Home alarm, desirable features? - Page 2

dewolf · 04-20-2010, 02:16 PM

Been running my own security business for 20 years. If need advice drop me a pm.

masraum · 04-20-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dewolf

Been running my own security business for 20 years. If need advice drop me a pm.

PM sent.

masraum · 04-20-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myamoto1

Just did a quick search and found them:

Bass Burglar Alarms

They were great w/ helping me determine what I needed and what was compatible. I had done my homework, so I had a good baseline of where to start. I think that also helped with working with them - they didn't have to teach me everything

I went with the Napco Gemini P1632 panel. It looks like they have a bunch of bundles or starter packages now for a much better deal than when I had to build the kit from scratch. PM me if you have questions - what knowledge I retained, is yours...

I found the guy to program my alarm at a local alarm supply store. They didn't sell to the public, which is what lead me to Bass Home.

EDIT: Just took a closer look at their site and it looks like the systems are easier to program now and they also offer the programming software as a free download. If I had that, I'm 90% sure I could've done it 100% on my own.

The Napco stuff does look like its in a different league than the more common kits that you see around if the documentation can be believed. It looks more like commercial gear than residential. Thanks for the heads up. I'd be happy to spend $1000 instead of $500 if the gear was higher quality giving fewer false alarms and with fewer glitches.

Joeaksa · 04-20-2010, 06:34 PM

Been using the "pet friendly" motion detectors for years. The early models were not that good but the ones I have been using for the last 3-4 years work fine.

aap1966 · aap1966's Garage

masraum · 04-20-2010, 07:26 PM

Yeah, we've got 2 dogs, and both will bark at anyone that approaches the house. The big one, even though only 35# is all muscle and sounds pretty darn scary when she's trying to warn folks off. I'm not sure why that's not enough, but it's not. So we're getting an alarm.

Gordo2 · Gordo2's Garage

I did d DIY security system upgrade to my house last year adding wireless to my wired system. The upgrade involved installation and programming of a new keypad that has the wireless transceiver, addition of new wireless sensors/zone installed in my detached garage and hardwire installation of an exterior siren.

The programming of these the systems can be crazy. I purchased a serial connector that let me program from my home computer which helped immensely, but it was still difficult at best.

Favorite features with the upgrade included:
- Remote fob that lets me activate/deactivate the alarm. Needed to turn the system on/off when coming and going from the detached garage; nice to have if you depart the house and forget to turn the system on.
- Exterior siren is good if you don't have a monitored system. You can't hear the interior siren from the street.

Good luck if you decide to install.

Gordo

Evans, Marv · 04-20-2010, 08:29 PM

We decided to have one installed when we built our house. I'm not an expert, and the guy who did it was highly recommended so I'm pretty happy. It can be programmed to do tons of things. We have sensors on all the doors & windows and motion sensors inside. Since we live in the country, we decided it wouldn't be that advantageous to have it hooked up to a service (plus the neighbors look out for each other and are all armed). We have 3 key pads: main entry, master bedroom, and laundry room by the back door. The back door, garage side door and main entry are delayed alarm. It has a backup battery and the control is in a locked, steel cabinet. It has two settings we use all the time. One is the alarm on while you're in the house, and the other is the alarm on when you're gone. The motion sensors are disabled with the "when you're home" option. It has two sirens: one under the house pointing out a grill in the foundation and another inside. One thing my wife likes is whenever an outside door or window is opened the thing always quietly beeps 5 times. It has the house divided into zones (7) as far as doors & windows are concerned, so if you have a widow or door left open, it indicates which zone on the keyboard. Anyway I really don't know much about them, and it offers more control options than I know about, but these are the main features of ours.

masraum · 04-21-2010, 06:06 AM

Thanks all, lots of good info.

myamoto1 · myamoto1's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

The Napco stuff does look like its in a different league than the more common kits that you see around if the documentation can be believed. It looks more like commercial gear than residential. Thanks for the heads up. I'd be happy to spend $1000 instead of $500 if the gear was higher quality giving fewer false alarms and with fewer glitches.

