BellyUpFish
Well-known member
New build going on and we want an alarm.
Grew up with Certified, but am looking at ADT as well..
Anyone have any comments?
Grew up with Certified, but am looking at ADT as well..
Anyone have any comments?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Alarm system..
- Thread starter BellyUpFish
- Start date
check alarm forums. ask your question there. i learned a lot there. i have an extensive alarm and went with geoarm--significantly cheaper than adt, same service, but you have much broader equipment choices. there are other independents.
do all your research and then schedule appointments with adt etc. it actually ticked me off that i knew more than the reps from adt and devcon. although i would say the adt rep was very professional and new more than devcon guy.
other than that. main universal advice i would give is to run ethernet, phone, and a cell antena wire to your box location. an external cell antenna helps a lot. also go wired with a new build to extent possible. run lines for multiple panels in master bedroom and each exit.
also run alarm lines for smoke and heat detectors. the normal smoke detectors do not play with your alarm system.
do all your research and then schedule appointments with adt etc. it actually ticked me off that i knew more than the reps from adt and devcon. although i would say the adt rep was very professional and new more than devcon guy.
other than that. main universal advice i would give is to run ethernet, phone, and a cell antena wire to your box location. an external cell antenna helps a lot. also go wired with a new build to extent possible. run lines for multiple panels in master bedroom and each exit.
also run alarm lines for smoke and heat detectors. the normal smoke detectors do not play with your alarm system.
Last edited:
OP
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Ah. Had no idea there was an alarm forum. Maybe a moderator can move this there?
Ah. Had no idea there was an alarm forum. Maybe a moderator can move this there?
no. google alarm forums. there are forums dedicated to alarms out there
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I went with a local company instead of the national chains. I don't know if it makes all that much difference, but I feel better knowing the company that installed it and is now monitoring it is right in my neighborhood. They used name brand equipment and did a great job installing it, and as far as I can tell the monthly monitoring charge is less than what the national chains cost so I have no complaints.
Dakota00
Well-known member
http://www.diyalarmforum.com/board/
Great forum, lots of knowledgeable people willing to help. I installed my own hard wired alarm system in my house. The guys on the forum helped me big time when I got stuck on some programming issues.
Great forum, lots of knowledgeable people willing to help. I installed my own hard wired alarm system in my house. The guys on the forum helped me big time when I got stuck on some programming issues.
nehog
Well-known member
Consider a video based system, with self protecting cameras. Less wiring, better security. No need for a service company, and you can get a dialer to call (you, or whoever) when there is an alarm.
Teken
Well-known member
Consider a video based system, with self protecting cameras. Less wiring, better security. No need for a service company, and you can get a dialer to call (you, or whoever) when there is an alarm.
I have to disagree strongly on the *No need for a service company*. A person can not be counted to be awake, aware, and be at the ready at all times when a incident happens.
A CS (Central Station) is staffed and ready to respond 24/7/365.
Their only goal is to monitor and react to ensure your safety and that of your property. Those who choose to go self monitoring to reduce overall costs are simply focused on costs alone.
Not, about the value and the level of true protection a CS does provide. Keep in mind many insurance companies reduce your insurance rates if you elect to have your home monitored by a CS that is approved.
When there is a fire and the fumes over take you or your loved one's. Who is supposed to call the FDP??
If you're out of cellular range, or the battery is dead. How will you hear the phone call?
When you're in a underground parkade, shopping mall, elevator, or any number of dead spots?
At the end of the day a CS is exactly like insurance. No one wants to pay for it but sure as **** you're happy you had the coverage during a disaster event.
Since you live in the USA you can find CS for as low as $9.99 per month so no reason not to have a CS watching over you, and your loved one's
Teken . . .
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Your profile does not say what state you are in.
The Certified Alarm I know of is now Guardian Alarm, which is who we use. They are based in Michigan but also have a couple offices here in Ohio.
They are an excellent company to deal with. They replaced our outdated system (we had a one man alarm company who stopped paying his monitoring bill) with a new control panel, keypads, and added a motion detector. Anytime there is a problem, which is quite rare, they send a tech out and get it taken care of. Customer service is great, plus they are still a family owned company which is something I like.
The Certified Alarm I know of is now Guardian Alarm, which is who we use. They are based in Michigan but also have a couple offices here in Ohio.
They are an excellent company to deal with. They replaced our outdated system (we had a one man alarm company who stopped paying his monitoring bill) with a new control panel, keypads, and added a motion detector. Anytime there is a problem, which is quite rare, they send a tech out and get it taken care of. Customer service is great, plus they are still a family owned company which is something I like.