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.. and I don't mean a gun :P Already have plenty of those.
Looking more for something for when I'm NOT Home

What I'm looking into is a Home security system, with monitoring, all that Jazz.
Never had one, although I do know the basic components (motion sensor, glass break sensors, window magnet sensors etc).
Live in the Houston area, I want to hear experiences/recommendations from other people on the systems they have, the vendor of these systems, and whether they would recommend them to someone else, or not.
I also seem to recall that a lot of motion sensors used to have issues with pets... is this still true?

I'm also a techie, and like any kind of newfangled technology. Any system that involves trip lasers bouncing around on mirrors gets an instant +5 from me
Also, are there any companies out there that offer combo Security System/Home DVR Video monitoring installation? I could do the latter myself, but if it's more economically feasible to do it all at once...
Also, I do not have a home phone line. I do have plenty of internet to go around though. Are there any companies that can just use an internet connection for their monitoring, rather then a phone line? Or perhaps a wireless modem (so the lines can't be cut?) How much more would that cost a month?

I guess I'm just looking for options/experiences/recommendations from other people who already have the different kinds of systems.

dicion wrote:.. and I don't mean a gun :P Already have plenty of those.
Looking more for something for when I'm NOT Home

What I'm looking into is a Home security system, with monitoring, all that Jazz.
Never had one, although I do know the basic components (motion sensor, glass break sensors, window magnet sensors etc).
Live in the Houston area, I want to hear experiences/recommendations from other people on the systems they have, the vendor of these systems, and whether they would recommend them to someone else, or not.
I also seem to recall that a lot of motion sensors used to have issues with pets... is this still true?

I'm also a techie, and like any kind of newfangled technology. Any system that involves trip lasers bouncing around on mirrors gets an instant +5 from me
Also, are there any companies out there that offer combo Security System/Home DVR Video monitoring installation? I could do the latter myself, but if it's more economically feasible to do it all at once...
Also, I do not have a home phone line. I do have plenty of internet to go around though. Are there any companies that can just use an internet connection for their monitoring, rather then a phone line? Or perhaps a wireless modem (so the lines can't be cut?) How much more would that cost a month?

I guess I'm just looking for options/experiences/recommendations from other people who already have the different kinds of systems.

I can help with some of your questions:

1. Some companies can install both an alarm system and a DVR system. Your best bet is to get the best systems from the companies most qualified to install them, even if that involves two different companies. The systems aren't integrated, so the only advantage to going with one company is possibly in price negotiation for a larger amount of work.

2. Dual motion technology (passive infrared / microwave) sensors will give you the greatest reliability and false alarm rejection. Pets are not a problem these days. Some sensors are designed to ignore small pets, and others have lenses designed to create "pet alleys" where larger pets can roam without setting the sensors off. If an intruder could figure out where these are, he could take advantage as well, but that's pretty unlikely. Make sure you cover the master bedroom and any central hallways or central rooms you have to pass through to get to other parts of the house. Every burglar will hit the master bedroom.

3. Many alarm companies install only interior sounding devices. Insist on a VERY LOUD exterior siren mounted as high as possible out of reach and facing the street to alert people outside that something is happening inside. Mounting it inside the attic with the siren bell pointed down through an eave vent is a good way to accomplish this. Without this feature, it's highly likely that a burglary could be completed and the burglar long gone before police arrive and with the neighbors blissfully unaware that something is happening at your place.

4. An exterior strobe light facing the street is highly desirable to help police locate the right house. Sound bounces around in odd ways, and sometimes it's hard to tell exactly which house the siren sound is coming from.

5. Consider alarm screens for window protection. These detect intrusion attempts before the window is opened or glass is broken. If an alarm with an outside audible siren goes off before a burglar gets inside, he's very likely to abandon the attempt. If it goes off after he's inside, he will probably take another several minutes (knowing that the alarm company callback, police notification, and low priority police response will take considerable time) to grab whatever he can.

