Alarm system recommendations?

I've been with ADT for years. The system has worked fine and customer service has been good. My recommendations:

1. Have a cellular backup in case the "landline" is cut.
2. Be wary about operating a security system over a VOIP line (i.e. the sort of telephone service that may be bundled with your cable). It will work but you will likely get a call every couple of weeks from the monitoring service to tell you their system is registering a communications failure.
3. When your dogs are home, motion detectors can't be used when you are out. You can have them installed but you will have to put the system on 'stay' rather than 'away' when you are out but the dogs are home. 'Stay' is also the mode you use when you yourself are at home -- you should have the alarm system armed even when you are home.

PS Just noticed you say you don't have a landline. But even if you did, a cellular backup is a good idea. "Cellular" doesn't refer to your cell phone -- just means the alarm system has a wireless means of communicating with the monitoring service. When the alarm goes off, or if there is a communications failure, the monitoring service will try calling you on all the numbers they have registered for you.

I don't believe in monitored systems. IMO, simply having a decent system with the loudest shrieking external and internal noise makers is essential as is having a good relationship and understanding with your neighbors. Make sure the silly thing NEVER false alarms. Also, assure your neighbors know what it sounds like.

Mike1234567 said:

I don't believe in monitored systems. IMO, simply having a decent system with the loudest shrieking external and internal noise makers is essential as is having a good relationship and understanding with your neighbors. Make sure the silly thing NEVER false alarms. Also, assure your neighbors know what it sounds like.

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My monitored system turns the audible alarm off after a short time. By then the police will have been called (unless the monitoring service contacted me and I told them it was a false alarm). If you have an unmonitored system that operates the audible alarm constantly, it will be a problem if it goes off and you are away on vacation. Also, you would not be aware that it had gone off (or are you going to rely on neighbors to call you?). False alarms DO happen. I haven't had a false alarm with my current system except when my son left a door not fully closed and it blew open in the wind. But years ago, I had a different system that would go off whenever there was a loud crack of thunder (or fireworks in the vicinity).

I never go on vacation and my neighbors have my cell phone number. So... I guess my situation is somewhat unique.

I wouldn't even bother installing motion detectors if I were you. A glassbreak detector is a much better option as it will activate the alarm before entry is made into your home, as opposed to motion detectors where the intruder must be inside.

Also, I would stay away from the big companies such as ADT or any of those guys. Most of their systems are pretty cookie cutter and don't address their customers real security needs. They throw in one icon display keypad, a motion, and 2 switches and tell ya you're good to go, then charge you about $40 a month for at least 5 years. I would recommend calling your local ADI or Tri-Ed Northern, whatever low voltage electrical supplier you may have near you and ask them to recommend a reputable company.

VoIP isn't a good option for your monitoring as the previous post mentioned. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Cell is a good option, even as the main source of transmission, as long as you have good GSM coverage in your area.

You mentioned that you felt as though you could probably make it home from work faster than the police would in the event of an alarm. Chances are the intruder will probably be long gone (if not devoured by the dogs) by then. That being the case, you may be better off with a camera system so the police actually have a shot at catching the guy. I've been installing quite a few Digital Watchdog VMax recorders lately. They're a breeze to set up for remote viewing and email alerts. I would stay away from those $500 systems you can buy at Sam's Club or tigerdirect.com. I have installed a few at the request of customers and they're almost never satisfied with the quality the get, especially at night.

lebowski said:

Yeah, I figure I might even skip motion sensors altogether ... I know some of them claim they aren't set off by pets, I'm not sure if I buy that. Might put cameras in the locations a motion sensor would go.

What do you think about glass break detectors? I know at my dad's house the dog barking or say a dog knocking something over can sometimes get them to register, but he has an older system and I imagine they've improved them somewhat.

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Pets will, without question, set off motion detectors. Some motion detectors are "pet immune" but usually only up to 35lbs, which, unless you have the smallest german shepherds in the world, is no good for you.

What you need is a GB that has to both hear the audio and feel the vibration of glass breaking. They're very stable. The only way your dogs would be able to set them off is if you had them locked in a crate and they were FREAKING out barking and rattling the cage, maybe then. Or if they tipped over your china cabinet, which most bachelor pads are lacking.

I used to install security systems, everything from a mobile homes to jewelry stores to jewelry manufacturers. And one class 3 dealer.

The best you can do is to find a reputable local company that has been around for awhile. One that does their own monitoring. Cell backup is good, so is radio. Make sure the monitoring station is listed. Ask for a list of customers, go look at their equipment. Ask them how they like it. If they don't do that, go to jewelry stores and notice the sticker in the window and just ask them how they like it. They usually don't like answering questions about their security so just keep it on the subject of customer service, problems and the such. Jewelry stores are a good place to look to because they have to have an underwriter's certificate for insurance. Not all alarm companies can do this.

