Posted: 1/26/2010 5:41:00 PM EDT
|
Tell me about them please.
My parents need one. Mom came home tonight and immediately called me asking if I was over the house. She came in and house was ransacked, got her jewelry and about 3 grand in change. Guns that were locked in a cabinet were laying on the floor in the dining room. Doesn't help to lock them but leave the key hanging in the kitchen. Don't know exactly how they got in, doesn't look like anything was broken or kicked in. They didn't leave thru the front door as there was shit behind it where mom had to push her way in. I'm thinking that mom came home while they were inside and they took off while she was pushing in, since the guns were still here. So if we got anyone that does systems lemme know. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
I have always used these guys and most of my customers choose them as well.
www.alarmofamerica.com Alarm Of America 4025 Pleasantdale Road Suite 260 Atlanta, GA 30340 Tel: 770-723-1142 Fax:770- 729-8564 General Manager Don Green –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sales Director Brian Jolly –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Office Manager Elizabeth Rowlette |
|
Our house was prewired so I put in a HAI OmniPro II Alarm/Home Automation System. Right now all it does is the alarm function but I hope to add some automation to it in the future (when I can afford it). I didn't want some run of the mill alarm system from ADT. Ours is monitored through Nextalarm.com. I can call the house and talk through the alarm panels and listen in to anything going on in the house. I can also remote in from my PC and look at the status of all zones.
Anytime the alarm goes off, My wife & I get a text message letting me know what zone went off. I usually get it before the alarm company gets the alarm signal and dispatches someone to check on it. It may be a step above what your mom is needing but they do have cheaper models. The security of my family was worth the price tag. |
|
+1 on the HAI systems. Mine does the alarm, HVAC, cameras, and voice. I haven't done the lights yet, but plan on it. I did all mine myself. All 2800 feet of wiring.
Sorry about your mom's house. That really sucks. Please let us know more info when you get it. I would be really interested in how they got in and what could be done about it. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
Can't provide any advice on the core system other than to go for one that is cellular based or has cellular backup (most thieves know to cut the phone line nowadays) and make sure it has enough backup battery capacity to operate siren/klaxon, strobe light (get one of these!) and the cellular modem for at least 30 minutes in case the perps cut the power.
For some thoughts on what to do to cheaply and easily to enhance whatever system you buy, have a look at this article: Supercharge Your Home Security System http://novictims.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/supercharge-your-home-security-system/ There are a few articles on there about thwarting home invasions that may give you some thoughts about other security upgrades you might want to make at your parents' place. |
|
There are lots of good local brands of alarm monitoring companies. I will let you look at Kudzu.com for reviews and choose what meets your needs. I can offer a little advice though.
1. Don't get a cellular backup system. This sounds good on the surface (if your phone lines are cut), but they can be jammed very easily with a cellular jammer available on ebay. Don't waste the money. You would be better off using a VOIP backup like Vonage. 2. If you have dogs, you may want to rethink getting montion sensors or glass break sensors. Our dog sets off our glass break senor from time to time when it barks a certain frequency. We hate that. We had it adjusted many times but it still happens from time to time. 3. Don't get the keychain remote to disable/enable the alarm. The frequencies can be scanned. 4. Keep the keypads in a location that is not viewable from any windows. You don't want anyone to see you enter your password, or see if the alarm is armed or not. It should always be a guessing game. 5. Don't forget to register your alarm with your local police. Most counties and cities require it. If you don't, you can get a big fine on top of the fine the police charge you for an accidental alarm. I am sorry for her break-in. That is horrible! I hope they catch the thieves!! |
|
Quoted:
+1 on the HAI systems. Mine does the alarm, HVAC, cameras, and voice. I haven't done the lights yet, but plan on it. I did all mine myself. All 2800 feet of wiring. Sorry about your mom's house. That really sucks. Please let us know more info when you get it. I would be really interested in how they got in and what could be done about it. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile HVAC is the next on the list. How do you like the camera viewing? I keep adding different zones/outputs to ours. The most recent addition was hooking up the garage door to it. Now when we arm the alarm, if the garage door is still open, it will close it automatically. For the lighting, we may just do it one room at a time until they are all done. |
|
The only advice I'll offer is this:
Do you want to stop the bad guy inside your home when the motion detector goes off or outside the home when he is trying to get in through a screened window? Protect the entire OUTSIDE perimeter. Interior motion detectors aren't the best solution, IMHO. You'll pay more to have all windows, doors and other entry points tagged, but I think it is worth it. Also, you might want to give thought to cell phone monitoring at least as a backup in case the hard wire to the dwelling is compromised. Mark |
|
Quoted:
www.asihome.com It's the cheapest dealer/distributor that I've found. If you call to order you can get stuff for less than MAP. Thank you. I'll be opening a dealer account that sells HAI and other stuff this week. This will be a good gauge as to their pricing. |
