Home Alarm Suggestions?

[Ferrino]

We have had an ADT alarm system ever since we moved into our home and are now looking to move to a different company, both to reduce costs and get a better monitoring service. I was wondering what our options are, please?

Our home was originally hard-wired with an ADT system and all the important entry points are covered, so we don't really need any more sensors. I guess the simplest solution is to just move to a different monitoring company that can use all the existing sensors - can that be done relatively easily?

Alternatively, I am aware that there are some DIY systems (like Simplisafe) which would offer more customization and the ability to expand sensors and use smartphones etc. I assume the main issue would be the cost of installing all the sensors? The geek in me is interested in this possibility.

Many thanks for any suggestions!

[patz]

Alarm systems are all the same, you buy the hardware and the installer walks away.

It's the monitoring company. They are only as good as their dispatchers, the phone they call YOU on and your local PD. Unless you have armed response they are just offsite nannies.

My five Dachshunds were more of a deterrent.

[gshase]

My wife somehow talked me into ATT digital life and we have nothing but issues. #1 was sending me a text while we were driving that a motion sensor was going off in our house, No phone call to us or to the police. I didn't read it for 20 minutes.... We call ATT and I speed home and we call the police who meet us at our house. False alarm ATT says along with we are sorry. I am so PISSED we fly home and ATT only sent me a text and did no follow up.....We are on the phone to ATT and speak with a high end supervisor and we get 6 month service free and that we thought it ended it. Hell no an hour later ATT somehow call us about the alarm going off and we tell them we are home with our pass word....Three more times they keep calling saying an alarm was triggered and I finally tell them to Go To Heck.......1 Hour later the same cop shows up again. Run from ATT.

[masraum]

There are a few extensive threads about this stuff on the board already. You should try some searches.

I also found a forum or two like Pelican but for security stuff. What I discovered is that you're usually better off finding a small local company than going with the big boys. You should be able to find places that'll monitor for $10-20 per month that'll offer better service than ADT, Comcast, etc....

If for some reason, the other company can't use your ADT system, and your house is actually wired, then it's very simple and relatively cheap to buy all of the new stuff and install it yourself.

Do some searches here for the old threads and see what you can find.

[Cajundaddy]

We had ADT at my business and I thought it was cubic $$$ down the rathole. I like the security cams with motion sensor that send you a text and email with a pic of the intruder. You can then choose to forward it to the PD or surprise the bad guys yourself. They can be set up to trip audible alarms or turn on lights also.

[nota]

dog

[JavaBrewer]

Stick an ADT sign in the ground, a couple ADT stickers on windows, and Beware Of Dog signs on gate door and you are 99% there for free. Serious.

[atcjorg]

2 well trained Australian sheppards

[GH85Carrera]

No doubt a large dog that barks is a great deterrent. The sad news is that is is pretty easy for slime bag thieves to kill or distract a dog. I guess the big question is what are you willing to spend per month to have a system monitored and how valuable is your "stuff" and how good is your insurance.

Number one on the list for anyone is security while you are home. Most of the home invasions I see reported in the news is usually because the bad guys think that house is a drug house and there is cash and drugs to steal.

I have a system that costs me $30 per month for monitoring. It has two video cameras outside. No way will I put a camera inside my house tied to the internet. I can monitor the system with my cell phone. I can activate or deactivate it from my phone. I can view the cameras anytime I want. That is handy when waiting for the pizza delivery guy.

My only complaint is the cameras are not HD and they are slow. About 1 frame per second. They do great at night and are near infrared sensitive.

The company is very quick to call me if the system goes off. They send an automated email & a text message as well. If the system goes off my phone goes nuts with alerts. If I don't answer the phone they send the cops.

Their web site is Alarm.com and I had a local company install it. They ran Cat-5 cable to the cameras through the attic.

[wdfifteen]

Our house was originally wired by a small company. My wife didn't like it for some reason and switched to Brinks, which require all new equipment and cost a bundle. Brinks was OK, but sold out to ADT and ADT really, really sucks. I called a local company, they guy came out and identified a couple of obsolete smoke detectors, but everything else could be used. Cost me something like $200. Monitoring is good and costs $24 a month and the phone line is $26 (I wouldn't have a land line if I didn't have the alarm system.) I have smoke, intrusion, and furnace overheat sensors in the house and smoke and intrusion in my detached garage.

[911SauCy]

Home alarms are headaches. Our new to us house came with one, it's been nothing but issues since we've moved in. The tech has made 7 trips out to do everything from testing, replaced the panel, lastly sensors. Seems to have worked but I'm not a fan of paying for something that doesn't work properly and seems to be more annoying than anything. Kind of like a car alarm.

The wife wants it so we've got it....happy wife happy life.

The 2 60lb lab/pits are always willing to help welcome unknown guests by smashing their face against the glass to say hello

[HardDrive]

I ditched ADT. We use Dropcams and monitor the house ourselves. We pay $10 a month for online recording. It does throw some false alarms, but they're rare, and its easy for me to check on from my smart phone.

...and yes, we left the ADT signs outside on the lawn.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Stick an ADT sign in the ground, a couple ADT stickers on windows, and Beware Of Dog signs on gate door and you are 99% there for free. Serious.

Except for the dog sign on a gate, that has been my home alarm system for years...

[Noney]

A burglar alarm will not stop a break-in, it will only tell you and the police that someone has already broken in.

A video camera will not stop a break-in, it will only record the thieves taking your stuff.

A dog(s) will not stop a determined thief, they will simply maim or kill it.

Pepper spray, however, might be exactly what you're looking for.....

The Burglar Bomb

[Deschodt]

Just got simplisafe because I really did not want to deal with monitoring companies anymore... Very happy with it for my needs anyway (unmonitored). You can have them monitor it, it's super easy to setup and seems to work well. Very modular: I ordered the cheaper kit and added a couple sensors to fit my needs - $300 all done, 10 minute install. The only caveat is the stock siren -in the base- is a joke - my kids make more noise. You need the extra siren (104db) if you expect it to be heard outside your house. Still, all in all I'm very happy with it.

[KFC911]

A couple of ADT stickers, a barking dog, and a LOADED burglar alarm

Paying for monitoring is throwing $ away for most based upon what I've observed from friends who have it....YMMV.

[notmytarga]

Of note is that fire detection with central monitoring gets most people a discount on their homeowners insurance. That being said, when I bought my house it had a full alarm system with some cameras (looking at the front door and pool) and intercoms but NO smokes attached. Strange. I added a wireless smoke detector and rarely use the other aspects of the system.

A few houses ago I installed my own full hardwired system to satisfy paranoid wife - that was a challenging project, but much cheaper. I like that kind of fishing.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

We use Dropcams and monitor the house ourselves.

Next item on agenda

[legion]

I purchased an Iris DIY system at Lowe's. I'll install it when my basement is further along.

[crb07]

New home security system....
I have stopped my home alarm service.........................

*I've dropped out of Neighborhood Watch. I've put up a Pakistani flag in
one corner of the front yard and an Iraqi flag in the other corner. In the
center of the front yard, I've raised the black flag of ISIS. *

*I'm being watched 24/7 by the local police, the sheriff, FBI, CIA, NSA,
Secret Service and Homeland Security. I have NEVER felt safer...and... *

*I'm saving $49.95 each month! *