Home security system - alternative to ADT/Brinks

[murphy55d]

SO then in theory, even if I cancel, my alarm will work just as it does now, except no monitoring?

I seem to remember it having to do with the phone signal...maybe I am completely mistaken.

 

[alkemyst]

most think they are more prepared than not. Most put a lot of faith in their ability to shoot a person.

Personally going without an alarm system and solely relying on a gun is foolhardy at best.

I'd bet money without an alarm I could get in and out of most homes even stealing their handguns doing it without some kind of perimeter protection. A dog would be the minimum in this providing he didn't bark all the time making his alerts worthless.

 

[spacejamz]

I don't know of any alarm company that can access your panel and reconfigure it remotely.

When I switched companies, a few years back, they reprogrammed my system remotely...I had a DSC Vista 10 control panel and it only took a few minutes over the phone.

 

[highland145]

When I switched companies, a few years back, they reprogrammed my system remotely...I had a DSC Vista 10 control panel and it only took a few minutes over the phone.

What if Murphy unplugs it and then cancels?

 

[spacejamz]

What if Murphy unplugs it and then cancels?

It really depends on the his hardware setup and what is stated in the contract when the service ends...alot of these 'monitoring only' companies advertise that they can monitor Brinks/ADT alarms for cheaper so I don't think it should be a problem...Removing the wire that connects to the phone line should do trick...

 

[BurnItDwn]

A good dog would provide better security than a monitored or unmonitored alarm...

Perhaps worth consideration.

 

[alkemyst]

I don't know of any alarm company that can access your panel and reconfigure it remotely.

Pretty common actually. My DSC 1864 setup was final programmed remotely. It did have to be disarmed at the time and they needed the master/installer codes; but other than that done remotely no problem.

 

[alkemyst]

A good dog would provide better security than a monitored or unmonitored alarm...

Perhaps worth consideration.

Thieves are getting desperate and there have been cases of dog guarded homes being robbed.

A dog works best when the owner is home.

This is attack/killer dogs aside...none of which have a place in suburbia.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Thieves are getting desperate and there have been cases of dog guarded homes being robbed.

A dog works best when the owner is home.

This is attack/killer dogs aside...none of which have a place in suburbia.

Very true, if the owner is not home, then they won't hear the dog barking....
I do agree that dogs who are trained to fight/attack don't belong in suburbia, otherwise they may be liable to hurt somebody if they get out of the house/yard... But, most dogs are at least somewhat territorial.... Of course when I was little I had a black Lab, I think she would probably jump up and greet any robber with kisses, hahaha...

 

[bruceb]

Interesting. Just another reason not to leave it on the phone line. And if I could, I would change their default installer codes. The homeowner should know them in case something needs changing later and the company is not around or wants to charge a high price. I know the codes were changed in my unit (adt) when it was installed many years ago (local alarm only)

 

[alkemyst]

Interesting. Just another reason not to leave it on the phone line. And if I could, I would change their default installer codes. The homeowner should know them in case something needs changing later and the company is not around or wants to charge a high price. I know the codes were changed in my unit (adt) when it was installed many years ago (local alarm only)

In a normal monitoring arrangement there are no 'reprogramming fees'. If they have a phone number or code change it's provided free.

It's always best to change your master/installer code from default, but locking out your monitoring provider is not the best ideal. If you don't trust them, it's best to find another service.

Personally I like the one I got from Alarmsystemstore.com, it's cheap (with cell and landline I pay about $17/month), they are extremely fast to respond and when they do, they do it properly. There is no "are you sure everything is ok" bullcrap that could get you shot. They also respond on system alerts like low battery and power outages.

I have a quick police department which helps, but from alarm to my front door it's less than 15mins.

 

[Peter Rogers]

With today's technology it is easy to access a panel remotely. Lots of the ADT systems (most, actually) are dinosaurs, and Brink's was even worse. The best systems use GSM for monitoring (require no phone line, and none to cut) and also offer interactive services, like remote arm/disarm, text and email notifications, video, and even Z-wave for thermostat, lights, and lock control. the world has changed - and most folks want professional monitoring - especially for fire.

