Armory Sponsor
Posted: 4/20/2011 2:04:32 PM EDT
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Howdy everyone,
I am having an alarm company come over to my house on friday to do an installation quote for a new security system. I am new to these and don't know what questions to ask. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks |
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Also find out how long the "introductory" monitoring price is going to last, and how high the monitoring fee is going to go once that time period runs out. Whether you OWN the system they are installing, or if THEY still own it and you are only paying to have it's use and monitoring.
Glass break sensors, window/door sensors, panic alarm, time period before the alarm goes off, if the alarm company will try and call 3 or 4 numbers for you and your significant other BEFORE they actually call the police? Or do they call the police directly if you direct them to do so? Option 2 is better for when you ACTUALLY have a break-in, but can also end up in alarm charges from your local law enforcement for false alarms. Don't forget to check with your local LE about an alarm permit or registration so that they will actually respond if called as well. |
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Quoted: Wireless are ok systems if that is your only choice. Hard wired means never having to change batteries which is nice. The other advantage to hard wired is reverse compatibility. If they move to a new generation of wirelss, most manufacturers do not make the next generation backwards compatible. Also beware of the all in one wireless units that ADT advertises. If a crook breaks in and smashes the unit your systems is worthless. What are the pros and cons of a wireless system? I know that the pros are easier installation and cleaner install but what about reliability? Do they hold up or can they be jammed or hacked by an outside source? |
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Wireless systems are much easier to install. The are also easier to add sensors to and modify. If someone has the technology to "jam" or override your remote system, they have the technology to get past a wired system as well.
As far as jamming goes. It isn't that difficult to cut your land line. If you have a cell backup how hard do you think it will be to jam that signal? What do you think the odds are of a burglar using jamming equipment vs. just kicking the door down and grabbing what he can fast while the alarms are ringing. One disadvantage I've found with mine is batteries for sensors aren't AA or AAA (I can't remember what type they are). I once had the control panel tell me the battery was low, I figured I'd worry about it later. I set the alarm and left. It went off. Before I left the parking lot a fire truck showed up. |
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I have had three different alarm systems in three different homes. They all worked for a few exceptions. The monitoring system was a total waste of money. The few times the alarm went off no one showed up. It would have been better have a camera system than to have the authorities come by. The second was that I never had glass break detectors installed. Nice to have an alarm system when the window is opened but not when it is broken to get into your home. |
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I've been reading about alarm systems for months as I prepared to move into a new home and wanted it done right. I decided to purchase my own hardware, a Honeywell Vista-21iP system, and pay someone to do the installation. I can now attach it to a monitoring service of my choice and hope to save a little money that way. The system I mentioned is a hybrid, meaning it supports both wireless and wired connections, which is exactly what I wanted. |
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Ok here is the info on the system
DSC Alexor three zone wireless contacts 4 motion detectors 2 slim line contacts 4 button wireless key fob wireless glass break wireless key pad Total amount 981.60 with a 21$ a month monitoring fee. Cellular is a little more with a 40$ monitoring fee. That is what the invoice says so what do you think? |
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Quoted: That is pretty high in my view for a wireless system. The monitoring at $21 is cheap, but the cell is a bit high. Most companies charge between $10-15 more for cell backup, we charge $15, but it is a leased only item and we replace it for free if it goes bad. If your going wireless you can buy the equipment and install it yourself and just pay them to program it. Many companies will program and hook it up for free if they get a 5yr monitoring contract.Ok here is the info on the system DSC Alexor three zone wireless contacts 4 motion detectors 2 slim line contacts 4 button wireless key fob wireless glass break wireless key pad Total amount 981.60 with a 21$ a month monitoring fee. Cellular is a little more with a 40$ monitoring fee. That is what the invoice says so what do you think? |
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Too high. Get more estimates. Find a company a trusted friend recommends.
