Posted: 5/26/2014 12:47:26 PM EDT
| HTF - Whats the best option for somebody living in a rental for a couple more years that feels the need for a Brinks style system? Monitored etc. |
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Simplisafe
No contract $14.99 / month basic Monitored No home phone line works on cell Tower has backup power http://simplisafe.com |
| I bought a wireless system. It has been in two rentals and is going to the new house I just bought. I self monitor by programming mine and my wife's cell phone numbers as the alarm company numbers. We each get 3 calls and 3 texts if the alarm is triggered. If we are home and the alarm is triggered, I plan on taking care of it myself. There are a number of places to buy from but I like www.homesecuritystore.com. |
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First, the systems are only as good as their installation, and the installers usually take the cheaper options leading to problems down the line. Second, if you are getting it for burglary protection, all it will do, at most, is get the LE response to find your door kicked-in before you do. By the time the alarm company receives the alert, calls the local agency, and the dispatch is made a burglar has enough time to grab plenty of stuff and be gone. |
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Simplisafe No contract $14.99 / month basic Monitored No home phone line works on cell Tower has backup power http://simplisafe.com +1 on SimpliSafe No Contract. You install it. You buy only what you need. Has its own Cell Phone so no phone line can be cut. Has its own backup power so they can't cut the power to disable it. Its all wireless install so you can take it with you when you leave as there are no holes, wires, or marks! Besides alerting the police, dispatch calls you first, then the police if you are not home, and with higher plans you get smart phone alerts and remote arming and disarming. I got together with three of my second amendment practicing neighbors and when we get a smart phone alert or the center calls one of us, anybody that is home in the neighborhood goes and checks the neighbor"s house with an active alarm. Much faster then the police. Only one neighbor goes so nobody thinks a neighbor is a bad guy by having more then one respond. But the police are still going to be dispatched so they are our backup! A burglar broke out the glass at the top of our door to try and reach down and flip the inside latch on the deadbolt and open the main knob because of the "open from the inside even when locked" feature on lever door knobs. Well all our deadbolts are key only on both inside and outside, I disabled the open from the inside when locked feature of the lever knobs (after getting locked out once because the lever opened from the inside when locked was all it took to make me get rid of that feature). So they were not getting in. Alarm was going off, monitoring station called, I called my neighbor who said the siren was going off and he came over with his AK. When he tripped the motion sensing lights between him and the front door, he saw the two of them bug out. They figure one was on top of the shoulders of the other one so as to be able to reach down far enough to flip an inside deadbolt latch. Cops said it would have worked if we didn't have keyed only deadbolts but that the high pitch inside siren and neighbor would not have given them any time to take anything. An alarm is only a first line deterrent, needs a cell phone not land line to call the monitoring station to deter pros, and then a neighbor backup plan makes it work best. |
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My company installs security systems everyday. Good for you installing your own.
Before you purchase a wireless system, you want to ask a few questions... 1) Is it a supervised system? 2) Does it report low battery? 3) What type of home is your construction? If you have metal studs...I would potentially stay away. 4) Be careful of the motions. They are notorious for "Nodding Off". 5) Be prepared to replace CO detectors after 3-4 years. |
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Honeywell and this, http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/choppo/MoJo/vlcsnap-2013-11-19-11h36m20s129_zpsfe73a4b6.png http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/choppo/MoJo/vlcsnap-2013-11-19-11h26m00s72_zpsf1a6671e.png http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/choppo/MoJo/vlcsnap-2013-11-19-11h25m48s217_zpsdb084109.png http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/choppo/MoJo/vlcsnap-2013-11-19-11h25m47s200_zps234a4da5.png MoJo loves the bite sleeve and shutzund practice way to much This 
Plus These 
will get you this. 
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We're building a new Ashton Woods home; they offer a basic wiring. To actually add equipment will cost over $1000 and land line monitoring at $25 a month with a three year contract. I liked the rep; but the three year contract pretty much kills it for them.