|
Quoted:
The only advice I'll offer is this: Do you want to stop the bad guy inside your home when the motion detector goes off or outside the home when he is trying to get in through a screened window? Protect the entire OUTSIDE perimeter. Interior motion detectors aren't the best solution, IMHO. You'll pay more to have all windows, doors and other entry points tagged, but I think it is worth it. Also, you might want to give thought to cell phone monitoring at least as a backup in case the hard wire to the dwelling is compromised. Mark Mark has hit most of the important points. I installed home security systems for years, and have seen hundreds of newly broken-into homes. It will be pricier to do your perimeter, but you have to ask yourself: when do you want the alarm to go off? When the intruder is already in the living room? What if your parents want to have it on when they are home? A shock or impact sensor, combined with a solid door/window can prevent anyone getting in in the first place. A motion will only limit the damage once they are already inside. They probably won't leave empty handed. Cell backups can be jammed, but this depends on the intruder knowing that you have one in the first place and planning ahead. Don't run your mouth about how cool and extensive your system is. Honestly, if they have this level of sophistication, you're probably screwed any which way you do things. It still beats running it out over your digital phones. Spend the money on good doors and locks and REINFOCE THE FRAMES!!!! I cannot emphasize this enough. DJarmor.com is a good example of this. I can't count how many homes I've seen with kicked-in frames. A child could do it. I would give homeowners my "security triangle" speech. You need all three parts. The alarm is just one of them. -Slow them down -Draw attention to them -Be aware 1. Physical security - make it very difficult to break into the house. They don't want to spend a lot of time hanging around outside trying to break in. 2. Supervision - this is the alarm part. You want to make sure they know they have been noticed and there will be a response. If you have neighbors, you want them to be notified by sirens and lights. 3. Mindset - Lock your dang doors and set your alarm every time you exit OR ENTER your house. Fancy locks and expensive alarms don't help if you don’t use them. Be aware of you surroundings when exiting and entering the home. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
+1 on the HAI systems. Mine does the alarm, HVAC, cameras, and voice. I haven't done the lights yet, but plan on it. I did all mine myself. All 2800 feet of wiring. Sorry about your mom's house. That really sucks. Please let us know more info when you get it. I would be really interested in how they got in and what could be done about it. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile HVAC is the next on the list. How do you like the camera viewing? I keep adding different zones/outputs to ours. The most recent addition was hooking up the garage door to it. Now when we arm the alarm, if the garage door is still open, it will close it automatically. For the lighting, we may just do it one room at a time until they are all done. I don't like it. it's crap. pretty much you modulate all the cameras onto TV stations, install a TV card into your computer and the software records channels based on your events. it will only do one channel at a time. I am replacing mine with somethinglike www.webcamxp.com or an appliciance like www.gadspot.com. I am p0robably going the gadspot way, although webcamxp will do PTZ cameras which is super cool |
|
Quoted:
Supercharge Your Home Security System http://novictims.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/supercharge-your-home-security-system/ There are a few articles on there about thwarting home invasions that may give you some thoughts about other security upgrades you might want to make at your parents' place. just don't follow that blog verbatem. X10 is an old technology and completely outdated. no to mention if your neighbor has it they can also control your house! UPB is much better if you are retrofitting. however I would suggest hard wiring it. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
+1 on the HAI systems. Mine does the alarm, HVAC, cameras, and voice. I haven't done the lights yet, but plan on it. I did all mine myself. All 2800 feet of wiring. Sorry about your mom's house. That really sucks. Please let us know more info when you get it. I would be really interested in how they got in and what could be done about it. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile HVAC is the next on the list. How do you like the camera viewing? I keep adding different zones/outputs to ours. The most recent addition was hooking up the garage door to it. Now when we arm the alarm, if the garage door is still open, it will close it automatically. For the lighting, we may just do it one room at a time until they are all done. I don't like it. it's crap. pretty much you modulate all the cameras onto TV stations, install a TV card into your computer and the software records channels based on your events. it will only do one channel at a time. I am replacing mine with somethinglike www.webcamxp.com or an appliciance like www.gadspot.com. I am p0robably going the gadspot way, although webcamxp will do PTZ cameras which is super cool Are you using the HAI DVR camera module or an aftermmarket product that just interfaces into the HAI? |
|
Quoted:
Hai has a dvr? I didn't know they had one of those! Mine is a regular analog camera that is modulated to a TV station. Then the web client for HAI just picks up those channels. Got a link to the DVR? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile http://www.homeauto.com/Products/Surveillance/SurveillanceOverview.asp |
|
I think the neatest thing on the Alarm systems market now are the wired window screens.
