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 Replies: 40 / Views: 3,924 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2602 Posts |
What home security system(s) do you recommend and what are its feautres and advantages/disadvantages? I know very little about this and trying to search through google is endless. I've heard some systems are not great because they are too sensitive/false alarm too much, and motion sensor is no good if you have pets.
I've heard about ADT- is that any good, or too pricy for what you get?
Any help would be appreciated! If there has been a thread on this already, can someone post it here? Edited by mycrob
02/12/2008 10:42 am
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
hey, I have adt and its awesome. only thing is my wife uses the smoke detector as a cooking timer, yes they come when it goes off. my dogs don't set the motion detector off either. Just remember to hide the safe very well,(in the floor or wall) own lots of guns, don't tell people you collect, get a po box. with all that you should be relatively safe. Adt is the best for me. I have had a few other brands, but prefer the adt system. $30 a month and it was $99 installed. it would have cost $1200 but I had a friend. good luck and update how it all goes for you.
if I can be of further assistance, just let me know...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
We've had ADT here at the office for many years......... once the keypads get "well used" it causes problems and malfuntions, but I suppose that's true with any of em'.
I often think of getting the alarm system at home, but I don't know, by the time the police would get there, I have a feeling they'd be long gone.
But many lines of defence make good sense........first off..... I won't keep many coins at home at any one time......so they can't be stolen !
Depending on where you live and your neighbors......... an alarm system could be a good thing. And I'll vouch for ADT.
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Valued Member
United States
144 Posts |
Most services will replace the equipment when it wears out if you are on a contract. Check what equipment you get: door sensors, or window sensors (possibly only for windows opening), window glass breakage sensors, and motion sensors (can be tough to rig right if you have pets, but I did, and usually will automatically turn off when you are in the house, so you don't set it off going to the bathroom in the middle of the night).
But, I think the most valuable part of the whole system is the big sign you put in your front yard from the alarm company (and maybe window stickers). I'm not kidding, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea just to buy a sign.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Greyhav........
Yeah, I've been doing that for several years ! I don't have the alarm system at home, but I ordered a sign for "the office" and then just took it home and planted it by the window facing the back alley. A neighbor has been broken into three times and I never have ! (knock on wood !) I do the stickers too.
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Valued Member
United States
140 Posts |
Greyhav...
This what I do for a living...15 years in the industry, 5 with my own company.
Do not...Do not...go with ADT, Brinks or any other national chain. An independent sales rep(they may wear ADT shirts, say they are with ADT but they are independent contractors) who over-sales you because he is paid on commission. They will charge you whatever they think they can for monitoring because again, it is commissioned. You will hear that you are getting this and that for free and the install will only cost $199 or something similar....Well, you will sign a 3 year contract for the monitoring at somewhere around $30 per month....Roughly, will are financing a system for 3 years with the end amount being around $1200-$1300.
Go into you local yellow pages, find a local company who has been in business for a couple years who is not affiliated with any national chain or product line. You do not want to sign a contract at all with a 1 year contract being the maximum. And do not pay more than $20 per month for monitoring. The monitoring must be UL listed monitoring station. You will pay more up front to have the system installed but you actually come out ahead this way...You own the sytem and are not locked into a contract with any company long term. For example, I charge $295 to intall a basic system, $17.50 per month with no contract.
Do not allow any company to install a wall mount, counter-top unit(keypad, controller, siren combo) as these are Radio Shack fodder....You want a reputable manufacturer of equipment(Ademco, Caddyx, DSC to name a couple)
Find a local guy, get local service and help your local economy...You will be happier in the long run.
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
Remember this phrase: "Target of opportunity". It is not just about leaving a door open or the keys in the ignition! It applies to having a warning sign on your windows. If your house has a sign, the neigbours do not, it is an easy choice for the casual thief.
Of course, it is not 100% perfect. It is a function of how bad someone wants what you have. Having just a sign will help, having an actual system that makes noise will help more, and so on.
I agree with MountainXBGL, avoid ADT and keep local if you can! As for equipment, Ademco is the only brand I have ever used. Shop around for the best deal. Make sure your price and contract does not lock you into their monitoring beyond the contract term! (i.e. the contract says you forfeit the system, even if you paid for it, if you try to change monitoring companies after the contract is up.)
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Valued Member
United States
130 Posts |
I have Security Link by Ameritech. They are not perfect but have been very good. Motion sensors in all but the bedrooms and bathrooms and hardware on the doors. Some of my neighbors with Brinks swear by them. Safe deposit box and only a handful or working coins at home is my strategy.
Oh, and a dog. Get one with a good bark. If you go with motion sensors, the dog can sleep with you in the bedroom.
