The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: odyssey1 on September 28, 2009, 08:57:22 AM
-
Good Morning Everyone.
I need your expertise on home alarms. I just learned over the weekend that a house down the street was broken into durring the day while the owners were at work. I've been procrastinating the purchase of a home security sytem but this incident got the wheels rolling.
The internet is a wonderful tool when it comes to gathering information, but unfortunately, you also read alot of negative information that makes decision making difficult. I'm in a western burb here in Chicago. The only two companies I know of are ADT and Brinks. I pulled up their information and pricing and they're both fairly similar. I did however also look reviews and saw alot of complaints regarding issues with the systems, the service, the warranties, etc.
I would rather rely on your opinions because I feel that gun owners have the same thought processes when it comes to security. We're good about making sure all the doors are locked every day when we leave for work. We have two dogs at home but they're small and overly friendly. All of my firearms are locked in a safe at all times.
For those who do have home security systems:
1) What do you have and what made you choose it?
2) How much was the install and the monthly fees?
3) Have you had any issues?
4) What should I watch out for when deciding on the systems?
Any other information would be greatly appreciated. I'm doing a lot of surfing on this but still unsure.
Thank you everyone in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Odyssey1
-
I can't help you out other than pointing out that most of the people who can are probably at work and won't see your post till this evening.
I would however go for something that is LOUD. Have you considered an UNmonitored system from someplace like Radio Shack ?
For the time being you could get the window stickers that say protected by alarm system as a deterrent.
-
+1 on LOUD! My guess, and its only that. Is that most break-in's are teenagers acting stupid. They likely wont stay around when the thing is so loud it hurts your ears 100 yards away from the house (a neighbor where we used to live had such an alarm). Bad news if you've got pets trapped in there! :(
-
I had Brinks installed earlier this year and really like it. I went with Brinks just ‘cause it was a more familiar name to me. Brinks has changed its name to Broadview Security http://www.broadviewsecurity-home.com/ (http://www.broadviewsecurity-home.com/) .
I wanna say I got it installed for $ 100.00 and the monthly fee is $ 35.00. They have a variety of set-ups for different homes. I got 3 doors, 2 window breaks and 1 keypad. You can customize it anyway you want. They also monitor fire and have motion detection as well.
The only issue is have it armed and have a few to many drinks and tripping it and then ya gotta run and cancel the alarm. Yes, IT IS LOUD!
I’d stick with a certified dealer for sure. Licensed / bonded.
I was surprised when I had the initial walk-thru tryin’ to figure out what I needed and what I didn’t that the large majority of break-ins occur around 10:00 a.m., yes in the morning! I would’ve guessed like to 3 or 4 in the middle of the night. The owner of the company who installed it said they’d get a small group of 3 to 4 people watch the house. The Mrs. Would leave for work and one would follow her and use a cell phone to call back and advise she was at work. Same with the Mr. And then 1 or 2 would go right up to the front door and kick it in and go for it. Crazy!
Hope that helps a little.
-
Odyssey,
You just won a "give Rob a chance to mention his DVD series" prize! ;D
Seriously, I just released a DVD on Home Security Systems recently, if you send me a name and address via PM, I'll get a copy out to you. I had a guest expert from Tasco join me for the overview of alarm components and installation and we also covered appropriate responses to and use of the system and there is a bonus section with some home defense tactics pieces as well.
I would follow up the other posts by suggesting that you work with a professional installer and monitoring company (even after the DVD ;) ).
-RJP
-
The 10 am time makes perfect sense. Why break into an occupied home? Not only is it risking getting shot, in most states it will buy you a LOT more jail time. Home invaders are dumber than the average crook. Four strikes, 1 crime. Burglary of an occupied dwelling, using a firearm in the commision of a felony, aggravated assault and conspiracy to do all of the above. See 'ya (and thats if no one gets hurt). 10 am is perfect, after work starts, before lunch and the neighbors aren't home either. Unless you're rich or have given anyone any idea that you have serious valubales in your house the alarm should scare them off, after all why risk it for stuff they'll have to fence for a couple K at the outside (generally fences pay $ 0.25-0.30 on the dollar.
FQ13
Just for humor I will mention the brain trust that broke into a neighbors house. Three problems. First he was the elderly former governor of Florida (doh!). Second the guy was an Arab. Third he drove in in a Lexus he owned (WTF!). All of which won him large points with jury. ;D ::)
-
ADT runs specials all the time, the thing to check are the installers,, make sure they are professional. Some installers are nothing more than kids that did car stereos in high school, they can be sloppy.
Motion sensors are fine with NO pets or children, also have them zoned, if you get up to use the bathroom at 3:42 a.m. you don't want it going off either..Most can be isolated to areas your not going to use at bedtime.