you break, remove, cut, whatever; it goes off. you can set your perimeter alarm with the window open. no more issues with pets tripping interior motion alarms. run about a $100 per screen, or a little less if you have your existing screens wired. |
|
Quoted:
I think the neatest thing on the Alarm systems market now are the wired window screens. you break, remove, cut, whatever; it goes off. you can set your perimeter alarm with the window open. no more issues with pets tripping interior motion alarms. run about a $100 per screen, or a little less if you have your existing screens wired. Where ya been hiding? I've been running wired screens on ALL windows for 10+ years. 
Yes, they are big $$ added to the installation but as you described if the screen is cut, moved or anything the alarm immediately goes off. Well worth the $$ IMHO. |
|
Quoted:
I added some hidden cameras a few years ago. I should post some video of what some GAHTF guys do when my back is turned. We have booger pickers, dick feelers, ass scratchers and people who are too curious for their own good among us. LOL Yes you should!!!!! That reminds me, when I was in college I would have my hidden camera set on motion when I had parties at my apartment. I would have my bathroom available and most people waiting in line just look around and wait, but a few… crack me up, lol. Those vids are somewhere in my pc... |
|
Quoted:
I added some hidden cameras a few years ago. I should post some video of what some GAHTF guys do when my back is turned. We have booger pickers, dick feelers, ass scratchers and people who are too curious for their own good among us. HA! I knew you had to have cameras. Simply b/c so many people come through there. Hope you ain't got nothing on me 
too curious for their own good did someone find one?
|
|
Nothing on you.
An nope, no one has ever spotted the cameras. And I've even told a few guys and they searched with no luck. It is a pretty sophisticated setup and even if I showed you where they were you'd still have a hard time figuring it out. Without giving away too much more info, I'll also add one other suggestion concerning alarms. Did you know you can buy OC and CS buy the gallon? Did you know you can have a delivery system integrated with your alarm? Do you have any idea how badly it would suck to be some dirtbag smash & grab punk only to bust the wrong guy's window and end up with a face full of OC? 
Alarm systems can get very elaborate if you want them to be. I had a lot of stuff done after my initial system was installed. To me it was money very well spent for the peace of mind it gives me. Mark |
|
Quoted:
Nothing on you.
An nope, no one has ever spotted the cameras. And I've even told a few guys and they searched with no luck. It is a pretty sophisticated setup and even if I showed you where they were you'd still have a hard time figuring it out. Without giving away too much more info, I'll also add one other suggestion concerning alarms. Did you know you can buy OC and CS buy the gallon? Did you know you can have a delivery system integrated with your alarm? Do you have any idea how badly it would suck to be some dirtbag smash & grab punk only to bust the wrong guy's window and end up with a face full of OC?
Alarm systems can get very elaborate if you want them to be. I had a lot of stuff done after my initial system was installed. To me it was money very well spent for the peace of mind it gives me. Mark I LIKE ! |