Edited by MLFLY
01/10/2008 10:06 pm
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Moderator
United States
23478 Posts |
I posted this once before but a number of my friends have this and love it Here is a security system that can even be used in apartments and it cost less than many coins May be a good investment LaserShield® Starter Kit MSRP:$199.99 The LaserShield® Instant Security System is a family of innovative, easy to use, low-cost, security system products. The LaserShield® Starter Kit is ideal for rental homes, apartments, townhomes and condos, and is a perfect security solution for college dormitories, retail stores, offices. Phone connection LaserShield® plugs into an existing telephone jack. Power connection LaserShield® receives its power from a standard wall outlet via a small low voltage transformer. Panic button The 24-hour panic button remains active whether the system is armed or disarmed. Pressing the panic button at any time will immediately activate the siren and initiate a call to the 24 X 7 Rapid Response Monitoring Service through your existing phone line. The Keychain Remote also includes a panic feature by pressing both buttons simultaneously. Siren speaker When an alarm condition exists the LaserShield® Master Alarm Unit sounds a 105-decibel siren. Sirens are an active and very important line of defense against burglary. The majority of intruders leave immediately when a siren is activated. Instant Learn Feature LaserShield® systems are expandable. Additional Wireless Detection Units or Key Chain Remotes can be learned into your system in less than 60 seconds. Our proprietary user interface eliminates the need for programming, complex manuals, allowing an entire system to be setup or expanded in minutes. Battery back-up Each LaserShield® device is equipped with a backup battery, used in the event of lost power. The Master Alarm Unit battery is rechargeable and the Master Alarm Unit will notify your monitoring service if the battery charge becomes low. Other devices such as Wireless Detection Units and Keychain remotes report their battery condition to the Master Alarm Unit, which will notify you if a battery needs to be replaced. Placement of unit Each LaserShield® Wireless Detection Unit is equipped with a state-of-the-art passive infrared detection system. The unit's view of detection spans out from the front of the unit in a 110-degree pattern ranging over 35 feet. Delivering approximately 1100 square feet of detection. The LaserShield® motion sensors samples the ambient room temperature and will detect an intruder's body heat moving across its detection zones. Pet Friendly A unique Pet Shield instantly snaps into place on the front of the LaserShield® motion detector on the Wireless Detection Unit. The Pet Shield blocks portions of the motion sensor so your pet is less likely to trigger an alarm. Light and sound effects LaserShield® will verbally annunciate when it is placed in an armed or disarmed condition. The Master Alarm Unit counts down the number of seconds left when arming as a reminder of the 60-second exit delay. The Master Alarm Unit will also beep for 20 seconds upon re-entering as a reminder to disarm the system. Diagnostics The LaserShield® Master Alarm Unit includes extensive self-diagnostics. The Master Alarm Unit will report any abnormal condition such as loss of power, telephone connection disconnected, or low back-up battery. User Call Feature The LaserShield® Master Alarm Unit has a special "phone in" feature. Using a secret PIN number our customers can telephone their alarm system from a remote location using a telephone or cellular phone. This feature allows them to check system status, remote arm, remote disarm, or even activate a hidden microphone to listen in on babysitters, children, or pets. Alarm reporting The Master Alarm Unit will contact the Rapid Response Moniting Service to report the following conditions- alarm, panic, low battery, and cancel. Under normal conditions Lasershield reports the fastest response time in the alarm industry, initiating a return phone call approximately 30 seconds after receiving an alarm signal. their site is http://www.lasershield.net/rggoodie
aka Richard
"catch em doing something right"
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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
It seems that most of you question has been answered but I would also suggest that you check with your insurance company. I got a discount of the service, install and insurance payment for using a certain company. I have been happy thus far and I did shop around to make sure that the "discount" wasn't taken off an already inflated price. Finally, the pet friendly system is a must if you have animals. Good luck!
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Member
United States
3242 Posts |
being housebound mostly I have 12ga shotgun, and I store all of the bulk of my collection at my bank box. and the ebay stuff in a home safe,jcook54 has a great remark do not forget your home owner INS should be a the top of your list! we all pay for it so use it. mine only went up $30.00 dollar a year. but I added it back in 1987 when I add a swimming pool also and Nationwide comes by or calls and checks 1 time a year to see if they can update. painless but safe!  Edited by amac44
01/11/2008 10:49 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2335 Posts |
I don't think having a monitored alarm system is worth the cost. Having a sign & an alarm that goes off upon entry will deter the average thief. A true professional is going to be able to beat any system, and your average dirtbag will run like heck if an alarm goes off.
I don't even have an alarm any more. I figure my dogs will keep out the average thief, & in the unlikely event a pro thinks there might be something worth stealing in my neighborhood I have insurance.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19931 Posts |
I have ADT, but I think it's a rip-off as stated before. I've been considering AlarmForce. Anyone have any input on them?
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1231 Posts |
"mine only went up $30.00 dollar a year"
amac44, that doesn't seem like much. What kind of coverage does Nationwide give for that? $5K, $10K, $25K, $50K....more?
My homeowners policy only covers $500 for a coin collection, unless I get a rider from my insurer. When I checked on the price of a rider for $25K, my insurer told me it would add almost $600 a year to the cost of the policy
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Valued Member
United States
243 Posts |
I worry a lot about being robbed because back in 1980 two days before Christmas our house was broke into.They didnt find my coins but they took 12 rifles and shotguns. I worry about the house when were gone.If some one tried to get in when I'm here they'd be in big trouble,I keep a 9mm loaded and I qualified sharpshooter in the Marines.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
936 Posts |
I have a Glock 19mm and he has 18 of his friends (black talons) that run a lot faster than any thief! I also keep most of my stuff off site.
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Replies: 40 / Views: 3,924 |
Posted 01/10/2008 4:08 pm
