Do-It-Yourself Alarm Systems

[GrandMoffBrandon]

Hi all. As you might be aware from my “Home Defense” thread, I’ve bought some of the cheapie GE window/door sensors. I’ve been looking around the Internet and I’ve found “do-it-yourself” alarm systems that are, uh, I guess the word would be integrated or networked sensors with some kind of “brain” monitoring them. Anyways, cost-wise they appear to be midway between the cheapies out there and the professionally monitored and installed systems by ADT, Brinks, etc. Does anyone here have experience with the DIY systems and their effectiveness? I found this website which sells these systems and much more: http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ Plus they have an advertisement for a company that can provide monitoring for these systems. Thoughts, comments, criticisms?

 

[Fred Fuller]

I put in a wireless system from http://www.x10.com/security/index.html , and it's worked well. It has an autodialer that you can program to call whoever you want (up to four numbers).

lpl

 

[Beren]

I'd have trouble trusting a wireless system without knowing more about how the communications is secured. It seems like it would be far more vulnerable to interception or spoofing than a wired system. On the other hand, anyone prepared and able to defeat a wireless system is probably professional enough to defeat a wired system, too.

 

[stevemis]

I've ordered tons of gear from homesecuritystore.com, including some very specialized non-stocked items such as a serial port communicator module for my DSC security system. This let me write my own software to communicate with the panel.

These folks are legit. They have a storefront somewhere in CA and I've been a very satisfied customer for probably 5 or 6 years. They have a sales group who answers emails and the telephone (I had to deal with their sales group for my special order which arrived in less than a week!). They also have a security forum with specialists to answer your questions and help troubleshoot.

The monitoring is legit, too. I use their monitoring service, which is just an arrangement they have with a large central station. The company is UL certified and passed the scrutiny of my homeowner's insurance company for my discount.

A few months ago I got an extra 5 or 10% off using the coupon BLOGGER at checkout. Not sure if this still works or not.

I have no connection with the company other than being a very satisfied customer.

Steve

 

[rbernie]

I have a do-it-yourself alarm system. It's called a D-O-G. It's a lot cheaper and easier than the other options.

The best part is that it proactively lets potential skulkers know that mine is not a house that they want to target.

 

[GrandMoffBrandon]

I put in a wireless system from http://www.x10.com/security/index.html , and it's worked well. It has an autodialer that you can program to call whoever you want (up to four numbers).

Thanks for the link and for sharing some of your experience. I'll look into that website.

I'd have trouble trusting a wireless system without knowing more about how the communications is secured. It seems like it would be far more vulnerable to interception or spoofing than a wired system.

That’s a good point.

On the other hand, anyone prepared and able to defeat a wireless system is probably professional enough to defeat a wired system, too.

That’s also a good point.

I've ordered tons of gear from homesecuritystore.com, including some very specialized non-stocked items such as a serial port communicator module for my DSC security system. This let me write my own software to communicate with the panel.

These folks are legit. They have a storefront somewhere in CA and I've been a very satisfied customer for probably 5 or 6 years. They have a sales group who answers emails and the telephone (I had to deal with their sales group for my special order which arrived in less than a week!). They also have a security forum with specialists to answer your questions and help troubleshoot.

The monitoring is legit, too. I use their monitoring service, which is just an arrangement they have with a large central station. The company is UL certified and passed the scrutiny of my homeowner's insurance company for my discount.

A few months ago I got an extra 5 or 10% off using the coupon BLOGGER at checkout. Not sure if this still works or not.

I have no connection with the company other than being a very satisfied customer.

Thanks for sharing that info. It makes me feel a little more comfortable in considering purchasing stuff from them. I also checked them out with the BBB and they didn’t seem to have a lot of complaints against them. I guess that is good.

I have a do-it-yourself alarm system. It's called a D-O-G. It's a lot cheaper and easier than the other options.

The best part is that it proactively lets potential skulkers know that mine is not a house that they want to target.

Believe me, my original plan was to buy two German Shepherd puppies, AKC registered and all. I quickly found that although I own my own home, the women of the house run it and they are adamantly opposed to additional dogs. This, despite the fact that someone broke into my sister’s car right in front of said house. :banghead:

 

[conw]

additional dogs

Any dogs at all should do the trick. They may not bark when you enter, but that's because they know you. Thousands of years of evolution haven't been bred out of even the smallest dog.

Of course, you need to be able to back up your dog, particularly if it's small.

Search for threads on dogs here...even the smallest dog can be a reliable, effective alarm.

 

[rbernie]

This, despite the fact that someone broke into my sister’s car right in front of said house.

How would a dog or home alarm system have helped that?

 

[GrandMoffBrandon]

How would a dog or home alarm system have helped that?

It wouldn’t but it does serve as an example that our street is not as safe as they originally thought. Or should I not be concerned a car thief would also break into my house?

 

[J.R.W.]

+1 for homesecuritystore.com

 

[testify4]

Another thumbs up for homesecuritystore.com.

You can read the extensive reviews on some of the wireless/wireless-wired panels there. Lots of good information and actual experiences there.

I wound up liking the Visonic PowerMax+ system. Out of the box, it has a lot of featues and is very expandable. (You can add additional sensors, sirens, GSM or internet connectivity, remote panels, etc.) It is compatable with monitoring services and will call up to 4 private numbers. I can call it and check status, arm/disarm, and listen in to the house with the built in microphone. I'd highly recommend that if it is in your price range.

I was originally cautious about the wireless sensors- but after checking out the system, they have this covered. Millions of codes, supervised (they check in) and the system will alarm if it detects tampering with the sensors. The batteries last years. You can also set the system to notify/alarm if it detects jamming.

Dogs are excellent, but mine would be boarded or with me while I am away for any significant length of time. This system is there 24/7.

 

[sm]

I use a Dr. Pepper bottle or coffee cup to sit atop door knob.

This has been working for 53 years, and is even portable for use in traveling.