Recommendation for home security system?

[jwinch2]

Hey,

We are considering having a home security system installed that along with the typical security aspect will handle monitoring for fire and carbon monoxide as well. Do any of you have thoughts on various companies which handle these things? Obviously I am aware of the big names, ADT, Brinks, etc. What about other groups? Do you have preferences on local or national companies, or other aspects of systems that I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance!

Jason

[Neil Yamamoto]

No real opinion on any of the national monitoring companies being better than another, in my experience with these systems, it's been a toss up. I've had experience with both Brinks and ADT, both seemed good.

However, one suggestion for an add-on to monitored alarms is a good multiple camera -DVR monitoring system since visual recording can go a long way to help supplement protection for the home.

A camera on all entryways, on vehicles, and stickers indicating alarms and recording are in use will go a long ways to prevent vandalism as well as the amateur thief. And you will have recorded evidence for LEO and insurance if an event does happen.

[David Craik]

Ours (on my home) is a company called Security Networks (1-800-784-2042). I have been very pleased with their response time and service (with one caveat below).

I mentioned in another thread that smoke from frying a mess of bacon set off a smoke detector once (regrettably, there is no way of temporarily disabling that part of the system) and response was immediate. They called over the intercom right away to check if everyone was alright and find out what was happening..they responded so fast it was surprising to me. They later sent out a very friendly and knowledgeable fellow to move the detector further back from the kitchen (we have other stand-alone smoke detectors too, my father and I lost everything in a housefire once and am paranoid to this day).

There was an instance where my 13 year old daughter was home alone and decided to turn on the heater for the first time after the summer...after a while there was a bit of smoke from accumulated dust and it set it off. The response over the intercom was immediate, but my daughter told them she didn't see any flames anywhere so they never called the fire department. My daughter (who apparently didn't put 2 and 2 together and realize it was the heater producing the smoke) called mom and she called the F.D. I would have preferred that especially in the case of a minor home alone they call the F.D. to be on the safe side and check it out. I work too far away to get home in time in an emergency. When we contacted them about this they were very apologetic and said that such a case will never happen again.

Overall I am very happy with them though. We have ADT at my place of work and I'm not impressed at all. The general manager, who lives about 45 minutes away, was called by them in the middle of dinner and informed that we had a door sensor and motion sensor go off. He would need to go and let the police in, they could not enter without him present (?)..halfway into the trip over there they called him on his cell and said the police had left, so he could go home (to his now cold Thankgiving dinner). We are constantly getting false alarms for no apparent reason over there, even when everyone's there and the system is set to 'not ready'. Their technicians are idiots to boot.

I get a special price from Security Networks (shh), so I don't know what we have normally costs, but it is very reasonable. We've never had a problem with false alarms or anything. I'm glad we have it.

[jwinch2]

I have heard similar things about ADT as well Dave, and thanks for the recommendation on Security Networks, I will check them out for sure. From looking at their website, they have a referral award so if I go with them we will have to make sure you get credit off of your bill.

I have heard good things about Brinks and they consistently seem to be winning awards for service so that seems good. I have also heard good things about APX who does everything with wireless and cellular service which appeals to me somewhat.

Any other thoughts or recommendations, things to watch out for or stay away from, or info in appreciated. Any of you who want to stay away from advertising your company but feel OK with letting me know in private can feel free to send me a PM. I certainly understand if that is the case.

On a similar but slightly different note, one thing that always amazes me are the people who advertise the company that provides their security by placing signs and decals all over the place. I see nothing wrong with letting people know you have a system and it probably does act as a deterrent but telling them which one just makes it easier to defeat in my view. If I put any signs or decals out they will be generic and not identify the company providing the service. ;)

Thanks again everyone!

[Cliff Hargrave]

The BEST home security system.........

[jwinch2]

I've already got one of those:

(don't tell anyone but he is a bit of a wuss)...