Also call the PD with jurisdiction and ask their protocol for alarm response. In some jursdictions, the priority is so low that it will take hours for an alarm response. Some won't even come out unless the owner meets them at the residence. How much is your alarm worth if the cops don't show? I monitor my alarm. It will call up to 4 people. Those people are armed with a short response time. 
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I recently installed the DSC 1832 kit for someone which is a hardwire system with a wireless ready keypad. (The keypad is the wireless transciever) It has all the items you have listed except the glass break and motion detectors are hardwired. In addition they went with all hardwired sensors on the outside doors, one additional motion detect, an outside strobe light, and 120db horn in the attic, and a piggyback output card to open the garage door via the keyfobs, control the strobe, control the armed indicator led mounted above the garage door, and extra horn in the attic. The wireless contacts were only used on inside doors. With three keyfobs and all the wiring and misc. the materials cost was ~$700.
I'd say from your quote they are doing cost plus. The materials they have will run them about $400 and they will probably spend maybe 5~6 hours for the install. The thing is it seems a lot of installers push the wireless systems because they are much easier to install. The good thing about the 1832 kit (or one like it) is that it is a hybrid system. You could buy it and install it yourself and not use any of the hardwire zones. You would have to install EOL resistors for the zones in the panel but just disable the hardwire zones in the program. If you have a garage door I recommend using the keyfob for opening the garage and disable/remove the remotes from any vehicles parked outside. That way no one can break in a vehicle and gain access to your garage for a quick smash and grab. This may be a non-issue for you though. |
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Ok here is an update. I called the company and the items I listed were additional items added on top of the basic kit. The basic kit comes with a panel, siren, motion detector, etc etc. I called around to two other companies and the one was 699 for the basic kit and the other company was 399 but they didnt include all of the items in the kit I listed. Their monitoring costs were also a bit higher than the original one.
So from that I guess its not that bad of a deal when you compare it to the other local options. |
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Ive been in the alarm business for about 5 years now. I have worked for two different alarm companies. I would recommend that you check out Vivint. They were previously APX and I worked with them for three years in the past and the only reason Im with a different company is because the other company pays better. Vivint has all wireless equipment (which is top of the line), cameras, automatic door locks and thermostats that all link up to the alarm and can be controlled by your smart phone or computer. All the equipment is free(there is a limit) you get one camera, one lock, one thermostat and your sensors for free. I believe the monitoring for all this is around $62 a month with a $198 activation and $0 installation. Dont quote me on the exact numbers. Like I said I dont work with them anymore but I would HIGHLY recommend them. Also they do their own monitoring.
Send me a PM and ill set you up with one of their reps. Very nice guy who will get you what you need. |
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Quoted: I respectfully disagree with you about APX/Vivint. APX receives many complaints to attorney generals in states. In fact i believe it was the state of Washington who barred them from doing business there. The equipment they use is by no means "top of the line" in fact it is no different than the entry level equipment we sell geared towards mobile homes and apartments. Last year they hit my city and went around telling my customers that they represented us and were trying to sell cellular back up units! Basically these guys would say they were working with whatever yard sign was in the front yard! As for them doing their own monitoring, that is partially false. They regularly try to sell off their low credit score accounts to large monitoring companies. I have been in the alarm business my whole life and now run the company my father founded in 1957, so I do know what I'm talking about.Ive been in the alarm business for about 5 years now. I have worked for two different alarm companies. I would recommend that you check out Vivint. They were previously APX and I worked with them for three years in the past and the only reason Im with a different company is because the other company pays better. Vivint has all wireless equipment (which is top of the line), cameras, automatic door locks and thermostats that all link up to the alarm and can be controlled by your smart phone or computer. All the equipment is free(there is a limit) you get one camera, one lock, one thermostat and your sensors for free. I believe the monitoring for all this is around $62 a month with a $198 activation and $0 installation. Dont quote me on the exact numbers. Like I said I dont work with them anymore but I would HIGHLY recommend them. Also they do their own monitoring. Send me a PM and ill set you up with one of their reps. Very nice guy who will get you what you need. Do a google check for "APX scam" and see what you find. Syracuse, New York bans APX http://www.9wsyr.com/content/news/real_deal/story/APX-Alarm-faces-even-more-scrutiny-The-Real-Deal/dRM2dl2xI0WfyhSwjDdJqg.cspx There is even a web site for those ripped off by APX http://apxalarmstories.blogspot.com/ |