ADT. I worked for an ADT dealer in the 90's. Be forewarned they have many, many dealers. The dealers are NOT ADT. If you go with ADT, make sure it is corporate ADT and not a dealer. Dealers are not all bad, but as a rule of thumb, they offer a lower standard. You have a higher chance of getting fleeced by a dealer than a local company that does their own monitoring that has been around since the 60's.

A better alarm will cost more, but it is worth it. A basic package that a dealer offers will cover three doors, have a motion, an interior siren, and operate via landline. You want at the minimum all of that plus an exterior siren that can't easily be silenced, and an alternative means of communication that is wireless (radio preferably --works even better than cell). All of this should be installed properly, and should be hardwired. Wireless is okay as a last resort, preferably as a hybrid system where only the necessary parts are wireless.

Don't know about GE, I keep getting questions about it, but I can say this. They aren't very popular in the industry, I don't know a single technician worth his salt that put one in their own house, and I've never used it on any job, let alone a jewelry store. DSC is good, DMP is too and they have at least one panel that can't be shut down. Radionics is old, now called Bosch, they are the industry standard. DMP does a lot of what that stuff did, is more user friendly, and more updated.

Some pet immune motion detectors are junk. Some are okay. If I were to depend on one, I'd get one rated for a dog twice the size, and only use them with small dogs. A cocker is okay, a wolfhound isn't. A motion that won't detect a 100lb. pit bull won't detect a 100lb. teenager either. Too sensitive and it will go off. Cheap IR motion detectors work the best, best bang for the buck.

Of course every salesman will say they have the best techs and the best equipment. The alarm industry is very heavy sales influenced, so much so that it is almost impossible for anyone outside the industry to actually know the difference between a good company and a bad company.

lebowski said:

Yep, I agree glass break detectors makes more sense for me than motion.

I also agree a couple cameras are a good idea, that's one of the things I liked about the frontpoint system you can incorporate cameras into it and access them easily via a smartphone. So if I understand correctly, if I was at work and the alarm went off I could pull up the camera immediately and see what's going on in the house.

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The only issue with some of these cameras that tie into an alarm system is that they don't record, they only stream so yeah, you could see what's going on, but how do you get images to the police? I'm sure there are some out there that do, but a lot of them do not and it's something you should definitely look in to. There's a company called xanbu that interfaces with pretty much any alarm system and video will be stored on their servers.

I'm with Strykervet on GE security products, never been a fan. Their alarm systems aren't very user (or installer) friendly. DSC is very simple to use and reliable.

I can't say that I necessarily agree on the comment about hardwired being better. A hardwired door contact can be pretty easily bypassed by someone who knows what they're doing, especially if the zone is wire improperly with the EOL in the panel, which most companies around here do. Wireless is pretty much tamper-proof and very stable nowadays.

Wow, what horrible information. I don't know where to begin. Let's see, pet immune motions come in 40#,50#,80#,even 100#. Alarm companies will secure your home to whatever level u are willing to pay. Glassbreak detectors are now designed to only pick up the sound of plate glass windows. Cell primaries are far superior to cell backups. Alarms are required by law to not sound off for over 10 minutes. Most states have a law restricting alarm contracts to 3 years. Motions and glassbreaks together is best. Glassbreaks can be beat by muffling the window being broken. Just my 15 year experience 2cents worth.

I do agree that GE is garbage. Dsc is ok. I only use honeywell. It's quite a bit more expensive than Dsc though. Wireless has came a LONG ways. But depending on what level security u want it can be MUCH more cost effective to go hardwired.

I put in 80# motion detectors every day. They work great. Dsc wireless is pretty good but if want to do it yourself it can be confusing for new people to enroll the wireless devices. If you were to go with one of the honeywell lynx systems you could pm me and I would be happy to talk u through programming it yourself. Then u could just find a monitoring station.

Check your inbox.

Bad experience with ADT customer service. I had been an ADT customer since 1990. We had good service. In June 2011 I switched to ATT U-verse for tv, internet and phone. After many attempts to get my system to work, ATT stated my 21 year old system had voltage that was not compatible with U-verse.

I contacted ADT about a new system that would work with U-Verse. ADT suggested a new wireless system for a $300 or so upgrade. I told them other companies I had researched and contacted offered to upgrade me to wireless monitoring for $10 per month less than ADT and not charge for the new equipment as long as I agreed to a monitoring contract. ADT would not budge so I went with Smith Monitoring, a local company. I am a happy new customer.

I then contacted USAA, since they partner with ADT and told them about my experience. I got a call the next day from ADT consumer relations corporate office. They apologized when I told them that ADT apparently had no desire to retain a 21 year customer.

USAA must have some clout. I hope ADT changes their business practices.

No problem man. You can contact me again if u have more questions.

