Wireless Home Security Systems

[Dragonfly]

I have a few windows and a sliding glass door in my basement. They face a small swath of woods so they're somewhat hidden from view by all but one of my neighbors.

I'd like to install some measure of protection from criminal intrusion.

Anyone have a wireless system kinda like this one:X10.com - SecuriLink Home Security System & Alarm Systems for Home

I have cinder lock walls so running wires and stuff is not something I'd like to do.

Do the wireless systems work?
How often do batteries need to be changed?
Any specific system you recommend or warn against?

I don't care much about a system that alerts police as much as one that just makes a sh!t-load of noise and alerts anyone inside my house, as well as my neighbors too.

Any thoughts or warnings from anyone who owns or has owned a wireless security system would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[joko104]

I have a few windows and a sliding glass door in my basement. They face a small swath of woods so they're somewhat hidden from view by all but one of my neighbors.

I'd like to install some measure of protection from criminal intrusion.

Anyone have a wireless system kinda like this one:X10.com - SecuriLink Home Security System & Alarm Systems for Home

I have cinder lock walls so running wires and stuff is not something I'd like to do.

Do the wireless systems work?
How often do batteries need to be changed?
Any specific system you recommend or warn against?

I don't care much about a system that alerts police as much as one that just makes a sh!t-load of noise and alerts anyone inside my house, as well as my neighbors too.

Any thoughts or warnings from anyone who owns or has owned a wireless security system would be appreciated.

Thanks

Yes, they work just fine. You just need to test them in terms of distance. If you DO link it by telephone to the police, you need to shield your outdoor phone wiring.

For a little more, you can have the system call your cell phone without any monthly charge. Its just another box. Motion sensors actually work better than trying to rely on securing every window and door with a sensor. Finally, go on ebay and buy at least one hidden camera/cheap recorders - under $50 if you look - that takes pictures to a mini chip. So if someone does break in, you got a picture of the person. There would be a good chance you'd know that person.

 

[Fisher]

My sister has a motion detecting wireless alarm in her apartment that she says makes a lot of noise so I cannot say they do not work. She can set them to go off instantly or on a time delay to give her time to cut them off when she comes in. You might also want to add a motion detector to your back floodlights if you have them. They make an adapter that you just screw in between the bulb and the socket. Of course, I would have a sturdy door with no glass and a deadbolt. I have bars on my basement windows so those are not an option for the robbers. Prickly holly bushes are also good to plant in front of windows to keep the bad guys at bay per my insurance agent.

 

[ecofarm]

Good suggestions. I think the floodlamp motion detector should be the first move, as it is cheap and puts something simple in place immediately.

 

[MaggieD]

I have a few windows and a sliding glass door in my basement. They face a small swath of woods so they're somewhat hidden from view by all but one of my neighbors.

I'd like to install some measure of protection from criminal intrusion.

Anyone have a wireless system kinda like this one:X10.com - SecuriLink Home Security System & Alarm Systems for Home

I have cinder lock walls so running wires and stuff is not something I'd like to do.

Do the wireless systems work?
How often do batteries need to be changed?
Any specific system you recommend or warn against?

I don't care much about a system that alerts police as much as one that just makes a sh!t-load of noise and alerts anyone inside my house, as well as my neighbors too.

Any thoughts or warnings from anyone who owns or has owned a wireless security system would be appreciated.

Thanks

I prefer a German Shepherd, although the cost of operation is quite expensive. OTOH, an alarm system won't lick your face.

The neighbors on either side of me were burglarized one day. When we got home, the cops were going door-to-door. They asked us to go inside and check the house. When he walked up to the front door with us, Charley raised the alarm. "Guess we know why they didn't hit your house..." He was right, of course.

 

[Dragonfly]

Another dog is out of the question.

Latest break-in across the street from me was during daylight hours. No motion detection light would have made a difference unless it had a noise associated with it.

Yes - I'm aware of a text-message warning option.

I think a loud alarm both inside house and outside house to alert neighbors would be the best defense in my area.

I'm just wondering about batteries and effectiveness.

Would I be changing batteries weekly, monthly, once every seasonal change?

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[specklebang]

In my present home, I rely on iron bars on my first floor windows and an iron gate in front of my wood door.

In the past, I installed basic wireless systems with multiple sirens. The noise level was so great that nobody could have remained long enough to steal anything. Batteries last at least a year or more, they are usually those button type lithiums. I set the system to call my cell phone rather than the police since IMHO the police care less about my problems.

Never was burglarized so its hard to say but you can do this for very little money.

 

[Dragonfly]

I sort of refuse (at this point in time) to turn my house into a quasi-prison.

So the iron bars on the windows is not part of my current game plan.

Maybe on one or two of the rear-facing basement windows, but I can't do anything like that with the sliding patio door.

If batteries last a year that's pretty awesome.

What wireless systems use the "button batteries"?

Thanks folks....keep it coming please.

