Best in-home security system?

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

My house is far from being in the ghetto, but im a bit paranoid, so i want to make sure i have my bases covered. Any actually GOOD advice??

 

[Anotherguy 10+ year member]

I worked for ADT for about 5 years. I should be able to help you. ADT has "Authorized Dealers", they sell a system that is an all in one wireless system. It is complete garbage. But it is cheap. If you rip the keypad off the wall it wont call the police. The system that corporate ADT installs is a much nicer unit where the brain is installed in a different location than the keypad.

You can get ADT with no contract, but it is a higher upfront cost. They use the monthly to recoup some of the money on equipment. Most salesmen wont tell you this, but it is an aption.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

I worked for ADT for about 5 years. I should be able to help you. ADT has "Authorized Dealers", they sell a system that is an all in one wireless system. It is complete garbage. But it is cheap. If you rip the keypad off the wall it wont call the police. The system that corporate ADT installs is a much nicer unit where the brain is installed in a different location than the keypad.
You can get ADT with no contract, but it is a higher upfront cost. They use the monthly to recoup some of the money on equipment. Most salesmen wont tell you this, but it is an aption.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Cool. So can you give me some info on what i should ask for? Are there different plans? I dont really need anything major, but if someon breaks in when im not there, i want someone to show up if you know what i mean. If im there, im not worried about it. Also what kinda price am i looking at? For install and as monthly premium. Any other info you would like to throw out? Is ADT the best in the market? Thanks.

 

[Anotherguy 10+ year member]

I think ADT is the best out there. What to get has alot to do with how your house is laid out. If you get the "basic wireless" it will come with 2 doors 1 motion 1 keypad and 1 siren, it runs about $450. It is cheaper to cover windows with motion detectors. A lot of times you can cover 6 windows with one motion($175) versus 6 window contacts at $70 a peice. You can add a wireless panic for about $75, so your wife can keep by the bed. If you act like you are iffy about buying it, they (salesmen) are allowed to give you two moths monitorig for free. They cant change the monthly rate, so no need to try to haggle there. Make sure you get the maintenence too, its not much more but if you need it you will be glad you have it. No maint. means $59 trip charge, $59 per hour to troubleshoot and fix, then the cost of the part.

 

[maroj248]

anotherguy, just wondering, does ADT offer camera systems?

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

Sweet man, sounds good. Do they ever offer promos or anything? Thanks for all the info.

 

[Anotherguy 10+ year member]

Yeah, but they are pricey. I would try onother route. Most camera systems now are just plug and play, so if can run surround sound in your house, you can hook up a camera system.

 

[Anotherguy 10+ year member]

Sweet man, sounds good. Do they ever offer promos or anything? Thanks for all the info.

Sometimes, but they usually arent worth waiting for.

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

cool, thanks again. I think ill go ahead and call them tomorrow..

 

[sdmtnbiker420 10+ year member]

im going to have to ask you not to post bullsht like that in my threads.
And i would appreciate you deleting or removing it.

hahahahahahaha

 

[RFCV 10+ year member]

I would recommend putting everything on instant (especially the windows & the motion if rarely tripped) & only the entry door(s) on delay. You want the alarm to trip the instant it is triggered so as not to give them anytime to try to compromise.

A good example of this is a episode I watched of "It Takes A Thief" on Discovery Ch. which is not run anymore, but should return. Entry was through the garage window which was on delay & the control was in the garage in a room. The control began it's delay beeps with the door to the room left unlocked. All he did upon entry was open the door, open the control panel, & rip out the wiring hence no more alarm. To make it even easier for the thief, the contol panel key for the lock was on top of the panel!

Now if the window was on instant, the entire alarm would have sounded & the panel would have dialed the central station & they would have alerted the local authorities hence prompting his departure more quickly.

If you are going to stay there & live for a considerable length of time, which I remember you saying, I would also recommend a hardwired system instead of a wireless. Hardwired is generally more reliable with less false alarms.

Make sure you have LOUD interior & exterior sirens. The best way is use a 30-44w speaker powered by a high powered siren driver in the control panel. This is especially for exterior use. This will alert the entire neighborhood & that's the last thing a thief wants! Make sure and hide all your sirens well. Bright flashing red strobes are also a good idea.

 

[Anotherguy 10+ year member]

I would recommend putting everything on instant (especially the windows & the motion if rarely tripped) & only the entry door(s) on delay. You want the alarm to trip the instant it is triggered so as not to give them anytime to try to compromise.
A good example of this is a episode I watched of "It Takes A Thief" on Discovery Ch. which is not run anymore, but should return. Entry was through the garage window which was on delay & the control was in the garage in a room. The control began it's delay beeps with the door to the room left unlocked. All he did upon entry was open the door, open the control panel, & rip out the wiring hence no more alarm. To make it even easier for the thief, the contol panel key for the lock was on top of the panel!

Now if the window was on instant, the entire alarm would have sounded & the panel would have dialed the central station & they would have alerted the local authorities hence prompting his departure more quickly.

If you are going to stay there & live for a considerable length of time, which I remember you saying, I would also recommend a hardwired system instead of a wireless. Hardwired is generally more reliable with less false alarms.

Make sure you have LOUD interior & exterior sirens. The best way is use a 30-44w speaker powered by a high powered siren driver in the control panel. This is especially for exterior use. This will alert the entire neighborhood & that's the last thing a thief wants! Make sure and hide all your sirens well. Bright flashing red strobes are also a good idea.

I agree with everything you are saying except hardwired over wireless. The only problem you get with wireless is batteries. But they last for about 6 years. When they are going dead it will notify you on the keypad. With hardwired, wires can corrode and be chewed threw by rodents. Re-running a wire is a lot hareder than changing a battery.

 

[RFCV 10+ year member]

I agree with everything you are saying except hardwired over wireless. The only problem you get with wireless is batteries. But they last for about 6 years. When they are going dead it will notify you on the keypad. With hardwired, wires can corrode and be chewed through by rodents. Re-running a wire is a lot harder than changing a battery.

I do tend to disagree.

As a rule it is much more reliable to have a wire sending signals than sensors transmitting signals in the air to the control panel.

I have had a hardwired system installed by myself since 1995 with no problems at all with the wires corroding or being "chewed through by rodents". All the wires are securely stapled to the floor joists under the house & in the attic the wires are run securely with the eve's screens tight.