No reason not to have a door alarm for $9

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conw

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http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.23633

$9, vibration activated, 120db(!), RF keychain on/off. This will wake you up in the middle of the night and probably wake everyone else in the area up too! has gotten good reviews. magnetic mounts, quite small size, runs off 1x9V. Each unit requires a different RF remote.

IMO, ideal for an apartment type setting with one way in/out. 120db is LOUD for a constant shrill noise.

There are other similar options out, but none with an RF remote. This site also ships free on any size order. What are you waiting for? :)

I am ordering a couple, will throw up a review myself on THR when I get it.

Conwict
 
Looks like, from the vid, that it's fairly sensitive to vibration.

If I mount one on a basement window, is this thing going to go off every Friday morning when the garbage truck rumbles through the neighborhood?

Let us know what the battery life turns out to be.
 
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Good question Co. I bet you could experiment with buffering/padding it to make it less sensitive to environmental vibrations. Will report back.
 
I haven't gotten my hands on one yet, but if it is exceedingly vibration sensitive I would consider mounting it to the surface you choose with rubber bumpers (you could cut these yourself from larger rubber) or cork. The idea of course is to test it extensively to make sure it's still sensitive enough for your needs.
 
My dad and I are starting a paintball business and are completely rebuilding a pro-shop. We're both worried about the possibility of break-in (we're putting steel plates over the doors and windows that lock from the inside so it's unlikely that a break-beam alarm would work). The other two paintball shops in our area that closed down recently (both had property leases pulled out from under them) were broken into multiple (multiple!) times while still in business. Something like this is exactly what I'd be looking for. I'm subscribing to this thread, I really wanna see how these work out. Thanks :)
 
Prophet, here is another option, which I believe ArfinGreebly recommends from experience.

http://www.x10.com/minisites/x10securitysystems/index.html

You can program it to dial up to 4 numbers (e.g. your house, your cell, your dad's cell, the cops). It's $100 and no monitoring fee.

I also recently ordered a "driveway chime" (you could put it around back of the place, and it would chime during the day if someone snuck around back - or whatever) from amazon and a $25 wireless system from amazon (doesn't dial numbers like the above unit though).

You could definitely combine systems though. The main virtue of the $9 one is it's loud as heck and can be placed almost anywhere, even say on a sliding glass display case that has a sign that says "ask for assistance, do not touch"

I also replied in your thread
 
I Love the Door Stop Alarms, they slip on the floor in front of the door, door opens a pushes down on the top tab an alarm goes off, its wedged form an can help stop the doo also...also you can push down on the lever, then holding it down, turn it on an place under a tire of a mower, ATV, motocycle, trailer...IF someone attempt to move it an releases pressure, it goes off instantly, they are easily concealed, an the burglar never sees it. An they go for around 9.00 too.
 
The ones chalk is referring to are available on Amazon. They look like a good choice for the less technically inclined and for hotel rooms. I like the concept of the remote activated alarm better mainly because of the versatility and it seems easier to leave the house with an armed alarm when you can arm it through the door.
 
Caveat Emptor:


I bought some similar alarms for my apartment a while back.


After I dropped one, it was stuck in the on mode.

I believe whatever sensor is used in these devices is very fragile.
 
These look interesting, I would just be worried that they are so sensitive that someone knocking on the door would set them off which would be inconvenient. My girlfriend and I will be moving into an apartment together at the end of july and I have been looking for a simple solution that will give us advanced warning of an intruder through the apartments only point of entry. so far I think that those door stop alarms are going to be the best option.
 
Actually Alex, due to the sensitivity I have a two piece door alarm on my front door.

It has one thick section that has a ridiculously loud alarm speaker on it, and the other section simply contains a sensor or something.

When separated, they go off.
 
David - was it the exact same alarm or a similar one?

alex, IMO the idea is to arm it when no one should be knocking on the door, like at night. during the day if you're gone and they knock, I'm pretty sure it only sounds off for 25-30 seconds if it is left undisturbed anyway.

You could also install a cheap doorbell and put up a placard that says "do not knock. use doorbell."
 
Ask arfingreebly to give some input in this thread. He posted a while back that he has one from x10. Maybe he can give a short review.
 
http://www.x10.com/minisites/x10secu...ems/index.html

You can program it to dial up to 4 numbers (e.g. your house, your cell, your dad's cell, the cops). It's $100 and no monitoring fee.
Click to expand...


Sweet baby Ray's BBQ SAUCE.

Has the designer of that website never heard of sensory overload.

As soon as I saw the webpage I thought "Good Lord, must avert eyes, too much movement! Too much color!"
 
In-laws had something simiar. Battery life seemed like it was 2 months, give or take. Low enough that you'll feel like you're replacing them somewhat often.

Big thing is they just ended up being annoying. Forget to disarm them or come in from outside and set them off. Loud and unpleasant (that's the point though I guess). The only ones that got left on were the ones on seldom used doors like the basement. That might be a good niche for them. They were just tough to live around on a regularly used door.
 
What if the BG has a remote control for this? Are the remotes universal?

My alarm is the sound of wood splintering as someone tries kicking down the door.

Is that thing loud enough for the neighbors to hear? Or will the BG simply smash it, and continue about his business if you're not home?
 
I got my 4 units in (3 for me, 1 for parents)

The remotes are definitely not universal. I think there are over 120000 codes possible on this frequency, maybe more according to the DealExtreme geeks who have written a post or two on it. Plus it's really not that common.

Having tested them a bit, apartment neighbors will definitely hear it. Someone outside would probably hear it. But I think it only stays on for 30-45 seconds (haven't tested) when tripped. It would be enough to get most sneaky thieves to run away, since they wouldn't know it wasn't connected to a security company. And it would definitely alert anyone in the area.

They are very lightweight even with the battery. I mounted them with poster putty, which dampens environmental vibrations. So stomping, garbage trucks, etc, definitely wouldn't trigger it. If someone messes with the door, though, it will definitely trip. I also have one on my two front windows.

It's a good product. Solidly built, basically no false alarms, comes with battery, cheap, and effective for the job.

IMO the niche is for people who can't buy/don't really need a full security system (apartment dwellers, small homes, etc) but want something cheap and effective. It's great for overnight use. Portability and versatility are huge pluses. I might not leave it armed while I was gone if I thought someone would rap loudly on the door.

There are plenty of ways to get innovative with this gadget, too. It's so portable and easy to use. Would be great for an overnight stay in a hotel.

I'm happy with it, and will sleep better if I hear a strange thump because I know it's not IN my apartment.
 
great review, this made me consider them more seriously.

Now all I have to do is purchase a few of these and a CZ-75b and I will be set.
 
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