New house, it already has a system set up there with ADT I believe. First time owning a security system. Does anyone have any opinions/experiences to share? Should I just stay with ADT or is there a better company out there?
but we're having some reno work done right now and they want to know what to do with all of the window break alarms and such, so I figured we would keep the alarm company for a year and then switch over at some point.
Keep the sensors wired up if that's what you're asking
If you aren't wired for sensors in some places and they're exposing walls, you might want to have them run some security wiring (4 conductor/22 ga) to the locations that you see yourself putting in a smoke/heat detector, CO2 detector, motion sensor, window sensor, etc.
The sensors are generic, they'll work for most systems and even if they don't, the wiring is common so you can always re-use the in-wall wiring provided you stick with the same central panel location.
The consumer grade alarms aren't the greatest like oghwga mentions, but they're better than nothing. If you do upgrade, you could always go with wireless sensors, but the wired ones are preferred because they're less easily tampered with and don't require batteries. If you do upgrade the system, see if you can swing something with one of the newer monitoring services that charge $8-15 a month, instead of ADT's ridiculous >$30 month. And be sure to add a backup cellular/internet connection - the problem with the consumer grade panels is that you cut one wire and the entire alarm is isolated, with the hope that just a ringing siren (for the 2 minutes it'll take the intruder to defeat it) will alert someone. With a backup cellular card after the wire is cut or there's tampering it'll automatically dial out for help.
Couple this with some cameras, preferably ones that you have motion sensored and sending out events to a cloud server, in case someone gets on premises and manages to defeat the rest of the system, at least you'll have some pictures/videos of the intruder.
If you aren't wired for sensors in some places and they're exposing walls, you might want to have them run some security wiring (4 conductor/22 ga) to the locations that you see yourself putting in a smoke/heat detector, CO2 detector, motion sensor, window sensor, etc.
The sensors are generic, they'll work for most systems and even if they don't, the wiring is common so you can always re-use the in-wall wiring provided you stick with the same central panel location.
The consumer grade alarms aren't the greatest like oghwga mentions, but they're better than nothing. If you do upgrade, you could always go with wireless sensors, but the wired ones are preferred because they're less easily tampered with and don't require batteries. If you do upgrade the system, see if you can swing something with one of the newer monitoring services that charge $8-15 a month, instead of ADT's ridiculous >$30 month. And be sure to add a backup cellular/internet connection - the problem with the consumer grade panels is that you cut one wire and the entire alarm is isolated, with the hope that just a ringing siren (for the 2 minutes it'll take the intruder to defeat it) will alert someone. With a backup cellular card after the wire is cut or there's tampering it'll automatically dial out for help.
Couple this with some cameras, preferably ones that you have motion sensored and sending out events to a cloud server, in case someone gets on premises and manages to defeat the rest of the system, at least you'll have some pictures/videos of the intruder.
Good luck!
Thanks for the responses JCN!
This is all great stuff - any of the newer companies that you recommend?
A barking dog is better than almost any security system.
Shadow and CiP are right on.
We have two, so I'm not really worried overall.
Two Dogs are even better as two different Barks are more of a deterrent than one. Also one dog will patrol your house and the other will protect.
We have two Golden Retrivers and the female patrols and defends the property and the male hangs close to us to protect. Best protection system ever.
A barking dog is better than almost any security system.
Shadow and CiP are right on.
We have two, so I'm not really worried overall.
Two Dogs are even better as two different Barks are more of a deterrent than one. Also one dog will patrol your house and the other will protect.
We have two Golden Retrivers and the female patrols and defends the property and the male hangs close to us to protect. Best protection system ever.
Eh, my dogs are kinda nuts, two labs, one jumps at everything and the other at nothing. Seems like you got a good set up though!
for the security monitoring service. ADT is expensive. The big thing about security systems is if your system is connected via internet or phone. You are also able to connect cameras that can be monitored. The great thing about that is that the monitoring service does not wait their normal time if they can confirm a burglary in progress by seeing it on a camera. They will dispatch to police immediately.
If you opt for cameras make sure that you get good cameras. It does no good if you cannot get a good visual of people. You will also want cameras that take good quality in low light conditions. I purchased my equipment from http://www.security-camera-warehouse.com/ and was very happy with the price and quality.
for the security monitoring service. ADT is expensive. The big thing about security systems is if your system is connected via internet or phone. You are also able to connect cameras that can be monitored. The great thing about that is that the monitoring service does not wait their normal time if they can confirm a burglary in progress by seeing it on a camera. They will dispatch to police immediately.
If you opt for cameras make sure that you get good cameras. It does no good if you cannot get a good visual of people. You will also want cameras that take good quality in low light conditions. I purchased my equipment from http://www.security-camera-warehouse.com/ and was very happy with the price and quality.
A few months ago, my 2 year old son turned blue and unrespsonive during dinner. I started CPR. My wife freaked out and hit every single button on the ADT panel and within minutes cops/firefighters/ambulances were at our house. Son's ok, turned out to be a febrile seizure.
I also sleep better at night knowing I have some type of alarm/monitoring system. It probably doesnt stop a true professional theif but its good enough for methhead burglars.
Most home insurances will give a discount if have central alarm monitoring which usually ends up paying for the monthly cost of such service, so its almost free.
Most home insurances will give a discount if have central alarm monitoring which usually ends up paying for the monthly cost of such service, so its almost free.
This is a key point - seek out one of the cheaper options (let's say $12.95 a month) and you're basically going to net a bigger discount on yearly homeowners insurance than you'd pay out in monitoring fees.
A few months ago, my 2 year old son turned blue and unrespsonive during dinner. I started CPR. My wife freaked out and hit every single button on the ADT panel and within minutes cops/firefighters/ambulances were at our house. Son's ok, turned out to be a febrile seizure.
