home alarm systems

Midnite Mick

Anybody buy and install their own home alarm system. I don't plan on having it monitored primarily because I don't have a landline. Suggestions in brands...sources etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

Knucklehead

I would buy just a basic Ademco panel, the kit comes with a keypad etc....you can program it to call your cell phone if a zone is tripped. Not sure what part of the country your in, just google ademco....you'll find it. David

Systems

Midnite Mick wrote: »

Anybody buy and install their own home alarm system. I don't plan on having it monitored primarily because I don't have a landline. Suggestions in brands...sources etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

This is my home alarm system:)

Midnite Mick

Knucklehead wrote: »

I would buy just a basic Ademco panel, the kit comes with a keypad etc....you can program it to call your cell phone if a zone is tripped. Not sure what part of the country your in, just google ademco....you'll find it. David

I will look into this thanks.

polrbehr

Lorthos wrote: »

This is my home alarm system:)

No more dogs/animals for us, my daughters' asthma is finally under control; plus, you don't have to feed/walk/clean up after Brinks (oops, I mean Broadview)

But, that is one serious looking Shepherd, man.

MM, check out X10.com, their stuff is relatively cheap and it does work ( I used their equipment in my house before I went to monitoring)

Serendipity

I'm big on home security.

I installed my own Ademco panel with glass break detectors around the house and a HUGE siren on the roof - ridiculously loud. Also have 3 locks on each door and video cameras.

My best advice to you is to search eBay, home security sites that sell commercial alarm equipment to the public. Install it yourself (if you can) and it saves a lot of money!

hearingimpared

Mike, PM disneyjoe (Steve) IIRC he an ace on home alarm systems.

falconcry72

I spent most of my overall home security money on "home defense" rather than "home alarm". My only "home alarm" is an 11 year-old lab; he's real good about barking loudly at intruders, but he's got nothing in the biting department

Amherst

The Ademco recommendation is a good one, they make good panels and about any initiating device for the system also. Good quality. Bosch is another.
I did my place last year with a set of DMP panels. They are a professional unit used for banks ect. Got really lucky on fleabay as a national alarm installer was liquidating.

If you are going to self-monitor the system try and check for a panel that will ring a phone # of your choice and has internet connectivity to simultaneously send email. Redundant communication is important when you do not have someone sitting 24/7 listening.

I also have a German Shepard and a Glock just in case.

exalted512

Here's a thread I started on this a while back.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69238&highlight=home+alarm

www.homesecuritystore.com is full of products and people that will help.

I ended up never getting anything as I didnt get the house that I was thinking about getting. The neighborhood I live in now doesnt have near the crime rate of the one I was looking at...and this is a newer house which is harder to break in. I'll get an alarm eventually, but its not in my top priorities now. I have guns to protect me when I am home...and insurance to protect me if anything gets stolen when Im not.
-Cody

maximillian

www.homesecuritystore.com has got some nice items. I went with a wireless system from Visonic (POWERMAX+). I like it although it may not be as nice as the Honeywell. It can call up to 3 phone numbers if the alarm goes off. I like to use it knowing that there is something watching my house, and I live in a safe neighborhood. It can also sense flooding, fire, and over/under temperatures if you get the right sensors.

It can be used with cell phones (GSM) and Internet connections but those accessories cost a lot more money. I have a landline so I don't use them. I can even call into the system from my cell phone and check things out.

The best advice it to make sure you have good replacement insurance and film your house regularly. If there is a break-in or problem, make sure your insurance will replace your equipment. Once you accept that your belongings is mere "stuff" then you can relax about losing it. Try to safe guard the more important items (legal documents, marriage licenses, birth certificates, photos, electronic data) and don't worry if your other property gets damaged/stolen. Then get the security system you can afford as 1) a deterrent, and 2) something to notify you of a problem.

Realize that a thief will break into your house if they are really determined. Putting up a sign saying you have a security system gives that small amount of deterrent that MAY persuade them to move on to the next house.

BTW, a lot of monitored services simply call the police if there is an issue. If your system isn't monitored you can do the same thing. Ask your local PD to drive by your house to see if everything looks OK. As long as it's not often, they shouldn't mind. Program your local PD into your cell phone while you are away.

Some other random things:
- If you service isn't monitored then you won't get an insurance discount. It's usually only 10% though.
- For some places if your local PD is called out (by a monitored service) to check out an issue more than 3 times in one month, they will charge you for the inconvenience. I know in NY where I used to live it was like $250 for the 4th time, and each time after that. A faulty sensor can rack up that bill.
- There are some monitoring services you can subscribe to even if you install your own system. www.homesecuritystore.com has a link for a service that is $9 per month. I remember seeing cheaper ones out there.

disneyjoe7

hearingimpared wrote: »

Mike, PM disneyjoe (Steve) IIRC he an ace on home alarm systems.

