Home alarms

icnoble

icnoble

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,297
Name
Iain
Edit My Images
Yes
I need a home alarm system fitted. I am looking at do it yourself wireless systems that does not require external monitoring. Any advice on makes would be gratefully received. The only make I have researched up to now is Yale which has mixed user reviews.
 
Texecom are a good make and you can configure a system to any level you will need in a domestic setting.

Be careful going wireless as they still remain less robust than a wired system. If possible try and get part wired at least. The extra effort will be worth it in the end.
Keep away from Yale - they are cheap for a reason.
 
I'm hoping to go for a wired system at some point. I have the wiring in after an extension, but the choice is a hard one. The more research you do, the more every system seems to be slightly short in some aspect or other. Or a new model is on its way. I definitely want a pro one, rather than a DIY, although will fit it myself.
 
Buck said:
Be careful going wireless as they still remain less robust than a wired system.
Click to expand...

They used to be ... the Scantronic above fulfils all of the criteria for an installation qualifying under the ACPO Alarms Policy for police response (when installed by an 'Approved Installer).
So there is nothing 'non-robust' about it, or the many other professional wireless systems that similarly qualify and wireless continues to be a convenient way to avoid the hassle/inconvenience/work of running adequately concealed cables from room to room.
The difference with the i-On series is that it starts from a basis of being user-friendly and intuitive rather than being designed to frighten/confuse the user into calling for 'expert' help. :)
 
Thanks for the replies. I will have a serious look at the Scantronic.
 
blue max said:
I'm hoping to go for a wired system at some point. I have the wiring in after an extension, but the choice is a hard one. The more research you do, the more every system seems to be slightly short in some aspect or other. Or a new model is on its way. I definitely want a pro one, rather than a DIY, although will fit it myself.
Click to expand...

For a wired system there isn't a lot of difference in products from a users point of view, none of them are particularly customer friendly!
Scantronic, Menvier or Texecom are all good choices with Texecom having a reputation of providing telephone support (08xx Premium) to anyone at all.

What specifics are you looking for?

@blue max
 
gramps said:
For a wired system there isn't a lot of difference in products from a users point of view, none of them are particularly customer friendly!
Scantronic, Menvier or Texecom are all good choices with Texecom having a reputation of providing telephone support (08xx Premium) to anyone at all.

What specifics are you looking for?

@blue max
Click to expand...

I'll start by saying I don't like to be sold a kit. For example, my Uponor underfloor heating was mainly sourced from Ebay. I did my research and bought most of it (new) at a fraction of the price of the 'kits'.

The stuff is not expensive, just heavily marked up usually.

So, with that in mind, I want to buy the components when they come up cheaply. I have 8 core wire to each window and door, so just need to buy the sensors etc. I want a control panel and separate keypad unit. I want that to be good looking.
I would like the opportunity to add ip cameras and notification of a trigger event via an iphone app. It has to be all configurable without a science degree. I am competent DIY, but have no actual experience in alarms.

I don't have the cash to spend now, so don't want to buy it all at full MSRP. But will be willing to add stuff as I can afford/find. So the system needs to be something that is likely to be current for some time.

All a tall order I know. The more research I do, the more I end up doing nothing!
 
i fitted a B&Q bought response wireless alarm kit 11 years ago that's still going strong
the weak part is the outside bell box which is wireless and tends to have a mind of it's own connecting a simple dumb bell box to the control panel cures that problem but the rest of the system has stood the test of time and still works as it should
i got the one with the telephone feature built in so if the alarm is triggered it telephones up to 3 numbers which i find is more useful than the actual siren which nobody seems to take notice of

the battery in the PIR's need changing every six months which i can live with and the door sensors every couple of years

Yale seems to have replaced the response kits now but if there as reliable as the older response units i don't see a problem with them
 
blue max said:
I'll start by saying I don't like to be sold a kit. For example, my Uponor underfloor heating was mainly sourced from Ebay. I did my research and bought most of it (new) at a fraction of the price of the 'kits'.

The stuff is not expensive, just heavily marked up usually.

So, with that in mind, I want to buy the components when they come up cheaply. I have 8 core wire to each window and door, so just need to buy the sensors etc. I want a control panel and separate keypad unit. I want that to be good looking.
I would like the opportunity to add ip cameras and notification of a trigger event via an iphone app. It has to be all configurable without a science degree. I am competent DIY, but have no actual experience in alarms.

I don't have the cash to spend now, so don't want to buy it all at full MSRP. But will be willing to add stuff as I can afford/find. So the system needs to be something that is likely to be current for some time.

All a tall order I know. The more research I do, the more I end up doing nothing!
Click to expand...

The kit is all out there but installing/programming wouldn't be for the feint-hearted ... Honeywell Galaxy.
 
I had a response for 5 years, a few problems but not too bad.
I now have a Yale and I have had no problems in 9 years. I like the way that you can program the sensors to be active all the time, useful for a window that we never open that leads on to a flat roof, or when the system is part set, useful at night, or only active when the system is fully set. It monitors the sensor batteries and lets you know when they are getting low.
 
My company that I work for install Scantronic i-On16 to our residential clients. if that helps, but will not work with a dualcom for Monitoring though to a PNC ( a alarm centre that receive any alarms over the air & phone line) , you would need the next model up.
 
Last edited:
Digisatman said:
My company that I work for install Scantronic i-On16 to our residential clients. if that helps, but will not work with a dualcom for Monitoring though to a PNC ( a alarm centre that receive any alarms over the air & phone line) , you would need the next model up.
Click to expand...

But has a digital communicator plug-on to use as an auto-dialler to contacted yourself and/or nominated keyholders or as a communicator via the telephone line to an Alarm Receiving Centre for police/keyholder response.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top