Alarm Systems...

[nolimits76]

We are closing on our house 8/9 and I am trying to sort out what to do with an alarm system. The house is 2 years old and has a pre-existing alarm in-place complete with motion sensors, door sensors, window sensors, etc. Everything works well and was tested during our home inspections as good.

I guess I'm really looking for monitoring and curious what everyone here does. I saw another thread recommending Simplisafe. I tried contacting them, but their office is closed.

Obviously we would like to use the existing system. My only ******** requirement is no land line requirement. A local company offers a $14.95/mo service w/ a land line o $35.95/mo for a cellular setup (comes w/ touchscreen keypad upgrades, iPhone apps, etc).

I'm not crazy about paying almost $40/mo the rest of my life for security. I feel I am moving to a safe area or I would not have bought the house. This is more or less for peace of mind for my wife.

I look forward to your responses.

Thanks!

 

[BFBOB]

That's in the ballpark. For us to take over an existing system and add a cellular communicator, we'd charge $200 plus $30/month with no long-term contract.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I do not think Simplisafe is compatible with other systems. IMHO it is worth the extra bucks up front to install a new system in Simplisafe.

Jim

 

[GibsonSG05]

I have a Simplisafe system at my house. I saved a lot of money with a refurbished system form their website, and I only pay $15/mo for monitoring. I didn't want to pay $45/mo for monitoring because I don't have a landline. I'm happy with my system, and they have a lot of options availible on their website. It's easy to install and everything is wireless. Get 5% off by entering SAFENOW.

 

[daddycreswell]

Not much help, the company I have does TN, AL and MS. They only charge 9.95 a month and no contract and use exciting setup.

 

[jdieter]

Google Eyezon Home Security, $10/month monitoring. Not familiar with your hardware so not sure about compatibility. You add their interface to you alarm panel and either go cat5 or wireless to your router to establish a link to their service.

 

[NUTTSGT]

One of the guys at the FD has a system he bought online and installed himself. It's a cellular type alarm system and he felt it was the best deal for him with no landline.

One thing to consider is the cost of having a landline (for alarm only) vs the higher cost of the cell service based system. When we got rid our Sprint/Embarq phone service, it was costing us $43/mo and the only thing we had added was caller ID.

 

[JimVonBaden]

One of the guys at the FD has a system he bought online and installed himself. It's a cellular type alarm system and he felt it was the best deal for him with no landline.

One thing to consider is the cost of having a landline (for alarm only) vs the higher cost of the cell service based system. When we got rid our Sprint/Embarq phone service, it was costing us $43/mo and the only thing we had added was caller ID.

Just an FYI, Simplisafe is a celular system only! I think the cost was about $320 for the components, and I set it up in an hour. Online reports and 24 hour monitoring for $14.95 a month. Plus, no contracts so you can turn it from full monitoring to just local alarm and back at will with no connect/disconnect fees.

Jim

 

[my68spit]

I guess my question is, why do you need monitoring at all? Most of my family members have a security system on their house, but it is not monitored by a company. They are fully functioning alarm systems, so that if someone comes into the house and doesn't know the code, a VERY loud alarm goes off and will probably scare off the intruder and more than likely alarm the neighbors that something is wrong. When you are home, the alarm system will wake you up and you can arm yourself and call the police.

That said, i have an older alarm system installed on my house that is currently non-functional, but I will have an electrician that does alarm systems come out to the house and set mine up the same way.

The only time i would see the monitored system being useful is when you have children who need to contact someone in case of an emergency when there is no land line in the house. I just think about myself or my wife being home with the kids alone at some point, and something happens to us. Rather than one of the kids running around the house trying to find one of our cell phones to call for an ambulance, the monitored systems usually have a button for fire, police, or ambulance that they can just push and tell the call people that daddy fell off the roof, or mommy got her hand stuck in the blender.

 

[justsam]

We are closing on our house 8/9 and I am trying to sort out what to do with an alarm system. The house is 2 years old and has a pre-existing alarm in-place complete with motion sensors, door sensors, window sensors, etc. Everything works well and was tested during our home inspections as good.

I guess I'm really looking for monitoring and curious what everyone here does. I saw another thread recommending Simplisafe. I tried contacting them, but their office is closed.

