Alarm Systems

ADT seemed pricey and we went with Vector for monitoring. If you don't want or need monitoring, just go to Lowes or somewhere like that and pick up your own.

I'd like to get some cameras installed around the house and do another motion light or two. We're not sure if we're going to re-sign the monitoring contract. If we decide to go with the fire detection/monitoring we will...if not, we won't.

-mini
 
Had ADT installed a few years back..with the smoke/fire and freeze detection, when they were having a big sale...no complaints. And the house is secure! Even caught a neighborhood cat sneeking in to warm up on a hot car hood.
 
I like our alarm. It's not hooked up to the police, but it's loud as hell and would scare away the average burglar
 
My system has given me some peace of mind. Monitoring is a bit pricey at around $30/month though. It's a local company and not a national chain like ADT.
 
If getting a monitored system, find the average police response time. Some departments respond quick, others very slowly. The significant reason here is the astonishingly high false alarm rate. As such, responding to residential alarms is a low priority for police, in some areas.

Additionally, make sure the system has a backup (cellular) in case the land-line is cut.
 
icon13.gif
Skip ADT.
icon13.gif
Their lousy response time contributed to the death of a couple of classmates from high school.
 
jeepthrills said:
not a fan of pepper spray....burns too much...thats what the .357 and 9mm are for!!:D
Click to expand...

I like that... I prefer the .45 ACP 230 JHP. Tremendous stopping power on the first shot. I am also in favor of the Castle Law.

Thanks for all the ideas on the alarms and keep them coming, I am still doing research and trying to decide on monitored or not. I am leaning to monitored but have decided on a company.
 
If you just want an alarm....

blacklab4.jpg


Great watch dogs. Terrible guard dogs. They'll let you know if someone is in/near your house. Also, they're big, black dogs with a deep and loud bark and their hair will stand up from their head to their ass when someone is near your house.

We find that ours (Bella - an absolute sweetheart who just loves to be loved, petted, played with, taken on car rides and walks, belly rubs and played tug with - not her in the picture) scares most people away from the house before they even hit the front porch.

She can be quite scary.....but you let someone open the door and walk in and she's tucking tail and running behind my legs.

And they're great with children and even better companions!

-mini
 
Police, I would assume.

I have ADT. No complaints. They call about a minute after the alarm sounds.
 
BajtheJino said:
??? ADT's response time or the police's response time?
Click to expand...

ADT's response was lousy. The store got robbed at closing and hit a panic button before being hobbled with duct-tape in the back. ADT called about the alarm, got no answer, then called again ten minutes later. One of the employees survived to dial 911 after the robbers left which was what summoned the police.

I suppose it could happen with any alarm company, but it was ADT. If there are many alarm companies to choose from -- all of whom do the same task -- I recommend paring-down the list of candidates to exclude the one that has failed in the past: ADT.
 
I have a Honeywell system that I can arm and disarm with my Honeywell I-phone application. It's pretty cool and I would recommend it. The monitoring is a bit pricey because it requires GSM communications. Kinda neat to disarm the alarm to let the neighbor in and then arm it after they leave.

Joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top