Thanks Joe, I was an electronic tech for alarm systems, and I was a service manager once for like 20+ years or so. I haven't been an alarm tech by 12 years now, since I work for the phone company now. I like DSC alarms and use one of them now, I know about Ademco alarms also... They are ok, but seem cheap to me, I would by a DSC system over that.

Whatever you do wire everything to the alarm straight.... Ok what did I say? If you going to have a delay door from the front door and the garage door wire both to the alarm panel to each door. Don't wire to one door and go the the other door. I would wire any keypad now with a cat 5 wire, years before they would use a quad / 4 wire. I looking at PC5950 - Universal 2-Way Vox Audio Verification Module do to the Florida law which need to verification before the police comes to the alarm off. I need another 4 wires for this so I thinking a 8 wire to the keypad now, since I can put the speaker / mic next to the keypad.

maximillian

Lasareath wrote: »

I do not have a land line, they installed a celluar modem, it originally cost me $200 and it adds $7 a month to my bill.

Was that $200 for the cell modem alone or for the entire system?



BTW, another aspect of my "security" system is to add X10 lights with a timer:

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufacturer/X-10-Pro/Item/XPMT4/

I have 3 light modules in the house and the unit toggles them with a random delay to simulate the lived in look. It's a cheap addition.

X10 isn't a reliable way to do security, but the mini-Timer isn't hooked up to the Visonic. The Visonic can do X10 control and I use it to blink lights as a secondary "siren".

Gadabout

Midnite Mick wrote: »

I don't plan on having it monitored primarily because I don't have a landline.

Most alarm companies offering monitoring other than just with a land line. Mine also offers VOiP monitoring and cell monitoring. The cell monitor thing has a sender for when the alarm trips it sends a signal via the sender to the alarm company.

Also, having a monitored alarm will usually get you a discount on your home owners or renters insurance. The net cost (after the insurance discount) for my monitored alarm is just over $8 a month.

Scott

disneyjoe7

So Mike, what are you planing what are you protecting? Every door and window thing, or entry doors and motion? Fire protection, low temp alarms what are you doing?

Just wish to send you in the right direction, the panel / electronics don't matter so much.

Midnite Mick

The house is very small at around 600 square feet. The living room and kitchen are open to each other with each having an exterior entrance (front and back door) and 1 window. This area is about 12 x 21. The bedroom has a window as well of course. The washroom does not have any point of entrance nor does the basement.

I was thinking I really only needed 1 motion detector in the living room / kitchen area, assuming they have a 180 degree sensor perception and 1 in the bedroom. I would like to have it wired to 2 fire alarms as well

I looked into monitoring and for a wireless unit that will use a cell phone is over 50 dollars a month (too much IMO). If I was to get a traditional system that is wired through a phone line it would be 20 dollars a month plus I would have to get a landline which is another 33 dollars. The discount on the insurance is insignificant relative to these charges.

Thanks,
Mike

disneyjoe7

Ok any pets?


The fire alarm you wish to tie into are they electric (came with house)? If so I don't think you can wire them up, else there something new to bridge them together. Most house systems are 12vdc where the house is 120vac, business fire systems are usually 24vdc.

Midnite Mick

There are currently no smoke detectors in the house. However, I need 2 hard wired smoke detectors as per code.

No pets.

Thanks for the help.

disneyjoe7

"There are currently no smoke detectors in the house. However, I need 2 hard wired smoke detectors as per code."

Per code :eek: not sure if this is ok... No monitoring but need smoke detectors, if house is on fire how would anyone know it's on fire?

Also you state 180 degree motion I think you're looking at a ceiling motion. I don't like them as they are not really false not. I'm thinking you need a dual detector motion, due to where you live, it shouldn't not false alarm with any cold vent issues. These motions like to be in a corner looking into the house, not a corner looking outside but these are 80 degree since the corner is only 90 degree.

Midnite Mick

The code is to alert the resident that the house is on fire so that they can get out. Monitored alarms are not code.

False not?...not sure 100% sure what that means but you mention cold air vent is this referring to trips due to air movement?

You said that they operate on 12vdc...so is that to say they operate on a battery then? Does any part of it get hardwired or does the entire system operate on batteries?

Thanks

disneyjoe7

Your fire alarm I think you can do it with 120vac smoke detectors, these are a little cheaper then house alarm smoke detectors.

I thinking a ceiling motion would cause a false alarm, read to go off by itself.

Alarm panel have a small 12v battery which will power the system for 3 to 5 hours, and last about 3 to 5 years. They are powered by a transformer to charge the battery and power the system, keypad, motion, horn, motherboard.

disneyjoe7

2 alarm panels? Where a nice panel can be split so there's 2 keypad, 1 panel, and whatever you need to alarm zones are on one 1 keypad, the other zones are the other keypad.

maximillian

Sal,

That seems like a good deal. If you don't mind me asking how much do you pay per month for all the stuff you get?

