Residential Burg Alarm

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Vitabean.....google up Frontpoint Security systems.......and then google up reviews for them.I did a lengthy seach because I have some experience with other companies and wanted to look around.They seem to be the best by far....there is not a single negative review in the whole country.You order online and they send a system that is all programmed....all you do is plug in the control panel,stick up the sensors (door&window or motion) and call them up to activate the system.The control panel has a cell phone,battery back up and siren.I bought a whole house system from them for $300.....with a three year monitoring contract for $39 monthly....pretty much standard.
Comparable prices from other companies were over $1000 such as ADT and Brinks and they have hundreds of complaints about poor service,alarms not answered and pushy salesmen.

$39/mo is about 4x the going rate for alarm monitoring. And most people don't really trust those lick-n-stick sensors long-term.

ADT and Brinks are certainly not the way to go either. A good local alarm integrator selling DSC, Napco, DMP or (if you can find someone in the lakes region) HAI gear is going to give you the best overall system quality and reliability.

[Happy Gourmand]

One of the best is a sticker in the windows and on the doors stating that the house is protected by an alarm. No moving parts...no ongoing maintenance or monitoring costs. It will keep the amateur burglar away. If you have something in your home that a professional burglar wants, then NO alarm system will him/her out.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

One of the best is a sticker in the windows and on the doors stating that the house is protected by an alarm.

Not really so much as you think.

Residential burglaries are usually smash and grab anyway. Most normal systems are programmed with a 30 second entry/disarm delay, which is a lot of time to start ransacking.

Another common tactic is to force open a window or door and then stand back and wait to see if the police show up. So, the stickers aren't really much of a deterrent, although Oprah-style TV shows have led a lot of people to believe otherwise.

You're also assuming that the thief is going to see that little sticker in the dark in the first place

If want to add a level of protection, a quality hardwired alarm panel with cellular backup monitoring is the way to go. Lots of externally visible things like stickers and signs can work against you. You are better off having the external appearance of no alarm and a very short entry delay (5 seconds or so) with a wireless disarm function. If you want to scare a thief off your best bet is to catch them by surprise. If they are expecting an alarm, then the siren is less surprising when it goes off. If you're using junk all-in-one systems, it is VERY easy to find and identify the main keypad or base station that serves as the brains of the system, and smash or disable it.

A panel in a can (enclosure) in a basement, attic, or interior closet, with a lock, battery backup, and protected wiring is going to prevent a thief from an easy disablement.

Catch them off guard when they enter and make it so it takes too much time to circumvent the system and you have a better chance of them changing their mind.

Stickers and cheap ebay alarm systems are really no upgrade from doing nothing and leaving it all to random chance.

[trfour]

A sticker that has worked well for me, and I'm still a puppy over here and by the way, is, And I quote;.... ' This property is protected by Colt Fourtyfive. If you should knock lightly, my killer pit bull may dismiss you.... Howitzer, DO NOT Enter Without proper Clearance!!'

[Whimsey]

We used Total Security (Kevin Newlin) for installation and they provide the monitoring as well. A lot cheaper than ADT for the install...a little more on the monitoring. Overall, a satisfying experience.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

One of the best is a sticker in the windows and on the doors stating that the house is protected by an alarm. No moving parts...no ongoing maintenance or monitoring costs. It will keep the amateur burglar away. If you have something in your home that a professional burglar wants, then NO alarm system will him/her out.

That is exactly what the local LEO will tell you. Alarm systems are a waste of money. The police reccomends a Neighborhood watch more than anything.

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

That is exactly what the local LEO will tell you. Alarm systems are a waste of money. The police reccomends a Neighborhood watch more than anything.

A pet Pit Bull.....OR ...a Black Bear on the porch would prolly be a good deterent as well. The Pit Bull would have to be let in at night in the winter so he wouldn't freeze to death..but the BEAR would be OK.

........................Just Kidding: NB

[SAMIAM]

We also use Total Security and like them very much.....they use DMP equiptment.
Brk-int.....please tell me where I can get monitoring for $10 a month.I got quotes fromFrontpoint,Swith&Wesson,ADT,Brinks and Total .....cheapest monitoring was $32.
I know you can get some internet company for light money if you buy and install your own system,but I'm talking about pro's that do the whole package.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

We also use Total Security and like them very much.....they use DMP equiptment.
Brk-int.....please tell me where I can get monitoring for $10 a month.I got quotes fromFrontpoint,Swith&Wesson,ADT,Brinks and Total .....cheapest monitoring was $32.
I know you can get some internet company for light money if you buy and install your own system,but I'm talking about pro's that do the whole package.

SAMIAM, unfortunately those companies that you list as "pros" are usually anything but.

Check with some local alarm installer companies and see what they quote you. $10-$14/mo is the going rate for alarm monitoring by a UL Listed 24/7 central station.