Self fit burglar alarms

User.82148 · 18 Jul 2017

My alarm has died after 30 years. I want a replacement but do not want a contract arrangement. Reading the reviews of self fit wireless systems I am far from impressed. Can anybody recommend a reliable system wireless or cabled?

viv1969 · 18 Jul 2017

Yes, a big dog.

Mozthecat · 19 Jul 2017

Just a note that if you have an insurance discount based on having one fitted, it may specify you need it serviced at regular intervals by a suitably qualified person in the policy print.

boogie man · 19 Jul 2017

Mozthecat said:
Just a note that if you have an insurance discount based on having one fitted, it may specify you need it serviced at regular intervals by a suitably qualified person in the policy print.

I'm not sure an alarm engineer would want to service a self-fitted system? I'd imagine they only touch stuff that's been professionally installed (and usually by their own company?)

omens · 19 Jul 2017

As above, the insurance approved ones need to be installed and maintained by a professional which is going to add £££ to the cost of a system.

A friend got a quote from ADT for a monitored system which would alert the police. However there was no guarantee that police were going to act on it.

User.82148 · 19 Jul 2017

Thanks for the replies. I do not need an insurance approved system and do not want a maintenance contract as I consider the costs excessive for what they do. My existing system was professionally installed apart from the fact they drilled through a central heating pipe which caused a lot of mess, so perhaps they were not that professional. However as a result of having to sort out the mess, I must have fallen off their system as I never had a maintenance contract. The system was fine for 30 years, the only maintenance I did was to clean the sensors and periodically replace the back up battery.

These days most of the self fit systems are wireless but the feedback ratings are variable even for those from well known names.

Suvv · 19 Jul 2017

I have had a Yale wireless system for about 10 years. There have been a couple of alarms with no reason but cleaning the sensors seemed to cure them, and one contact sensor failed. Apart from that it has been fine and does what I want. I can turn it on/off from the house or the garage and I can set different sensors to be on 24hrs, only when a full alarm is set or only when a part alarm is set.

Stevied · 19 Jul 2017

No good wireless ones

Trust me

User.82148 · 19 Jul 2017

Suvv said:
I have had a Yale wireless system for about 10 years. There have been a couple of alarms with no reason but cleaning the sensors seemed to cure them, and one contact sensor failed. Apart from that it has been fine and does what I want. I can turn it on/off from the house or the garage and I can set different sensors to be on 24hrs, only when a full alarm is set or only when a part alarm is set.

Stevied said:
No good wireless ones

Trust me

See what I mean about varied feedback!

srichards · 19 Jul 2017

Would one of the smart home solutions be a better idea? You can get movement sensors and cameras and sirens.

jondc · 19 Jul 2017

Surely you have the cabling in place, from the existing, and possibly you could just refresh the detectors, panel and bell box. The cabling should be compatible with modern systems, providing it is a multicore cable. IMHO cabled alarms are generally better than wireless, as less problems with signal interference.

ecoleman · 20 Jul 2017

Is an alarm that's not monitored even worth it. Our neighbours have one. I goes off for no reason regularly, usually when they are at work so it goes off repeatedly throughout the day.

Everybody just ignores it now. It's just bloody annoying!!

noneforit · 21 Jul 2017

omens said:
As above, the insurance approved ones need to be installed and maintained by a professional which is going to add £££ to the cost of a system.

A friend got a quote from ADT for a monitored system which would alert the police. However there was no guarantee that police were going to act on it.

Seems to be the way things are going now with any home equipment for it to be covered under the warranty or insurance, must be serviced yearly to generate some income.

These monthly solutions seem to be cropping up more and more.....may X amount per month and we will monitor it.....pay X amount per month and you can store your CCTV in our cloud, which is mandatory by the way.