(monitored) Home alarm system company with least drama / best value?

[slackerinabox]

Looking to get a simple monitored alarm system and looking for a company that's well respected and a good value. I called one based off a tv ad and the consultant tried to push so many upsells on me that I just canned the idea, plus he wouldn't give me a straight answer on monitoring costs/cancellation fees.

Suggestions? Nothing fancy, just one entry door plus a few windows.

 

[RavenSEAL]

ADT

 

[FelixDeCat]

We pay $50 per month but you have to sign a 5 year contract. If you back out before the term is up you must pay 85% of the unpaid payments. I hate contracts but they all play this stupid game.

 

[NetWareHead]

Helped my buddy install a self-monitored alarm system. All of the alarm points, window and door sensors and alarm panel communicate via a secure wireless LAN. The alarm panel can be provisioned with a cellular modem, grab a pay as you go SIM card from a convenience store and there is your connectivity. The good panels can try a list of phone numbers or send the alert via SMS or even email. You dont need a central station anymore if you can do this monitoring yourself.

 

[slackerinabox]

Helped my buddy install a self-monitored alarm system. All of the alarm points, window and door sensors and alarm panel communicate via a secure wireless LAN. The alarm panel can be provisioned with a cellular modem, grab a pay as you go SIM card from a convenience store and there is your connectivity. The good panels can try a list of phone numbers or send the alert via SMS or even email. You dont need a central station anymore if you can do this monitoring yourself.

Sounds kinda awesome, know the name of the product?

Though, honestly, I'd hate the monitoring to rely on one of us. Does this automatically contact the fire/police or does it ping you (and you need to call the authorities)? I usually turn my cellphone off during work hours, for example.

 

[Kelvrick]

I bought my own equipment (around 800 for the panel, bunch of door/window sensors, motion sensor, glass break sensors and key fobs)and use next alarm for monitoring
http://info.nextalarm.com/

Always gotten a call when I've accidentally tripped the alarm within maybe 30 seconds? From someone who sounds like a native english speaker.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I bought my own equipment (around 800 for the panel, bunch of door/window sensors, motion sensor, glass break sensors and key fobs)and use next alarm for monitoring
http://info.nextalarm.com/

Always gotten a call when I've accidentally tripped the alarm within maybe 30 seconds? From someone who sounds like a native english speaker.

That is creepy....

http://info.nextalarm.com/live-map

 

[nanobreath]

That is creepy....

http://info.nextalarm.com/live-map

Yes. That is very creepy. Cool, yet creepy.

 

[dabuddha]

I just got http://www.simplisafe.com a couple of months ago and I love it. Everything is wireless, took about 20 minutes to install everything, and monitoring only costs $15/month. I've had the alarm go off twice since I set it up and received a phone call within 30 seconds each time.