Home Security Systems?

[2HOW]

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. 

[Hottrockin]

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

[2HOW]

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.

[tombogan03884]

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.

[TAB]

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.

[Sponsor]

[odyssey1]

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

[ericire12]

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.

[Overload]

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.

[TAB]

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

[ericire12]

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.