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Posted: 5/31/2009 6:30:13 AM EDT
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In addition to a professionally installed & monitored home security system, my parents house has the x10 outdoor motion sensors around the exterior of their house that triggers a chime indoors when someone is on their property. They've had this system for propbably around 15 years and it has always worked without problem.
I live in a luxury highrise with pretty decent security measures already in place. (For example 24 hour front desk and roving security guards, electronic access controlled entrances, and 24 hour monitored & recorded surveillance cameras in all common areas). There has been only one robbery/burglary in nearly 30 years and it was believed to have been committed by someone known to the victim (ex spouse or something like that). Anywho... I'd like to add a small layer of protection to my home. My wife and I travel and usually leave a key with someone to come feed our animals, plants, etc. Sometimes, we'll even have that someone stay in our home. There is always one room that remains under lock & key while we're away. This is the room where we would keep anything we don't want anyone having access to while we're away b/c it contains things like computers, personal files, financial stuff, and of course, my 'toys'.  I really don't need an elaborate home security system - just something to monitor that one room - perhaps with a door and motion sensor. If all it did was call me on my cell if/when the room was ever 'breached', that would probably be sufficient. My immediate response would be to call our 'house sitter' to ensure they didn't 'accidentally' trip the system, and then to call my building security desk. Realistically, a security guard would get to my unit within 2 minutes to 'observe and report' and call the police if necessary.
X10 has a neat little package for $99 that actually has a little more than what I actually need, but for the price, seems worth it. Remember, all I really need is something that will dial my cellphone if a room in my home is breached. I wouldn't necessarily count on a system like this to protect me in a free standing home without all the other security measures I already have with my condo (guards, access control, etc.). I know X10 has always had the 'As Seen On TV' system of security systems and I was just wondering what are people thoughts who've actually used or have experience with one of theses systems. |
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I haven't used any of their security products. All I have experience with is their home automation stuff. The automation stuff is surprisingly excellent. Their website and marketing is, however, shameful. Sometimes you can pick the individual items up for much cheaper elsewhere (eBay, if you use it). Since I've never bought from X10, I can't comment on their service. I think I recall reading that their cameras aren't that great, but I could be wrong. Search around google for reviews on the video products. And you may want to go ahead and create a filter in your email that sends their ads straight to the trash. They send TONS and TONS of ads.  |
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The X10 lamp modules work great but in my 10 years of installing security systems I have never seen an X10 system.That should tell you something.For the most part there are 4 major brands of residential systems Ademco,Dsc,Caddex and ITI personally I believe Ademco is the best but some guys prefer Dsc or one of the others.
Most alarm companys sell a basic system which comes with a control panel 2 openings and a motion.Even tho you just want to secure one room you might as well use the other protection.You should be able to get it installed for around 100.00 and monitored for 30.00 some companys might even give you the equipment for free but you get what you pay for. |
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I wouldn't use X-10 for security. I've rolled my own home security CCTV system, and X-10 wasn't even high enough on my list to warrant a mention.
Here is the thread What I'd do instead is use an IP-based security camera that emails you when it detects motion. Put it in your safe room, hook it up to your home network and power, and be done with it. Some of them even take a flash memory card that will record pictures within the camera. The bad guys may knock out your CCTV system, but they literally have to take the entire camera down and take it with them if they want to avoid any video evidence. The camera ensures that you'd have a picture of the person opening the door, and you'll be able to verify if there was anything to worry about. Video doesn't lie. ETA: the panasonic IP dome camera in that thread (first dome camera pictured) is one such camera. Takes up to a 2GB internal memory card (you have to take the camera down and disassemble it to remove the memory card), and can do all sorts of things based on motion, alarm trigger (like a contact switch on the "safe room" door), etc. |
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