Home Security Systems

[Sharpline]

My wife and I are looking for a home security system for our new home.
It has never had anything installed so we would be starting fresh.

Can anyone give me recommendations on what we should be looking for?
I know ADT is probably the largest home security company, but are they the best? Do they offer a good value?

My home is two stories with no basement, I was thinking motion detectors and glass break downstairs with door sensors, but leaving the upper area sensor free (other than fire).
Should I also be considering securing my garage with a motion detector?

[bluker1]

I have a friend who owns company that installs them. PM me if you want his number.

[Great-Kazoo]

My wife and I are looking for a home security system for our new home.
It has never had anything installed so we would be starting fresh.

Can anyone give me recommendations on what we should be looking for?
I know ADT is probably the largest home security company, but are they the best? Do they offer a good value?

My home is two stories with no basement, I was thinking motion detectors and glass break downstairs with door sensors, but leaving the upper area sensor free (other than fire).
Should I also be considering securing my garage with a motion detector?

FWIW: ADT is being absorbed by COMCAST or supposed to be.

[funkymonkey1111]

Kwando had a guy (from another thread) that installed what looked like a cool setup--control from your phone, etc.

[kwando]

I will send you my guy. I recommend a sensor for the garage door, how often have you left the house and don't remember if you've shut the garage door. The system my guy installs is a full fledged automation system. Can expand to controlling lights, shut off water main, open close garage door, etc.

I also recommend all main floor windows and doors to be sensored. Motion is a plus as well.

ADT you are paying for a tech to install their equipment. They want it back if you cancel, but there are ways around this. (Say you are moving). Monitoring is 2-8x the actual cost, because you are paying for a tech to come out to fix it. My monitoring company charges less than $15. Response time is the same!

[Marine24]

Kwando: I'd be interested in the information as well. Mine is already wired with main and basement windows and doors sensored, plus motion and glass breaking sensors. Automation piece sounds good, as well as putting a sensor on the garage door.

[kwando]

You will be surprised how often I've had a friend get a tool, pick up a package, etc when I'm not at home. I leave it in the garage, when my buddy is outside I disarm my alarm remotely and open the garage door.

You can set rule for when the doorbell was rings to take a pic of who is at the door. Endless!

[Wulf202]

ADT systems are low end high cost.

[Sharpline]

Thank you for the feedback.
Kwando, I shot your guy and email.

[rbeau30]

Kwando, if you read this could you send me the info too? I am moving into a new house in a month and a half.

[Firehaus]

I would like the contact info too please. Hopefully he has a wireless system. I have a very old brick place and running wires is a no go most places.

[newracer]

I also need the contact info.

[Brian]

I have been looking now for several months and have done a lot of research. From everything I've read - ADT is the devil, and Vivint has neat tech but is not far behind them. Frontpoint seems to get very high marks for their customer service and people really seem to like them. Those seem to be the "top 3 popular" companies that do mass-market installs, though of course there are a lot more that originate from local guys. If you like the frontpoint/vivint tech, you can actually pick up a system based on alarm.com compatible hardware and self-install some of it yourself. Depending on who you buy it from, some of the companies will pre-configure it for you. Installing the wireless sensors is pretty dang easy if you're even remotely capable with basic tools.

For monitoring, alarm.com seems pretty simple - you can have it either call your cell phone or dial any one of a bunch of central monitoring companies starting around $15/mo. More if you want video, home automation, etc.

I'm going to probably talk to Kwando's guy before I get too deep in, but if anybody wants to compare notes, let me know. I know a decent amount about the alarm.com compatible 2gig system at this point.

[Jeff350]

Has anyone had any experience with simplisafe.com systems? I have just started looking in to security systems so I don't know much. Seems like a good plan but I would love opinions from someone who has experience.

[HoneyBadger]

I'm also curious about simplisafe. Their website is intriguing. I would like something that is capable of more home automation activities, but I like the sales model simplisafe uses.