 

[pmoa]

We use NextAlarm in the house with items that we bought from homesecuritystore.com Our monthly service costs on average 11/month by prepurchasing for the whole year. This is monitored service, but upkeep of he system is necessary.

I have to replace batteries in the door sensors, windows, etc.

 

[sourceninja]

Is it possible to get a monitored home security system that does not require phone service?

My wife and I have not had home phone service in years (just our iphones) but have been interested in getting a security system.

 

[bhanson]

The neighborhood I just moved from had quite a few security companies go door-to-door trying to sell their stuff. ADT was one of them among others. They all offered to install all of the equipment for free in exchange for placing a huge sign in the lawn (it was a corner house). They said the monthly fee would be around $8/month.

We declined.

 

[spacejamz]

Is it possible to get a monitored home security system that does not require phone service?

My wife and I have not had home phone service in years (just our iphones) but have been interested in getting a security system.

Yes...newer alarm systems have the option of using GSM cellular dialers...monitoring fees are a bit higher though...I pay $196/year if I pay it in one amount instead of monthly (which would be $18/month or $216/year)...

The other advantage to this is that a thief cannot cut the landline to disable your system...

 

[vshah]

my parents use vector and are happy with it...slightly more expensive up front but they've experienced better service vs. adt

 

[Golgatha]

Marked for later reading because I'm now very interested in this thread.

 

[murphy55d]

What if Murphy unplugs it and then cancels?

I'm going to try this. Not sure when we're gonna leave tho, cause one way or another we're on the hook for the months from now til June.

 

[Rumpltzer]

There's a huge thread on the Fatwallet Deals forum about alarm monitoring alternatives to ADT. It's a 6 year-old thread, but it's still ongoing if you just want to read the last few pages.

Folks there also talk about alternatives to monitored alarm systems in the thread.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/421296/

 

[alkemyst]

Posted in that thread. There is a lot of misinformaton in that one. Also a bunch of the meant to rent ilk that simply own nothing while living in multi-unit dwellings and want to bitch how alarms are silly.

 

[georgnox]

There are a lot of good wireless home security systems available on the market which can help you monitor your homes without paying any monthly fees. Some of these security systems can even distinguish motion from pets like dogs to avoid false alarms. It is always good to do research on products before you go out and spend money on a system.

I have found a lot of useful review articles about home security system on the website below. http://www.homesecuritysystemsclick.com

 

[alkemyst]

There are a lot of good wireless home security systems available on the market which can help you monitor your homes without paying any monthly fees. Some of these security systems can even distinguish motion from pets like dogs to avoid false alarms. It is always good to do research on products before you go out and spend money on a system.

I have found a lot of useful review articles about home security system on the website below. http://www.homesecuritysystemsclick.com

Free iPHONE with every order!

 

[pixelriffic]

Good question! My house had an existing alarm system installed when we moved in. We don't know the code unfortunately or how many sensors are installed (I do see the motion sensor in the living room and the sensors on the garage/front door). I'd love to figure out how to program the system to reset the code and to just scream out when a sensor is tripped (don't really care for monitoring at this time). I did find the manual for my system online but holy crap it looked intimidating

Everyone should be aware that no matter what Brinks/ADT, or just about any other big name alarm service told you, the system becomes almost useless without monitoring. They let you think you own it, but it will either be deactivated, or will start beeping in the middle of the night until reset. Brinks units do this when monitoring is cancelled, and there is no way to disable it.

Folks, avoid the house brand hardware from the big name operations like ADT. The hardware is junk, and can only be monitored by them. You are much better off with a name brand like Motorola, and a local independent alarm tech.

By the way, hard line telephone monitoring is so outdated. If you want monitoring, cellular is the way to go.

 

[Svnla]

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