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Ive been in the alarm business for about 5 years now. I have worked for two different alarm companies. I would recommend that you check out Vivint. They were previously APX and I worked with them for three years in the past and the only reason Im with a different company is because the other company pays better. Vivint has all wireless equipment (which is top of the line), cameras, automatic door locks and thermostats that all link up to the alarm and can be controlled by your smart phone or computer. All the equipment is free(there is a limit) you get one camera, one lock, one thermostat and your sensors for free. I believe the monitoring for all this is around $62 a month with a $198 activation and $0 installation. Dont quote me on the exact numbers. Like I said I dont work with them anymore but I would HIGHLY recommend them. Also they do their own monitoring. Send me a PM and ill set you up with one of their reps. Very nice guy who will get you what you need. I respectfully disagree with you about APX/Vivint. APX receives many complaints to attorney generals in states. In fact i believe it was the state of Washington who barred them from doing business there. The equipment they use is by no means "top of the line" in fact it is no different than the entry level equipment we sell geared towards mobile homes and apartments. Last year they hit my city and went around telling my customers that they represented us and were trying to sell cellular back up units! Basically these guys would say they were working with whatever yard sign was in the front yard! As for them doing their own monitoring, that is partially false. They regularly try to sell off their low credit score accounts to large monitoring companies. I have been in the alarm business my whole life and now run the company my father founded in 1957, so I do know what I'm talking about. Do a google check for "APX scam" and see what you find.
Syracuse, New York bans APX http://www.9wsyr.com/content/news/real_deal/story/APX-Alarm-faces-even-more-scrutiny-The-Real-Deal/dRM2dl2xI0WfyhSwjDdJqg.cspx There is even a web site for those ripped off by APX http://apxalarmstories.blogspot.com/ I will also respectfully disagree. I understand your trying to promote your own business and I agree with you that there are some reps out there that are very shady and are just trying to make a sale and they don't care about the customer. I however am not promoting my own company and don't even work for the company that I am recommending. With any door to door sales there will be huge complaints and it is almost always the sales reps that are responsible. Vivint is a very good company and yes they do their own monitoring and I think I would know that since I worked for them for 4 years. The equipment is top of the line as far as residential and we haven't had a problem with them yet. The equipment they use is called 2gig and the company I am with now uses the same stuff as well as GE equipment. But like I said I'm not promoting my own business. If you call vivint or talk to the representative that I recommended you will be taken care of and won't have to deal with any shady door to door guy. Check out their website. The whole scam thing that you find is all due to the shady reps and has nothing to do with the company itself. Trust me when I say that the company fires guys that's are being shady. |
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Quoted: Well when a company finds it necessary to change it's name to try to shed a bad reputation I find the company as a whole to be suspect. Maybe when you worked for them you tried to do things right, but the companies strategy as a whole is strong arm, anything to get the sale. If the company were so good why are there states that ban them from sellingi their state? By the way I did not and am not "promoting" my company in any way in this thread. I simply laid out my credentials so that anyone who reads this will know I am what I say I am. I will say that if I found any of my employees doing what these guys do they would be canned so fast their head would spin! One last thing, last year they went to one of my customers representing themselves as working for me. I called APX and informed them of what was going on. I was assured that they would contact that salesman (I had his ID number and name) and tell him to stop. I guess they never called because the next day I got more calls from customers about the same thing. I will say that their strong arm tactics did sell quite a few back up communicators.Quoted: Quoted: Ive been in the alarm business for about 5 years now. I