home security system- diy- wireless
 

I am looking for a diy home security wireless system, probably with monitoring.
I have had 2 salesmen over from the local "big boys"
The guy last night walked through the house for 5 min, rattled off motion senor here, door sensor there. Covered about 1/3 of our openings, did not even walk into 25% of the house. Then said his installer would be over in 30 min to install. As soon as I said I wanted to talk about it and think about the system design- he was out of here.
So I think I will do it myself. Wireless should be easy.
Any experience on the board?
Thanks in advance for any help
Gary

I looked it up and bought a system, but never installed it. There are some threads here asking about home security. I think I paid about $650 or so for sensors for 4 doors, 4 windows, a siren, two pads, and a battery back up. It didn't look too hard to install except getting the wiring to the primary pad downstairs.

cheap usb webcams. some raspberry pi boards. a nas w raided drives. 2 linux distros. some scripting. battery backup for it all. add some x10 stuff to do other things.

Depends on how much you want to spend. If you are building a new house and ore wire it, the install is practically invisible and you can do every window and door cheaply...otherwise you probably just want to do doors and motion sensors. If you are home and want to set the alarm,..you only turn on the door sensors while you set both when you are away.

If you are going to get it monitored anyways...most companies will give you a good deal (on at least basic) equipment. The real money is in the monitoring.

You can get good UL rated monitoring for about $10/mo as long as you stay away from the big names that advertise on TV. Like I said there are several threads on the board that address selection of security equipment and companies.

Is there a website that has pretty pictures that shows how to do all of that?

I would love to get into something like this... but would like it a little more plug and play.

dropcam.com
HD cameras that you can place anywhere within your Wi-Fi range. Access from anywhere with computer/phone/tablet. Recording capable with motion sensors. Less than $200 per camera.

Depending on where you live just having a home security system sign by your front door is good insurance.

I just did this in the fall. I installed a vista 20p with mostly wireless. I wanted smoke detectors that would trigger for the whole house (deaf son).

This is where I got everything except the wire. The main controller is hard wired.
Home Security Burglar Alarms, DIY Home Security

We now have perimeter and motion along with smoke and CO detection. There are great videos on youtube.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xy7fLzSAlVM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I can also self monitor with my phone.

That's the same system that I bought (still sitting in boxes) except for the smoke and CO detectors, and, I'm pretty sure the same place that I bought my system.

Protect America. They ship you the wireless sensors and you do the install. Easy. They walk you through the set up of the panel on the phone. They provide the monitoring service.

I installed stuff from Home Security Systems and Wireless Burglar Alarms | SafeMart . Very simple and customizable. Up front cost was more than I expected but the monitoring is much cheaper compared to ADT. Plus, it's not ADT. ADT sucks.

Last year I had a couple break-ins at my shop, which prompted me to buy a DSC Alexor kit from this site: Home Security Burglar Alarms, DIY Home Security

It dials out by landline or via onboard GSM cell. It can call multiple numbers, including the UL certified monitoring company that charges ~ $9 per mo.

The kit was easy to install, and I have been happy with it.

Thanks for the sources- will look around. Will let you know if I get off my lazy a$# and actually do this
Gary

Self-install and self-monitoring. Only need to pay equipment cost, and a prepaid SIM card from T-mobile.
Stunning wireless alarm system can talk!

Equipment cost, around 100 bucks(shipping cost not included), with built-in telephone line dialer and built-in GSM communicator.