recommendation for a "simple" home invasion alarm...

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SSN Vet

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When my kids were tots, I used to wake up at the drop of a hat. Now I'm finding my internal alarm is getting less sensitive.

I'd like to set up a simple to use, specific purpose home alarm "system".

Here's what I'd like it to do...

1. wake me up/alert me if someone breaches an established perimeter. I'm looking for time to roll out of bed, put glasses on, open gun vault and arm myself and then get to the top of the stairs before BG does.

Here's a list of what I don't want it to do.

1. sound a loud alarm.... I want it to wake me up, and me alone.

2. go off every time the cat jumps off of a chair.

3. alert a monitoring agency

4. make a phone call.

5. scare the wife and kids with false alarms.


Ideally it would have three wireless door switches, one motion sensor (for the part of the basement which the cat's are shut out of). And half a dozen window switches.

I'd prefer a controll panel on my night stand that makes a door bell type noise and which can be easilly turned off.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.
 
I have heard other places the best thing to do is ask local PD for good contractors so you dont end up with some crackhead wiring your home.
 
My house has had all the windows wired and wireless sensors and motion detectors, two control panels, one by the main entrance, and one in MBR. I can set it to beep if an door or window is entered, but if I set the alarm like that the volume is not enough to wake someone up IMHO.

But you can buy the wireless ones, 300 ft to 1000 ft limits and put several sensors on them that will chime and wake you up unless your dead. Placing those over the sensitive area's remote basement with no pet access, or accross the exterior of entry doors or windows might work.

I have one that will work with up to 3 wireless locations, one of which is my driveway. (couple hundred feet to the house). Just remember that deer and large dogs will set them off too.

I saw some single units, (do not know how good they are) at harbor freight for about $20 that might work for short range stuff.
 
You want an alarm that alerts the BGs as well as you that their presence is known so that they're motivated to leave before you get out of bed.
 
I use this:Motion sensor

with three sensors, mounted about 6 feet from and facing the doors (on the outside) and about four feet off the ground to avoid cats and the like.

It gives a single Buzz that is enough to wake me, and I can move the reciever around to whereever I may be sleeping...

Ramone
 
I agree that a good dog is the best bet in more ways then one.

But if you want to stick to electronics, try the simple burglar alarm systems sold by http://www.x10.com/promotions/home_security_2deals.html . You can buy a 'package' or select individual components to suit yourself.

The base unit can be set to 'ding dong' like a doorbell when a sensor is tripped. I decided to avoid all the motion sensors and just use magnetic reed switch sensors, since more false alarms seem to come from motion sensors. YMMV there.

The system has worked well for us, and I put one in for my mom as well.

FWIW-

lpl
 
As far as sensors and perimeter detection there are many different ones to choose from. As for the response, if you do not want a siren then look into items for the hearing impaired. I believe they have things like vibrating pillows for wake up purposes. Simply hook one up to a relay in the alarm control panel and I think you would have what you want.
 
organic early warning system--dog

gun--S&W 66 unloaded with 2 speed loaders next to it
if the kids and the spouse are gun trained, perhaps a BHP; round chambered and mag next to it.

learn to hold your flashlit in your non-gun hand and away from your body--change its positionn when you change yours; and often.
 
Last edited:
I have some X-10 motion detectors & vid-cams set up.

When someone trips a motion detector, VCR goes into record for 3 minutes, and a 'doorbell' type ding-dong chime sounds in MBR. I can switch on TV to determine response needed.
 
I use this:Motion sensor

with three sensors, mounted about 6 feet from and facing the doors (on the outside) and about four feet off the ground to avoid cats and the like.

It gives a single Buzz that is enough to wake me, and I can move the reciever around to whereever I may be sleeping...
Click to expand...

I'll have to add that to the list- I have been looking at the VoiceAlert VA6000S or a HouseLink system with motion sensors to alert me to movement in the perimeter around my home. One of these systems might meet the OP's needs. They're wireless and will chime to the base unit when the sensor is tripped (or play back a recorded message with the VoiceAlert system).
 
ok...