[Trout Hunter]

Not sure how I missed this. But anyone that reads it and wants the inside of how ADT, Monitronics, Vivint, Pinnicale, (and any of the other door to door crews work ) PM me. I installed for Pinnical ( Became Devcon, and is now part of Protection One I belive) for 8 years. There can be some good deals to be had but just need to know how to work it. Also if you have a GE based system and are looking for some cheap door/window sensors, Carbon Monoxide, or Smoke sensors hit me up. I have a box of em I found this weekend while cleaning and would love to get rid of em cheap to help some one out.

[trlcavscout]

FWIW: ADT is being absorbed by COMCAST or supposed to be.

Nope, Comcast launched their own home security systems, monitored and non-monitored. Control from your cell phone or PC. All the available options and runs WiFi so
Less wiring.

[Great-Kazoo]

Nope, Comcast launched their own home security systems, monitored and non-monitored. Control from your cell phone or PC. All the available options and runs WiFi so
Less wiring.

I know you're dialed in with CC, however that guy who called me said they were absorbing adt. Either way for the money they want per month, not incl deposit, equipment, contract etc. I could lease a new 4x4

[Stevensje]

Home automation scares the shit out of me. If I can see it on my phone, who else can see it? I just want two big sirens front and back of house. When the alarm is tripped. I want it to wake up the neighborhood in a mile radius. Oh, and fire detectors.

[thedave1164]

Home security, much like prepping in general, should be a layered approach.

Everyone is going to have different needs based on their unique situation.

I started out with ADT, and then went to Pinnacle, they sold to someone else.

More peace of mind than anything else, I was on the road a lot when we got the system installed.

Mine is wireless and cellular for the monitoring since I don't have a landline.

[Great-Kazoo]

While having a good security / camera alert system, everyone is over looking the obvious.

Well Lit property: Do you keep entrance ways illuminated at night ? Photoelectric units installed on your entrance lights turn on when dark, Off when light, eliminated the "I forgot to turn the light xx"
Do you have sensor lighting places in different areas of your land, outbuildings ?
Are you using timers when gone to allow inside lights on and off at different times.

I see so many folks who are "security conscious" NEVER have outside lights on. Their excuse is ELECTRICITY COST TOO MUCH! Price the cost of 2 - 40W bulbs with on/off sensors vs replacing personal items, let alone the psychological effect on your loved ones. Yeah IT COST TOO MUCH TO LEAVE LIGHTS ON.

Eyes on : Are your neighbors made aware (the ones you know & trust) you will not be on site for a day-week longer ?
Do you have other people in the neighborhood who keep an eye out for unusual goingon's ?
If and when an unusual vehicle makes more than 1 -2 visits did anyone get a plate number , vehicle description, description of people in it ?

ARE YOU AWARE: before you travel. if you drop in to your local PD (MOST) if not all will have you fill out a sheet with dates away from home, Who has acess to your dwelling, emergency ph numbers, AND they make notations what time a LE drove by etc while you are gone.


Simple things like this assist you having a safer, more secure home and neighborhood.

[gnihcraes]

While having a good security / camera alert system, everyone is over looking the obvious.

Well Lit property: Do you keep entrance ways illuminated at night ? Photoelectric units installed on your entrance lights turn on when dark, Off when light, eliminated the "I forgot to turn the light xx"
Do you have sensor lighting places in different areas of your land, outbuildings ?
Are you using timers when gone to allow inside lights on and off at different times.

I see so many folks who are "security conscious" NEVER have outside lights on. Their excuse is ELECTRICITY COST TOO MUCH! Price the cost of 2 40W bulbs with on/off sensors vs replacing personal items, let alone the psycological effect on your loved ones. Yeah IT COST TOO MUCH TO LEAVE LIGHTS ON.

Eyes on : Are your neighbors made aware (the ones you know & trust) you will not be on site for a day-week longer ?
Do you have other people in the neighborhood who keep an eye out for unusual goingon's ?
If and when an unusual vehicle makes more than 1 -2 visits did anyone get a plate number , vehicle description, description of people in it ?

ARE YOU AWARE: before you travel. if you drop in to your local PD (MOST) if not all will have you fill out a sheet with dates away from home, Who has acess to your dwelling, emergency ph numbers, AND they make notations what time a LE drove by etc while you are gone.


Simple things like this assist you having a safer, more secure home and neighborhood.

Yep.

[thedave1164]

While having a good security / camera alert system, everyone is over looking the obvious.