have worked for two different alarm companies. I would recommend that you check out Vivint. They were previously APX and I worked with them for three years in the past and the only reason Im with a different company is because the other company pays better. Vivint has all wireless equipment (which is top of the line), cameras, automatic door locks and thermostats that all link up to the alarm and can be controlled by your smart phone or computer. All the equipment is free(there is a limit) you get one camera, one lock, one thermostat and your sensors for free. I believe the monitoring for all this is around $62 a month with a $198 activation and $0 installation. Dont quote me on the exact numbers. Like I said I dont work with them anymore but I would HIGHLY recommend them. Also they do their own monitoring. Send me a PM and ill set you up with one of their reps. Very nice guy who will get you what you need. I respectfully disagree with you about APX/Vivint. APX receives many complaints to attorney generals in states. In fact i believe it was the state of Washington who barred them from doing business there. The equipment they use is by no means "top of the line" in fact it is no different than the entry level equipment we sell geared towards mobile homes and apartments. Last year they hit my city and went around telling my customers that they represented us and were trying to sell cellular back up units! Basically these guys would say they were working with whatever yard sign was in the front yard! As for them doing their own monitoring, that is partially false. They regularly try to sell off their low credit score accounts to large monitoring companies. I have been in the alarm business my whole life and now run the company my father founded in 1957, so I do know what I'm talking about. Do a google check for "APX scam" and see what you find. Syracuse, New York bans APX http://www.9wsyr.com/content/news/real_deal/story/APX-Alarm-faces-even-more-scrutiny-The-Real-Deal/dRM2dl2xI0WfyhSwjDdJqg.cspx There is even a web site for those ripped off by APX http://apxalarmstories.blogspot.com/ I will also respectfully disagree. I understand your trying to promote your own business and I agree with you that there are some reps out there that are very shady and are just trying to make a sale and they don't care about the customer. I however am not promoting my own company and don't even work for the company that I am recommending. With any door to door sales there will be huge complaints and it is almost always the sales reps that are responsible. Vivint is a very good company and yes they do their own monitoring and I think I would know that since I worked for them for 4 years. The equipment is top of the line as far as residential and we haven't had a problem with them yet. The equipment they use is called 2gig and the company I am with now uses the same stuff as well as GE equipment. But like I said I'm not promoting my own business. If you call vivint or talk to the representative that I recommended you will be taken care of and won't have to deal with any shady door to door guy. Check out their website. The whole scam thing that you find is all due to the shady reps and has nothing to do with the company itself. Trust me when I say that the company fires guys that's are being shady. If anyone needs more proof, I am sure if I were to dig I could find much more: State of Oregon fines them for $60k for strong arm tactics with the elderly. http://www.walletpop.com/2010/04/30/apx-alarm-security-fined-for-misleading-pressuring-seniors/ From Arkansas http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/157533/2/On-Assignment-Over-aggressive-home-security-salesmen-in-Little-Rock |
| Look all I'm saying is that the company itself does not at all promote "strong arm tactics." Its the sales reps that are responsible for the bad reputation. The company trains the reps very well but for some reason there are a few reps out of the bunch that feel the need to lie to make a sale. And by you calling it probably did get him fired but you has to understand is they have around 30 reps in every major city across the US. They have over 100 offices. |
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Vivint has all wireless equipment (which is top of the line) This doesn't quite add up. Wireless is a nice addition as a back up to a real "top of the line" system which is hardwired and tamper protected. Actually all of the wireless sensors have a tamper switch inside in case someone tries to break it. The panel also has a tamper switch on it in case someone tries to get inside it to cut power or unhook the cell unit. Also I was not saying the system itself is top of the line but the wireless sensors are top of the line as far as wireless goes. Honestly I cannot remember a single hard wired system that is tamper protected and I can tell you most companies dont tamper protect them. I install systems every day and have done thousands of takeovers where the customer is being monitored and I unhook their system and their monitoring company has no idea that I am even there. With the company I work for and vivint, if the cell unit is ever unlinked we will know about it within minutes and will immediately call the customer to make sure things are ok. |