Check for system integrity if the power goes out, and for how long with battery back up, they need to tap into your residential phone line, what happens if the phone line is cut?
Also check with false alarms in you local police dept. Some will CHARGE you if your not home, and the alarm goes off, etc,...
Read the fine print. Some will give you an introductory monitoring fee for a year and than "bump" it up after the promo.
and Watch Rob's DVD and let us know how it goes...
-
Are you saying the elderly former GOV. got bagged for B&E ? ???
-
Are you saying the elderly arab former GOV. got bagged for B&E ? ???
;)
-
Smith and Wesson has now moved into the home security monitoring business. My company (ConnectOne Security) is the first authorized dealer in the Houston, southeast Texas area. Call S&W and you should get the name of someone in your area that is an authorized or contract dealer.
-
My setup is motion lights , dogs and guns . In that order. Of course you have to Tailor your security system to your individual needs and location. You may want a setup like ADT if you live in the city. If you live in the country where it takes 20 minutes to get a sheriff out there you need a little more. You need good neighbors and good dogs if your not home. real good locks and doors, money well spent. Doors that cant be kicked in, especially when the no knock guys come around. 8)
-
there is a bonus section with some home defense tactics pieces as well
--from the Pinkanator!
On mine, when the alarm goes off (sirens sounding) to turn it off you plug in your code and hit cancel. However, if you just plug in your code w/o hitting cancel the alarm is still active. I've instructed my Mrs. if someone gets in and has a gun to her head to simple plug in the code w/o hitting the cancel button (alarm silient, but, alarm still active). Brinks then calls the home...hopefully the perp will advise against answering the phone in which case will send the cops 'cause she didn't 'cancle' the alarm. If she answers the call she's to give a BAD code word...cops still come!
Maybe too much info for the bad guy, but then again he / she is stupid!
Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!
Hottrockin
-
Alarms are useless unless you live in a planned community, if you live out in the country forget them. My neighbor has them and every time they go off, (always a false alarm) I look over for a few minutes and go about my business. Bottom line is, if people want you or your stuff, they're gonna get it.
-
Alarms are useless unless you live in a planned community, if you live out in the country forget them. My neighbor has them and every time they go off, (always a false alarm) I look over for a few minutes and go about my business. Bottom line is, if people want you or your stuff, they're gonna get it.
That's really all it takes, there's no sense in you risk injury or death for some one else's INSURED . But I'm sure you would note the description of a strange vehicle or person.
-
The sad reality is, alarms don't stop break ins. Its also true that even having a monitering service is really just about piece of mind. Thats not to say they are not useful, just don't expect them to help stop a burglery. By the time they contact the LEA, and they arrive, the crimals will be long gone. My dad was recently robbed, they were there less then 5 mins. They took jewlery, a computer monitor and his gun safe.
The best alarm system out there is the old battle axe across the street.
-
Thank you everyone for your replies and suggestions. I never thought I'd have to ask that question thinking I would never have a need for an alarm system.
That theft happened durring the daytime as a lot of you also mentioned was a prime time for crooks and after talking with some of my neighbors, it was a planned robbery. The owner goes on a walk every morning and the theft happened while he was out.
Mr. Pincus, thank you in advance for the DVD. I will post a review once I watch it and I'm sure that if it's as informative as your shows, it'll be a winner.
I'll also post what we decide on for a home security system and will give a review.
Thanks everyone,
Odyssey
-
The sad reality is, alarms don't stop break ins. Its also true that even having a monitering service is really just about piece of mind. Thats not to say they are not useful, just don't expect them to help stop a burglery. By the time they contact the LEA, and they arrive, the crimals will be long gone. My dad was recently robbed, they were there less then 5 mins. They took jewlery, a computer monitor and his gun safe.
The best alarm system out there is the old battle axe across the street.
Once again TAB is talking out of his ass, and nothing that he says is based in reality.
Studies show that homes without security systems are 3x more likely to be broken into
Here is the most comprehensive study done on the subject by Rutgers. Their findings had a pretty conclusive result:
http://www.caaonline.org/RUTGERS%20STUDY%20MIRROR%200309.pdf
*I will also add that probably the best thing about a security system is that it will wail like a banshee if someone breaks in at o-dark:30 and give you at least some notice and a chance to wake up and grab for a firearm. You also wont have to bother with dialing up the cops (The alarm company will be doing that for you) and you can focus on gathering your family and preparing for survival if the bad guy does not do a 180.
-
Anyone heard of an alarm system that uses a cel phone to dial out? With that and a battery backup, I figure that even if you're lines were cut, it'd still get the word out.