Here is what you need....

Lengths of string or fishing line long enough to go where your brand new Rabid Pit Bull sleeps.

A few eye bolts.

Rabid Pit Bull....
string line through eyebolts in front of all windows.

Tie off to dog...
 
Another nod to a dog. If that isn't an option, the next best thing for the budget conscious is a combination of environmental design (advantageous landscaping, placement of items around the residence, etc), motion activated lighting (outside), and motion activated auditory alarms (inside).
 
Yap yap dog to wake up BIG dog. Mine go nuts when poeple come up front or back, wonderful. BUT, you have to make sure your dogs don't bark at each other, fly going around, etc, or you will quickly get tired of getting up to investigate random barking in the night. So I added ADT.
 
+1 for the dog. when the power goes out my dog still works. That said i still have an alarm and some nice outside lighting
 
Dog

But not a little yappy POS. Get a really smart dog, that's not too hyper. I prefer the kind that tends to growl instead of bark. My dog actually gets quiet when she really thinks there's danger, and just makes a soft deep growl with every hair standing on end. She barks when it's someone she knows or someone she's expecting, like the mailman or garbage man.

I'm not really sure how she knows the difference. But she does.
 
thanks for the replies...

I'm working on the dog with my wife.... I'm about 75% of the way there. My hearts desire is for a Golden though.... not changing my mind on that one.

I should give more thought to the alarm issue. My main concern is that I wake up in time to arm myself. If the system functions without false alarms, having it scare off BG would be good. But then again, having the kiddies mistake it for a fire alarm and run out of the house into the arms of danger would not be an acceptable outcome.
 
I have a security system with a company. You should be able to buy your own and setup the way you want. Motion sensors inside the house for what you want are no good since to activate the Bad guy is already inside. For outside the expensive motion sensors can be adjusted for sensitivity.

You don't have to put sensors on every door and window just the ones that are realistic points of entry. You have to determine. Easy way is to get a estimate from an alarm company to find where they would set sensors, then just go get your own system based on the recommendations made by the professionals
 
i picked up a cheapy alarm system from harbor freight for my old house. i think it ran right around $20 on sale. it consisted of a base unit (would either sound an awful alarm, or chime like a doorbell.) 6 wireless sensors each with their own siren built in, in addition to transmitting to the base unit with its siren, and also 2 keyfob remotes so you can arm and disarm when not in the house.
worked pretty stinkin good.
might be worth checking into.
 
I installed my own system at home. It's a Power832 from DSC. I've got multiple keypads, external sirens, strobes, intercom, motion sensors, smoke and co detectors, keyfobs, crawlspace monitoring, etc. Devices outside (strobes, sirens etc) have tamper switches which are supervised 24/7.

I've probably got $800 in the system. Most security companies charge several hundred dollars for "installation" up front and then ding you every month for about $50 in monitoring fees. I've got 10 times the system ADT or the like would install and it's paid for, and it's mine.

I had a single false alarm about 4 years ago, right after installing the base system (this alarm has been a work-in-progress over the years). I suspect the cat decided to walk across the dining room table while nobody was home, and that triggered a motion sensor. I made a quick adjustment and haven't had a single problem since.

Monitoring is optional with a DIY system. When you own your own system, you can go to the monitoring company directly and pay less than $10 a month with no commitment.

My entire system is wired, and it was installed in existing construction. If I were to do it all over again, I'd probably go wireless with something like this:

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezStore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=1164

I realize this type of system is capable of doing a lot of things you're not interested in, and I'm sure it can be configured to meet your specifications. Having extra functionality is a good thing -- it gives you something to grow into.

Disclosure: My only relationship with Home Security Store: Just a satisfied customer over the last several years.

Steve
 
Get a terrier. Big dogs are sure intimidating but little dogs love to ensure that everyone knows someone's coming through the door (or window).
 
If you get a little dog, they will just bark at anything, if u get golden theyll take the guy guy out braking into ur house
 
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