Well Lit property: Do you keep entrance ways illuminated at night ? Photoelectric units installed on your entrance lights turn on when dark, Off when light, eliminated the "I forgot to turn the light xx"
Do you have sensor lighting places in different areas of your land, outbuildings ?
Are you using timers when gone to allow inside lights on and off at different times.

I see so many folks who are "security conscious" NEVER have outside lights on. Their excuse is ELECTRICITY COST TOO MUCH! Price the cost of 2 - 40W bulbs with on/off sensors vs replacing personal items, let alone the psychological effect on your loved ones. Yeah IT COST TOO MUCH TO LEAVE LIGHTS ON.

Eyes on : Are your neighbors made aware (the ones you know & trust) you will not be on site for a day-week longer ?
Do you have other people in the neighborhood who keep an eye out for unusual goingon's ?
If and when an unusual vehicle makes more than 1 -2 visits did anyone get a plate number , vehicle description, description of people in it ?

ARE YOU AWARE: before you travel. if you drop in to your local PD (MOST) if not all will have you fill out a sheet with dates away from home, Who has acess to your dwelling, emergency ph numbers, AND they make notations what time a LE drove by etc while you are gone.


Simple things like this assist you having a safer, more secure home and neighborhood.

What I was trying to say, but I had to end my thought before I was finished.

A good dog or three helps even if only as an early warning device.

A good steel framed door that swings outward, removing the big sliding glass door in the back.

[Great-Kazoo]

What I was trying to say, but I had to end my thought before I was finished.

A good dog or three helps even if only as an early warning device.

A good steel framed door that swings outward, removing the big sliding glass door in the back.

A door is only as strong as the locks. If you don't have a steel frame door (who does) You should be using 2.5 - 3" minimum, screws for your striker plates. Also any storm / screen door pervents and or slows down an unwanted visitor. The few times i was watched cops, the home / trailer being served a no knock was the same. NO SCREEN DOOR. BAM AND IN. VS. being slowed down by a secondary obstacle.

If you don't want to invest or not savvy enough to install photo electric sensors, add this style of lighting around the area.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dorcy-3D-Wireless-LED-Motion-Sensor-Flood-Lite-41-1071/202177466#.Uh4Ckz-YeTk

I prefer the solar units, ANYTHING to give light as needed. ( i don't endorse HD or specific stores) just providing some examples.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Nature-Power-120-LED-Outdoor-Solar-Security-Light-with-Motion-Sensor-23401/204207301#.Uh4DDD-YeTk

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Heath-Zenith-180-Degree-Outdoor-White-Motion-Sensing-Solar-Powered-LED-Security-Light-SL-7210/100645182#.Uh4DQj-YeTk


ADD some of these inside your permiter for low cost "early warning" alarms. You can remove the alert cover and tape over the outer edges to prevent false alarms from cats or other nocturnal visitors of the 4 legged kind. It narrows the "beam" for sensing the 2 legged predator.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defender-Frontline-Wireless-Driveway-Alert-System-with-Adjustable-Sensitivity-AL101/203522901#.Uh4DhD-YeTk

[Brian]

What I was trying to say, but I had to end my thought before I was finished.

A good dog or three helps even if only as an early warning device.

A good steel framed door that swings outward, removing the big sliding glass door in the back.


Anybody have any cost-effective, wife-friendly suggestions for replacing the glass windows on either side of my front door with something stronger? Talked to one of those wroght iron design guys a while back but that seemed a bit expensive - we want to keep some sort of window there. Thought about frosting it, but that doesn't help much.

http://i.imgur.com/K4c9Ut3.jpg

[Brian]

One other comment regarding cheap security upgrades - we have a garage with the little windows, and dumb me often leaves the light on in the garage when I've been working out there. A lot of internet advice suggested getting a rattle can of window frosting and spraying the windows so nobody can see in - but you still have the light. Well, I tried that and it did accomplish the security aspect. However, my wife is mad at me and thinks it looks like crap from the outside, so I may have to consider a plan B. It looks more like I've been chain smoking for years in there, coating the windows with smoke residue, than any sort of "window frosting".

[funkymonkey1111]

Have you considered security film on the windows?



