Re: Alarm Purchase Help

["mikey" <loismustdie@xxxxxxxx>]

Long Island? Isn't that Jim's neck of the woods?
If you are indeed looking for a professionally installed system,
he's the guy

"David L" <David-Lu@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Xns96F75A95865A4davidlupobox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> I'm a newbie looking for an alarm system.  I really know little about
> alarm systems and am coming here in the hopes that I can learn enough to
> ensure that I get the right system.
>
> I live on Long Island and am looking for a professionally installed
> system.
>
> So far, I've contacted both General Security
> (http://www.gensecurity.com)(I've been a happy oil customer of General
> Utilities for a long time now) and Slomins (http://www.slomins.com).
> Both are very large/well known installers/monitors here on Long Island.
>
> I need to double check some things with General, but Slomins offered a
> free fully hardwired system that includes a panel, keypad, siren, 1
> motion detector, 1 smoke alarm, 3 door alarms and professional
> installation.  Window breaks were $125/window and I probably need around
> 10.  A 2nd smoke alarm is another $150.  5 year CS contact at $25.95/mo.
> The will connect the system to a VoIP service for free (if I wanted to
> go that route).
>
> Now, some questions.
>
> 1) Wired or Wireless?  Forgetting about price, is fully wired a superior
> solution?
>
> 2) I have no problem letting them make their money back on the install
> over the life of the original contract, but I see there are many places
> to get CS much cheaper (i.e. nextalarm.com).  What questions do I need
> to ask upfront to ensure that once my initial contract is up that I can
> take my alarm system, without additional costs, to another CS?  Should I
> have the contract noted that they'll provide me with codes (installer
> code? user code? what codes do I ask for?) upon completion of the
> contract?  How do I know that the equipment they'll provide is not
> propriatary and will work with another CS without some sort of major
> upgrade?
>
> 3) Where do I really need glass breaks?  Cost is certainly a factor, so
> I don't want glass breaks where I don't really need them.  The house is
> just off the street and I have nearby neighbors on all sides.  The front
> of the house has a clear view to the street (and to the neighbors across
> the street). I have all new Anderson casement windows.  I figure the
> windows in the back that are 8 feet or less off the ground are definite.
> What about windows near the ground right in the front of the house?  Is
> it necessary to glass break those?  Would it be almost a total waste to
> get glass breaks on windows that are 15 feet off the ground in the front
> of the house?  Are glass breaks the right item for Anderson casements?
>
> 3a) I'm a little confused as how the Slomin's rep counted the windows.
> For example, I have 2 windows right next to each other.  IIRC, when the
> window people put it in, it's one big piece with 2 windows that open out
> from each other.  The Slomins rep counted that as one window as far as
> glass breaks would be concerned.  But there are 2 window panes, so I
> don't understand how both panes are protected.  I asked a few times and
> she assured me it counted as one.  But, then in another room, I have a
> four panel casement (one piece) and it counted as 2.  Can anyone explain
> that?
>
> 4) Any other suggestions on additional items and position placement
> (i.e. 2nd motion detector)?  The house is a hi-ranch with an entrance
> with stairs leading up to the bedrooms, kitchen and living room and
> stairs leading down to the den.
>
> 5) My main phone is on a VoIP service now through the cable company.  I
> do have a 2nd line POTS (that I'm not sure if I'm keeping long term).
> If the installer says they can get it to work on VoIP, is there any
> reason not to?  I also figure that if someone does try to cut a cable
> out back, they might only figure to cut the phone line and not realize I
> might be using the cable line for phone service.  Also, Verizon is
> wiring this area fast and there's a chance I might wind up with phone
> service over their fiber eventually, I might not have a POTS line then.
>
> 6)Protectamerica.com looks really cheap.  What's the gimmick/catch with
> them?  Crappy propriatary wireless alarm system?
>
> Well, I know I've asked a lot here.  Hopefully, someone could take the
> time out to respond.  Thanks in advance to all who do.
>
> David
>