Okay - help me get a cheap door alarm setup

[newbie4help]

I've heard this discussed before so sorry if this is duplicate but I can't find anything on point via search.

Where can I get a cheap door alarm - the kind that when you open the door if the alarm is one lets off a really loud siren? What brand and what store should I go to?

The gf is gone for a couple of weeks to her parent's house and she's my "guard dog" (joke away) b/c I sleep with earplugs, so I finally want to get this set up.

Thanks!

 

[CWL]

I wouldn't bet my life on "cheap" but here you go.

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezStore123/DTProductList.asp?p=2_1_1_1_0_0_118

 

[nelson133]

Amazon, and others, sells a battery powered door wedge with a 125 decibel alarm for the traveler. It is an alarm and door stop. Look at other traveler items, they are usually reasonably priced.

 

[Jon_Snow]

I've found them at Walgreens and Longs drug stores. Some Home Depots also carry them.

 

[Fred Fuller]

There's cheap, and there's inexpensive. I'd go for inexpensive.

Dollar Tree was selling a little battey powered device called INTRUD ALERT for- you guessed it- $1. I bought a handful of them and stuck one on the back door, it works pretty well for a buck. It uses a magnet and magnetic reed switch just like a 'big boy' burglar alarm. It's 'only' 90 db, so I don't know if it would be loud enough to get through the earplugs. And the components are set up to mount with double sided tape- not always the most durable approach for installation.

We use one of the X10 home security systems- see http://www.x10.com/security/index.html . You can get modules to do whatever you want, pretty much, it's all wireless and plug-in to existing outlets, you can set up an autodialer to call people if you want, and configure the system with whatever sensors you want. It's easy to install and ours has worked well. Put a siren module in your bedroom and I guarantee you won't sleep through it. See http://www.x10.com/security/index.html .

FWIW,

lpl

 

[kyo]

I have the dollar one installed on my front door. Works great. Turn it on at night, if the door is opened even a little I wake up. Neighbors can hear it 1/2 floors down. I think its great for a buck, and battery management is NOT a big deal

 

[lions]

Check out Wal-mart too, they are usually next to the smoke and CO detectors. And then after you go you can start another Wal-mart thread!

 

[mbt2001]

http://www.google.com/products?q=st...a=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

These come with key fobs, so if you don't have a pet, you can put these in the common areas and sleep away. I don't know if you will hear the siren, but you certainly might see the lights. Not to mention, the bad guys will scatter. Sensory overload.... Lights, Loud noise when they were counting on surprise.

Why do you sleep with Ear plugs when your GF is out of town? If she snores, you won't need them when she is gone right?

 

[Cannonball888]

Do not get one that hangs on the door knob. They don't work well. They only sound when someone is touching the knob but stop once they do. Also it relies on electrical conductivity of the knob so if it is paint or clear lacquer-coated brass it won't work.

 

[Ric in Richmond]

harbor freight sells a motion detector "driveway alert" Works well!!

 

[61chalk]

Radio Shack.

 

[flrfh213]

i have 2 driveway alert motion detectors, 1 in my shed and 1 in my motor home. either one will set off BOTH recivers/chimes it seems to be a good system for me...

 

[gwlammers]

+1 on x10.com. Comparitively speaking the prices are great and their stuff works. (except for the wireless TV gadget - it did not work for me.)