Re: I was broken into ... last questions before purchase

["Stanley Barthfarkle" <sbarth@xxxxxxxxx>]

The newer wireless stuff is not unreliable in the least. It's a matter of
99.9% reliability with hardwired vs 99.8% reliability with wireless. Anyone
who tells you differently is living in 1985. (or in Belgium)


"Beachcomber" <not_real@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:4353edba.6620843@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> On Mon, 17 Oct 2005 10:22:33 -0700, "Crash Gordon"
> <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>You sound confused. On one hand you want protection against jamming on the
>>other hand you dont think the thieves where you live are sophisiticated.
>>You're concerned about false alarm fines, but you intend to be a local
>>system (not monitored).
>>
>>On wireless...I have hundreds of them out there an have never had one be
>>jammed or circumvented...in fact the only false alarms I get from them are
>>homeowners opening the transmitter cases, which are tampered, without
>>telling us.
>>
>>And you want CCTV over the net too.
>>
>>I think you're gonna go overbudget.
>>
>>If you're on the second level of apt building it shouldn't be too
>>expensive
>>to install a wireless alarm, one door a motion, maybe a glassbreak. If
>>you're on the ground level you'll need more.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>"Armadillo Soup" <louispoint@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>news:Xns96F27B995157Elouispointyourmommac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>| Like a lot of people that pop up in all of a sudden, I was just broken
>>| into last Thursday. They stole my digital camera and my headphones.
>>| Apparently the guy broke into 6 places within a few block radius.
>>|
>>| Anyway ... I realize all security is a balance between cost and
>>| convenience. Just how much money, time, and effort are you willing to
>>put
>>| into being secure ?
>>|
>>| I live in a crappy apartment and probably will continue to for a long
>>| time to come. Basically I have a TV, stereo, and computer. Anything that
>>| was small and valuable this thief took last Thursday. So in short, it
>>| wouldn't make a lot of sense to spend a fortune on securing my place ...
>>| it obviously makes no sense to spend more than your stuff is worth !
>>|
>>| As far as the threat model I would like to defend against ... I think
>>the
>>| most realistic scenario is something like what happened last Thursday. A
>>| realitively unplanned, fairly random break in. I can't see burglars
>>| spending a lot of time and energy planning for an eleaborate breakin
>>| where I live.
>>|
>>| I am almost 100% confident that had ANY alarm sounded last Thursday, I
>>| would still have my digital camera. This guy didn't want confrontation,
>>| and he didn't want a lot of razzle dazzle, bright lights, or loud noises
>>| I can tell you. If he is breaking into 6 places in a day, he doesn't
>>have
>>| time for sirens.
>>|
>>| So ... considering all that, I was thinking of getting the Powermax+,
>>| partly because it comes all ready to go, and I don't want to mess with a
>>| monitoring service. The Paradox Magellan looks really cool but seems to
>>| be a bit out of my price range. Also, it looks harder to set up. As for
>>| the PowerMax+, I'd like to add one of the hardwired sirens to the unit
>>if
>>| I could, simply to add confusion and throw off the crook, in case he has
>>| the nerve to try and disarm/yank it off the wall. I am confident
>>| (considering I live in a cramped apartment complex) that the siren will
>>| immediately scare off 80% of intruders in this area. Like I said, I do
>>| not live in an area where carefully planned burglaries really make much
>>| sense.
>>|
>>| My only reservation is relying on wireless completely. The Powermax+
>>says
>>| it can connect to 2 hardwired devices. One will hopefully be a siren. It
>>| would be ideal if the other was a motion detector, but I don't see a
>>| hardwired motion detector as a module.
>>|
>>| Are these wireless units that easily jammed and disabled ? You think an
>>| amatuer "crackhead" style thief would have the means to do so ? Some of
>>| these crackheads are more talented than you might think ! Breaking into
>>6
>>| places in a day shows at least some talent.
>>|
>>| Anyway, if anyone has any last minute recommendations for me, I'll take
>>| them. Right now my only security is a radio I left on today when I went
>>| to work ! Far from Ideal.
>>|
>>| Things I consider important:
>>| 1) No monitoring service required.
>>| 2) Ability to disarm via telephone ? I think I'd like to do this. I'm
>>| considering setting up a camera that can post images/video to an
>>external
>>| website via my Linksys wireless router.
>>| 3) Cost and ease of use ... proportionate to what I am trying to
>>protect:
>>| $600 TV/DVD player
>>| $400 stereo
>>| $1500 computer
>>| These are the only things I own of value in the world. All my clothes
>>are
>>| from the thrift store.  :)
>>|
>>| Lastly, just how common/frequently do you get false alarms ? Is this
>>from
>>| flakey units ?  Wild exotic radio transmissions on your units frequency
>>?
>>| I will be using 3 door sensors and 1 motion detector. I am a little
>>| worried about the false alarms.
>>|
>>| Cheers, and thanks for any final advice.
>>
>>
>
> What about your landlord sending workman into your place while you are
> away? (and likely without your knowledge....  You said it was a crappy
> apartment).   How many people have the keys to your front door?  This
> could set off the alarm and cause you to be a nuisance.
>
> BTW... Anytime repair people are in your place they can look over your
> stuff and your alarm system.   This is definitely a security problem.
>
> Apartments are hard to hard wire for alarm systems.  Landlords
> generally don't want you drilling through walls and such.  Wireless
> may be prone to false alarms and unreliability.
>
> Maybe you need a safe as first priority... Then an alarm system....
> If no monitoring system, than get one that at least pages you or calls
> your cellphone.
>
> Beachcomber
>
>