home security system...which one?

[312InchMagnum]

never had a home security system, but wife was interested in one...the home we just bought has an older system installed from a local company...what do you guys recommend?...i always see ADT ads...not really sure what else is out there...

[Speedgoat]

Get a DSC 832 system and have an outdoor speaker or attic speaker put on it. Don't pay ADT jack. 2 Story or one story house?

[312InchMagnum]

2 story

[Speedgoat]

If it is completely prewired, then you should have switches and magnets on every window. Are all of the openings wired?

[crazyhorse88]

357 magnum

[Speedgoat]

You can buy an attic siren for dirt cheap and it will make enough noise to wake the dead. Your system can also be programmed to dial your number instead of the secuity company in the event of an emergency and you are not home. Much cheaper in the long run than ADT.

[Froggy]

My brother uses his smart phone to monitor his home in real time.

http://www.vuezone.com/promotions

[badshot]

If its not already prewired you can get a wireless system that still covers glass break, window/door sensors and has motion detectors if any of those others fail.

[Kodiakk]

Steer well clear of Vivint. They are trying to screw me over as we speak after I canceled over a year ago and paid in full.

[cosmiccowboy]

I used ASG at my business and like it. All wireless, cameras and motion detectors. The brains are cell based and even if they smash the keypad it still calls in. You can view the cameras from any computer or smart phone. Get plenty of motion detectors...the detectors I used allegedly won't trip on small animals under 55#.

[Dusty Britches]

while I do not have a system yet, I've not heard positive things about ADT. Try the yellow pages in your area.

I know, in this day and age, what is yellow pages? It is part of this big book, called a phone book. Local businesses like to advertise in there and a lot of those same businesses are not on line. Sorry, feeling sadistic this morning.

[J BOW]

All of the alarm companies use the same monitoring station, and it costs them $4-5 a month. Find a smaller local company that charges $15-20 a month and doesnt require a contract. Most of your cost will be in the new equipment and install.
Motion sensor lights all around the perimeter too.

[spliffnwesson]

All of the alarm companies use the same monitoring station, and it costs them $4-5 a month. Find a smaller local company that charges $15-20 a month and doesnt require a contract.

That is incorrect. Monitoring for the most part is the same from company to company but we do not all use the same monitoring center.

[TexasRed]

I worked in the industry for several years and I don't own a system. That should tell you something. You're just as secure putting the signs and stickers on your house. If you are determined to get one, go with a local company that is monitored locally. Many companies farm out the monitoring. Your system may be monitored in a completely different state. If their system goes down for an hour or even a whole day you'll never know it but you'll sure be charged for it and good luck if that was the day you NEEDED them. They'll deny it all...

[altez]

I worked in the industry for several years and I don't own a system. That should tell you something. You're just as secure putting the signs and stickers on your house. If you are determined to get one, go with a local company that is monitored locally. Many companies farm out the monitoring. Your system may be monitored in a completely different state. If their system goes down for an hour or even a whole day you'll never know it but you'll sure be charged for it and good luck if that was the day you NEEDED them. They'll deny it all...

What he said! We went with a local company here in town and they charge us 15 a month for the monitoring service.