Simplisafe looks like a pretty easy and straight forward system. Now here's the question, which is better on the windows, glass break detectors or entry sensors? I'm leaning glass break because to open the windows the bad guys will likely have to break the glass. Right? ... |
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We're building a new Ashton Woods home; they offer a basic wiring. To actually add equipment will cost over $1000 and land line monitoring at $25 a month with a three year contract. I liked the rep; but the three year contract pretty much kills it for them. Simplisafe looks like a pretty easy and straight forward system. Now here's the question, which is better on the windows, glass break detectors or entry sensors? I'm leaning glass break because to open the windows the bad guys will likely have to break the glass. Right? ... I'd spend some extra to get all the window sensors as well as doors and the motion. After that you could do the install of a real system in a few hours. Monitoring for a landline is around $10/month. Glass breaks are hit or miss. You are looking for layered security. I'd also get them to run cat 5/6 to anywhere you'd want cameras in the future. The window sensors are universal, cost a few bucks each, but can't be retrofitted easily. |
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I'd spend some extra to get all the window sensors as well as doors and the motion. After that you could do the install of a real system in a few hours. Monitoring for a landline is around $10/month. Glass breaks are hit or miss. You are looking for layered security. I'd also get them to run cat 5/6 to anywhere you'd want cameras in the future. Quoted:
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We're building a new Ashton Woods home; they offer a basic wiring. To actually add equipment will cost over $1000 and land line monitoring at $25 a month with a three year contract. I liked the rep; but the three year contract pretty much kills it for them. Simplisafe looks like a pretty easy and straight forward system. Now here's the question, which is better on the windows, glass break detectors or entry sensors? I'm leaning glass break because to open the windows the bad guys will likely have to break the glass. Right? ... I'd spend some extra to get all the window sensors as well as doors and the motion. After that you could do the install of a real system in a few hours. Monitoring for a landline is around $10/month. Glass breaks are hit or miss. You are looking for layered security. I'd also get them to run cat 5/6 to anywhere you'd want cameras in the future. Hmmm, Cat 5/6 for future camera's is an interesting thought. Where would you suggest this, front and rear doors? We will not be getting a landline, we're cell only. I think that's what you ment, but then $25 a month becomes $35 a month vs $15 a month. Frankly I think the most important part is the sign out front saying "Active Security System". ... |
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Hmmm, Cat 5/6 for future camera's is an interesting thought. Where would you suggest this, front and rear doors? We will not be getting a landline, we're cell only. I think that's what you ment, but then $25 a month becomes $35 a month vs $15 a month. Frankly I think the most important part is the sign out front saying "Active Security System". ... Quoted:
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We're building a new Ashton Woods home; they offer a basic wiring. To actually add equipment will cost over $1000 and land line monitoring at $25 a month with a three year contract. I liked the rep; but the three year contract pretty much kills it for them. Simplisafe looks like a pretty easy and straight forward system. Now here's the question, which is better on the windows, glass break detectors or entry sensors? I'm leaning glass break because to open the windows the bad guys will likely have to break the glass. Right? ... I'd spend some extra to get all the window sensors as well as doors and the motion. After that you could do the install of a real system in a few hours. Monitoring for a landline is around $10/month. Glass breaks are hit or miss. You are looking for layered security. I'd also get them to run cat 5/6 to anywhere you'd want cameras in the future. Hmmm, Cat 5/6 for future camera's is an interesting thought. Where would you suggest this, front and rear doors? We will not be getting a landline, we're cell only. I think that's what you ment, but then $25 a month becomes $35 a month vs $15 a month. Frankly I think the most important part is the sign out front saying "Active Security System". ... Take a look at the vista 20p systems. Home security store is good people. I went with ge and wished I'd gone honeywell. There are landline, VoIP, 3G , and even Internet monitoring available I'd put a few cat 5s at the corners of the house, so you can look around the perimeter. Cameras are now power over Ethernet so you just have the one wire. If I was building id go a little nuts having data wire everywhere. My house is difficult to run new runs so its a bit of a frustration. |
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Take a look at the vista 20p systems. Home security store is good people. I went with ge and wished I'd gone honeywell. There are landline, VoIP, 3G , and even Internet monitoring available I'd put a few cat 5s at the corners of the house, so you can look around the perimeter. Cameras are now power over Ethernet so you just have the one wire. If I was building id go a little nuts having data wire everywhere. My house is difficult to run new runs so its a bit of a frustration. Quoted:
