Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - MrRonFL - Your recommendation for wireless retrofit to existing home?

Hey MrRonFL... love reading your posts and hoping you would recommend a system for me that is DIY capable. My current home came with a DSC 632 and ugh.. I never want to mess with that again. Nightmare ADT system installed by previous owners.

Our other house that we are planning on moving to is a single story ranch on a crawl space. 3 entry/exit doors and a crawlspace door (of which only one the doors will be the primary exit) and 13 windows. Motion detectors are not really important as we have two dogs, but I would like one or two glass breaks along with 2 control panels.

Is wired or wireless the way to go? I'm assuming wireless would be easiest...

What system would you recommend I go for?

Wired is the way to go if you can. The components are _much_ less expensive, but you _will_ have to make holes in walls to get things done, and crawl the attic or crawlspace.

Wireless goes in faster, and most of the current versions are very reliable.

I would be inclined to suggest you look at the GE/ITI Concord expess or Ultra systems. Most people find their programming interface fairly DIY friendly, and their wireless devices are among the best on the market.

I recently installed the GE/ITI Concord panel and wireless sensors. I use Alarm.com for monitoring so I installed an additional module to communicate with them.

The system is easy to install and the sensors are very reliable. Additionally, Alarm.com has a web site that you can use to view the status of your system as well as arm/disarm the system remotely.

Good stuff! :)

Thanks MrRonFL... if I were to go wired and hire out to have the installation done, would it pretty much eat up the cost savings on equipment vs DIY wireless? I can do crawl space work no problem, but the attic is under a very low pitched roof and would be extremely difficult for me to work in (maybe a triple-jointed midget?).


sibleyr: How much did Alarm.com's services and equipment cost you? I looked at their website but couldn't find any pricing. I see they do wireless monitoring, is that through cellular or a different technology?

Possibly. Your best bet would be to find out what they would quote you to do a rough-in wiring job, and compare it to the ~ $40-70 that each transmitter will cost. I understand about the roof. My own house has a shallow attic, running my home network was a real bear.

i have been an alarm tech for going on 3 years. i agree that a hard wired system is more reliable and more desireable than a wireless system. i also agree that today's wireless systems are extremely reliable. i have never used GE panels so i can not comment on them. i would like to say that ademco/first alert equipment has never let me down. they are simple to wire, program, and use. alot of their panels are very similar which makes it easy on guys like me. i'm all for doing things myself, but i'm not sure if just anybody can order them or if you have to be a dealer. furthermore, due to the nature of security systems i recomend that a professional install your system.

for a totally wireless system i'd recomend a first alert ready gaurd panel. similar to some of the ge panels, ready gaurd panels have the panel, keypad, siren, and wireless reciever built into one unit that mounts flat on a wall or can be set freely on a countertop with an additional bracket. a power outlet and a phone jack nearby are all you need. this type of system is ideal for appartments, trailers, or 2 story slab houses.

for monitoring my company uses Secuirty Central in Statesville, NC. they monitor nationwide. i have heard of other monitoring centers that use automated machines. i have also heard many complaints from customers whose previous alarm companies used automation(which is why they switched to us) and some of the difficutly they experienced. this company does not do such a thing. they have real people on hand 24/7 so you never talk to a machine. its pretty nice. so i would recomend a company that opperates in a similar fashion.

It's not a bad system. As I recall it's a clone of the Honeywell/Ademco Lynx systems, another industry standard as far as the design of the transmitters.

They don't have the range of the standard reciever used for panels like the Vista series, but they work well in a smaller location.

For newer homes I prefer installing wireless transmitters on the windows. If I'm using an ITI panel I like using the micro wireless switches on the windows. The customer can change the batteries on these, and you don't have to replace the whole transmitter when the battery goes dead. While doors, glassbreaks, and motion detectors I hardwire whenever possible unless I can get better coverage by using a wireless detector that can go in a area where you can't get a wire(Sunrooms built on slabs with no attic access are a good example).

Another word of advice, if you have windows with a lifetime warranty or a warranty at all. I advise you to read it, drilling pella, american craftsman, and andersen windows for contacts will void their lifetime warranty. If your windows have a drain track in them, be careful on drilling these sashes, if its done wrong you'll drain the sill directly into the wall.

ITI Wireless motion detectors and glassbreak detectors are some of the best, I've never seen or heard of one not working during a legitment intrustion. The only problem with a wireless alarm is you have to get decent receiver coverage in the home or you'll end up with supervisory issues with transmitters that sporadicly will miss a 24hour check in. I usually solve this by using an additional receiver to be safe. If its a decent sized 2 story home, I put the panel on the first floor, and a receiver in the attic. The majority of wireless problems are receiver coverage and battieries. As long as you get transmitters installed with replaceable battieres you'll be ok.