[David Craik]

LOL, thanks Jason on the referral offer if you go with them. I don't work for them or anything, nor do I have any experience with other companies besides ADT to even compare anything to. It's always been locks, spiky shrubbery, dogs, and guns for me. But it's good to have an extra layer regardless of company.

As I was typing I actually thought about getting more stickers. The ADT sign which I found as a deterrent and planted in my front yard actually prompted them to come to my door and ask me if I was happy with my service, even though I had no such service. :D Down here most robbers aren't really sophisticated enough to differentiate between different systems to defeat them, they just look for the easiest pickins.

[Eye4NEye]

I've been really happy with ADT. We haven't had any complaints. Whatever you do get installed, make sure it's by the parent organization and not by one of these "free system with service" kind of deals. What you can end up with is a system that is in every respect the same as whatever brand it is linked to, but you may not actually be getting service from, say ADT, instead it's by some other private "dispatch" center. Also, if you end up having an issue with your system you usually have to go back to whoever installed it and cannot go back to the main company for any kind of support and you end up paying through the nose. That is how you get the system for "free."

You have a dog, so I would suggest getting pet immune motion detectors, so you can have them without them going off all the time. Depending on the dog's size, you may not even be able to get pet immune sensors. Is he/she over 100lbs? One caution on those, mylar balloons (the shiny kind), and as I found out last week, shiny Christmas tree ornaments will sometimes register as motion, even though they don't have a heat signature. They spread the beam and make the system think someone is moving around.

My system isn't the most secure, but it's pretty good. Open door sensors on all entries, with pet immune motions sensors in the main rooms. Cell back-up, so they can cut my phone lines and it will still send a signal to dispatch. If someone really wants something, they could smash and grab, but they'd have to get past my beast first. I don't hold any notions that it's completely secure, but it's better than nothing and hopefully works as a deterrent.

Let's see, what else....oh, see if your local police department requires that you register your system. If they do, you need to fill out and submit the paperwork or you could get fined if they have to respond.

[jwinch2]

Thanks Jason!

[De_Franza]

Get a life-sized standee of Chuck Norris, and leave it in a visible spot.

[jwinch2]

I'd be too scared to come home myself then Bill! LOL

[Eye4NEye]

Get a life-sized standee of Chuck Norris, and leave it in a visible spot.

Or better yet, just a photo of his beard.

[Padamil]

I come at this from two separate views. For about 6 years I worked in the alarm business for ADT and Brinks. My job was designing residential and commercial systems. I now work as a 911 operator/ police dispatcher, so I deal with the alarm companies calling in alarms.
From a customer view, Brinks has a better customer service record. ADT has more customers, but this is due to a policy of aquisition that they held under the old Tyco regime, when the only thing that mattered was the number of customers.
There are also a lot of local companies, most of which I know nothing about except here in GA.
One thing to be wary of. ADT has a lot of "authorized dealers" out there. Most of them are fine, but be wary of some of the claims. Also, be careful not to pay too much for a service plan (extended warranty.) This is where a lot of companies make their money.
If at all possilbe, install a hard wired system. They are much more reliable and don't require each device to have batteries.
About the only company I will tell anyone to steer away from is Monitronix. I have had many, many customers who were very unhappy with them, and they have been featured on our local TV news "investigative reports" segment a few times.

From the other side, I haven't had any issues with any of the companies more so than any other. We sometimes do have to have the keyholder respond, then the officer on scene will call up and cancel them. That is the decision of the officer, not the alarm company. Most of the time when I tell the alarm company that, the keyholder will still respond, just to make sure.

Be aware that if you go with a national company, ie ADT, Brinks, Protection One etc ... you will have to sign a multi year contract for service. If this bugs you, then check out the local companies.

