House Alarm

redboy1

Anyone got any experience fitting a wired one?

What are decent makes and where's best to buy?

Fancy getting one as there seems to be some thieves knocking around the area.

Stooby2

It means a lot of drilling and lifting carpets, running wires etc.

Which is the main reason I've got a wireless alarm that does an excellent job and was very easy to fit. I'd recommend that over trying to fit a wired one. The only downside is you have to keep on top of replacing the batteries.

Myser

Reputable brands: Texecom, Cooper, Honeywell

Wired is more reliable than wireless however, there is a skill to running and concealing the wires.

Yorkie1

I've got a texecom wired alarm, think it's a veritas compact? (Could be making that up without checking for sure!). Am happy with it.

saversfriend

I used to have a wireless system in a Church hall which I was in charge of for a year - wouldn't recommend - a lot of hassle just for something simple such as a battery running out in a senseor and then not working properly after being replaced. Spare parts more expensive too (e.g. £80 when the wireless door switch got stolen - oh the irony).

My parents on the other hand have a 20 year old alarm which has gone wrong once in all that time and looks set to last many more years.

I would always go for a wired system if I could and would go to the hassle of hiding wiring / compromising positions of sensors as it will be worth it in the long run.

Dimey

I used a specialist alarm company and they recommended wired over wireless for consistent reliability. They fitted a Honeywell Galaxy2, 24hr monitored alarm system together with pet friendly room sensors in every room and 16 wired CCTV cameras around the exterior of the house so no gaps in coverage. However they did fit two wireless sensors to two doors where it would have meant chiselling out walls to have fitted a wired version.

The Honeywell is obviously used every time I go out but also during the night in the rooms I am not in. ie the room I'm in is turned off so I don't set the alarm off. The sensors don't react to my pets so they can wander in different rooms at night.

The monitoring centre ring me first (or 2 other named friends) if the alarm goes off. If they can't get me or my friends then they'll call the police to attend. I also have a separate panic button which, if I press it, the police attend immediately.

Originally I used Night Devil cameras which had great pictures day and night but they kept shutting down for no reason so sadly, after trying replacements, they had to be changed completely for Cyclops. Cyclops are utterly reliable but the night picture is not as clear as Night Devils.

The DVR system is Quantum Plus with a Vista display. Its very complex but you can easily just learn enough for your needs and ignore everything else.

I spent hours researching online before I invited companies to quote. By then I could speak a little of the jargon and drew up a spec of what I wanted to achieve.

The security of the 24 hr Monitored alarm and CCTV system is the best household investment I have ever made.

Having watched the installation, I reckon you can install your own wired system fairly easily if you are a bit DIY handy.