Educate me on wireless home security

So it would seem that I'm on the cusp of moving into my own space again. Small house, front door and side door, and then a detached garage. The landlord is pretty easy to deal with, seemingly, and she is supportive of the idea of installing those door "armor" kits that sell for about $90/ea at big box DIY stores. Okay, so that will help, and I plan on making sure the door frames are well shimmed with big deck screws to help keep everything together.

After that I was starting to look into getting a wireless security system. I was thinking a reed switch on each door and maybe getting the thing set up so it can call my phone in case it thinks there's something happening. What else should I look for? What are brands / models that the GRM hive would recommend?

I'm not in the home yet but after a break-in at one home back in August 2012, and then again in August 2013 at a different home, I feel like I should put some extra effort in. And I know the whole "if they want in they're coming in" bit and I agree to a point, but I don't think the casual thief is going to want to talk through fire to get into my place when there's lots of other places to pick from and with less risk.

Wireless alarm systems have come a LONG way to where now it's just silly to try to hardwire a system. Go to Amazon, pick out a kit from DSC or Honeywell. Not too complicated to set up. These systems are set up to call a central station, not a regular phone. You can get a dialer that will blind call a phone and read off a voice message. Not as secure as a central monitored system, but pretty good. For God's sake, do NOT sign up with ADT or their heathen brothers for 99.00 down and 35.00 a month for the rest of your life. I can't compete with Amazon prices, but can find you the dialer if you can't. PM me for anything else you might want to talk about.

I don't know much about wireless security, but I do know surveillance systems. I know that in the case of "wireless" cameras, you still need power to the camera. How do these wireless security systems work? Do you need to replace batteries for door and windows sensors on a regular basis? Do they just rely on motion (PIR) at a central point?

cwh wrote: Wireless alarm systems have come a LONG way to where now it's just silly to try to hardwire a system. Go to Amazon, pick out a kit from DSC or Honeywell. Not too complicated to set up. These systems are set up to call a central station, not a regular phone. You can get a dialer that will blind call a phone and read off a voice message. Not as secure as a central monitored system, but pretty good. For God's sake, do NOT sign up with ADT or their heathen brothers for 99.00 down and 35.00 a month for the rest of your life. I can't compete with Amazon prices, but can find you the dialer if you can't. PM me for anything else you might want to talk about.

I'm not familiar with home systems either, but was thinking of getting a system. What do you mean when you say the systems are set up to call a central station, not a regular phone? Can these same systems do video monitoring, so that if my kids were to come home from school, I can check in? Sorry, don't mean to threadjack, but I'm curious on this topic as well.

The batteries last at least 5 years. Even the PIR motion detectors do. When the battery starts to get weak, you will get a notification at your keypad. I don't think he was talking about cameras. As far as I know, there are no totally wireless cameras. All will require power, and I have yet to see a powered wireless camera that I will sell. We do supply Wi-Fi systems, but you are going to make an investment with them. Pro quality and prices. Requires an IP camera system.

cwh wrote: The batteries last at least 5 years. Even the PIR motion detectors do. When the battery starts to get weak, you will get a notification at your keypad. I don't think he was talking about cameras. As far as I know, there are no totally wireless cameras. All will require power, and I have yet to see a powered wireless camera that I will sell. We do supply Wi-Fi systems, but you are going to make an investment with them. Pro quality and prices. Requires an IP camera system.

5 years sounds pretty good. He didn't ask about cameras, but that is all that I have experience with, so that's why I mentioned it. I am well aware of the expense and pitfalls of IP based wireless camera systems. That's why almost everything my company does is wired. I love me some hybrid RG59-18/2 wire.

Commercial DVRs all have an alarm function, where if motion is detected by a camera, a signal can be sent to/ by the alarm panel. Most also have a function where they will send an e-mail on alarm. All will have the ability to be watched by a smart phone or another DVR or a PC. Lot's of capability even on the less expensive units. We have very good DVRs starting under 200.00.

Okay, so looking around, I'm thinking this guy;

http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-L5100PK-Transmitters-Four-Button-5800PIR-RES/dp/B008D2Q5QK/ref=sr_1_1?s=security-surveillance&ie=UTF8&qid=1386347897&sr=1-1

And then adding a second motion detector so I have one in the room with all the electronics in it and another in the garage. A door sensor on both doors to the house and one for the garage is included, should I consider buying a fourth door sensor for the drive-in door on the garage? I'd get a second remote fob so I have one for the bike and one for the cars (the car keys are all on the same ring currently). I'm also thinking add-on siren for the TV/computer room, and making sure the control panel is on an interior wall not viewable from a window or door.

The problem I have is that it seems hard to get this thing to tell me via smartphone or web or etc what its status is. Does anyone have experience with this unit? All I'm seeing is stuff about buying a Honeywell branded cheap tablet (?) and using an app Honeywell gives you, or else... nothing? Seems very weird to me. cwh, you seem like a fount of knowledge on the subject, am I looking at the wrong gear?

Edit: Found Honeywell's iOS app and it doesn't review well. Hrm.

See if you can find a Napco or DSC kit. Since Honeywell is owned by TYCO, I don't have a lot of warm fuzzies about them. I have heard good things about the Simplysafe system, too.

Move someplace where you don't need home security.

I'm not kidding.

In reply to cwh:

Is the Honeywell home security stuff not owned by Honeywell International; are they just licensing their name to someone else on these products?

You recommended Honeywell above...

In reply to volvo:

What a highly useful suggestion!

Sorry, a bit of Friday afternoon levity.

I moved into a house once, and a week later was broken into. I was furious. It felt like about the worst feeling in the world. I immediately called up Brinks and had a security system installed. Cost me like 300 bucks and 20 bucks a month for the 3 years I lived there after that. And I never had another break-in attempt.

:-/

I don't know, 2 break ins in 2 years would make me seriously consider the neighborhood. But that's just me.

Not sure of the total Honeywell parentage, but all Honeywell security is TYCO.

In reply to volvoclearinghouse:

Wasn't in the same neighborhood. No offense, but you don't know me, so mabe take the levity elsewhere.

volvoclearinghouse wrote: Move someplace where you don't need home security. I'm not kidding.

it happens everywhere. i'm not kidding.

patgizz wrote:

volvoclearinghouse wrote: Move someplace where you don't need home security. I'm not kidding.

it happens everywhere. i'm not kidding.

This is for sure. You are also most likely to get hit just after you move in, before you recognize most of your neighbors because that's typically who's behind it: one of your neighbors. But that's not the only people who do it and at least around here a house is more likely to get broken into during the day because that's when the house is most likely to be empty.

I once had a co worker arrested for B&E, seems that his MO was to 'case' possible targets during his lunch hour at work. He'd then kick a back door in and grab stuff quick, also on his lunch hour. He got busted because he was driving a F body Camaro with one of those goofy 'Corvette Summer' hood scoops on it, made it easy to ID.

I'm surrounded by nosy retirees.

pres589 wrote: In reply to volvoclearinghouse: Wasn't in the same neighborhood. No offense, but you don't know me, so mabe take the levity elsewhere.

Sorry. Touchy subject. Friends?

My wireless security has 4 legs and fur. Oh and there are 4 of them. My house and yard are well patrolled.

That and I get to know my neighbors. I know which ones are scum and which ones will keep an eye out for trouble. I got rid of the scum this year now I have a very nice little group of neighbors. Most of my neighbors know if my dogs are barking something is up and they check things out. Just about everyone the next street over was hit with break ins a year or two ago. They never touched our street.