Posted: 11/18/2008 4:42:12 PM EDT
| How many people here have a home security system? If so what type do you have? DIY system or something from Brinks, ADT, etc... If DIY what do recommend? Are there any good forums, websites for DIY home security systems? |
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I have one that I installed myself in 2000, but I was a professional installer and service tech from 1984 through 1987. It's a hard-wired Ademco system with zero false alarms and 100% functionality and uptime for over 8 years now.
Hey, I just now see that you're in Iowa! I've been out of the loop for 20 years so I don't know who the good installation companies are anymore. If you can do home wiring you can probably do a good job installing an alarm system. Let me know if you want more info. If you decide to do your own you just need a basic understanding and then find the right equipment online. |
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First, let me advise you to CAREFULLY read any contracts you get. Those companies are brutal about enforcing the entire life of the contract. I won't say if it is worth having a company take the outbound call from your alarm system or not. Opinions vary. But I had a friend who sold his house and left the USA for good. They didn't care. Pay up bunky.
I call that chickenshit. Personally, and what I actually did, was find a reputable company that installs good security equipment and had them wire my house. Nowadays you don't even need to do that with wireless systems and all. Security is a good idea. Thing is to make the security difficult enough to breech that the swag isn't worth the risk and skill set. In other words, yeah, a world class cat burglar can probably defeat my alarm system, beat my locks, find my safe and open it. But the payout isn't worth his time. It isn't like I keep gold bullion or diamonds in my house. A street punk is unlikely to get past my locks and alarms with out attracting attention. And few of them could beat my safe. |
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They can't steal it if they can't see it. You can also get it with a key fob to set it off during a home invasion. You'll know what's coming, but the BG won't.
Bandit |
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They can't steal it if they can't see it. You can also get it with a key fob to set it off during a home invasion. You'll know what's coming, but the BG won't. Bandit Interesting. I have never seen anything like that before. |
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I purchased my own wireless system from http://www.homesecuritystore.com/. The customer service/support was awesome.
I installed this system in just a couple hours. 
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezStore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=1164 This is the salesperson's contact info if you are interested. He was not pushy at all and very helpful when picking the right system for me. Darryl Rice Sales Department The Home Security Store, Inc. Phone: (888) 501-7870 Ext. 208 Fax: (951) 782-8599 www.homesecuritystore.com After adding on extra sensors and an external siren, I think I paid around $500. The system I have is not monitored by a company. Instead, if the alarm is activated or tampered with I get an automated phone call from the alarm itself stating the alarm is going off. I can then call 911 as necessary. I also have the option to call y house and speak out as if it were a speaker phone and listen in to what is going on. I have had the system for 6 months and have had no problems with it. I also supplement the alarm with a doberman pinscher. 
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2nd owne here- 1st owner installed his own system-Caddx and it is monitored by some online service. No contract or equipment fees to worry about. I have to say from experience the three times I triggered the alarm, Phoenix PD was here in a couple of minutes flat.
System is expandable, upgradeable and programmable. I like it just fine. And I use it religiously. |
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They can't steal it if they can't see it. You can also get it with a key fob to set it off during a home invasion. You'll know what's coming, but the BG won't. Bandit Thats cool as hell. |
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2nd owne here- 1st owner installed his own system-Caddx and it is monitored by some online service. No contract or equipment fees to worry about. I have to say from experience the three times I triggered the alarm, Phoenix PD was here in a couple of minutes flat. System is expandable, upgradeable and programmable. I like it just fine. And I use it religiously. Do you have the installer code? Many companies will not provide you with that info. |
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from what I know about alarm systems the hard wired ones are far superior to the wireless.
we have wireless at work and they are always having malf's and errors. seems radio interference will interrupt the wireless signal. 
my home is alarm hard wired, and hardened. with multiple layers of security from alarms, to dogs to roses outside each window, fences, a safe, and a nasty .45 with speer gold dots, if I'm home and have anything to say about it. 
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I have a DIY X-10 system from X10.com, sets off alarm horns and calls 4 numbers within seconds of being tripped. Cost less than $200 for the console, 3 motion sensors, and a couple supplemental alarm horns.
Has worked fine for 4 years. No component failures. The 4AA batteries in the sensors last over a year, and the console lets you know when the batteries are getting low and they're not reporting to it periodically. As soon as this situation develops, the system won't let you arm it until you acknowledge the sensor is not reporting. Only one false alarm, which was me being dumb and placing a wireless sensor in a spot where the sun hit it later in the fall. Fixed that issue and it's been great. |
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I run a small security company here in Illinois. As mentioned above, try to stay away from wireless. It's better than nothing but in the long run wired will be more efficient.
If you want monitoring (which you should), find a mom and pop monitoring company that won't rape you if you need to cancel your contract. All the national companies will charge you up to 90% of the contract plus a penalty if you try to end it early. Contacting all doors and windows will be better than motion detectors for everyday security. Make sure you have a contact on the inside of your gun safe door or a motion detector inside your safe. There are systems that will call your cell phone or pager in the event of an alarm too. You can install a system yourself fairly easily. If you have any questions shoot me an IM. |
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I have a nice system through Protection One. No land line used, it is cellular, motion, sound, glass breakage and smoke sensors...all monitored.
They even ran separate "zones" for my office and gun safes... I think it is well worth the money. Not to mention three really nasty, very protective German Shepherds. |
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Anyone ever use one of these?
http://www.stopthecrime.com/products.htm |
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How difficult is it to run wires in an already built 2 story house with a finished basement? I would like a wired system but I'm afraid it would cost an arm and leg to have it wrired.
A ranch with no basement wouldn't be too bad. But a 2-story with a finished basement is another story. |
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How difficult is it to run wires in an already built 2 story house with a finished basement? I would like a wired system but I'm afraid it would cost an arm and leg to have it wrired. A ranch with no basement wouldn't be too bad. But a 2-story with a finished basement is another story. Wireless is so much easier for that reason alone. |
