Burglar alarm/ Home security

magan

Hello, I am looking for a burglar alarm to put at home. I am not quite sure what I want yet so any advise would be much appreciated. I want to make a one off payment (so no "ADT type" maintenance), probably wired (I am thinking wireless will use a lot of battery) and right now I am starting to think that it would be nice a kind of system that can be checked from an internet connection. I went to Wickes and B&Q but they have a couple of models (nothing interesting really). I am not really interested in cheapy stuff Wickes/B&Q type but something that has the balance between quality and price (low price=high quality ).

Well, I know I am not too clear but maybe someone can advice from their own perspective what they found and where. Or if there is a good comparison website where I can compare different security systems in a reliable way.

Thanks in advance for all your advice.

googler

May vary in diff parts of the country, but we were told not to bother with an alarm unless it was connected to a monitoring centre. If it's just a siren going off, the first question from the police if anyone reports it will be "Have you seen any activity at the property" and if the answer is no, they won't tend to respond with any urgency.....

macman

A wireless system is an awful lot easier and less disruptive to install, and the batteries in the sensors should last at least a year or 2.
If you are self installing then it will not reduce your insurance anyway, so a Wickes self install system or similar will be quite adequate, it's primarily a visual deterrent.

Dan_Iggulden

googler wrote: »

May vary in diff parts of the country, but we were told not to bother with an alarm unless it was connected to a monitoring centre. If it's just a siren going off, the first question from the police if anyone reports it will be "Have you seen any activity at the property" and if the answer is no, they won't tend to respond with any urgency.....

While it is true that the police are unlikely to respond to simply an alarm going off, many alarm systems have the function to listen in, meaning you can hear if there is any activity in the immediate area. With this function, if you report to the poice that your alarm has triggered and you have listened in and can hear activity in your property, then they should respond to this as a urgent issue. I have had this verified by a local police station.
Wirelss systems are certainy viable options nowadays, generally speaking all batteries should last around 18-24 months.

jon_ports

I have a system by Alertme, a quick google will send you to the right place.

The system is fully wireless, and a battery life is reasonable. Batteries are also cheap enough from eBay as and when replacements are needed.

As i found you can start with basic system and purchase extra sensors as and when you need them.

Big user forum also for other users comments & suggestions, good place to check before you buy.

pdonaldson

I have a Yale wireless system at home that I installed myself. It's been in about 3 years now with no problems. I had a wired ADT one in my previous house, and I found their charges excessive. Also, a monitored alarm is not that useful - I had expected that with a monitored system the monitoring company would ping the line every few seconds to make sure that the phone line had not been cut, but apparently you only get that with "red care" = very expensive. So a burglar can break in, go to the alarm box and cut the phone wire coming from it, and the monitoring company are none the wiser.

There is no internet monitoring with the Yale system, so it may not be the system for you if you really want that feature.

I had to change one of the PIRs for a pet-friendly PIR when we got a cat, and that is the only element in the system I have been slightly disappointed with. It is supposed to only detect items greater than 26kg, and I have to say that my cat does not trigger it, but I can walk around the room for quite a few minutes before being detected - and I am significantly more than 26kg!

magan

Thanks for all the ideas that are coming. Food for thought. Giving second thoughts to wireless systems as most of you are having positive experiences with them.

I will also check the "alertme" site and the rest of the recommendations. The idea of the connection to the internet was for my own peace of mind be able to be at work or on holidays and have a look at your house and know that everything is alright.

Thanks for all the feedback, please keep adding if anything else is coming to mind .

Owain_Moneysaver

If you want remote monitoring you might also consider an IP CCTV camera. These have motion detection and can email you when motion is detected. You can then watch/listen over the internet or from a smartphone. Prices vary but they start about £150.

magan

Thanks Owain, that is really good news I would have thought that they are a lot more expensive, although I imagine it would depend on the quality, the brand name and the amount of cameras but still good news that they start at an affordable price

muckybutt

Please dont go down the diy routes from bnq or wickes they are all !!!!!, very easy to disrupt and frequently fail during storms etc.

A very good system that is diy or you can get fitted is Infinite Prime.
I have had these systems in the past and have found them very reliable, there are a number of different options available such as pet friendly detectors and GSM auto dialling etc.

http://www.all-about-the-home.co.uk/infinite-prime-infp-kit-wireless-burglar-alarm-3275-p.asp

magan

Thanks, yes, those are the ones I was trying to avoid, after all they only have a couple on sale and for security stuff I am not really that keen on B&Q and wickes, but then I don't know any other systems that much, here the reason of posting the question. the name sounds familiar, I think I have seen a couple of "infinite prime" alarms around the area, so good to have into account. I will have a good look into it.