Home alarm, desirable features?
 

We are looking at getting a home alarm. I'm considering buying the hardware and installing it myself if I can save money, but that's really beside the point.

For those of you that have or have had alarms...


What features do you really love or wish you had?

What features do you not want/need?

For example the cell phone backup, is that worth while? I just don't see the average crook in my neighborhood cutting my phone line. There's nothing special about our house, they'll just move on to the next house, I would think. So it seems like an option with a poor cost/benefit ratio.

I'm about to pull the trigger on this one:

80-649-3N-XT | GE SIMON XT Wireless Security System | Home Security Store | Home Security Store

But I'm still figuring out what features I want/need so hopefully those more knowledgeable will chime in. I seem to remember there was another thread on this topic about a year ago if anyone can find it.....

Glass breakage. Depending on climate you want freeze/low temp alert. Smoke/fire detection. Last house had the remote option. You can call in from anywhere and enable/disable the system. Wate of money, was kludgy and messed with the answering machine.

Is there an option for multiple pads with that one? I'd think that you'd want a pad in your bedroom as well as the main pad.

My home insurance will give discounts that will help offset the monthly charge if you've got an alarm, and I think the discount is larger if you've got smoke integrated with the alarm.

I think I'd like smoke and CO.

I'd looked at the GE Simon XT. I'm also looking at the honeywell systems.

Multiple pads are a must. Bedroom pad is a good option. Panic buttons are useless if you need to get across the house to use it.

Benefit of multiple pads is the ability to use aggressive motion detection, (barring the presence of pets/children).

I have a pad a at the main and garage entrance that are delayed to give time to disable. All other entry zones are set to sound the alarm immediately if opened.

Heat rise detectors are great options for over the furnace and in the garage - remember, some fires get hot and don't generate a lot of smoke.

be sure to get that special bell that causes invaders to instantly flee, like in the TV commercials.

Maybe one of these three

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/516716-home-security-system.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/491979-home-security-alarms-thoughts.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-r1100s-r1200s-tech-forum/506387-ot-home-alarm-system.html

We just had a system installed last week........we opted for motion sensors and two door sensors and one pad. Its not a hardline system, all battery operated (5-year warranty on battery with lifetime replacement) and two remote keys. Keypad has a 30 second punch and run feature. The glass breakage sensor was not a favorite amongst those I talked to who had systems, therefore, the motion sensors seemed to be the better option. They can scan a large area in front of the windows anyways, so its one or the other.

BUT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After we were told a small dog would not set off the motion sensors, our 28 pound Shar Pei sets the alarm off the first day!!!!!!!!! So, they are coming out this week to re-adjust the sensors. I hope that does not mean a bunch of trained 3-year olds can roam the house with headcams and take whatever their controllers outside see interesting!!

Just a heads up on the sensitivity of motion sensors if you have pets.

Bob

Yeah, I've had my doubts about the "pet safe" motion detectors. I found some stuff online that says that's bunk. I suspect that with a small enough dog it may be ok, but I've got an energetic 35# dog. I think I'm planning to forego the motion sensors.

I'm kind of thinking that I want 4 window switches and 4 door switches and the smoke/fire and Carbon Monoxide alarms.

I have a friend that built his owns system. I will do the same at the next house.

It will e-mail his Droid if a door is open or the temperature drops in the house. He has other sensors, and an ingenious backup.

I don't suppose he'd provide some info about the hardware he used and how he's got things setup?

For you folks that have alarms, whether DIY or commercial, what hardware are you using?

I know that he essentially bought a bunch of sensors from an online electronics discounter, wired them to a programmable controller like a Basic Stamp (I know he used a different controller, not sure which), then wired that to a computer that monitors the sensors periodically and sends him an e-mail when something is out of spec.

I'll bet a simple ADT/Brinks/etc... sign in the front and back of the home will ward off most common burglars.

The most useful feature of our home alarm is that when a door or window is opened it chimes and announces by name the location..."Bing...front door open", "Bing...master bedroom window 4 open". It was a great feature when our kids were really young and not allowed outside alone. We also have a separate hardwired fire/smoke detector in the garage and upstairs near bedrooms that is directly linked to the alarm system. Our system was installed by ADT and consists of wireless window/door sensors controlled by a single master keypad with a panic/fire/arm/disarm remote.

I've never felt the need for an alarm but it brings comfort to the wife when I'm out of town.

Glass break sensors are very prone to false alarms; dog barking, dropping your keys, sometimes even slamming a door. Best bet is to trap as many openings as possible (ALL doors, windows if at all possible) and use dual tech (PIR+microwave) motion detectors. Probably best component of any alarm system is signage to let the would-be thief know you're protected ;)

The downside to the Broadview/ADT/etc. signs is that if you have something that an advanced criminal wants to steal, they know exactly what they are dealing with.

I installed a NAPCO system and used their glass break detectors and have had zero false alarms. I have 2 large dogs (90+ pounds) that bark at everything that moves. I also have 2 kids that drop/throw "their" keys all the time. They've also been known to slam doors and produce screams that could shatter glass. Still no false alarms. If you are getting false alarms, my guess is that either the glass break detectors are installed wrong (poor location) or are of poor quality.

To masraum - I did a ton of research on the various alarm systems out there and determined that the NAPCO systems were the best. Basically described as "bank quality" alarms. I installed everything myself, but paid a professional to program it. I used a combo of wireless and wired for all windows and doors. Glass break in the house and garage. Motion in the shop and garage. I only have one keypad, but then again, my house is only 1100 sq feet. I have delayed entry for 2 doors, the remaining doors and windows are all "instant alarm" if opened. Also, all alarm points have built in tamper detection which will set off the alarm, even if the alarm is not armed. System has full battery back-up and can sustain the alarm siren for 3 hours and about 10 hours in "protect" mode.

I purchased everything from a company in FL and they were great w/ support. I'll find the name if you're interested. Total hardware was around $900, plus another $100 or so for the programming.

Yeah, that sounds pretty good. I'd love that info when you get a chance.

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.