6. Most alarm systems communicate with the monitoring station via telephone. If you don't have a land line, you can get a cellular transmitter that works like your cell phone. That's usually pricier than signing up for a telephone service that is based on your cable internet connection. Your current provider should be able to provide that. Introductory prices run around $20 a month for unlimited calling. You may be able to reduce your cell phone minutes by making more calls on that line and recoup some or all of the cost that way.

7. Protect the exterior cable or phone connection in conduit and boxes equipped with tamper switches to detect unauthorized opening. Leaving these lines exposed allows a burglar to neutralize the central notification feature with a pocket knife and turn your system into a local audible only. If you have interior sirens only, this means no chance of exterior notification and no response.

I'm in the DFW area and can't recommend any companies in Houston. Perhaps some of the members living down your way can help with that point.

I have protection one, one of the systems that they sell has the ability to log in to a website and check the status of your house from wherever you are. I really like it as it will send you e-mails and/or text messages if there is a problem. It is really great because if you have kids you can set a curfew for the system, if the kid normally gets home from school at around 3:30pm you can set the system to notify you if it has not been disarmed by 4p. you can also place sensors on different things in your house, gun safe, liquor cabinet etc. and the system will notify you if they are opened. It's a really cool system you might look into it, the name of the system is the P1.

Excaliber:
Thanks for all the info!

As far as 'protecting the lines', I had another idea on that, if I could get the phone company to do it (Or maybe sneak out and do it myself )
If they could tie an unused pair together back at their box, I could use it as a normally closed sensor. If they cut the wires, they would open, triggering the alarm.

The Strobe and outside notification is a great idea. I have a County Constable that literally lives across the street from me.

Hopefully some people around here can give me recommendations on specific companies.


hheremtp:
That sounds AWESOME... Definately something I'd be interested in! I'm gonna look up their website right now.

I just have a standard system from ADT. I would suggest glass break and motion sensors on the system. You can bypass the motion when arming if you have pets (don't let them convince you that 'pet alleys' will prevent false alarms from pets). If you leave and your pets go with you you can arm it on max protection. We set ours in 'Instant' mode when at home and if any door or window is opened it is an instant alarm.

We also like the door chirps so we know when someone is coming or going through an exterior door if the system is unarmed (great for little ones.)

Most companies will install a system for virtually nothing if you sign up for a 2-3 year monitoring contract. The biggest deterrent is signs and window stickers.

you sure will sleep better at night knowing that siren will start blaring if someone is attempting to get in .

before i had mine , my biggest worry was that someone was getting through my sliding glass door while i was upstairs at the opposite side of the house asleep where i could'nt hear what was going on .

also , the discount on your home owners insurance is a plus ... up to 20%

dicion wrote:Excaliber:
Thanks for all the info!

As far as 'protecting the lines', I had another idea on that, if I could get the phone company to do it (Or maybe sneak out and do it myself )
If they could tie an unused pair together back at their box, I could use it as a normally closed sensor. If they cut the wires, they would open, triggering the alarm.

The Strobe and outside notification is a great idea. I have a County Constable that literally lives across the street from me.

Hopefully some people around here can give me recommendations on specific companies.


hheremtp:
That sounds AWESOME... Definately something I'd be interested in! I'm gonna look up their website right now.

The use of an unused pair as an NC sensor is a frequently used good idea.

LCD control pads that display your zones in English are also far superior to numbered zones. (At 3:00AM with the siren blaring, will you remember what zone 7 is?)

Keypads should be located at each door you use for entry, with 1 in the master bedroom so you can quickly determine where a breach occurred in the middle of the night.

Pet tolerant motion detectors need to be selected with the type of pet in mind. The ones that ignore small animals are fine for cats and small dogs. Big dogs are harder - especially if they jump on furniture, which may bring them into the detection zone of a pet alley setup. If you find yourself in this situation, using a standard motion detector in the bedroom and closing the bedroom door to keep the pets out when you leave the house solves one problem. Using a pet alley detector in a central area and aimed above bare floor with no furniture can solve the large dog issue as well. A good installation technician should have no problem setting up the sensors to meet your needs.

