Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - New alrm? What to get? Help !!

Hi there, Im lloking to get an alarm system for our home. Hopefully wireless. Im looking at getting protection for 2 doors, a glass patio door and multiple windows. I see a ton of the Ademco Safewatch 3000 Vista 20 home security system on ebay for $100.00, what do you think? Can someone help me out with a good system thats easy to install and program? Doesnt have to be Ademco, Thanks Chuck

Well, there are literally hundreds of choices - everything from the Ademco system you mentioned (btw, the SafeWatch Pro systems are ADT branded systems - stay away from them, they will be difficult to program and could have proprietary programming options) to the Ademco Lynx - a self-contained, wireless only panel - to the DSC Power series, to the ITI Concord Express and Simon lines, to any of a number of other panels.

Personally, I prefer the Concord Express - for several reasons:
1) Very easy to install and program
2) 16 wireless zones built-in to the panel (easy expansion)
3) ITI has been around for years and isn't going anywhere
4) Support for the systems is very easy to find online (even though it's not available from the manufacturer - not unusual with security systems)
5) Very little difference in price between this panel and other comparable systems and packages

The DSC Power series is another good line - the 632, 832 and 864 panels are excellent panels - however, they are much more difficult to program than the Concord Express or even the Ademco Vista panels, and they do not come with wireless support built in to the panel - although it is an add-on option (for a price.)

And, of course, the Ademco Vista line - I highly recommend going with the 15P or 20P if you want a Vista - harder to program than the Concord Express, but not as hard as the DSC Power line. Again, no built-in wireless support, but it is available as add-on.

If you are sure you want wireless - go with the Concord Express or possibly the CaddX NetworX systems (both are compatible with ITI's line of wireless sensors - the best in the business.) DSC does have a wireless line, but it's very unreliable. Ademco's wireless line is also good, but expensive. You just can't beat ITI for wireless.

Then, you have the self-contained systems:
Ademco Lynx
DSC Envoy (avoid it)
ITI Simon 2 and 3 (the best on the market)
Visonic Powermax
on and on

I use, sell, and install the Simon 3 - and I do so for a reason. Having installed over 1000 wireless systems in my years of tech'ing - the Simon 2 and 3 systems are the absolute best, most reliable systems on the market. I've never had a problem that couldn't be fixed and any time I have a warranty issue, ITI takes care of it ASAP (it's very important you purchase your equipment from an ITI dealer - or Ademco or DSC or whatever type you purchase - so that you will have a manufacturer's warranty on all of your equipment.) If you purchase equipment on Ebay, be sure to ask about warranties <i>before you bid or buy</i>, otherwise you may turn up SOL with a bad panel or equipment.

The self-contained systems usually do not have hardwire zones onboard (maybe 2 at most) and have the control panel/keypad/siren all built-in together. This can be a good thing or a bad thing - depends on how you look at it. It makes an easy installation, but not as secure as a hardwire system.

Good luck with your hunt - if there are any questions we can help you with, let us know.

Ok now I'm lost. Seeing there are so many to choose from, whats the easiest to program and easy to get accesories for such as window and door sensors, any websites for the alarms you recommend? Thanks for the reply, Chuck

LOL, yep, that's the thing - there are a lot of choices out there. Like I say, I prefer the ITI Concord Express because of the fact that it is very easy to program - even for someone who has never programmed an alarm before - not to mention it adds the 16 wireless zones.

If you want to take a look at a few manuals, just for reference, take a look at the SafeWatch Security link in my signature. We have manuals for just about every system out there. This will give you some idea of how each system programs and let you make some comparisons.

If you're just looking for a good, easy to use, easy to install system - take a good look at the Concord Express.

Good luck!

Ok thanks, where can I get this system from?

The concord express isnt wireless though? Is it? Im looking for an easy to program wireless system? I cant run the wires for a wired system because of the old plaster walls. Any ideas on a good wireless thats easy to program? Chuck

Sounds like the Simon 3 will be a better option for you. The only wires that need to be run with it are the phone and power wires - everything else is wireless.