 

[Fisher]

In my present home, I rely on iron bars on my first floor windows and an iron gate in front of my wood door.

In the past, I installed basic wireless systems with multiple sirens. The noise level was so great that nobody could have remained long enough to steal anything. Batteries last at least a year or more, they are usually those button type lithiums. I set the system to call my cell phone rather than the police since IMHO the police care less about my problems.

Never was burglarized so its hard to say but you can do this for very little money.

I sort of refuse (at this point in time) to turn my house into a quasi-prison.

So the iron bars on the windows is not part of my current game plan.

Maybe on one or two of the rear-facing basement windows, but I can't do anything like that with the sliding patio door.

If batteries last a year that's pretty awesome.

What wireless systems use the "button batteries"?

Thanks folks....keep it coming please.

How long the batteries last will depend a lot on how often it goes off and for how long silly goose. I think hers uses AA. I will ask her when I speak to her next, which will probably be late tonight. I know hers came from radioshack. The alarm system signs apparently deter some burglars though I would avoid the fake cameras that look faker than fake. They have some wireless camera set ups for not a fortune too. I think Walmart even sells them. (just FYI, a cop told me when they see cameras on houses, they just assume the residents are drug dealers and keep an eye on the place to see if anything looks suspicious to them). That sliding glass door is probably your biggest security hole. I'd at least consider going with a French double-door version if and when you get some extra scratch.

 

[Dragonfly]

I have one double hung window, and one of those crappy rectangular 1'x2.5' ground level tilt windows that I see as much bigger issues than the slider.

Breaking the slider would make HUGE noise compared to kicking in the tilt window or even the double hung.

At any rate - I'm thinking a wireless transmitter on both windows and sliding doors along with a motion detector that would pick up any movement around base of steps leading to upstairs.

2 simple motion detectors would easily cover entire first level of house including the access to upstairs.

I have the "self-defense plan" available on second floor where we sleep.

I want reaction time more than anything. Time to "prepare" for when I'm home.

 

[Green Balls]

A co-worker of mine bought an inexpensive multi-camera system for their home in addition to a security system. He had it hooked up to an old desktop PC (the cameras attached to a card installed in the PC, newer systems are wireless). The best part is, he could pull up his camera system when he was away from his house and view what was happening in real time, as well as having it recorded on a hard drive. So if someone were to break in, he had the evidence.

I suggest if you go this route, make a hidden location in a wall where you can stash the PC, so it can't be toyed with or stolen. The alarm system you linked to is also a good idea.

I'm also a bit old fashioned and think a bear trap hidden on the floor underneath a window in the basement will at least slow anyone down from running away if they decide to climb inside.

 

[Dragonfly]

I ordered this one today:

LYNX-PACKAGE | Ademco Honeywell Lynx Wireless Alarm System Executive Package | Home Security Store

I'll report back how things go as I install it and trouble shoot any issues.

 

[Superfly]

Interesting. Never gave much thought to a wireless system. I have SafeTouch, and they are a pretty decent company. We have one motion detector, and since our main living space is an open floor plan, if he breaks into any of our entry doors, the motion detector will go off. We had about a half dozen window sensors, but had our guy come out the other day and install more. Now every single window we have is covered. It's wired into our keypad, which is based on a satellite monitoring system. That way, if they cut the cord outside, we will still be covered. If the power goes out, we have a battery backup.

But the problem I am having is that I want cameras, and they are wanting to charge me $450 for each camera, plus installation. I'd like at least 2 cameras. I can't afford $1,000 right now for two cameras. I have other projects on my plate. So a friend who is in the business told me to get this:

Clover 8 Channel Security System with 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Cameras, and 500GB DVR - Sam's Club

He said it's every bit as good as the $450 ones, and this has 4 cameras, ports for 8 cameras, and a 500g hard drive. The only problem is that we would have to install it, fish wire and so on, and we aren't too good at that. A wireless with fewer cameras would be great. I will have to look into that. Thanks for the idea!!

 

[Dragonfly]

So it's taken me a little while to get things how I want them, but I think I've got stuff about right now.

All the windows that are hidden, or semi-hidden from view of neighbors and street have a sensor on them.

All entrance doors have a sensor.

There's a motion detector in basement that will capture anything moving towards stairs that would lead someone up to living areas of the house.

There's also a motion detector on first floor that will capture anything moving towards steps that lead to bedroom areas.

In the future I might add a motion detector in garage and perhaps a wireless keypad for bedroom.

Come spring (when it's warmer) I plan to add two solar operated motion detector flood lights.
One for the back of the house where things are hidden from view, and one for the driveway where cars are parked.

Something like this:
MAXSA Innovations 40225 Solar-Powered Motion-Activated 80 LED Security Floodlight, Off-White : Amazon.com : Automotive

My alarm system does not automatically call a service or police. It only alerts anyone inside my house that something is not right somewhere.

For now, I'm quite happy and it does add a nice sense of security.