Home Security System

[Dennisfly]

I called ADT for an estimate and in addition to their $129 teaser ad, they wanted another $3500 to install additional sensors, sign a long term contract, and then pay $35 a month for standard phone monitoring or $46 a month for wireless monitoring - NO THANK YOU!!

I just bought a wireless system from homesecuritystore.com and am very pleased. They sell the same G. E. Simon system that ADT uses but for 1/3 the price. They also have a recommended monitoring company for $8.95 per month.

I bought a Visonics system which they recommended over the G.E. because you can have wireless monitoring without buying data service which saves you monthly data charges. I installed it myself, which is pretty straight forward. The hard part is properly programming the sensors and communications, but if you buy from them, they provide over the phone technical support and they are very helpful. The manual has some technical terms and acronyms that were unfamiliar to me, but a one hour call and I was up and running. If you want wireless communications you have to buy a "SIM card". I bought mine from AT&T for $100 and it is good for 100 minutes a month for 12 months.

The system is capable of all that you wanted:

"A wireless system that I can install myself
Needs to be able to be monitored on the internet/smartphone
Prefer expandable with video/smoke detector/motion/water/etc
Inexpensive would be nice but not a deal breaker"

My system is working just as designed. I'm running it without the monitoring service for a couple of weeks just to get used to it and make sure there are no glitches before I signup for monitoring. As I have it programmed now, it calls the home phone and then calls my cell.

Checkout their web site and give them a call and they will help you select and design a system

 

[EarPlug]

I met with a local security company for our business location. He highly recommended the Q-See systems. He said he had a number of friends install them and they are the best for the money.

Jack

 

[IslandTractor]

I called ADT for an estimate and in addition to their $129 teaser ad, they wanted another $3500 to install additional sensors, sign a long term contract, and then pay $35 a month for standard phone monitoring or $46 a month for wireless monitoring - NO THANK YOU!!

I just bought a wireless system from homesecuritystore.com and am very pleased. They sell the same G. E. Simon system that ADT uses but for 1/3 the price. They also have a recommended monitoring company for $8.95 per month.

I bought a Visonics system which they recommended over the G.E. because you can have wireless monitoring without buying data service which saves you monthly data charges. I installed it myself, which is pretty straight forward. The hard part is properly programming the sensors and communications, but if you buy from them, they provide over the phone technical support and they are very helpful. The manual has some technical terms and acronyms that were unfamiliar to me, but a one hour call and I was up and running. If you want wireless communications you have to buy a "SIM card". I bought mine from AT&T for $100 and it is good for 100 minutes a month for 12 months.

The system is capable of all that you wanted:

"A wireless system that I can install myself
Needs to be able to be monitored on the internet/smartphone
Prefer expandable with video/smoke detector/motion/water/etc
Inexpensive would be nice but not a deal breaker"

My system is working just as designed. I'm running it without the monitoring service for a couple of weeks just to get used to it and make sure there are no glitches before I signup for monitoring. As I have it programmed now, it calls the home phone and then calls my cell.

Checkout their web site and give them a call and they will help you select and design a system

Sounds like your homemade version is a good deal.

FYI I paid nowhere near what ADT quoted for a similar wireless system from them. Maybe the local franchise is ripping people off. The other point is that they will try to sell you on monitoring every window at $XX per window when you can just as effectively just use a few strategically placed IR or glass breaking sensors inside the house.

 

[nunyabinis]

A few 90lb coonhounds with bawls loud enough to knock your aunt Connie's socks off will take care of the problem.

 

[Tororider]

So I am pretty sure I am going to be getting a camera system, with at least 8 cameras soon. Any more suggestions on security systems?

 

[IslandTractor]

So I am pretty sure I am going to be getting a camera system, with at least 8 cameras soon. Any more suggestions on security systems?

8 camera Lorex system with 500gb hd etc on sale at Costco starting March 8. $699.99. S&H included. Item 639273

 

[jinjimbob]

We live in a very nice subdivision but it can obviously happen anywhere.

I have heard that before. They break into areas that are 'nice' because those areas have more 'nice' things to steal.

Make sure your video cameras can pick up the license plates and faces, otherwise they are useless.
You can spend as much money as you want and then more.

Get at least one 2MP camera and a NAS. The all in one DVR/camera units, you get what you pay for.

 

[grsthegreat]

i used to install hardwired systems as part of my job ..years ago.

Luckily i live in an area now that has no crime. no cameras necessary.... yet.

hopefully it will stay that way. I really dont see the value in having 8 cameras all over my house. i have seen the youtube vids of people catching people messing with their place when there away from home...but i can never even tell by the pictures enough detail to make an ID from the pics. The pic quality just isnt there.

If they can see the camera..they wont look at the camera and no pic.

I also hate the idea that i would need cameras all over my house for security sake. There are LOTS of wireless systems that can be installed by a novice AND include an auto-dialer system to call 911 in case of emergency. Be aware though that most jurisdictions will bill you for response to false alarms. Wireless systems = batteries. But to install a hard wires system in a completed house really sucks. it can be done, but very high on the skill level chart.