Obviously we would like to use the existing system. My only ******** requirement is no land line requirement. A local company offers a $14.95/mo service w/ a land line o $35.95/mo for a cellular setup (comes w/ touchscreen keypad upgrades, iPhone apps, etc).

I'm not crazy about paying almost $40/mo the rest of my life for security. I feel I am moving to a safe area or I would not have bought the house. This is more or less for peace of mind for my wife.

I look forward to your responses.

Thanks!

You can get budget level monitoring if you already have some form of communication, such as land line or cellular. Your cellular quote is in line since in effect it is a dedicated cellular service to your home.

What do you plan for internet in your home? I assume you will have WiFi. Some newer systems can use an internet interface, notify you via smart phone, video surveillance, etc.

As you are shopping and they start to mention bells and whistles make sure you know at what additional cost.

If you want more information, and opinions too you may want to visit http://www.diysecurityforum.com/

 

[Falcon67]

That's about what we pay - Vivnt uses cellular. Works, don't have a problem with the cost. Land line or internet would be a bad idea anyway because the first thing would be to drop the connection at the dmarc.

 

[justsam]

That's about what we pay - Vivnt uses cellular. Works, don't have a problem with the cost. Land line or internet would be a bad idea anyway because the first thing would be to drop the connection at the dmarc.

That certainly is a consideration, and of course physical measures can be taken to protect power, phone, internet, and cable, to some degree. Also any well designed system supervises the connection and if a poll is not responded to, than action is taken.

In regard to internet, more and more people are using their cellular service provider and an "Aircard" or "Jet Pack" interface which is of course wireless to their home. Some of them have internal routers while others put a router behind them, using the device as a modem.

 

[nolimits76]

Thanks for all the replies, I am chewing over the information.

I did call Simplisafe this AM and the confirmed I have to replace the existing system with their equipment for it to work.

I like the long term benefit, but the upfront costs are adding up quickly. Currently the house has 15 windows, 6 doors, 2 keypads and 1 motion sensor included. Cheapest way into Simplisafe keeping similar protection would be to buy a refurbished system and add on some extras. All in I will be at $600, give or take a few bucks.

I feel like I'm bleeding out money already with all the other costs it is taking to just get closed and moved into the house. So $600 more feels like a kick in the nuts. I wonder if my insurance provider will give me a discount for "alarm systems" made by Smith & Wesson, Glock, Springfield, Mossberg, etc? While primitive, they are effective.

In regards to internet, I plan to re-establish my cable internet connection and setup my router that supports both wired and wifi connections. I have thought about how to tie the alarm into my internet, but have done zero research on it so I am very dumb at this point to my options, best routes, etc.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've had more than one attempted burglary over the years and my monitored security system was well worth the cost, but it helps that my house is only a few blocks from both the monitoring company and the local police precinct house - response time was very fast.

Something else to consider is a monitored system can be connected to your smoke detectors or other fire sensors, and I think that's more important than the security aspect...if there's a fire, having the system send out an automatic alarm can save lives and hopefully save the structure too.

You can monitor other things like low temp alarms (in case the furnace goes out), CO detectors, flood detectors, etc. All can be very useful if something bad happens when you're away.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I did call Simplisafe this AM and the confirmed I have to replace the existing system with their equipment for it to work.

I would think they could at least reuse the existing sensors and premise wiring, and just install their own control box in place of the old one.

 

[compman25]

I would think they could at least reuse the existing sensors and premise wiring, and just install their own control box in place of the old one.

Simplisafe's whole system is wireless, nothing of theirs uses wires at all except the main box for its power only.

 

[justsam]

Is the existing system wired or wireless? Is there a control panel in the master closet or other location? Did the previous owner have it monitored? By whom?

I would not replace a well installed wired system and control panel for some $99 special with double backed tape wireless sensors!

Does your system have a local alarm? If you have a central panel, look for "SIREN" output. You can get some very loud obnoxious sirens that few thieves can stand.

Also I have seen many systems seldom or ever get armed. Someone comes home, forgets to disarm, finds the whole experience unpleasant and never uses it again. Live with it for a while with a local siren, and see if you are willing to do what it takes to consistently arm and disarm it.

