren plugs into a wall outlet and that powers it. It's then a matter of programming the unit which is very simple. When activated some lights in the home will start flashing (a separate accessory runs this) and the siren comes on (both remote and on the console). Trust me, when you accidentally set it off it gets plenty of attention and 30 seconds later your cell phone will ring stating "Home security system has been activated", over and over.
billdeserthills
Member
As a locksmith/gun dealer in AZ I have the best deadbolts I can get mounted on my home & business. That didn't stop someone from breaking into my house last month, but it does assure me that I will find an actual break-in, not someone simply picking or bump keying open my lock. I have seen many break ins over the last 20 years. Here in Arizona like most places glass is used in large amounts, so anyone with a rock has a way into your home or business. Many times it is obvious that even with an alarm, the robber still has 15 minutes or more to ransack your property.
A combination of high security locks (medeco, assa, ect...) plus a security system, I added a gas deployment alarm to my shop from Burglar Bomb Anti Burglary Pepper Spray Systems, protect your home using pepper spray
The only other thing would be a doggy, although I have heard that a $1.00 pack of chicken franks at the store can compromise the dog.
