Talk to me about alarms

[BillyBonds]

My future mother-in-law decided last night to go off on a tangent about being robbed because of my safe in the house, and how we should not keep money in the safe because someone will put a gun to my gf's head to get into it, blah blah blah. So now my gf thinks we NEED TO HAVE AN ALARM immediately. I personally dont think it's necessary. We have 2 dogs. In my opinion, anyone willing to come in with 2 dogs and prepared to remove a 2k lb safe will know how to get through an alarm. I was already planning to add security cameras anyway, but I guess that is not enough. I personally think it's a waste of time because anyone I know who has them almost never arms them, they dont prevent anything from happening, and it's more trouble than it's worth. But since a happy wife means a happy life, what do you all think?

[Shamuscull]

How would anyone know you own a safe? Put one on those alarm signs on the front lawn.

[Macrosill]

Nassau or Suffolk?

Nassau you will get a decent response time, most of the time. Suffolk, it is a waste of time. They MAY show up after an hour or so. I was at the mall once and central station called. I sent a neighbor over to check on the house. All was good so we continued our shopping. After the 35 minute ride home I checked my camera system and the cops showed up 5 minutes before I got home.

The only thing an alarm may do is document the time of the Burglary and possibly scare away a druggie looking for some quick cash. A professional Burglar will do what he does regardless of the alarm or not.

Also it will alert you in the event you are home sleeping and someone breaks in so you can be prepared and not a helpless victim while laying in bed during a home invasion.

One way to go would be to get an alarm installed but local only. No central. It will alert you and the neighbors.

If it makes the wife feels safe then get one. I know my wife feels better at home at night with the alarm on while I am at work.

[BillyBonds]

How would anyone know you own a safe? Put one on those alarm signs on the front lawn.

This is exactly my point. 2 dogs, cameras, anyone who comes in anyway will know how to deal with the alarm or doesnt care.

[Axeman]

Simplisafe. The price is right, you own the system and can take it with you if needed and monitoring is optional.

Thinking about dropping the monitoring, the one time it was set off (by me.. oops) it was over an hour before police showed up.

It's really for piece of mind, especially at night in the summer. No central air, have a few window units that drown out any other sounds but the alarm is loud enough to get me up. Oh and the dog is no help, he'd be right there holding the flashlight for anyone that comes in.

[BillyBonds]

Simplisafe. The price is right, you own the system and can take it with you if needed and monitoring is optional.

Thinking about dropping the monitoring, the one time it was set off (by me.. oops) it was over an hour before police showed up.

It's really for piece of mind, especially at night in the summer. No central air, have a few window units that drown out any other sounds but the alarm is loud enough to get me up. Oh and the dog is no help, he'd be right there holding the flashlight for anyone that comes in.

What is the monitoring cost? I was planning to install cameras and motion sensors to a wireless system anyway that could set off a local alarm and send an alert via phone.

[Axeman]

What is the monitoring cost? I was planning to install cameras and motion sensors to a wireless system anyway that could set off a local alarm and send an alert via phone.

From $15 to $24 a month depending on whether you want alerts or not or whether you want to be able to control the system from an app. They don't have cameras though, so if cameras are something you want integrated into your alarm look elsewhere. They keep saying they will have cameras in the future but so far nothing.

[John060404]

What is the monitoring cost? I was planning to install cameras and motion sensors to a wireless system anyway that could set off a local alarm and send an alert via phone.

I do not have the Simplisafe system, but a friend on mine does and loves his system... here are the monitoring packages pulled from their website (http://simplisafe.com/)... just as an FYI, they currently do not offer cameras for purchase that integrate directly with their system (they are supposedly working on adding cameras soon).


SimpliSafe offers 24/7 professional monitoring for less than ½ what traditional companies charge. Monitoring is completely optional—there are no annual contracts (start, stop, change plans anytime!):


Standard: Monitoring specialists guard your home around-the-clock from our award-winning monitoring centers. In an emergency, we send the police to your home. Free cellular connection built-in.

$14.99 per month


Interactive: Standard + advanced mobile app control of your system from anywhere in the world. Get text + email alerts, monitor home activity, arm/disarm your system, control settings right on your smartphone or laptop. Bonus: Secret! Alerts—get secretly notified when anyone accesses private rooms, drawers, safes and more.