Right here  is the main problem with APX/Vivint. Here we have the systems they install. Totally wireless devices, which are not a bad thing. The weakness is that the panel and touch pad are combined. You can tamper this, but if a crook smashes this item before it can transmit your done! The cell card resides inside this housing, so when one gets destroyed so too for it. What they sell is not real security. |
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Right here http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/DEG169/readyguard_honeywell.jpg is the main problem with APX/Vivint. Here we have the systems they install. Totally wireless devices, which are not a bad thing. The weakness is that the panel and touch pad are combined. You can tamper this, but if a crook smashes this item before it can transmit your done! The cell card resides inside this housing, so when one gets destroyed so too for it. What they sell is not real security. Sorry thats what we installed three years ago. We have a much better panel now. The Lynx was the worst. Though you are right in saying that the crook can just smash it, I do have to say that he would have to have a sledge hammer to do so because simply stomping on it wont work. They can still do the same with the vista cans in the basements. I can get into one of those without a key in under 15 seconds. Keys for those are readily available online and crooks know that, and once inside the vista box all you have to do is unplug the RJ block. If its cellular, the ginormous white cell unit is usually on the outside and all you have to do is pop it open cut power and battery power and your set. Each system has ways to get by them and anyone with a brain can get by them. The reason we install the wireless equipment is because it is much faster to install (usually an hour), we literally put no holes in the house, and the customer usually prefers them. |
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Right here http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/DEG169/readyguard_honeywell.jpg is the main problem with APX/Vivint. Here we have the systems they install. Totally wireless devices, which are not a bad thing. The weakness is that the panel and touch pad are combined. You can tamper this, but if a crook smashes this item before it can transmit your done! The cell card resides inside this housing, so when one gets destroyed so too for it. What they sell is not real security. Sorry thats what we installed three years ago. We have a much better panel now. snip... I thought you didn't work for Vivint any longer? 
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Right here http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/DEG169/readyguard_honeywell.jpg is the main problem with APX/Vivint. Here we have the systems they install. Totally wireless devices, which are not a bad thing. The weakness is that the panel and touch pad are combined. You can tamper this, but if a crook smashes this item before it can transmit your done! The cell card resides inside this housing, so when one gets destroyed so too for it. What they sell is not real security. Sorry thats what we installed three years ago. We have a much better panel now. snip... I thought you didn't work for Vivint any longer? I dont. I worked with them the last three years and this year im with a different company who also does the new panel. |
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Out of curiosity what is the "new" panel, and what company do you now work for? Oh and your statement about being able to defeat a traditional hard wired panel is not true for the most part. If the alarm company did their job right after the crook triggered the EE, they would have to pass through interior zones which would trigger the alarm instantly. While the regular dialer may take 15 seconds to dial and transmit the alarm a cellular is much faster. We always tell customers that an alarm will not stop a committed thief from getting things, it will limit the amount of items that can be stolen. |
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Out of curiosity what is the "new" panel, and what company do you now work for? Oh and your statement about being able to defeat a traditional hard wired panel is not true for the most part. If the alarm company did their job right after the crook triggered the EE, they would have to pass through interior zones which would trigger the alarm instantly. While the regular dialer may take 15 seconds to dial and transmit the alarm a cellular is much faster. We always tell customers that an alarm will not stop a committed thief from getting things, it will limit the amount of items that can be stolen. If you would have read my first post to the OP, it say the equipment we use is the 2gig GoControl panel. That is the only one Vivint uses. The company I work for (who I will not say because Im obviously recommending a different company) also uses the 2gig. If my statement is not true then how come I do it every single day when we takeover existing ADT systems, Brinks and many other small alarm companies? The thing about your statement is that most systems have a entry