DIY Alarm - can you suggest one?

always_sunny

I am looking for a simple DIY alarm, nothing over the top, just peace of mind I suppose, do you have one fitted and could you suggest one?

Ideally I am looking for wireless and 2 PIR.

brightontraveller

Almost all alarms can be fitted by those with very basic DIY knowledge they tend to come in two types .

“Hard wired” this means cable goes from control panel/ keypad to sensors , sounder etc ( if you can wire a plug you’ll be able to fit this type).

Pros tend to be more reliable more options available to add extra parts
Sensors, auto diallers etc spare parts system itself are often cheaper than wireless counterpart .

Cons installing cable takes longer, limited wiring knowledge required.
or
“Wireless” this type the sensors themselves tend to not be wired in just battery operated but sounders e.g outside alarm box tend to be wired.

Pros Quicker installation.

Cons Less reliable, battery's need replacement, spare are often expensive in comparison to wired counterpart extras such as auto dialler, sounders, sensors are often limited to those manufacture makes?
Wired I would recommend Texecom Veritas
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Texecom-Veritas-VR8-Fully-Featured-Wired-Burglar-Alarm-Kit-/300960776680?hash=item4612a901e8:g:q6oAAOSwy5ZXC8Z2

but Honeywell Scantronic etc all pretty much the same.
Wirless
Again texecom

http://www.texe.com/uk/products/series/wireless-kits/premier-elite-series/
or yale
https://www.safe.co.uk/products/yale-easy-fit-standard-alarm-kit-1.html?ACODE=googlebase&gclid=CMDCnNL5rs0CFQWfGwodV6AJZg

Latter as there are many retailers selling them and spares although not cheap a pretty much readily available many wireless and cheaper wired spares are impossible to purchase and sensors etc do go wrong ?
There are many cheap options it depends on level of protection required to an extent premises e.g. ground floor lots of windows etc or top floor one window etc and cost.

WobblyDog

I also recommend the Texecom Veritas if you want a wired alarm. I was easily able to get spares to repair the broken (due to previous owner) Veritas system in the house I bought a few years ago, and it has worked faultlessly since then.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Is an alarm system that isn't monitored worth the money and effort? I'm not so sure it is (and I was thinking about one myself).

I had an interesting conversation with a police officer friend of mine and his opinion and based on his experience, besides the basics such as having decent locks, making sure you lock up and don't leave keys in doors etc. the only thing worth having that reduces your chances of a break-in is a decent CCTV system.

27col

I'm quite happy with the Red Shield Alarm that I fitted last year.

brightontraveller

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

Is an alarm system that isn't monitored worth the money and effort? I'm not so sure it is (and I was thinking about one myself).

So having nothing gives equal chance of response than those that have a sounding alarm by police, neighbors friends etc That's stupid

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

I had an interesting conversation with a police officer friend of mine and his opinion and based on his experience, besides the basics such as having decent locks, making sure you lock up and don't leave keys in doors etc. the only thing worth having that reduces your chances of a break-in is a decent CCTV system.

Nothing stops a determined shopper cctv is easy balaclava, mask, paint in a balloon etc Security falls into two types a visible (external sounder, security grills guards etc) and covert (hidden cctv. Invisible marking smart water etc ) each has its place and sometimes a combination is needed its also about recovering goods too limiting the time they have on the premises when your away from it and alerting you when you in it asleep etc. With the latter (cctv) its much harder to do that than with conventional pir sensor type alarm,,,

Mr.Generous

homes with an alarm don't get broken into unless its a targeted raid for works of art or an obviously ancient rusty bell-box from the 1970's. As long as there are neighbors without one thieves pick the easy target. Alarms are one deterrent, gates, good locks, blinds, lamps on timers etc - as part of a combination of security measures alarms are very effective.

I renovate property, we have at least 1 and usually 2 empty properties, one work in progress one up for sale. We also renovate for other landlords. Fit an alarm. We don't get any problems where we take security precautions while we have been in a situation where next door get burgled - once either side had sheds broken into so thieves are scouting the area. Why did they avoid our empty property?

It's all very well saying people ignore alarms and the police won't respond, but imagine being inside the property while the siren howled just hoping nobody responded? Why chance it when plenty of properties are not alarmed?

Given the choice we fit Yale wireless stuff and always add remote controls. No point having an alarm if you don't use it and remotes make it simple. Easy to fit and a reputable make. Had a problem once with a remote that wouldn't set off the personal attack alarm but would arm and disarm the system. Yale technical were superb, tried to help and offered to send new remote out 1st class post free of charge and we could keep faulty one as a spare. Top service back up deserves a mention!

Budget system 6200 is ok for very small property, but you probably want to add a pir or two and remotes. Screwfix sell them and the accessories. Look at the features you want before choosing, budget system wont allow partial set or omitting certain zones, Yale do a range of systems from £100 to over £400.

you pays your money....

27col

I was told many years ago by a policeman, that the only real use of a visible alarm was to persuade prospective intruders to go further up the road.
If it succeeds in doing that then it has done its job and was worth the money.