 

[nolimits76]

It's been a week or longer since we walked through the house (closing 8/9) but if memory serves correctly....

- It is a wired system
- There is a control panel
- Previous owner did have it monitored. Asked agent to verify company.
- Not sure about the local alarm or siren output. Trying to get back into the house this weekend to show friends/family and will do a more indepth look.

Is the existing system wired or wireless? Is there a control panel in the master closet or other location? Did the previous owner have it monitored? By whom?

I would not replace a well installed wired system and control panel for some $99 special with double backed tape wireless sensors!

Does your system have a local alarm? If you have a central panel, look for "SIREN" output. You can get some very loud obnoxious sirens that few thieves can stand.

Also I have seen many systems seldom or ever get armed. Someone comes home, forgets to disarm, finds the whole experience unpleasant and never uses it again. Live with it for a while with a local siren, and see if you are willing to do what it takes to consistently arm and disarm it.

 

[juliostager]

The home alarm system installed at my place requires high speed internet and wouldn't work well if the connection is down.

 

[Kevin54]

Doesn't some of the alarm systems have a silent alarm? I can't remember right off, but when I babysat my buddy's dogs when him and his wife was away, he had a Honeywell system. IIRC, you had either 60 or 90 seconds to punch in the code before it dialed Honeywell, then the local Sheriff. The reason I know is that the second time I was there, I must have hit the wrong code. Honeywell Home Security and I got to be on a first name basis. I never did hear an alarm go off in the house or outside the house.

It was sort of funny that Honeywell Security would call me up at home and asked if I had let the dogs out a little while ago. Come to find out, when I would leave, the German Shepard would jump up on the back door to watch me leave. When he did, he set the door alarm off by jarring it. Also, we found out that the room the dogs stayed in was a large laundry room with tile floors and just a washer and dryer. His bark would resonate enough to set off the window alarm.

 

[jimindm]

You have to figure out what you want in an alarm system and what you want it to do and protect. Many are installed to make the home owner feel safe. How many times will the alarm company contact you before sending help? How fast can the authorities be on seen if there is a need? What do you have to protect?

Many alarms are fully alarmed when no one is home, and just certain parts are active when people are home. If doors and windows are the only part of the system on when home, spend some time to enhance them.

I know the OP is just moving in and may not know any neighbors yet. How close are they? No alarm system is as effective as a neighbor that knows what happens in their own neighborhood. After reading other threads about neighbors, I know it will be hard for some to believe, but my neighbors watch out for each other.

In my opinion alarms are just a way to keep the honest and want to be thieves out. A true thief will get in, if he wants to. Just like a car. Many will see if its unlocked to steal out of it. Only a few will throw a brick through the window.

Make sure your system has a siren. Know how long it takes to deactivate. Make sure to set it off, once in a while unintentionally, to make sure people know you are using it.

Get lights up, so people can see what is going on. Get to know your neighbors, enough so that you know their habits as well as them knowing yours.

As far as a place for kids to go when help is needed. If no landline. Most every one has the place that cellphones are set down every night. Many need charged, and most have a place that just becomes there charging center. Add a line to cell package and make sure that phone is always there. Kids should know 911 for help, on any phone. Remember that most cell phones do not give exact locations, so kids should know a physical address.

I know that when my alarm in the garage goes off once in a great while, some neighbors are there as fast as I am.

 

[jdieter]

Regarding internet systems I added a UPS to keep the router powered during a power outage, it's a small one but will still power the router around 4 hours. The battery backup on the alarm panel is good for the same time span.

 

[nolimits76]

Thanks for the tips Jim, they are helpful.

I have never personally owned an alarm system in any of my homes. When I was younger I lived in some gated apartments, but that was a joke in itself. I have friends that have alarms. And I deal with one at work. So I just never felt the need for one. I still don't if I am being honest. The desire for the alarm is coming from the fact that we are moving from a community we have been living 10+ years to one that is only about 20-30 minutes away but while we've done research, we don't have a 10 year history with it. Well that and wife has always wanted an alarm. I have been the naysayer. But with equipment in-place, it's hard not to give my wife a little peace of mind.