$24.99 per month

[BassBalls]

I recently installed the SimpliSafe Alarm system. I was looking for an update from my aging Sloman alarm. After looking at the available options I choose SimpliSafe.

PROS:
-System cam fully configured - just pull out the battery saver tabs, mount the sensors, plug in the base and the system was up and running. Fully wireless.
-Very inexpensive as compared to other comparable systems.
-No Commitment, Other systems locked you in for 5 years, SimpliSafe does not require central monitoring, but if you do, it's a month to month thing.
-Central monitoring is about 1/2 the price of Slomans.
-With interactive monitoring, the system can be configured from your computer over the air and armed\disarmed from a smartphone.
-Uses Cell to communicate, no need to hook up a phone line.
-Very easy and inexpensive to expand the system.



CONS:
-SimpliSafe claims that the sensors and keypad mount with tape... The Tape does not hold on anything the the lightest sensors and I ended up screwing everything in. (not a big deal)
-I wish the Motion sensors had a LED (like the Door Sensors) that lit when motion was detected.
-The KeyPad is disappointing... I wish there was an upgrade. It's a Monochrome LCD display, a bit hard to see. They need a color upgrade like the other alarm systems.
-System arms by pressing the AWAY button, I think the system should require the CODE before arming. Anyone walking past could arm the system.

If you don't get the interactive monitoring, the system is configured by the included USB key fab. You plug it into your computer and run a program from the device, then after you configured the device you remove it and plug it into the base station and all configuration data is transferred.

I did not get the monitoring right away, I wanted to play with the system first and get the feel for it and make sure there were no false alarm's, that really pisses off the police... After a week or so SimpliSafe emailed me a free month interactive monitoring trial.. So if you go this route, wait for the free month trial..

One more thing.. Suffolk County now requires you to register your alarm. There is a $50 per year fee. They claim it's to reduce false alarms, Hmmm... Don't see how... And I think after two false alarms you get a ticket and have to pay again... Maybe the Red Light Camera's are not generating enough income for them....


So the age old question of "If it were stolen, would I buy it again?" Well I guess if my alarm system was stolen that would not say much for the system... but overall I think this is a great way to get a full featured alarm system for a fraction of the price and not be locked in to a 5 year commitment. The system moves with you or you can even sell it.

Check it out http://simplisafe.com/

[Karpteach]

Whatever you do do not go with VECTOR security it get sucked in with a company called Eye on You from Huntington. I've learned my lesson. Eye on You sold me Vector. Vector has a great monitoring system yet, has the Shitiest technical support and appointments. It could take you up to two weeks for a regular appointment and 3 days for an EMERGENCY!!!!!!

[Safety42]

Maybe you should get your girlfriend and her mother a nice shotgun. Ask your girlfriend's mom what happens when the bad guy puts a gun to her head and tells her to call the alarm company and say it is a false alarm. Dogs prevent most robberies guns stop the rest.

[Sig]

Is this your house or your future MIL's house? If yours, tell her in a nice way to shut the fuck up. If hers, put in the alarm & then move ASAP. I'm a firm believer that dogs & firearms are a much better defensive plan. I also hate having another recurring monthly bill to pay. YMMV

[Aquabach]

If you don't want n learn but your gf and her butting in mother want one simply because you have a safe and they are worried some poor Obama supporter will put a gun to her head tell her to simply give them the combination of it happens.
since you are not concerned about it happening and they are terrified and you don't want an alarm this seem pretty easy.

[Huntington Guy]

Watching this one. Looking to replace/upgrade the system we have now. Nothing wrong with it but it seems like it's more expensive than I need to be paying. Just got a bill for $125 for "Alarm system maintenance". Not under contract anymore. No one has been to my house in 5-6 years, they are not maintaining anything. Central station is already being paid so they should not be putting their hand in my pocket for services they are not providing.
Any other recommendations besides Simplisafe?

[Dank27]

I have my system from slomins. All the stuff is wireless and does not utilize a phone line so its harder to cut.

Price is reasonable