delay which is usually 30-45 seconds giving someone inside the right amount of time to break into the hardwire box and unplug the phone line inside, whereas with the wireless system we have has a tamper switch inside the panel that triggers an alarm and sends immediately. Most people with motions do not want them on instant mode either and most hard wired motions are not pet immune like the wireless are. Granted I will say the pet immune is a loose term and some pets can set them off. You are right about your last statement but like I said I have taken over many many customers existing equipment currently being monitored and the company never knew that I was ever there until the customer calls to cancel. It is easy to unhook if you know what your doing. Like I said each system has its quirks. |
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Quoted: All I can say is WOW! Any company that knows what it's doing puts interior motions on an interior zone. If the system is armed is the away mode which most are when your gone then the interior zone will go instant when tripped unless it is programmed to be an interior follower. As far as there being no pet friendly motions that are not wireless only as you claim that is utter bullshit! They were invented long before any wireless pet friendly motions came into existence. In regards to the tamper switches, they are included with every kit sold. Any company that does not use a tamper switch is disreputable. Quoted: Out of curiosity what is the "new" panel, and what company do you now work for? Oh and your statement about being able to defeat a traditional hard wired panel is not true for the most part. If the alarm company did their job right after the crook triggered the EE, they would have to pass through interior zones which would trigger the alarm instantly. While the regular dialer may take 15 seconds to dial and transmit the alarm a cellular is much faster. We always tell customers that an alarm will not stop a committed thief from getting things, it will limit the amount of items that can be stolen. If you would have read my first post to the OP, it say the equipment we use is the 2gig GoControl panel. That is the only one Vivint uses. The company I work for (who I will not say because Im obviously recommending a different company) also uses the 2gig. If my statement is not true then how come I do it every single day when we takeover existing ADT systems, Brinks and many other small alarm companies? The thing about your statement is that most systems have a entry delay which is usually 30-45 seconds giving someone inside the right amount of time to break into the hardwire box and unplug the phone line inside, whereas with the wireless system we have has a tamper switch inside the panel that triggers an alarm and sends immediately. Most people with motions do not want them on instant mode either and most hard wired motions are not pet immune like the wireless are. Granted I will say the pet immune is a loose term and some pets can set them off. You are right about your last statement but like I said I have taken over many many customers existing equipment currently being monitored and the company never knew that I was ever there until the customer calls to cancel. It is easy to unhook if you know what your doing. Like I said each system has its quirks. |
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Ask them if you will be given the master or installer codes. Some company's have it written into their contracts that they own the codes and you can't have them. This locks you into using them for system maintenance and monitoring. I will not give installer codes out. What happens if the customer, who is most likely not an expert with the equipment, make one accidental change that causes a malfunction? A single misguided keystroke could cause the system to fail to report properly and result in a huge mess. What if they accidentally change one digit and when there alarm send a signal it shows as a completely different alarm miles away? Is the guy going to admit his culpability when his alarm goes off and the cops or fire company show up at an address 20 mile or 200 miles away? |
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Ask them if you will be given the master or installer codes. Some company's have it written into their contracts that they own the codes and you can't have them. This locks you into using them for system maintenance and monitoring. I will not give installer codes out. What happens if the customer, who is most likely not an expert with the equipment, make one accidental change that causes a malfunction? A single misguided keystroke could cause the system to fail to report properly and result in a huge mess. What if they accidentally change one digit and when there alarm send a signal it shows as a completely different alarm miles away? Is the guy going to admit his culpability when his alarm goes off and the cops or fire company show up at an address 20 mile or 200 miles away? I agree with what you are saying, no doubt. I imagine very few people understand alarm system wiring, EOL resistors, tamper circuits, etc. If I installed alarm systems for a living I wouldn't give out the codes either.
