Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Looking for a DIY Alarm System
Old 02-12-2011, 12:33 PM   #1
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,008
Looking for a DIY Alarm System

The house I bought has an old hard wired alarm. The manual is dated 1989, it's an Ademco Vista 4130xm, 4140xm series. Either the motion detector or alarm panel is having issues. If I set it to "stay (motion sensor doesn't arm)", it decides on it's own to go to "away (motion sensor arms)" sometimes at night (it gives us a chime warning when this happens). My son triggers the motion sensor to disarm the panel on the 1st floor, so we tend to almost never set the alarm to "away" at night, but we should. So the current sensor location needs to move. I also feel there's a big "gap" in motion sensor coverage that I think a 2nd sensor would correct. My motion sensor is above the front door/garage entry and points to the hallway/stairwell and a portion of the LR. If you broke in via a back window w/o opening an entry door, you could walk through my DR, Kitchen, Family Room, basement and part of the LR without being detected. I figure it's time to consider replacing this one with a wireless unit instead of repairing the control panels(2), motion sensor and backup battery (it's dying). Wondering if anyone has done a wireless install that they would recommend. I really just want to monitor the 1st floor, I have 5 entry doors (front,garage,basement,back,family)door if you include the cellar and 2 motion sensors should be plenty to cover it all. Also, I don't need to have this connected to a central monitoring service either. Any recommendations?
Dimsumkid is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 02-12-2011, 04:59 PM   #2
Full time employment: Posting here.
MikeD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 904
I have had this since September and am pretty happy with it. I got a $48.00 per year insurance discount by getting it. If you get it, mention me (Contact me and we'll exchange info) and we both get a free month of monitoring. It seems to work. I like the email on arming/disarming/powerfail/alarm/test/etc. function. It's cellular based so you don't need a phone line and if the burglar cuts the phone line it won't matter.

Mike D.

http://simplisafe.com/wireless-home-...ature-overview
__________________
I just want to celebrate another day of livin'
I just want to celebrate another day of life

- R. Earth
MikeD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2011, 08:36 PM   #3
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 176
X2 on Simplysafe! I love the system! Extremely easy to self install, buy as little or as many window/door/motion sensors as I need, a low $14.95 monthly plus its both a wired and wireless system. Only downfall for me was the built-in siren wasn't loud enough so I purchased one of their louder additional sirens.
missionfinder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2011, 08:22 AM   #4
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,008
Thanks for the suggestions. I checked out the website provided and the system looks promising. I like the fact you're not required to buy monitoring if you don't want to. Based on the items they sell, it doesn't look like they offer fire or carbon monoxide sensor add ons. Also, when you put a sensor on a window, it's just to detect if someone pries open the window, but not breaking the glass? This is when the motion sensor makes more sense to me. Motion sensors appear to be a bargain ($30) compared to the Ademco system ($80-90).
Dimsumkid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2011, 09:06 AM   #5
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 176
I believe they are supposed to be coming out with a fire/smoke sensor 2 or 3rd quarter of 2011, as well as a glass break sensor last quarter of 2011 or early 2012. This is according to feedback on their customer forums. One thing to note with the motion sensors, the range isn't as far as they were ATD system that was in this house when we bought it, so if you have a very large room put it where it'll cover the entrance or consider 2 sensors. Only place where I ran into this issue was our 2 car garage, no issues with rooms in the house. Even if you have to buy two sensors to protect a garage, you're still coming out cheaper than buying 1 sensor from another company.

The only "quality" issue I ran into is it seemed I got a bad batch of lithium batteries, out of the 14 sensors I have 4 of them went dead within 2 months. Simplisafe replaced them for free. The system will tell you when a battery needs to be changed. I purchased a pack of 24 lithium batteries on Amazon for about $15 so I'll have some handy when they need replacement. Consider using 3M mounting tape instead of the tape they supply for areas where there is a lot of moisture or temperature swings, as the mounting tape they supply tends to not hold up well in these situations. We had the alarm go off once when a sensor magnet fell off a window in the garage during a cold spell!
missionfinder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2011, 09:44 AM   #6
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,008
Good to know about them adding a fire.smoke sensor. I read something about an updated system with more options coming soon on Facebook posts. I may have to add 3 motion sensors if the range isn't long enough, one hallway path I was trying to cover spans 3.5 rooms. I'm not too concerned about someone getting into the garage, I'd rather sensor the garage entry door into the house, so temperature wouldn't be an issue for me. I'm not sure why they decided on lithium batteries, since regular AA or AAA batteries will last longer than 5 years now. Wonder if it's faulty Energizers that were the issue? I was never a fan of lithium batteries. These photo batteries look to be the same size as 2 AA's, can you interchange these? If so, they'd be cheaper to replace/maintain.
Dimsumkid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2014, 02:21 PM   #7
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
jollystomper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,129
Just thought I'd bring this thread back to life. Any recent experiences with Simplisafe? I'm looking at it to replace the expensive ADT wired monitoring I have now. I have visited their site and like the flexible options, but want to find out about more current experiences.
__________________
FIREd date: June 26, 2018 - "This Happy Feeling, Going Round and Round!" (GQ)
jollystomper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2014, 05:58 PM   #8
Recycles dryer sheets
Rosie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sac suburb
Posts: 437
After our home was broken into a few weeks ago, DH & I looked into alarm systems. A friend pointed us to this article, which discusses the types of home security systems available now, and gives a glowing review of Frontpoint.

The Best Home Security System | The Sweethome

The review article also discusses the pros & cons of other security system providers, including SimpliSafe. (FWIW, SimpliSafe was rated very highly as well, with a couple of caveats.)

