Home Security Systems?

[odyssey1]

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

[tombogan03884]

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.

[Badgersmilk]

+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!

[Hottrockin]

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/ .

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.

[Rob Pincus]

Odyssey,

You just won a "give Rob a chance to mention his DVD series" prize!  

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

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

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.

[twyacht]

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...

[tombogan03884]

Are you saying the elderly former GOV. got bagged for B&E ?  

[1911 Junkie]

Are you saying the elderly arab former GOV. got bagged for B&E ? 

 

[CJS3]

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.