Re: Newbie questions on alarms

["Mike W." <wiz561@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Jun 14, 5:34=A0pm, Frank Olson
<use_the_email_li...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Not necessarily. =A0What size are the dogs? =A0There are several "pet
> immune" detectors on the market. =A0It's a matter of "positioning" where
> they go to minimize the risk of false alarms.

They are beagles and they like to eat.  I'd say they're about 40 lbs
for the one and about 35 for the other dog.
>
> > 2) I have a detached garage that I need monitored. =A0PIR, window
> > sensors, and/or a BMS for the overhead doors and service door is
> > possible.
>
> Problem with a wireless PIR in a garage is the lack of heat. =A0It depend=
s
> on what area of the country you're in whether installing a PIR is even
> possible. =A0Window bugs, contacts on the windows and doors shouldn't be
> difficult.
>

This is good to know.  I live in Chicago so in the winter, it can get
cold and in the summer, it can get hot.  Now that you mention that,
I'm thinking of just the window and door contacts.


> > 3) Two keyfobs to arm/disarm the system.
>
> Most security panels are capable of this, however... =A0"Disarming" may
> not be where you want to go. =A0Consider if someone were to steal your
> wife's purse. =A0They'd have your home address and the means to disarm
> your security system.
>

Another good tip.  I didn't even think about this one!!!  Thanks!


> > 4) I prefer to hardwire the system. =A0I like the convenience and easy-
> > setup of the wireless system, but I'm a little leery about the battery
> > life, false positives, and interference.
>
> Modern wireless controls don't present any problems of the nature you're
> concerned about when set up properly. =A0If you want to go "hard wired",
> you'll need some specialty bits and other tools to run the wire in the
> attic. =A0It's not something just any "monkey" can do... =A0:-)
>

I've run my own conduit and electrical wire, and it doesn't bother me
to make a few dents in the wall and just plaster over them.  It's good
to know that the wireless stuff is pretty good now.  I won't limit
myself to wired, but feel better now that I know.

> > 5) Prefer to connect it to my LAN for external monitoring. =A0I like th=
e
> > idea of being able to receive email if the alarm goes off, and
> > utilizing a camera to see if I should call the police or not.
>
> You start of with #6 by saying that "money isn't an issue". =A0The cost o=
f
> third party monitoring (and the inherent security afforded by modern IP
> communicators) would ensure your home is safeguarded (even when your
> cell phone is "off" or "out of the service area").
>

The one thing that I don't want to do is have a 3rd party monitor the
alarm system.  I could just go with ADT and be done with it, but I do
not want to pay a monthly fee.  Part of it is that I like doing it
myself, the other part that I know how it is setup and configured, the
other part is since I'll be doing it, I know where things are hidden,
and finally, I do not want my equipment locked to one company.  One of
my pet peeves is when you buy a piece of equipment and you don't have
control of it.  You have to call somebody else to come fix it, have to
take a day off of work, yadda yadda...  I know I can get a "free"
system from ADT, but it's just something that I wouldn't want to do.

> > 7) I have 9 windows and two doors on the house. =A0I have 1 door, 2
> > overhead doors, and one (rather large) window in the garage. =A0I have =
a
> > 1st floor and basement, and I'm able to access the attic in the house.
>
> This isn't sufficient information to provide a proper recommendation.
> We'd need to know if the windows are accessible from the ground floor or
> if they're second story. =A0We'd also need to know something about the
> layout to properly recommend the best protection for the dollars you
> want to spend.
>

Ah, yeah, I forgot...  All the windows are on the ground floor, along
with the doors.  I don't have a second story, so all the windows are
accessible by somebody.

>
>
> > As I mentioned, I checked out the SecureLinc one and it seems to meet
> > all my requirements, but just want to know if there's something else
> > out there I should be going with...and where to purchase it. =A0I prefe=
r
> > to also purchase it locally, but don't know where in the Chicago area.
> > (South side).
>
> I wouldn't suggest X-10 to be the "be all" and "end all" of wireless
> alarms. =A0Far from it... =A0It's unsupervised crap. =A0I'd go with a "hy=
brid"
> system like Ademco's Vista 20 or DSC's "Power" Series.
>

I'm leaning towards Ademco's Vista 20.  It seems like it's what a lot
of people recommend.

Thanks for all the responses!
mike