We looked into a couple of other systems but we ultimately decided to go with Frontpoint. We've had the system for two weeks now and we're very pleased with it. The system was fairly easy to set up, and the phone support has been outstanding. We opted for the mid-tier Interactive plan at $43/mo which provides remote access via the web & smartphone; there's an upper level plan that provides video monitoring and home automation but we decided we didn't need that.
Rosie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2014, 07:41 PM   #9
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Colorado Mountains
Posts: 3,165
I use NextAlarm.com. They have a wireless system that looks pretty good. I have no experience with it. I installed my own hard-wired system using a GE panel. I have used NextAlarm.com for about 10 years. They do a good job of assisting with technical issues, etc. I use their self-monitored service. They also have a monitored service for $17.99 per month. I think you can connect your ADT system to their monitoring service if you like.
Hermit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2014, 08:03 PM   #10
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
What is wrong with getting a 50 pound dog?
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

- George Orwell

Ezekiel 23:20
brewer12345 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2014, 10:30 PM   #11
Recycles dryer sheets
Rosie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sac suburb
Posts: 437
Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345 View Post

What is wrong with getting a 50 pound dog?

Wow, what a great idea! Wonder why we didn't think of that?!?

Oh, now I remember -- it's because we don't want a dog.
Rosie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2014, 04:05 AM   #12
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
jollystomper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,129
Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345 View Post
What is wrong with getting a 50 pound dog?
Allergies, home modifications costs, and maintenance costs.
__________________
FIREd date: June 26, 2018 - "This Happy Feeling, Going Round and Round!" (GQ)
jollystomper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2014, 05:53 AM   #13
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
target2019's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: On a hill in the Pine Barrens
Posts: 9,683
Quote:
Originally Posted by jollystomper View Post
Allergies, home modifications costs, and maintenance costs.
Vet costs are way up. The cost of feeding a big dog could be a setback. But they are a lot more fun than my alarm system.
target2019 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2014, 07:01 AM   #14
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,495
My two Bassett Hounds strike fear and terror into the hearts of all thieves! Riiiiight. And just spent $300 curing a flea hot spot on one's butt! The Cone of Shame is finally off so she's more threatening than with it on! The house is safe!
H2ODude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2014, 08:01 AM   #15
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,819
Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345 View Post
What is wrong with getting a 50 pound dog?
A friend of mine did that after his home was broken into. Insurance paid replacement cost for everything, so he had all brand new stuff.

Got the dog, the dog chewed up a lot of that brand new stuff, dug up the yard, had to have expensive surgeries, and bit a neighbor. And when we would be out, they had to leave to early to let the dog out. Lotsa downside.

-ERD50
ERD50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2014, 08:27 AM   #16
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Earth
Posts: 334
Two small Yorkies and a shotgun or handgun seem to work around here.
DFA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2014, 09:06 AM   #17
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 7,586
I suppose drop cam might suffice as a security system, but I don't think it alerts police/fire, only you, although I might be wrong:
https://www.dropcam.com
eytonxav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2014, 09:51 AM   #18
Recycles dryer sheets
Rosie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sac suburb
Posts: 437
Quote:
Originally Posted by DFW_M5 View Post
I suppose drop cam might suffice as a security system, but I don't think it alerts police/fire, only you, although I might be wrong:
https://www.dropcam.com
We looked at dropcam too, it's a nifty device. There might be ways to incorporate it into a monitored system but I didn't look that far into it.

We decided to go for a monitored system, since we like to get out of Dodge. If we're away and the alarm is triggered, the alarm co will first attempt to contact us via our cellphones, but if we don't respond (say, if we're out of cell phone range, which is likely since we often go places that don't have cell reception), they'll then immediately contact our police.

Meanwhile the 50-pound dog would be sitting in a kennel, not doing anyone a helluva lot of good.
Rosie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2014, 10:14 AM   #19
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
harley's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 8,764
Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345 View Post
What is wrong with getting a 50 pound dog?
I tried that first. But he didn't weigh 50 lbs anymore when I got back from my 6 months in Florida.
__________________
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." - Anonymous (not Will Rogers or Sam Clemens)
DW and I - FIREd at 50 (7/06), living off assets
harley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2014, 11:23 AM   #20
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: San Jose
Posts: 607
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosie View Post
After our home was broken into a few weeks ago, DH & I looked into alarm systems. A friend pointed us to this article, which discusses the types of home security systems available now, and gives a glowing review of Frontpoint.

The Best Home Security System | The Sweethome

The review article also discusses the pros & cons of other security system providers, including SimpliSafe. (FWIW, SimpliSafe was rated very highly as well, with a couple of caveats.)

We looked into a couple of other systems but we ultimately decided to go with Frontpoint. We've had the system for two weeks now and we're very pleased with it. The system was fairly easy to set up, and the phone support has been outstanding. We opted for the mid-tier Interactive plan at $43/mo which provides remote access via the web & smartphone; there's an upper level plan that provides video monitoring and home automation but we decided we didn't need that.
What a great article - thanks so much for posting!

Burglaries are up in my part of the city, so has got me thinking of getting a DIY security system. This article has very good info in it!
LoneAspen is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
We've dusted off our alarm clock!! Alan Health and Early Retirement 34 07-02-2012 06:16 PM
Anyone use a barking dog alarm? Orchidflower Travel Information 31 01-28-2010 06:32 PM
DIY mickeyd FIRE and Money 17 09-15-2009 08:03 PM
Monthly Update from Fund Alarm......... FinanceDude FIRE and Money 5 11-01-2006 01:49 PM
Your Fund Alarm Monthly Commentary............... FinanceDude FIRE and Money 4 10-02-2006 11:16 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:40 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.