We do have friends that live within a few miles, but do not actually know the next door neighbors. I will get to know them eventually. I'm not very shy and could talk to a light pole, lol. Ultimately the goal is to have great neighbors and become good friends with them that we could entrust checking mail, taking care of the dog, etc when we are on vacation. As well as the occasional BBQ and beers. As far as distance, maybe 20-40' away on each side.

Lighting is a must. We like indirect lighting at night shining up/down on the house to create effect along to highlight landscaping features. Although for aesthetics, this actually does illuminate the area. Also, we will have garage lanterns that will stay on at night. Thinking about a motion detector flood light as well. Not quite sure what I will do in the back yet. I have a pretty good sized lot for living in the city...a little over 1/3 acre. The majority is backyard and we have a chocolate lab that likes to go out pretty often. So I'd like to illuminate for her. Plus behind us there is a new neighborhood being developed and I'd like to keep things bright for any would be thieves/vandals as I know they usually find new construction areas. Good thing is we have a privacy fence around our property. Drive gate one side and a walk gate the other. I plan on keeping those locked.

Good idea about an emergency cell phone. I had considered buying a disposable cell just for that purpose. Have a "safe room" area with evacuation plan, etc. Also train wife and daughter on what to do in event of fire or other natural disaster. Being prepared helps keep a bad situation from being horrible.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I guess my question is, why do you need monitoring at all? Most of my family members have a security system on their house, but it is not monitored by a company. They are fully functioning alarm systems, so that if someone comes into the house and doesn't know the code, a VERY loud alarm goes off and will probably scare off the intruder and more than likely alarm the neighbors that something is wrong. When you are home, the alarm system will wake you up and you can arm yourself and call the police.

Not all of us live in a residential area with neighbors close by. Some have neighbors 1/4 mile and farther or have a home surrounded by woods that will drown out the sound of an alarm. Throw in the winter season when people have their home closed up and it's rare to see outside activity where one might hear their neighbors alarm blaring away.

You can also include they fact that some of us might have jobs away from home that require travel (businessman or traveling tech), 24 hour shift at work, (firefighter) farmer (dawn to dusk in the field) or retired (traveling to enjoy life). A loud blaring siren can easily be disconnected or destroyed by a thief if he knows nobody is going to be around.

 

[nolimits76]

Regarding internet systems I added a UPS to keep the router powered during a power outage, it's a small one but will still power the router around 4 hours. The battery backup on the alarm panel is good for the same time span.

That is a great idea. Not sure why I haven't already done that. We have satellite TV and frequently rely on internet for radar maps, etc if the weather gets hairy. Thus far our backup plan has been our cell phones, but this would save some heartache.

Not to mention the benefit if the alarm is tied into it.

Thank you.

 

[nolimits76]

Not all of us live in a residential area with neighbors close by. Some have neighbors 1/4 mile and farther or have a home surrounded by woods that will drown out the sound of an alarm. Throw in the winter season when people have their home closed up and it's rare to see outside activity where one might hear their neighbors alarm blaring away.

You can also include they fact that some of us might have jobs away from home that require travel (businessman or traveling tech), 24 hour shift at work, (firefighter) farmer (dawn to dusk in the field) or retired (traveling to enjoy life). A loud blaring siren can easily be disconnected or destroyed by a thief if he knows nobody is going to be around.

More good points. I do travel occasionally for work, and rarely do I ever put in an 8 hour day and call it good. In fact, I sometimes have to stay very late (or all night on some occasions) when we are in the midst of bidding.

 

[jimindm]

Not all of us live in a residential area with neighbors close by. Some have neighbors 1/4 mile and farther or have a home surrounded by woods that will drown out the sound of an alarm. Throw in the winter season when people have their home closed up and it's rare to see outside activity where one might hear their neighbors alarm blaring away.

You can also include they fact that some of us might have jobs away from home that require travel (businessman or traveling tech), 24 hour shift at work, (firefighter) farmer (dawn to dusk in the field) or retired (traveling to enjoy life). A loud blaring siren can easily be disconnected or destroyed by a thief if he knows nobody is going to be around.

I understand that some do not live in residential neighborhoods, but the OP does. I have heard so many people that have had an alarm installed, to find out that it is not really what they wanted.

I think that alarms give a sense of security, that really is not there. What good is an alarm if the company tries to contact you a couple of times, before calling the authorities, and then waiting for them to show up.