Russell wrote:I recently renewed my renters insurance. The lady on the phone asked if I had an alarm system, and I replied:

"Well.. I don't have one of those fancy electronic gizmos wired up in my apartment, but I do have a shotgun loaded up and standing next to my bed and a handgun with fiber optic sights loaded up and on my headboard. Does that qualify for an insurance discount?"


Sadly, it didn't.

.......................

A dog inside and geese outside, weapons of choice in hand when alarm goes off.

Look up Wm B Allen Supply in Louisianna, you should be able to order everything you need.

As far as monitoring, if you get your panel connected to your network, it can email you alerts.

DVR's? Order the video cards and build it yourself. you can get cameras at Wm B Allen as well, perhaps even the capture cards...

It'll mean so much more if you can get it installed yourself... Ok, maybe it'll be cheaper if you did it yourself.

If you are a technically inclined type, here's what I would recommend:

GE Networx/Caddx or a GE Simon system are very easy to install and program. I prefer the Networx/Caddx systems myself. They can be hybrid (wireless and wired) or one or the other, just depends on how you want to set them up. Obviously, wireless is much easier to install.

If you go that route, be sure to purchase the NX-148E or NX-148E RF keypads to go with it, as those are by far the best keypads for this system. The RF model has the wireless transmitter/receiver built in, so if you plan on having any wireless zones, it will save you from having to buy the wireless transmitter seperately.

The Networx systems come in 3 main "flavors". NX-4, NX-6, and NX-8. The number indicates the number of hardwired zones the panel supports without the need of an additional add-on card. The NX-4 has support for 4 hardwired zones, and the NX-8 has support for 8 hardwired zones, etc.. I would highly recommend the NX-6v2 or NX-8v2 (v2= version 2; fixes some minor bugs that the original models had)

The system consists of the control board, a power transformer, backup battery, siren, and one or more keypads (NX-148E RF recommended!)

Then you can purchase wired, or wireless contacts for doors and windows, and any motion sensors, glass break sensors, smoke detectors, etc.. to go with the system.

As far as motion goes, for this system I would recommend the NX-481 Pet immune wireless motion detector. Works great at eliminating false alarms. It's wireless, so it will require the wireless setup. (remember, if you get the NX-148E RF keypad, you're set for wireless)

As far as monitoring goes, check out http://www.nextalarm.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Their service works over your internet connection through what they call an "ABN" which is nothing more than a modified Linksys VOIP router that is hardcoded to communicate with their monitoring station. It works great, I've been with them for several years with no problems. Since it constantly maintains communication, you can have it notify you anytime your internet connection goes down, or the ABN loses communication with the monitoring station. No landline required, cheap monitoring prices, and no contracts! The only caveat is that they do not support your alarm system like ADT or Broadview would, so you are on your own for programming and any support issues. It's perfect for a do-it-yourselfer...

If you're a technical type person, it's really much simplier than it seems. If you need help or have any questions, let me know. I know these Caddx/Networx systems pretty well now.

DVRs are fairly easy to install and set up as well, but they can get expensive, quick! The options and configurations of DVR systems are plentiful, depending on your budget for the project.

Hope this helps!

I live too far in the boonies and don't have a land line so I built my own.

168 Db siren in the attic
168 Db siren on the front porch

Door Open
Window open sensors

Cameras recording to a computer not in the house

If the sensors are tripped the hidden cameras record for 30 seconds then sirens go off and keep recording for 20 minutes.
Computer sends me a text message and emails local PD dispatcher.
PD gets an email with the subject - Home Invasion In Progress @ <Address>
Includes the first 15 frames taken by the video system and a link to the live feed
so they can watch.

It was fun testing the system, even with LEO in know of the test they had fun
watching me walk around the living room while I was invading my house.