Where to find DMP or DSC equipment? Unfortunately, many alarm suppliers only deal with alarm companies. My advice would be to read up on the different models, then look for them online. Techs sell stuff all the time. I have some older DSC stuff to get rid of, but you would want better in your house. Unless you wanted the most basic stuff. This is if you are doing it yourself. If you are handy and good with wiring and simpe programming, you won't have much of a problem.

The newer DSC stuff is pretty nice, as is the DMP. DSC is cheaper, it is made in Canada and is subsidized by the govt. (or at least it used to be --they cost half as much back in the day and were very popular). Ademco is the old mainstay, as is Radionics. Both are less user friendly, Ademco is no better or worse than DSC panels of similar cost, but Radionics is. They have long been the high security mainstay. Archaic, but it works, and works well. They all have the landline built in. Not sure if you have to get a card to handle a cable connection though in some newer panels, older ones for sure, but I know DMP makes cable ready panels. Both are hardwired, both have hybrid capability, and both can be connected to a radio. The radio is a separate part altogether, and usually the radio is supplied by the monitoring station as they have to have compatible stuff to make it work. All the radios work together as a network, if one can't communicate directly, it will relay the signal through other radios until it gets to a receiver.

Wireless has come a long way, I agree. But the problem with wireless is that it is bulky and easier to bypass than hardwire. If hardwired properly with the resistor AT the EOL, and if using three wire contacts with a Double EOL and tamper circuit (which I like to series at the panel and then run through every single cable --one continuous circuit with a double EOL) the door can be near impossible to violate. But most of us don't really NEED that kind of security. I have it because it costs me the same to do it that way vs. the easy way.

If you go with wireless, I'd get a hybrid panel anyway and put it somewhere hidden but where you can still run the wires for the siren, keypad, power, and phone. Get newer stuff from a reputable company. I use the DSC but that is because I have a lot of it, not because it is the best. You want the wireless to be "smart", you need to know when it has low batt., tampers, and how good the signal is. Even with wireless, you will still need to hardwire some components. Hardwire all that you can. For that you cannot, use the wireless. I recommend that you use the wireless devices only as a transmitter. You can install a recessed door contact and just run the short wire to the transmitter installed over the door --just over the door trim. This looks better than having a big plastic box on the door, and it lasts longer because it doesn't get hit or banged up. Same with windows. Plus, using the device as a transmitter instead of a contact allows you to hook other things up to the same transmitter. Take a window for example. You can contact that window, OR you can run a short wire from a hardwire contact to the transmitter, then series in a wire that weaves through your window screen. Now the alarm will go off if the window is opened, the screen is cut, and if the screen is removed. That is the best way to do a window.

Don't depend on pet motions. Some are okay, but all have to use some kind of reduced detection principle in order to work. Some use microwave in addition to IR, they are okay too, but I'm not a fan of 'em. Then there is ultrasonic, but that is costly. Bottom line is that they all have their weaknesses and all can be bypassed by the right indvidual. Best bet is regular cheap IR, keep the dog out of range.

Unfortunately, to get everything done right, you almost need a security company and a good tech. If you have more questions than answers, it may be better to go with a company than trying it yourself. Here I recommend using the local ones that have been around forever, and find out what your local jewelry stores use. That is the best advice I can give.

Note that they won't use wireless. It isn't UL approved for use in listed systems. That doesn't mean you shouldn't use it, it just means you should use it judiciously and only when needed. If you can run a wire, do that instead.

While I can't say much about it, the best system I ever installed is in one of the most secure facilities in the US (actually a couple). I wish I could tell you about them. All I can say is that they use Radionics, hardwired, radio backup, and they have TWO of them installed by TWO different companies, with the second panel being proprietary. Their biggest fear is that a tech will come and shut it down. Which could be done if they didn't have to two different high security systems.

You really are better off to get a good local company put it in and use the radio backup, local monitoring is best. A good company will employ good techs, not subcontractors, and will hardwire what they can. They don't care how uncomfortable your attic is, if they can get the wire they will. Then save money on the camera system by doing it yourself. Cameras are a good deterrent, but keep that recorder safe. Loose that and you may as well use fake cameras. Believe it or not, the cheap Costco camera kits aren't all that bad. Now cameras, those have come a LONG way in a short time. Just 20 years ago you HAD to have an alarm company handle it. And they were VERY expensive! Now you can do it yourself for $600, and do it as well as they can.

If you do do it yourself, do NOT get raped by getting it monitored by contract. $30 a month is a rip off for remote monitoring if you already have the equipment. $5 is more reasonable, but you will have to program it yourself and test it yourself (which isn't a problem if you got this far). You can find the cheap monitoring by searching online. Buyer beware.

If you decide to do it yourself and need the contacts (for the transmitters or for hardwire, either way) or extra IR motion detectors, drop me a line. I have all kinds in all colors. I have more than I can use in ten lifetimes and would sell it cheap or trade. I have some panels too, but I highly recommend you get them elsewhere unless you want the most basic system.