Security system cost
auroraborelis
11 years ago
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Comments (25)
caben15
11 years agoauroraborelis
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Security System - dos and donts
Comments (27)Before I thought to even ask or research about a security system on the forum, we already signed a contract with ADT. I was pretty happy because it was half the price of the first quote, and we are 2 miles from small town, and 20 miles for next largest town, so just never thought to check on a more local outfit. Okay so anyways, we just finished up our install the other day. So we are still on the learning cycle, which means we are not "live" with any alarms calling anyone unless it is fire. Okay so yesterday morning, my DH forgets and opens the door. So the count down begins. He keeps punching in the code, and telling it to Stay, like it was the dog. I guess he was thinking that since he was Staying, that should shut it off. Well it didn't. It was engaged so it needed to be code, then OFF. So the countdown has begun with the initial inside alarm, and it is talking to you, so everyone in the house hears it. I kept thinking, okay he is a highly intelligent fella, it is just a matter of time before he shuts it off. I guess everyone else in the house was thinking the same thing, but eventually I got up and the teenager in the house had also already begun his crawl out of bed and he turns it off, but not before the BIG siren goes off outside. Okay so anyways, this was at 6:40 yesterday morning. We don't have real close neighbors breathing down our neck, but they are plenty close to hear this blarring alarm going off inside and outside at 6:40 a.m. on a Saturday morning. So THIS morning, at 6:40 in the morning, guess who was out mowing his yard? Coincendence? Maybe lol, but I think not. haha We wouldn't be able to hear his mowing too awfully much anyways if we were still in bed, we are insulated pretty well, but I had already been up with the horses, but anyways, we got a kick out of it :-)...See MoreSecurity Alarm system where buy and improve this spec ???
Comments (2)Try the forums at the homesecuritystore.com for alarm advice. A few things to think about... 1. Exterior motion -- Do you really want a phone call each time a deer passes by outside your house? Outside motion detectors will likely be a false alarm problem. 2. Most alarm systems won't call cell phones.Even if you could get the alarm system to call your phone, then what would you do? Consider an alarm service. There are DIY alarm companies that aren't that expensive. 3. Wireless can mean several things -- you can use wireless to hook up your sensors or you can use wireless to connect to the alarm panel to the phone network. Here is a link that might be useful: homesecuritystore.com...See MoreMust I buy whole New Security System
Comments (5)I am only familiar with Ademco. While their stuff isn't simple, I was able to figure it out by reading the manuals which I downloaded online. The panel that I used for my system is a Vista 20p. There is a newer (and slightly more expensive) version called a vista 21IP. The Vista 21IP also allows alarm reporting via the Internet, not just via phone line. Vista 21 also allows an on-board add-on GSM cellular module. Vista 20 can be expanded for these capabilities via an external box (7845i-GSM). The Vista 20 and 21 allow up to 16 zones out of the box. You can also add zone expanders (4219 or 4229) where each one adds an additional 8 zones. You can group some sensors such as doors and windows by room, i.e. a single zone for all windows in a room. Doors you can also group, if you want. You probably want to keep your CO, and motions each on separate zones. You probably want to add one or more smoke detectors for living spaces and heat detectors for attic and garage. I would suggest that you consider alpha keypads. Alpha keypads allow you to see the fault zone in plain English (bedroom window fault) rather than just "zone 5 fault" where you have to look up or remember what zone 5 is. A single alpha keypad is also required for programming of the Vista 20 series. Since you want to do some wireless zones, don't forget to add the wireless receiver module and wireless contacts. A great resource for questions is the diy forum of the home security store. Most of the on-line equipment sales places will answer questions as well. Here is a link that might be useful: DIY Security Forum...See MoreBest Home Security System?
Comments (13)I agree with you, funnygirl. When I posted here recently about an attempted break-in at our house, numerous posters had the same advice: Get a dog! We already have cats, and consider them our "children". We aren't in the market for any more "kids", so getting a dog for protection or companionship wasn't an option that was even on the table for us. I will admit, however, that we have posted BEWARE OF DOG signs in a couple of prominent places. Would-be crooks have no idea if "Rover" is in the house and about to storm through a doggy door, or around the back or side, out of view but just waiting to pounce. ;-) We have also locked our back gate - something we hadn't thought was necessary before. And we've just ordered security doors - decorative iron and tempered glass - to go in front of our regular passage doors. If anyone wants to kick in a door, they have to get past the security door first, and in all likelihood, they won't waste their time. We considered putting security bars on our windows, but have nixed that idea, based upon conversations with local law enforcement. They maintain that it's usually the door that's kicked in, but if a window is used to gain access, the thief wants to go out the door with the loot - not back out the window. Our goal is to make it as difficult as possible for a criminal to get in and out quickly. We have used ADT to monitor our security system for 9 years and have always been very satisfied with their service....See Moredavid_cary
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