Opinions on Alarm Systems?

[SmokeyJoe]

Hey Gorillas...

My daughter's town home was broken into recently. They made off with a lot of stuff, but fortunately it happened while she was at work. Thankfully she was not physically threatened.

However... she is really wanting to get an alarm system. We have looked at several. I was wondering if some of you jungle dwellers had some experience that might prove helpful here... types of alarm system needed... better companies to deal with... best monitoring approach (entry alarms or motion sensors). We have looked at ADT, Brinks, and CPI - and another called Alarm Force.

Your opinions and advice are appreciated!

* Edit * She does not have phone service yet. She will probably go ahead and get a land line now.

[skibumdc]

Who does she have for phone service?'
If she is using Vonage or another VOIP, she may have issues with some companies, unless they use a GSM cell phone connection to report issues.

Just a bit of advice.

[JaKaAch]

I've heard good things about this.
http://www.lasershield.net/

Look like it can work with cell phones and broadband connections.

[SilverFox]

I am on ADT

GSM back up to regular land line so great coverage

Also have gaurd service (they are first responders)

It is tied into my smoke detector system.

I have to say I have been with ADT for 6 years, they have upgraded my equipment twice without cost or extra contract being signed and I have had nothing but good experience with them.

I have had two real alarm events in 6 years both time the potential perps left as soon as the Klaxon went off so in my opinion worth every penny. I have a friend that was the victim of a very serious home invasion robbery and it has left them very emotionally scarred so for my peace of mind it si worth it.

just my opinion for what it is worth.

[awsmith4]

I use a local company for monitoring, but I too have no land line and it is not needed. You can have wireless alarm service. The device itself goes in the panel and is offered by most any alarm installer and costs about $2 more a month to monitor (that's a lot cheaper than $30 for a phone line).

This is actually who I use and they say they maintain accounts in 10 states but I'm not sure about installation. It would be worth a call though as they are a stand up company. I have done business with them as a builder and a homeowner.

http://www.loudsecurity.com/main.asp...nt=3&mode=cust

[DonnieW]

Originally Posted by skibumdc

Who does she have for phone service?'
If she is using Vonage or another VOIP, she may have issues with some companies, unless they use a GSM cell phone connection to report issues.

Just a bit of advice.

Correct, some systems don't play well with VoIP. That was a BIG limiting factor when I went searching.

[Mark-60]

I'm "The assistant to the G.M." for a third party alarm monitoring company that monitors systems all over the U.S. (mostly in the Pacific NW, Alaska, and Hawaii) and here's my

If you have a broadband connection, there are a few options for monitoring over the internet. It's nice because you can have what is called "supervised communication". In other words, if someone interrupts your path of communication, you will know about it. A land line system will not have this option without a GSM or radio option.

I would also stay away from the Brinks (the company I work for now did the monitoring for these guys when they were young) and ADT's out there. I would find a reputable local company to do the install/service. You will most likely find that you get taken care of better that way.


-Mark.
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

[screwbag]

A dog is a huge deterrent for lots of would be thieves....and more fun to play with than a keypad.

instead of alarms i'm a big fan of better door and window construction. a steel door with some protection around the accessable windows goes a long way.

[Goz]

I use APX. I have had issues with the equipment (installed by the builder not APX) but APX has been happy to come by twice to fix it for free.

[germantown rob]

Sorry to hear about this, it is a terrible feeling to be violated and peace of mind goes a long way.

We have local very good companies around philly and they are 3x or more what an ADT or big company charges for install. I believe an alarm system is a very good deterrent when other houses in the neighborhood don't have them.
My wife feels much better at home when I am out or coming home when I am not there.

Pets make motion sensors go of even if they are designed not to, so many false alarms. I have them anyway and put them where from a window they can be seen flashing. The doors are a must since kicking a door in is a preferred way of breaking in around here plus it is tough to get big stuff out a window if that is how they got in.

An alarm system is worthless against pros and smart second story crooks. Some second story crooks go only for master bedroom windows since they are rarely alarmed for ease of opening and closing at night and that is where the jewelry usually is. It is also worthless if it doesn't get set because it is to complicated. I have my keypads located so anyone looking in can see it and the red light on it.

[SmokeyJoe]

I appreciate the information and suggestions... anyone else?

[Darrell]

I recommend this go with her home security setup.



Few sounds are as frightening to an assailant as the sound of a shell being jacked into the chamber of a Mossberg pump.

[Ski1215]

Originally Posted by screwbag

A dog is a huge deterrent for lots of would be thieves....and more fun to play with than a keypad.

instead of alarms i'm a big fan of better door and window construction. a steel door with some protection around the accessable windows goes a long way.

Ever seen how affective the dogs are on "To Catch a Theif"? On the Discovery channel?

[mtb996]

I have Brinks myself. Motion sensors and door sensors. It also works fine with my digital TWC phone. I travel with work on occasion and my wife loves the alarm for when I am away.

Now, as others have mentioned, home and car alarms are great deterrents but will not stop a pro. In this regard, the stickers and signs are as valuable than the actual alarm (if the thief cannot defeat the alarm, they stay away - if they can defeat the alarm, it does no good anyway). I know you can buy the stickers and signs even without an alarm.

Sorry about the trouble, this can be very troubling and stressful - I know from experience it sucks. Good luck.

[Only Fuentes]

Originally Posted by Darrell

I recommend this go with her home security setup.



Few sounds are as frightening to an assailant as the sound of a shell being jacked into the chamber of a Mossberg pump.

It brought back memories hearing you say that! My Dad was a State Trooper for 25+ years (and a competition handgun shooter) and he always kept an unloaded (my mom was terrified of guns) pump action shotgun by her bedstand when he worked nightshifts. When I was about 14 and knew everything I asked why he never loaded it so one night he woke me up took me to the bottom of the stairs still pitch dark and went into the bedroom and slid the action home. I soon realized his reasoning that anybody without a death wish would be outta there in about 0.2 seconds after hearing that so you would never have a chance to fire it. To this day I still remember that sound!!