A true thief is going to get in no matter what. The wanna bees are generally deterred by neighbors, lights, dog and alarm signs, etc.

There are many things that are cheap and inexpensive that you can do to deter a burglar. Any police department has information on it, and common sense goes along way.

Most alarms the siren that goes off is the biggest deterrent there is.

I have seen people fortify entry doors, yet have a window that you could step through. The OP just needs to figure out what his needs are.

One problem that he mentioned is an animal. Did the previous owner have one? Motion detectors are changed or taken out because of this. The worst thing that could happen is an alarm that is constantly going off. Pretty soon people including the police will start to ignore it, or not make it much of a priority to check out.

I would try it out for a while with out it being monitored. See if it is even a system that works for you, the way you want it to work. A good alarm company will kind of custom fit alarms to you. An older person that lives alone may have a system that is set up to his needs. Not for a family with kids, and animals.

 

[zmotorsports]

We recently installed a monitored home security system. We waffled back and forth between monitored or not as well as a self installed. In the end we went with a monitored system for several reasons.

First being as our neighborhood is going through some changes as several houses are vacant and others have new homeowners in them. We also have a few neighbors that have teenagers and don't like some of the cars we have been seeing driving through the neighborhood. I hate to stereotype people but some make it so damn easy.

We travel quite a lot in our RV and I don't want to worry when we are not home. I know most of this is about "feeling" secure vs. actually secure but if the wife feels better about it then I am good with it.

Mike.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I understand that some do not live in residential neighborhoods, but the OP does. I have heard so many people that have had an alarm installed, to find out that it is not really what they wanted.

I think that alarms give a sense of security, that really is not there. What good is an alarm if the company tries to contact you a couple of times, before calling the authorities, and then waiting for them to show up.

A true thief is going to get in no matter what. The wanna bees are generally deterred by neighbors, lights, dog and alarm signs, etc.

There are many things that are cheap and inexpensive that you can do to deter a burglar. Any police department has information on it, and common sense goes along way.

Most alarms the siren that goes off is the biggest deterrent there is.

I have seen people fortify entry doors, yet have a window that you could step through. The OP just needs to figure out what his needs are.

One problem that he mentioned is an animal. Did the previous owner have one? Motion detectors are changed or taken out because of this. The worst thing that could happen is an alarm that is constantly going off. Pretty soon people including the police will start to ignore it, or not make it much of a priority to check out.

I would try it out for a while with out it being monitored. See if it is even a system that works for you, the way you want it to work. A good alarm company will kind of custom fit alarms to you. An older person that lives alone may have a system that is set up to his needs. Not for a family with kids, and animals.

I'll agree with you on many points, my post was more of a "why have it monitored ?" from another poster, not the OP. Where the OP lives I wasn't sure of when I made my post. I was typing as he was posting, our posts are 1 minute apart.

Personally I'd rather have a monitored alarm that calls somebody; me, the local LEOs or the company themselves. Just having one that isn't monitored but has a siren is better than nothing IMHO though.

A siren is a great deterrent, I agree and also the constant alarm is the worst. It will get ignored by the neighbors aka modern car alarms, seriously does anybody pay attention to them anymore except for the owner outside his own home at 2am ?

You might be surprised how many alarm companies attempt to call your home before alerting authorities or that ring into a LEO dispatch center.

Fortify a door but big *** windows, No doubt there, 100% agree with that.

Having pets can be an issue but some motion sensors can be adjusted in placement to avoid false alarms.

 

[PoorOwner]

if you don't want monitoring it is not too hard to put in a replacement system that is local only.

You can also have it call you instead of monitoring company with some additional accessories.
Programming is a bit harder than wiring as the manuals are somewhat cryptic.

 

[WhyMe]

since you have all the needed sensors and stuff already wired in, i would just buy a self install one, hook it up to the existing sensors, program it and go. Programming it is the hardest part for a first timer.

Monitored or not? I would go with not as the response times are usually pretty slow for the police. its not the first priority unless someone calls as false alarms are common.

many times, by the time the police arrive the perps are gone. You can set up an alarm to call your phone if it goes off. put in some internet capable cameras and when it goes off, take a look at the home via the internet is the way I would do it.