Anybody have any cost-effective, wife-friendly suggestions for replacing the glass windows on either side of my front door with something stronger? Talked to one of those wroght iron design guys a while back but that seemed a bit expensive - we want to keep some sort of window there. Thought about frosting it, but that doesn't help much.

http://i.imgur.com/K4c9Ut3.jpg

[BigNick73]

Anybody have any cost-effective, wife-friendly suggestions for replacing the glass windows on either side of my front door with something stronger? Talked to one of those wroght iron design guys a while back but that seemed a bit expensive - we want to keep some sort of window there. Thought about frosting it, but that doesn't help much.


Search around. There's places where you can buy hurricane or security laminate/tint It goes on like tint but is designed to stop stuff from coming through the window.

Funky monkey beat me to it

[BigNick73]

For the systems, last house I had I DIYed it. It was pre-wired so I just ordered the gear, installed it myself, and got a local place to monitor it. If you go that route you can program it to call your cell if you want and you don't have to pay for monthly service.

I'm in a rental now so instead of spending all the time and effort on a full blown system I got 3 pan/tilt IP cameras strewn about. Small 3 bdrm house so front door, back door, and the main kitchen/living/dining room area are covered. I use blue iris for the monitoring. I can view and control them all from my phone and when motion is detected it uploads pictures to a remote server (in case I'm broken into and the computer is stolen). I also set it up to send me a text message with photo anytime it goes off while I'm away, and I can then pull the video clip from my phone. I highly recommend it.

[Great-Kazoo]

One other comment regarding cheap security upgrades - we have a garage with the little windows, and dumb me often leaves the light on in the garage when I've been working out there. A lot of internet advice suggested getting a rattle can of window frosting and spraying the windows so nobody can see in - but you still have the light. Well, I tried that and it did accomplish the security aspect. However, my wife is mad at me and thinks it looks like crap from the outside, so I may have to consider a plan B. It looks more like I've been chain smoking for years in there, coating the windows with smoke residue, than any sort of "window frosting".


You can instal "Kick panels" that will cover the bottom of the storm door, or get (decorative wrought iron) some made. If you have not taken care of it, larger screws in all striker plates. The 2 small "view" pcs. of glass on the main door need tint.

[Sawin]

Anybody have any cost-effective, wife-friendly suggestions for replacing the glass windows on either side of my front door with something stronger? Talked to one of those wroght iron design guys a while back but that seemed a bit expensive - we want to keep some sort of window there. Thought about frosting it, but that doesn't help much.

http://i.imgur.com/K4c9Ut3.jpg

Why replace it? Just put some clear plexiglass on the inside, with a sturdy frame/edge around it. They'd break the outer glass, and hit solid plexi, and wonder WTF?

[Brian]

You can instal "Kick panels" that will cover the bottom of the storm door, or get (decorative wrought iron) some made. If you have not taken care of it, larger screws in all striker plates. The 2 small "view" pcs. of glass on the main door need tint.

Thanks Jim, in this case though I was talking about the garage door itself. It has the little square windows all the way across near the top, and you can see right in there if you're tall enough. Well not anymore, but my wife is not too happy, and we all know that's not a good place to be.

[Great-Kazoo]

Thanks Jim, in this case though I was talking about the garage door itself. It has the little square windows all the way across near the top, and you can see right in there if you're tall enough. Well not anymore, but my wife is not too happy, and we all know that's not a good place to be.

Scrape the paint, tint the panels then install some of this on the inside. if they are willing to climb in throuh a broken window 5' off the ground, ain't shit gonna slow them down. Except something moving round 900+ FPS.
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4918524648164320&pid=15.1

[<MADDOG>]

Stay away from ADT. My suggestion is to find one of the "smaller" contractors who can build you a package to what you want. Much like our guns, you get what you pay for.


FWIW: ADT is being absorbed by COMCAST or supposed to be.

ADT will hold its own, and Comcast would have have bought it when it split from Tyco if it were as you say. And as someone who knows that industry from a 1st perspective, ADT makes it's money off monitoring, service calls, & upgrades, and not the equipment (they actually take a loss on the components). Bottom line, once you have their panel on your wall, your f'd.