So we've decided not to get a home security through ADT or any type of monitoring service. I've read too many cons about such service. Currently, I've been researching about various wireless systems that you can install yourself.

Does anyone have experience with this? Know any good brands to recommend?

I came across this site today... what do you think?
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezS...productID=1164

 

I haven't read all the site, but how is all that stuff powered; with batteries? That might be a bit to keep up with. The concept's nice, though.

 

Having done both, I say the only real way to have a secure home is to do BOTH.

A standard monitored service + DIY wireless.

 

Funny you mentioned this, I just put a wireless system in today for my apt. From some other site on the net, much cheaper than that site. I tested everything, so hopefully it will last for a while. We have 24 hour security, but you never know, and it could always be an inside job.

 

Supposedly, the batteries last for 3+ years. Some keypad devices will actually notify you when batteries run low.

I've read alot of the downside of monitoring services, with the slow reaction from the cops, etc. Mainly, it's for our advanced notice if we're home ad someone tries to break in. It's basically useless if no one is home.

My research continues...

 

Get a Dog.

 

Sorry, but my wife has a phobia against animals... especially dogs.

 

My brother and I just installed an Ademco/Honeywell unit. It's very simple to install. You can get a ton of acessories for it. The control panel is A/C hardwired with a battery backup. The acessories, such as motion and door sensors, let the control panel know when it's time to change the battery. A message will tell you which sensor needs to be serviced. My brother said the batteries last 3-5 years, so it really isn't a big hassle. It's a cheap way to have peice of mind.

 

May I ask how much you spent? And where did you buy it?

 

My brother still hasn't gotten me an exact price, but it's a lot cheaper than you can buy it anywhere else. My brother installs these part time for a home security/AV company while going to college. He got the system at wholesale cost as well as the accompanying sensors. It looks like you can get them online for 200 dollars with a motion and 2 door sensors. I would say it would cost about 300-325 if I had purchased it online. Still pretty cheap to protect your home. I have no complaints about the system at all. It works great and was simple to install.

 

I'm curious... (hopefully not too much of a tangent)

What is considered a complete system?

Don't most basic systems today mainly consist of a panel and a couple motion sensors?

But to be truly secure, don't you want to have all the door and window sensors too? (so when you're home, you're secure.) Mega moolah though.

I'd like to get something for my home, but don't want to spend big bucks. Probably not possible.

 

I have a question... crooks know now that the first thing they do is cut the telephone wire, so a call won't be placed to the monitoring service. What is the alternative to that type of monitoring service??

 

I bought a Simon 2 system a number of years ago. We don't have it monitored, but the main reasons we bought it was to tell when the kids were coming in/out through doors we couldn't see, such as in the basement. The Simon includes a 'talking' command center that will tell you what's going on ("Sensor 3, basement door, is open"). Supports X-10 devices (we have sirens on all three floors), tons of different kinds of wireless sensors (door, window, motion, water, shock, freeze, CO, etc.), 25 different zones, 5 different access codes, keyfob, etc. Installation is a piece-of-cake and so far we've only had to replace a single sensor battery (it will tell you when the batteries are getting low).

 

I asked this a while back. The answer is that they install a backup cellular device.

 

Motion detectors can cover large areas of you home. My system has all the doors and sliding doors covered with sensors. The rest is covered by the 2 motions covering large areas. I have a lot of open space, so I was able to set it up this way. I guess it depends on your house.

 

interesting

 

That's what I thought was the obvious answer but I couldn't find anything about it on the ADT website...

 

^^^^ disregard my previous post, I found the info ..