I will be adding ONE smoke detector in a couple weeks to my system. The sensor costs $68. There are flood and CO sensors too, but I really don't need them. All of it is expensive anyways. I do have a temperature sensor (High and Low trip-points) but it isn't installed yet.

I want to add and Internet cam system and a DVR but I don't want to have a computer running 24/7. I have done a little research and most are either very expensive or unreliable. The $100 IP cameras are OK but need to be reset every week or so. My security system has a computer-less option but is expensive ($500) and not too reliable. Also, their email alert system has to go through their servers which are in Israel. I want the ability to setup my own SMTP so I am not reliant on some other company for service. Anyone have a good camera system to recommend?

disneyjoe7

What has changed over the years.... Back years ago when someone had a security alarm in their house you are in a nice neighbor very sweet house. They paid $1500+ for the alarm system they owned it, they paid >$20 per month.


Later alarm systems where $99 you least it they state that they would repair it if it dies. Their monthly cost $40+ you pay for it over years....

maximillian

My initial purchase was around $400 for a basic setup. This was not monitored by a service; I used it mainly to see if anything went wrong while I was oversees for work. I could then call a friend to go over later to re-secure the house. I had replacement insurance for everything, and the important paper documents and photos were at my parent's house.

I have since upgraded the system with a few components ~$250 more. Still not monitored, and I like it that way. I found out that most monitoring services simply call the police anyways. I heard a story where someone's system malfunctioned and their system's service called the police 4 times that day. On the 4th time they were charged $250 for the false alarm.

Once a sensor malfunctioned while I was away visiting family. The system called my cell phone and then I called the local PD. They drove by then called me back that everything seemed OK. Unfortunately I could not rearm the system since one of the door sensors wasn't working (it fell off - I didn't secure it properly).

I like being in control of the system; I can arm and disarm the system from my cell phone (there is even a microphone where I can listen in on the house - probably a worthless feature though). I can rely on friends and the police to check the house out when I am away, and I have no monthly fees. I also don't like having to run a power hungry PC 24/7 for camera security, thus I am looking for a standalone recorder.

This may not be the best solution for everyone. It works for me. Apart from the one time that it went off, no intruders have "tested" the system. I primarily use it to remind me if I left the garage door open before I go to bed.

doctorcilantro

I had Brinks and switched to My Virtual Monitoring, along with dropping landline phone and cable.

Now I pay 13.95/month (central station monitoring - self-monitoring is about 9/month) and have Broadband connection which I can control anywhere in the world with my iPhone using ipFob (free app by them).

I simply bought a new board and swapped out the Brinks board, and bought a new siren. All existing sensors worked with some resistor changes.

Best thing I ever did with regard to security imo, the iPhone app is FAST. I open it on 3G net and I can instantly activate or deactivate. Great customer support too from Ed who I think designed the small broadband board you connect to the Vitsa 20P series master boards.

best,
J

KASR

Might check out Swann's Alarm security kit - easy to install and has a bunch of stuff with it. 6th video on this page: www.petra.com/swann

Huck344

Based on personal experience, I feel it's best to put your money into Home Defense, over home alarm. At our old house, we had ADT monitoring. Our house was broken into twice. The first time, all they took was my PS3 and bolted. Police figured it was either kids or tweakers that needed stuff that could be sold quick. We replaced and fortified our sliders (point of entry). The second time, they set off the alarm but, couldn't get it. In both instances it took the police department close to 2 hours to respond (gotta love LAPD).

The point being that no matter how good your alarm is, and even if you hire armed response (which we did after the second break in), whomever breaks into your house will have at least 10 minutes to do as they please.

The house we moved into in November came with a very good hard wired alarm. But, I have put my money into prevention. I do think that I want install video monitoring so that if we get broken into, I will at least have a video record of it (you never know).

Also, it doesn't matter how nice of a neighborhood you live in. We lived in a decent neighborhood before and actually moved to a very nice, "safe" neighborhood. Two months after moving into the "nice" neighborhood, my Yukon was broken into and my GPS was stolen in the middle of the day (my fault for leaving it on the dash board).

Just my $0.02!

disneyjoe7

Alarm offers peace of mind, only... I know I can't sleep with it off, being set to instant at night. Giving me some time to get the.....

Huck344

Good point Joe!

toucanet

Sorry to bring up an old thread but did not want to start a new one if one already existed.

Does anyone have a totally wireless alarm system? If so, do you love it or hate it?

I am in need of an alarm system and would like to know the drawbacks of a wireless system. I am currently looking at a Honeywell/Ademce Vista 20P control panel with wireless window/door/motion contacts and detectors.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.