-
eric, I've repaired well into the triple digets of homes/comm'l buildings where break ins acured, with alarm systems, with out systems, with dogs, with out dogs. they still all got broke into and stuff taken. When they want your stuff, there is nothing you can do to stop them.
there are a few local monitoring companys that use the cell system, but they are $$$ and pretty much comm'l
-
Cell monitors are pretty common now, and the cost has come way down..... I have one now, and to switch over all I had to pay was $40 for the unit -- It actually saved us money because we were able to drop our land line phone.
-
Anyone heard of an alarm system that uses a cel phone to dial out? With that and a battery backup, I figure that even if you're lines were cut, it'd still get the word out.
Do you really need this? How many burglars know how to disable pnone lines or defeat an alarm? I don't, and burglaries are mostly impulse crimes with little planning. The pros will know, but unless you live in a much better neighborhod than I do, I doubt they will be wasting their time on an average house. I wold expect them to be looking at the half millon and up real estate where the jewlery and very cool toys are.
FQ13
-
eric, I've repaired well into the triple digets of homes/comm'l buildings where break ins acured, with alarm systems, with out systems, with dogs, with out dogs. they still all got broke into and stuff taken. When they want your stuff, there is nothing you can do to stop them.
there are a few local monitoring companys that use the cell system, but they are $$$ and pretty much comm'l
Thats because on a micro level they cant stop a burglar.... on a macro level, it does decrease the odds.
-
Having put in several Auto Call commercial systems, you want a UL rated alarm System with a return loop, and cameras too. Try for phone and wireless call out. Driveway monitors, can be added, as a zone, they can alert camera systems too. A dog or birds can false trigger infrareds, so magnetic switches are recommended in those areas. Two back up batteries. Pocket panic buttons. Dogs and armed people are great too.
-
Having put in several Auto Call commercial systems, you want a UL rated alarm System with a return loop, and cameras too. Try for phone and wireless call out. Driveway monitors, can be added, as a zone, they can alert camera systems too. A dog or birds can false trigger infrareds, so magnetic switches are recommended in those areas. Two back up batteries. Pocket panic buttons. Dogs and armed people are great too.
Moats (with alligators) and minefields cost extra I presume? ;D
FQ13
-
Moats (with alligators) and minefields cost extra I presume? ;D
FQ13
Yes....but it gives you something to do with old leftovers and door-to-door salesmen.
;)
;D
8)
-
Anyone heard of an alarm system that uses a cel phone to dial out? With that and a battery backup, I figure that even if you're lines were cut, it'd still get the word out.
There's a device that we sell that has a built in cellular phone. It was originally designed for alarm systems in livestock confinement buildings, but would work swimmingly with a home alarm system, as well. It runs off AC, but has a battery backup as well. It's made by a company called Tellular, and retails at about $400.
-
Do you really need this? How many burglars know how to disable pnone lines or defeat an alarm? I don't, and burglaries are mostly impulse crimes with little planning. The pros will know, but unless you live in a much better neighborhod than I do, I doubt they will be wasting their time on an average house. I wold expect them to be looking at the half millon and up real estate where the jewlery and very cool toys are.
FQ13
It doesn't take a rocket scientist or a college professor to cut a phone line.
-
Moats (with alligators) and minefields cost extra I presume? ;D
FQ13
You dont really need a mine field...... just a sign that reads "Warning: Mine Field". Just dont let the neighbors see you cutting the grass! ;D
-
You dont really need a mine field...... just a sign that reads "Warning: Mine Field". Just dont let the neighbors see you cutting the grass! ;D
or just do a funny weave in and out pattern when mowing the yard.
-
(http://img5.travelblog.org/Photos/37823/220572/t/1692811-Minefield-1.jpg)
-
Thank you everyone for your replies and suggestions. I never thought I'd have to ask that question thinking I would never have a need for an alarm system.
That theft happened durring the daytime as a lot of you also mentioned was a prime time for crooks and after talking with some of my neighbors, it was a planned robbery. The owner goes on a walk every morning and the theft happened while he was out.
Mr. Pincus, thank you in advance for the DVD. I will post a review once I watch it and I'm sure that if it's as informative as your shows, it'll be a winner.
I'll also post what we decide on for a home security system and will give a review.
Thanks everyone,
Odyssey
You can always pick out the new guys by the politeness ;) Hang around a while, and we'll whip that out of you!
The living in the country makes security are different issue. We don't have LE with in a distance that would get them here before everything was loaded and gone. We do our best to lock and inventory things, but it is only stuff. Beyond that, we do have a new puppy that is planting landmines all over the front yard, and I am considering combining a barn by product with the three stooges methods and place a pail of hog manure on the top of every entry door when we leave on vacation ;D
-
I really like mine for when I AM HOME!
It goes off and me and my 9+1 friends can meet'em as they enter!
:P
It's important to discuss situations with family members and have a 'rules of thumb' and some key words in case a family member sets off the alarm instead of a bad guy.