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We're building a new Ashton Woods home; they offer a basic wiring. To actually add equipment will cost over $1000 and land line monitoring at $25 a month with a three year contract. I liked the rep; but the three year contract pretty much kills it for them. Simplisafe looks like a pretty easy and straight forward system. Now here's the question, which is better on the windows, glass break detectors or entry sensors? I'm leaning glass break because to open the windows the bad guys will likely have to break the glass. Right? ... I'd spend some extra to get all the window sensors as well as doors and the motion. After that you could do the install of a real system in a few hours. Monitoring for a landline is around $10/month. Glass breaks are hit or miss. You are looking for layered security. I'd also get them to run cat 5/6 to anywhere you'd want cameras in the future. Hmmm, Cat 5/6 for future camera's is an interesting thought. Where would you suggest this, front and rear doors? We will not be getting a landline, we're cell only. I think that's what you ment, but then $25 a month becomes $35 a month vs $15 a month. Frankly I think the most important part is the sign out front saying "Active Security System". ... Take a look at the vista 20p systems. Home security store is good people. I went with ge and wished I'd gone honeywell. There are landline, VoIP, 3G , and even Internet monitoring available I'd put a few cat 5s at the corners of the house, so you can look around the perimeter. Cameras are now power over Ethernet so you just have the one wire. If I was building id go a little nuts having data wire everywhere. My house is difficult to run new runs so its a bit of a frustration. Those are unmonitored except for by the owner right? ETA - I see monitoring is available for $10 a month. ... |
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Those are unmonitored except for by the owner right? ... Quoted:
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We're building a new Ashton Woods home; they offer a basic wiring. To actually add equipment will cost over $1000 and land line monitoring at $25 a month with a three year contract. I liked the rep; but the three year contract pretty much kills it for them. Simplisafe looks like a pretty easy and straight forward system. Now here's the question, which is better on the windows, glass break detectors or entry sensors? I'm leaning glass break because to open the windows the bad guys will likely have to break the glass. Right? ... I'd spend some extra to get all the window sensors as well as doors and the motion. After that you could do the install of a real system in a few hours. Monitoring for a landline is around $10/month. Glass breaks are hit or miss. You are looking for layered security. I'd also get them to run cat 5/6 to anywhere you'd want cameras in the future. Hmmm, Cat 5/6 for future camera's is an interesting thought. Where would you suggest this, front and rear doors? We will not be getting a landline, we're cell only. I think that's what you ment, but then $25 a month becomes $35 a month vs $15 a month. Frankly I think the most important part is the sign out front saying "Active Security System". ... Take a look at the vista 20p systems. Home security store is good people. I went with ge and wished I'd gone honeywell. There are landline, VoIP, 3G , and even Internet monitoring available I'd put a few cat 5s at the corners of the house, so you can look around the perimeter. Cameras are now power over Ethernet so you just have the one wire. If I was building id go a little nuts having data wire everywhere. My house is difficult to run new runs so its a bit of a frustration. Those are unmonitored except for by the owner right? ... No. The vista 20p gives you numerous monitoring options. There are people who even use the landline output to their VoIP as well as using prepaid tmobile sims and the 8.95 landline monitoring. There's a lot of options if you buy a well supported non proprietary system. |
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My company installs security systems everyday. Good for you installing your own. Before you purchase a wireless system, you want to ask a few questions... 1) Is it a supervised system? 2) Does it report low battery? 3) What type of home is your construction? If you have metal studs...I would potentially stay away. 4) Be careful of the motions. They are notorious for "Nodding Off". 5) Be prepared to replace CO detectors after 3-4 years. SimpliSafe does all of the above. Very few homes in Georgia have metal studs and those that do are mainly in the basement, additionally the frequencies that most wireless alarms use are not effected by metal studs. With SimpliSafe the owner picks the level of monitoring, either no monitoring or monitoring with or without Smart Phone interface (Monitoring for $15, $20, or $25 a month). So the system is supervised if you have any monthly plan (start or stop at anytime IE no contract). Reports low battery as well as reports any sensor not reporting to the base station. Other then all solid metal walls, dwelling construction doesn't matter at SimpliSafes operating frequencies. SimpliSafe solved the problem of wireless motion sensors nodding off by having them active all the time. As for CO Detectors, most last 5 to 7 years with UL recommending replacing them every 7 years. The SimplSafe CO Detector is $50 (cost of $7.14 a year) and most contracted Alarm Companies do not include free replacement of equipment that wears out or reaches the end of its useable life span. Basically SimpliSafe solved all the problems with traditional alarm systems. |
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SimpliSafe does all of the above. Very few homes in Georgia have metal studs and those that do are mainly in the basement, additionally the frequencies that most wireless alarms use are not effected by metal studs. Can you tie it into a house that is pre-wired with sensors at door and windows? I was considering Ackerman's wireless monitoring, but this adds a new wrinkle. With SimpliSafe the owner picks the level of monitoring, either no monitoring or monitoring with or without Smart Phone interface (Monitoring for $15, $20, or $25 a month). So the system is supervised if you have any monthly plan (start or stop at anytime IE no contract). Reports low battery as well as reports any sensor not reporting to the base station. Other then all solid metal walls, dwelling construction doesn't matter at SimpliSafes operating frequencies. SimpliSafe solved the problem of wireless motion sensors nodding off by having them active all the time. As for CO Detectors, most last 5 to 7 years with UL recommending replacing them every 7 years. The SimplSafe CO Detector is $50 (cost of $7.14 a year) and most contracted Alarm Companies do not include free replacement of equipment that wears out or reaches the end of its useable life span. Basically SimpliSafe solved all the problems with traditional alarm systems. Quoted:
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My company installs security systems everyday. Good for you installing your own. Before you purchase a wireless system, you want to ask a few questions... 1) Is it a supervised system? 2) Does it report low battery? 3) What type of home is your construction? If you have metal studs...I would potentially stay away. 4) Be careful of the motions. They are notorious for "Nodding Off". 5) Be prepared to replace CO detectors after 3-4 years. SimpliSafe does all of the above. Very few homes in Georgia have metal studs and those that do are mainly in the basement, additionally the frequencies that most wireless alarms use are not effected by metal studs. Can you tie it into a house that is pre-wired with sensors at door and windows? I was considering Ackerman's wireless monitoring, but this adds a new wrinkle. With SimpliSafe the owner picks the level of monitoring, either no monitoring or monitoring with or without Smart Phone interface (Monitoring for $15, $20, or $25 a month). So the system is supervised if you have any monthly plan (start or stop at anytime IE no contract). Reports low battery as well as reports any sensor not reporting to the base station. Other then all solid metal walls, dwelling construction doesn't matter at SimpliSafes operating frequencies. SimpliSafe solved the problem of wireless motion sensors nodding off by having them active all the time. As for CO Detectors, most last 5 to 7 years with UL recommending replacing them every 7 years. The SimplSafe CO Detector is $50 (cost of $7.14 a year) and most contracted Alarm Companies do not include free replacement of equipment that wears out or reaches the end of its useable life span. Basically SimpliSafe solved all the problems with traditional alarm systems. |
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No you can't tie into pre-wired doors and windows as its completely wireless, the whole idea is to eliminate the wires which are the weak point and can be cut. You can not tie into any sensors or system you currently have and more importantly you would not want to. One reason is most Home Security Systems are simply disabled by cutting the outside phone line, breaking in, finding the main keypad, and smashing it. On many systems, smashing the main keypad disables the alarm and silences the siren before it can go off. You can smash all the keypads with SimpliSafe and the call has already gone out and smashing the keypad on them only prevents the keypad's use while not disabling the alarm or siren. We had Akerman at two of our business and if you pay in full annually for monitoring your own installed alarm, their price is not bad. But again, a simple pair of wire cutters and its disabled as it uses a POTS line. SimpliSafe offers monitoring and its cellular so no wires to cut. And it cheaper then anything I have been able to find even if paying 5 years in full (SimpliSafe Monthly is still cheaper). |
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For those using simplisafe (or other wireless options), have you had any issues with signal loss from main level to basement? Anyone have any experience with DSC wireless systems? Those were recommended to me by someone and it looks like the home security store sells them too. Have to do your own programming, but it didn't look too involved.
We are selling our home with a wired GE system and will be moving into a rental where I'm thinking a wireless would work due to landlord issues. We'll only be in the rental temporarily so I'm thinking I'd sell the wireless system and have a wired installed when we do buy again. Quoted:
Take a look at the vista 20p systems. Home security store is good people. I went with ge and wished I'd gone honeywell. There are landline, VoIP, 3G , and even Internet monitoring available I'd put a few cat 5s at the corners of the house, so you can look around the perimeter. Cameras are now power over Ethernet so you just have the one wire. If I was building id go a little nuts having data wire everywhere. My house is difficult to run new runs so its a bit of a frustration. Quoted:
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We're building a new Ashton Woods home; they offer a basic wiring. To actually add equipment will cost over $1000 and land line monitoring at $25 a month with a three year contract. I liked the rep; but the three year contract pretty much kills it for them. Simplisafe looks like a pretty easy and straight forward system. Now here's the question, which is better on the windows, glass break detectors or entry sensors? I'm leaning glass break because to open the windows the bad guys will likely have to break the glass. Right? ... I'd spend some extra to get all the window sensors as well as doors and the motion. After that you could do the install of a real system in a few hours. Monitoring for a landline is around $10/month. Glass breaks are hit or miss. You are looking for layered security. I'd also get them to run cat 5/6 to anywhere you'd want cameras in the future. Hmmm, Cat 5/6 for future camera's is an interesting thought. Where would you suggest this, front and rear doors? We will not be getting a landline, we're cell only. I think that's what you ment, but then $25 a month becomes $35 a month vs $15 a month. Frankly I think the most important part is the sign out front saying "Active Security System". ... Take a look at the vista 20p systems. Home security store is good people. I went with ge and wished I'd gone honeywell. There are landline, VoIP, 3G , and even Internet monitoring available I'd put a few cat 5s at the corners of the house, so you can look around the perimeter. Cameras are now power over Ethernet so you just have the one wire. If I was building id go a little nuts having data wire everywhere. My house is difficult to run new runs so its a bit of a frustration. Any particular reason you wish you'd gone with a honeywell system? Homesecuritystore.com recommended a honeywell wireless when I asked about them. |