My concern is with companies that sell the install and force people into contracts with their monitoring service. What if the customer wants to switch monitoring services? Some customers are fine with being stuck with company "X" but this being a technical forum and all I like for people to be aware that certain companies will not release the master/install codes and that if they won't then the main panel is useless if they want to change monitoring services. |
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As for setting up the security-
here is what I recomend: -door/window sensors all all first and second floors (including any basement with entry/windows and garages) all set to perimeter except the front entry -motion detectors on each and every floor set to interior with no delay (interior follower), open them up and change the sensitivity to "high" -smokes/heats on every floor (for fire protection, if your gonna go all out to protect your home, then protect from fire too) if say someone manages to bypass the window sensors, the motion detector will get them. Its a redundant system with multiple detection points. At night uncheck the box for "entry delay". this sets all entry points to instant alarm with no delay-no sense giving an intruder 30 seconds to wreck havoc. (stay mode) Quoted:
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Ask them if you will be given the master or installer codes. Some company's have it written into their contracts that they own the codes and you can't have them. This locks you into using them for system maintenance and monitoring. I will not give installer codes out. What happens if the customer, who is most likely not an expert with the equipment, make one accidental change that causes a malfunction? A single misguided keystroke could cause the system to fail to report properly and result in a huge mess. What if they accidentally change one digit and when there alarm send a signal it shows as a completely different alarm miles away? Is the guy going to admit his culpability when his alarm goes off and the cops or fire company show up at an address 20 mile or 200 miles away? If I buy my system, it is mine to do with as i wish. Its not your call to decide who gets full and/or limited access to their own system, If a homowner messes up the panel that is on them, and a simple call to Vivint (and a small service fee) will fix any issues that may have occured. Vivint would prefer to keep the systems and software access proprietary, and lock in Users to their own monitoring- by not releasing the Installer code they attempt to do this. Vivint doesnt want users to know the Installer code because they can then change monitoring (there are a few compatable monitoring companies for the z-wave Go!Control panel ), and also because they use the same default installer code on all the panels- and this would make all systems vulnerable as the installer code has a higher access level than the master code. Installer Code: 2203 Quoted:
Right here http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/DEG169/readyguard_honeywell.jpg is the main problem with APX/Vivint. Here we have the systems they install. Totally wireless devices, which are not a bad thing. The weakness is that the panel and touch pad are combined. You can tamper this, but if a crook smashes this item before it can transmit your done! The cell card resides inside this housing, so when one gets destroyed so too for it. What they sell is not real security. The new panels are z-wave, and not only have anti-tampering safeguards, but also protection from "smash and grab" (smashing the panel before it can send a signal). New Vivint z-wave panel: http://i52.tinypic.com/f100lt.jpg The way it works now is if say someone kicked in your door that had a 30 sec entry delay, the panel immediately sends a signal to the central station, if within 30 seconds no "disarm"/or other signal is sent, they will assume the panel has been destroyed, and dispatch the police. Now there are flaws- one involves RF jamming being disabled by default, and the other is the default installer code that supercedes the master code (all Vivint panels use the same installer code), and this can be used to gain access to the system when system is disarmed. Anyone that used Vivint needs to access the installer toolbox and change this code. The newer Go!Control panel has a setting to send a trouble if RF jaming is detected- this is disabled by default in all the vivint panels, but can be activated via the Installer mode (65) Also, by default Vivint never changes the Installer codes- every single vivint system uses the same code access- that means if someone can gain access to your system when it is not armed, they can login and bypass the master User account, and take over/change the system programing, and even create their own user to the panel. For those with Vivint systems, log in with the Installer code, and change the Installer code to something only you know as it is a security vulnerability that can potentially compromise your system/security. Also, the way I look at it, if I buy my system/panel then it is mine, and I want full control over it, I want to be able to edit/change whatever i want to edit or change, and having the installer access gives you that option as well as allowing you to be able to switch monitoring companies at your own descetion. |
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