 

[ludakris04]

I have an ADT system and its like $40 a month.
I had a system hard wired into the house when it was being built. They installed a GE system.
The first thing ADT did was swap out the box with one of theirs. They were able to keep everything else. I would think most companies would do that and it was free of charge.

We upgraded to smoke/CO alarms as well.

 

[Falcon67]

Just FYI - From an SC Black Hat Report, in the spirit of "locks keep honest people honest":

"
Black Hat: Researchers explain how to disable home security systems

The gear that two researchers used to bypass home security systems.
Two physical security experts demonstrated on Wednesday how they can disable a home or office's security system within minutes by using easy-to-acquire, cost-effective and often basic equipment.
Speaking at Black Hat 2013 in Las Vegas, Drew Porter and Stephen Smith, two senior security researchers at Phoenix-based security consultancy Bishop Fox, explained how it doesn't take much work.
The pair said there are some 36 million home- or office-installed security systems in America. Many of them consist of three basic components: door and window sensors, motion sensors and keypads.
Disabling the first two are fairly easy. Window sensors, depending on how they are constructed, can be undone by magnets or sheet metal. Motion sensors can be turned off, they discovered and demonstrated in a video, by a piece of cardboard or the light from a cigarette lighter. (The researchers attempted to showcase the exploits on stage, but encountered technical difficulties).
The harder piece to immobilize is the keypad. And it's also the most important.
"That's where everything connects to, and it reports out," Porter told the audience of several hundred.
Key pads, which call out to police if there is a security breach, rely on different data connections to place the alert: usually landline and cellular.
To bypass the pads, the researchers relied on software-defined radio systems – USRP or the cheaper bladeRF (it runs a few hundred dollars) – which essentially jams the signal by sending commands that asks the key pad to latch on to a rogue cell phone network.
"You overpower the system," Porter said. "We pretend to be AT&T, and these devices jump right on it."
That prevents the key pad from calling out to the cops over a cell network. To prevent it from using the landline connection, attackers would need physical access.
The researchers said they are amicably working with affected vendors, whom they would not name. But many other manufacturers that they didn't test are likely susceptible, they said.
"They probably want to look into them, maybe update them," Smith said."

 

[nolimits76]

So I figured if I just turn my house into a panic room, we should be good. Just a little remodel cost and all is good, lol.

 

[NUTTSGT]

FYI, the alarm my co-worker bought offline was called Simple Safe.

 

[JimVonBaden]

FYI, the alarm my co-worker bought offline was called Simple Safe.

Simplisafe?

http://simplysafesecurity.com/

Jim

 

[BellyUpFish]

I've been a Certified guy all my life. We are thinking SimpliSafe for our new house.

 

[jdieter]

In response to the Black Hat post, before I went to internet alarm trip notification I used a land line and dialer to call the police first and me second. To beef the security up on the phone line I installed the wire in conduit going to the phone company's box and an alarm switch on the inside of the box door.
With regard to the keypad I have a remote keypad at the main entrance, the primary keypad and the alarm panel are tucked away in a closet.
I am the primary and my wife the secondary contact and if we are traveling for any length of time or distance form home I add the Sheriff and a near-by friend to the contact list. I like the internet connection because I can monitor all the system inputs and arm/disarm from my phone. No matter how careful I am one of us manages to trip the alarm periodically, that's why I only add the Sheriff when are away for an extended period.
Our home is pretty vulnerable, dead-end road, no neighbors close, pretty much hidden in a woods. A thief could pull a U-Haul up and have the place to themselves without the alarm. I just picked up an old 6 volt fire truck siren I'm going to install in the peak of the barn to compliment the sirens in the house and shop that maybe our neighbors can hear.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Simplisafe?

http://simplysafesecurity.com/

Jim

Yeah maybe. I thought that's what he said.

He seems to like it.

 

[bdamico]

Look at Geoarm. Same service as others and works with almost all systems. Cheap and good service. I updated all my equipment myself. And the upgrade is worth it to get the email, text, and remote control. I paid upfront for 3 years and it was about the same as ADT for one year. And they do call every time there has been a false alarm -- very highly rated over the internet. I do cell and ip monitoring