[Padamil]

oops, accidentally double posted...sorry

I come at this from two separate views. For about 6 years I worked in the alarm business for ADT and Brinks. My job was designing residential and commercial systems. I now work as a 911 operator/ police dispatcher, so I deal with the alarm companies calling in alarms.
From a customer view, Brinks has a better customer service record. ADT has more customers, but this is due to a policy of aquisition that they held under the old Tyco regime, when the only thing that mattered was the number of customers.
There are also a lot of local companies, most of which I know nothing about except here in GA.
One thing to be wary of. ADT has a lot of "authorized dealers" out there. Most of them are fine, but be wary of some of the claims. Also, be careful not to pay too much for a service plan (extended warranty.) This is where a lot of companies make their money.
If at all possilbe, install a hard wired system. They are much more reliable and don't require each device to have batteries.
About the only company I will tell anyone to steer away from is Monitronix. I have had many, many customers who were very unhappy with them, and they have been featured on our local TV news "investigative reports" segment a few times.

From the other side, I haven't had any issues with any of the companies more so than any other. We sometimes do have to have the keyholder respond, then the officer on scene will call up and cancel them. That is the decision of the officer, not the alarm company. Most of the time when I tell the alarm company that, the keyholder will still respond, just to make sure.

Be aware that if you go with a national company, ie ADT, Brinks, Protection One etc ... you will probably have to sign a multi year contract for service. If this bugs you, then check out the local companies.

[jwinch2]

Thanks Paul. I have already moved into looking at local companies. They seem to rate much higher consistently in customer satisfaction, don't require a contract, you actually own the gear that is installed, and their monitoring rates seem to be lower. I had two of the national companies come in and give a quote (Brinks and APX) but after looking at how Consumer Checkbook, which is a local version of Consumer Reports, rates them, all of the national vendors are at the bottom with regards to ratings and they have far, far more complaints to the BBB. ADT is actually listed as "neutral" by the BBB while Brinks remains in the "Satisfactory" range. Jumping into a three year minimum contract which auto renews right off the bat is something that gives me the willies. I want a company who wants to earn my business loyalty over the long term, not one who demands it right off the bat.

I appreciate you input Paul, thanks again.

I found these links which have been helpful for me during this process. Maybe someone else will get some use out of them as well.

http://www.checkbook.org/interactive/homesecu/other/return.cfm
http://ask.metafilter.com/55527/can-you-recommend-a-home-security-alarm-company

[Eye4NEye]

If at all possilbe, install a hard wired system.

Very good point. I forgot to mention that in my earlier post. I installed fully wired and would also suggest that. If you go with motion sensors, you will get better range and pick-up with them as well.

[tgace334]

IMO. Alarm systems are good for 2 primary things. Your peace of mind and as a deterrent. If you can feel relaxed leaving home because of the system that is worth the expense. If just having the alarm scares off the casual burglar than thats worth it too (hence all the signs and stickers).

However, having dealt with going to alarm calls for numerous years, I can count on one hand how many times they were actually burglary attempts and I can count on one finger the amount of times the suspect was on scene. Many systems go to the company first and then to the local dept, a few minutes wasted there, a few getting it dispatched and a few more responding...well you see where I'm going. 99.9% of the time they are false alarms or the owner screwing up setting/deactivating the system. Some cities are now not responding to alarms unless they are "verified" by someone seeing something suspicious. Others start fining people once they exceed their allotted false alarm quota.

[jwinch2]

Which is why you don't use one of the big chains and instead go with someone local Thomas, at least from what I have seen. ADT, Brinks, Vanguard, and the other big boys have call out delays built in so that even if the alarm goes off, it won't actually call the alarm company for up to a minute. They do this to reduce calls so that they can get away with less staff at the monitoring station and to reduce false alarms.

Your points are quite valid and I agree with you in a large way. I do, however, think there are ways around some of those things...

[tgace334]

The most effective home security is nosy neighbors. Or friendly ones that look out for you. THOSE situations have resulted in some good arrests. :)

Of course the best security system is a layered one.

[jwinch2]

I believe it but that will not help in case of fire or gas leak and we want to deal with that as well. Also, as we just moved into our new place, we don't know any neighbors well enough at this point.

Thanks again,