I also sleep better at night knowing I have some type of alarm/monitoring system. It probably doesnt stop a true professional theif but its good enough for methhead burglars.
Where are these cheaper ADT alternatives? I'm seeing some crazy pricing out there.
There are a ton of them, and they should vary between $9 and $12 a month, with some initial setup fees and variance based on what service offerings you choose. Check out alarm.com or alarmrelay.com. If you're looking into cameras, there are add-on services that will include those in your monitoring, but for privacy reasons I'm not a fan.
I've had them for a few years. Their sensors are low grade and unreliable. Their customer service is terrible to the point where I don't trust them to call if there is a problem. Any suggestions on alternatives would be welcome.
If the alarm gives you peace of mind keep it but that's all it's good for.
$15 for peace of mind is not a bad thing btw but I'm not a believer so it wouldn't work for me.
Sign me up
The sensors are generic, they'll work for most systems and even if they don't, the wiring is common so you can always re-use the in-wall wiring provided you stick with the same central panel location.
The consumer grade alarms aren't the greatest like oghwga mentions, but they're better than nothing. If you do upgrade, you could always go with wireless sensors, but the wired ones are preferred because they're less easily tampered with and don't require batteries. If you do upgrade the system, see if you can swing something with one of the newer monitoring services that charge $8-15 a month, instead of ADT's ridiculous >$30 month. And be sure to add a backup cellular/internet connection - the problem with the consumer grade panels is that you cut one wire and the entire alarm is isolated, with the hope that just a ringing siren (for the 2 minutes it'll take the intruder to defeat it) will alert someone. With a backup cellular card after the wire is cut or there's tampering it'll automatically dial out for help.
Couple this with some cameras, preferably ones that you have motion sensored and sending out events to a cloud server, in case someone gets on premises and manages to defeat the rest of the system, at least you'll have some pictures/videos of the intruder.
Good luck!
The sensors are generic, they'll work for most systems and even if they don't, the wiring is common so you can always re-use the in-wall wiring provided you stick with the same central panel location.
The consumer grade alarms aren't the greatest like oghwga mentions, but they're better than nothing. If you do upgrade, you could always go with wireless sensors, but the wired ones are preferred because they're less easily tampered with and don't require batteries. If you do upgrade the system, see if you can swing something with one of the newer monitoring services that charge $8-15 a month, instead of ADT's ridiculous >$30 month. And be sure to add a backup cellular/internet connection - the problem with the consumer grade panels is that you cut one wire and the entire alarm is isolated, with the hope that just a ringing siren (for the 2 minutes it'll take the intruder to defeat it) will alert someone. With a backup cellular card after the wire is cut or there's tampering it'll automatically dial out for help.
Couple this with some cameras, preferably ones that you have motion sensored and sending out events to a cloud server, in case someone gets on premises and manages to defeat the rest of the system, at least you'll have some pictures/videos of the intruder.
Good luck!
Thanks for the responses JCN!
This is all great stuff - any of the newer companies that you recommend?
Shadow and CiP are right on.
We have two, so I'm not really worried overall.
Quote:
A barking dog is better than almost any security system.
Shadow and CiP are right on.
We have two, so I'm not really worried overall.
Two Dogs are even better as two different Barks are more of a deterrent than one. Also one dog will patrol your house and the other will protect.
We have two Golden Retrivers and the female patrols and defends the property and the male hangs close to us to protect. Best protection system ever.
Quote:
In comment 12972151 Chris in Philly said:
Quote:
A barking dog is better than almost any security system.
Shadow and CiP are right on.
We have two, so I'm not really worried overall.
Two Dogs are even better as two different Barks are more of a deterrent than one. Also one dog will patrol your house and the other will protect.
We have two Golden Retrivers and the female patrols and defends the property and the male hangs close to us to protect. Best protection system ever.
Eh, my dogs are kinda nuts, two labs, one jumps at everything and the other at nothing. Seems like you got a good set up though!
If you opt for cameras make sure that you get good cameras. It does no good if you cannot get a good visual of people. You will also want cameras that take good quality in low light conditions. I purchased my equipment from http://www.security-camera-warehouse.com/ and was very happy with the price and quality.
If you opt for cameras make sure that you get good cameras. It does no good if you cannot get a good visual of people. You will also want cameras that take good quality in low light conditions. I purchased my equipment from http://www.security-camera-warehouse.com/ and was very happy with the price and quality.
Thanks for the info
A few months ago, my 2 year old son turned blue and unrespsonive during dinner. I started CPR. My wife freaked out and hit every single button on the ADT panel and within minutes cops/firefighters/ambulances were at our house. Son's ok, turned out to be a febrile seizure.
I also sleep better at night knowing I have some type of alarm/monitoring system. It probably doesnt stop a true professional theif but its good enough for methhead burglars.
This is a key point - seek out one of the cheaper options (let's say $12.95 a month) and you're basically going to net a bigger discount on yearly homeowners insurance than you'd pay out in monitoring fees.
A few months ago, my 2 year old son turned blue and unrespsonive during dinner. I started CPR. My wife freaked out and hit every single button on the ADT panel and within minutes cops/firefighters/ambulances were at our house. Son's ok, turned out to be a febrile seizure.
I also sleep better at night knowing I have some type of alarm/monitoring system. It probably doesnt stop a true professional theif but its good enough for methhead burglars.
Wow - I hope the little guy is doing better!
There are a ton of them, and they should vary between $9 and $12 a month, with some initial setup fees and variance based on what service offerings you choose. Check out alarm.com or alarmrelay.com. If you're looking into cameras, there are add-on services that will include those in your monitoring, but for privacy reasons I'm not a fan.
That doesn't work of your dogs go everywhere with you. Or if your dogs are cute Chihuahua mixes