Home security system recommendations?

[Alex Franke]

Can anyone offer recommendations, experiences, things to look out for, etc, for home security systems and monitoring services? (e.g. companies like Brinks, ADT, others?, etc)

What "features" are effective and which are filler/fluff? Are the package deals the way to go? Anything you wished you had done from the start, or found you needed to go back and rethink? (e.g. install keypad upstairs, protect second floor windows, etc).

Thanks!

[LCHIEN]

take all your used cedar balls and strew them al over the front entry hall.

[Knottscott]

ADT.... b/c my son works for them! They might be the best, but I honestly don't have a clue. They treat employees well.

[Uncle Cracker]

I use a local indie company for service, and they use a monitoring service in Miami. All is billed through the local guy. He has great knowledge of most available products, does not work on commission, and doesn't try to push the "flavor-of-the-day". I checked out his local references before I signed on 6 years ago, and have not been disappointed.

[lago]

I went with a small local company and installation was about $1200. Monitoring is about $215/yr. I could have gone with ADT, Smith, and other name brands for $100-200 install but $30/mth for monitoring.

I have 2 keypads, one in master bedroom and one in garage. Have motion detectors and sensors on all exterior doors.

Have had only one false alarm when a cold front w/high wind apparently set off the alarm when I was out of town.

Have had this for about 4 years and well satisified. Wish it would have been installed a year earlier, might have scared off the burglars. We were hit on Thanksgiving weekend, along with several others in town. Some had an alarm system but it wasn't set when they went out of town. We set ours even if we will be gone only an hour or so.

[Alex Franke]

take all your used cedar balls and strew them al over the front entry hall.

LOL

We were hit on Thanksgiving weekend, along with several others in town.

Well that's sobering. Good think we'll be in town this weekend.

A guy nearby was hit the other day between 4-6 PM. They must have pulled a car into the driveway, he said, and it looked like a pro job to the cops -- probably under five minutes, and targeting very specific items. They even searched the night stand, presumably for a gun.

I found out today that my insurer (USAA) has a deal with ADT -- something along the lines of $22/mo for monitoring so I think I'll see what they have to say after they take a look at the house.

[maxparot]

I am a fire alarm and security tech.
My suggestion is to shop around and make sure that your contract is as short as possible and at the end of the contract you own all the installed equipment.

As for monitoring there is very little difference in service. A office monitors 24/7/365 and calls police or fire as needed. The difference is in two items.

First is the system wired to your home phone, internet or wireless. I prefer the use of a wireless backup or a fully wireless system. A pro will cut phone and internet before breaking in. With the wireless you still have coverage.
Second is in the monitoring charges most alarms can be set to be monitored by any monitoring company. The contract keeps you with the company you signed with for it's duration. After the contract is over you can find monitoring service with other companies for as little as $10/month.
This brings us to 1 final point if you pay for your system up front without a contract you can save on the monthly monitoring charge from day one.

[cabinetman]

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Meet Our Dog - BRINKS
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[dbhost]

Can anyone offer recommendations, experiences, things to look out for, etc, for home security systems and monitoring services? (e.g. companies like Brinks, ADT, others?, etc)

What "features" are effective and which are filler/fluff? Are the package deals the way to go? Anything you wished you had done from the start, or found you needed to go back and rethink? (e.g. install keypad upstairs, protect second floor windows, etc).

Thanks!

Hire a redneck with a shotgun and a shovel...

[Woodshark]

Two important points that have already been brought up.

1. Make sure that YOU own the alarm system. Either all the way, or at least after a one or two year contract. You don't want it leased because you will be tied to one alarm company forever.

2. Shop around for local monitoring. You can save big $$ over time.

Reference :http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/4/100/141/

We have two homes and I installed the wiring and alarms for both. I hard wired magnetic switches for the door & windows and ran cable for motion detectors, sirens, etc back to an alarm panel during construction after the electrician did his thing and before the sheetrock was up.

The first home used an old Radio Shack system. For the new home I purchased all my gear from http://www.homesecuritystore.com
http://www.homesecuritystore.com