Good Home Security System and Monitoring Company?

Infi-del

Infi-del

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Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
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Times are getting rough and there have been a lot more break ins all over. Time to get a Security System. Can you guys advise about good systems and good monitoring companies. I don't need cameras or anything crazy like that. Just something that will cover the doors and windows and with motion detectors. I am thinking about installing a camera over looking the driveway but that would be separate from the security system.
 
Install a camera on front and rear coupled to a hard drive to for recorded evidence. Motion triggered alarms all around with indoor audio alert sirens.
 
I would check on the police response policy in your area before paying for a monitoring service. My local LE decided they were getting too many false alarms so they decided not to respond to an alarm unless the alarm company got a response to their call. What this means is that if you're not home when your house gets broken into - or the bad guys don't let you answer the phone - the cops don't come.

The alternative is to install a system that lets the alarm company hear what's going on in your house - and hope they don't get bored and violate your privacy. Or take that monthly payment and buy louder horns and brighter spots!
 
Cameras and a recorder are great because they give evidence that can identify AND convict the criminals. The only downside is the risk of the DA kissing you. They are remarkably inexpensive these days and very sophisticated.

Often, the most effective part of an alarm system is the least expensive, the yard sign.
 
Did I say louder horns and brighter spots? I meant cameras and a recorder!

Oh, wait - why not both! I would still like to at least try to scare them off.

Thanks Gollnick, great idea.
 
DVR and cameras with a web-based GUi. You can be at work or on the move and still log into your DVR and see if anyone is "in yer basez, takin yer lo0tz". Or you can do a ADT thing, get coverage through that, Cox communications is offering home security tht is also web based and allows access from even a smartphone.
 
I use to have ADT monitoring, but I let it expire. The alarm still sounds (and it's damn loud) I just don't receive a phone call from them asking what's up.
 
Well I think I'm just going to install a system and not go with monitoring. From what I've read... Monitoring is kind of a waste of money other than for fire. Most thieves are in an out long before cops could be called and actually show up. Looks like it rarely happens that a thief is caught red handed by cops showing up on the scene. So my hope would be bright lights and loud sirens to hopefully freak a thief out so they'd run. I gotta imagine if I was breaking into a house... I'd be scared to death. And if the second I forced entry... a bunch of super loud sirens and bright lights cut on... I'd probably have a heart attack, crap my pants, and die right there. But I definitely wouldn't stick around.

That being said... is there a system that will call my cell phone when triggered without needing to pay for monitoring. Sort of like a reverse answering machine. It gets tripped, calls my cell phone, I answer, and a message plays like "Your home alarm has been tripped."
 
Any system will do that. Just program your phone as the monitoring center number. It's gonna sound weird, sort of like a fax machine, when you get the call; but, between the weird sound and caller ID, you'll figure out what it is.
 
Gollnick said:
Any system will do that. Just program your phone as the monitoring center number. It's gonna sound weird, sort of like a fax machine, when you get the call; but, between the weird sound and caller ID, you'll figure out what it is.
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Awesome! Thanks. Most of my things are covered by Insurance but I have a few items, one of kinds, guitars I can't replace... that I need some extra protection for. I'm seriously going to get some cameras as well and begin educating myself on computerized surveillance.
 
It is possible to purchase an addition to your homeowner"s policy to cover specific items such as musical instruments. Keep in mind that a security system provides some protection against theft, but none against fire, weather, structural failure, etc. It doesn't hurt to ask your agent for a quote and also to shop around.

You may also wish to review your policy to see what it does and does not cover. Firearms, for example, are often limited, a limit that is often set at $1000 which can be less than the value of one nice -- not even great -- handgun.
 
Dummy cameras are the schnitz too. They are cheap and have a blinking red LED. Add a yard sign and common motion sensor floods to a real video system and you have some pretty good protection.
 
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