Yeah, it is pretty much commercial grade. The manuals are massive and overwhelming, but I think w/ the software, it's pretty straight forward. At least that's the impression I got from seeing the interface the guy used to program the alarm. Just be sure to write down the code/serial number to each sending unit before programming. Otherwise you'll have no idea what is what.

I'm very happy with it and it does its job well. I've only had 2 false alarms in 6 years. Both were the motion detector in the shop, which I think can be attributed to a pesky squirrel. The only feature I wish it had (maybe it does - burried in the manual somewhere) was the beep or vocal announcement for when a door is opened. Having 2 little kids that aren't old enough to go out on their own, it'd be nice to have.

One last bit of advice to keep down you overall costs, is that you can "hardwire" to the wireless sensors. In my house, each of the bedroom windows is actually 2 side-by-side. Instead of buying 2 wireless sensors, I bought one, then ran 2 reed switches in series back to the sender. The range on the wireless senders is pretty good too. My shop is at least 50ft off the back of the house and I have not had any signal loss issues in 6 years. Also have yet to replace a battery.

chocolatelab · chocolatelab's Garage

Java has a key option. Especially if you have a pool or little kids. Nice to know what door is opening when even if you are home.

I worked for ADT for a number of years. Some what biased as I really enjoyed my time there and think they do a really good job for the most part.

Look around for a local authorized dealer. 3 year monitoring contract and install including basic hardware for 99 dollars.

I would recommend calling 2-3 different ADT Authorized dealer in your market and have each do a presentation. Dont be afraid to mention you are meeting with company x company y and company c. You may end up with a number of additional freebee's. The dealers are generally very competitive with each other and will get really aggresive to get your business.

The dealers cant negotiate the rate or the down payment per their agreements with ADT. What they can do is add for free or discount additional options.

key fobs, motion detectors, upgraded panels. There are some really nice LCD panels out there if you are looking to really dial a system in. I personally think the LCD screen systems are a must. Much more user friendly and certainly look better.

Do-it yourself is definitly an option. I think though that once you add up your time, hardware costs and then finding third party monitoring thats any good you will have excedded the total cost for the ADT system than by doing it the do-it yourself route.

If you go get some dealer qoutes please post them I bet we will get a kick out of it.

Equipment you will find the dealers use is GE, Ademco and DSC. All are good quality.

Feel free to PM if you need more info.

A930Rocket · 04-21-2010, 06:57 PM

On double hung windows, are you guys adding sensors to both sashes? When building homes, it was standard to wire only the bottom sash, but all you had to do was lower the top sash to get in.

masraum · 04-22-2010, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

On double hung windows, are you guys adding sensors to both sashes? When building homes, it was standard to wire only the bottom sash, but all you had to do was lower the top sash to get in.

And how would you put the sensor on the top sash without it being in the way of the bottom sash? I don't currently have double-hung, so maybe that's why I can't picture it.

masraum · 04-22-2010, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocolatelab

I worked for ADT for a number of years. Some what biased as I really enjoyed my time there and think they do a really good job for the most part.

Look around for a local authorized dealer. 3 year monitoring contract and install including basic hardware for 99 dollars.

In some searching on the net, most recommendations are to stay away from places like ADT and Broadview. I think folks were happy with the service years ago, but these days, service seems to have gone downhill a bit based on the info on the Internet. It is after all info on the 'Net, so not necessarily 100% true, but it's easy to imagine how a national company that advertises may have gotten so big that things aren't running as smoothly as they once were.

The low up-front cost is enticing though.

david914 · 04-22-2010, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

And how would you put the sensor on the top sash without it being in the way of the bottom sash? I don't currently have double-hung, so maybe that's why I can't picture it.

The only way I've ever done this is to use recessed sensors. The clientele that I used to deal with didn't want visible sensors anyway.

If your windows have screens with full coverage, another option is to use trapped screens. You send your screens off and have the screen material replaced with new screen that has wire woven into it. Hidden magnetic sensors are also installed so that would-be thieves can't just remove the screens to get in. You can't cut or remove the screen without setting off the alarm. Makes for a very secure window.