Home alarm Systems

[Knut]

We have recently had 4 or 5 break-ins around our neighbourhood and I would like to get an alarm system installed.

Preferrably i would like one that gives you a beep whenever a door is opened (17month old has figured out doors).

What companies should i avoid ? What companies have you had success with.

Thanks

[DoubleK]

Avoid Pinnacle.

[Knut]

So far i have talked to Frontpoint (US based, but ships to Canada). Seems to be pretty good. Great reveiws from what i have seen.

I have read to avoid Alarm Force .

[RedMileDJ]

Originally Posted by Hesla

I have read to avoid Alarm Force .

Really? Why?

We were thinking of looking into them.

[Knut]

Just reviews online. Friends experience. Customer service thing

Front Point looks fantastic. GSM Cell based system so that if your phone/internet is cut it still works. On and Off using your iphone/ipad and they send you the system in 2 bussiness days for installation (you install (no wires)) .

United (local company) is a little cheaper per month, but much more upfront. Offers similar features.

[jar_e]

We have united and the difference in our insurance premium for having alarm pretty much pays for it every month ($30). I think we paid $200 upfront and figured that was reasonable.

[OldDutch]

I have ADT, and it's wireless. We got broken into a few years back, after we had the alarm installed. A few interesting notes:

- ADT Sales guy said it himself "Probably got broken into becuase they came through the backyard and did not see a sign. If they saw a sign they wouldn't bother"

- Cables were not cut, and alarm went off.

- ADT called me and I said they sent a gaurd. So I waited as instructed for the gaurd to call me for over an hour and no call came. Drove to my house myself for a total of 90 mins after break in to see that gaurd just arived.

- Gaurd blamed the fact he had to come from 17th Ave SW to Kensignton as the reason for delay (on a Sunday afternoon).

- Cops dusted found nothing. Said good luck your jewlery is gone.
Really as long as the guy wears gloves and doesn't cut himself he is home free. That is from the detective.

- ADT covered out $500 deductable, but my wife lost her wedding ring.

So my advice is to get a bunch of free signs from ADT and buy a loud dog. CPS would probably tell you the same.

[Knut]

My suggestion to my wife was to just put signs up, but for her peice of mind we are getting a system.

[DoubleK]

So Alarmforce = No? I need a replacement because I ditched Pinnacle.

Dog isn't an option because I'm out of town a lot.

[Misterpants]

I am with Securtek and so far it's ok for the purpose it serves. I agree that I think that the deterrent of signs is probably the biggest factor in preventing a burglary. There is no company out there that is going to respond fast enough to do sweet eff A about a home invasion or a robbery. That being said though, it's true that the reduction in insurance does pay for the service. Plus I like having a loud annoying alarm that will at least alert my neighbours to the home invasioners offering indignities to my body. And being able to hear when someone has come home early is handy.

[Jacks]

Not sure what the problems are with Alarmforce, they've been okay for me.

You can configure any door contact you want to chime.

Beware the "free installation", that only includes 2 door contacts and one motion detector. If you want more than that there are extra charges.

They also have a new service (haven't tried it) where you can answer your door remotely with your smart phone.

[GoinAllTheWay]

What about those cameras you can buy that connect to the internet? I think you can set them to record whatever walks in front of them and send to your phone. So if your phone showed you a pic of someone in your home, could you not call the cops right away and say there is total stranger in my home, that would escalate things for them, would it not? Instead of a guard getting there when it's good for him?