Spec me a self install Alarm

ecksmen · 26 Mar 2014 at 10:26

So the Mrs wants an alarm, I'm less than fussed. We also have a dog who barks and is pretty mean looking (Staffy Collie Cross).

Ideally actually work - I'm not just putting up a flashing light, the Mrs will not acept this.
Be pet friendly.
Have remote alert.
Wireless.

Not really looking for any "alarms are pointless" or "wires are more secure" just some friendly recommendations on kit perhaps you've had first hand experience in.

Thanks

Lwills · 26 Mar 2014 at 11:04

Yale Wireless Alarm £145

I'm looking for one as well and this had been recommended by a few people.

There's the next one up with an extra dummy box too for a few quid more

Yale Premium Wireless Alarm £160

ecksmen · 26 Mar 2014 at 21:46

Thanks, I've seen the Yale systems.

Currently thinking about this one, though the alarm siren is out of stock.

I like that its got SMS and "mobile app" function.

http://www.quicksafe.co.uk/alertgen-smartalarm-pet.htm

Scuzi · 27 Mar 2014 at 08:14

If you're the least bit tech savvy, take a look at the Visonic Powermax range. The Powermax complete ticks all your boxes and is easily expandable. It comes as standard with a PSTN dialler but it can be upgraded with a GSM and a IP module to enable text messaging, wireless calls and internet communications. There are a wide range of accessories including pet friendly PIRs, door contacts, smoke detectors etc..

You can pick up a kit including 2x PIRs, a magnetic door contact, a wireless bell box and the control panel for just over £200. You can add accessories as you need to suit your property.

It's not intended for DIY installers but if you're half sensible you will be able to figure it out.

pitchfork · 27 Mar 2014 at 08:23

ecksmen said:
Not really looking for any "alarms are pointless"

Tough.

It's pointless having a self monitored alarm -

A. People won't phone the police, they'll assume it's tripped

B. Even if someone does phone the police they won't come out unless someone saw a person enter the property, in which case the alarm is redundant because the neighbours would have just spotted the scroat entering in the first place and called the fuzz.

Only monitored alarms are worth the money, explain it to your missus - you'll either have to get a monitored alarm installed or she'll realise it's a waste of money.

Virdi · 27 Mar 2014 at 08:58

I don't like wireless.

Go for a Scantronic 9651 - Cheap and reliable as hell.

Tackle_Berry · 27 Mar 2014 at 08:59

I got this one:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/yale-premium-wireless-4-room-alarm-kit/54473

Really easy to fit and does the job I want it to do and calls you when triggered. Thought about monitored but can't see the point as the police dont respond they just call you and tell you.

I would have gone for a wired system but all my cavity walls are capped.

memyselfandi · 27 Mar 2014 at 09:29

pitchfork said:
Tough.

It's pointless having a self monitored alarm -

A. People won't phone the police, they'll assume it's tripped

B. Even if someone does phone the police they won't come out unless someone saw a person enter the property, in which case the alarm is redundant because the neighbours would have just spotted the scroat entering in the first place and called the fuzz.

Only monitored alarms are worth the money, explain it to your missus - you'll either have to get a monitored alarm installed or she'll realise it's a waste of money.

People love saying this but it is not always the case. Around here at least any alarm is better than no alarm (based on burglaries in my area ... the only houses which have been burgled have been those with no alarm showing at all).

Is a monitored alarm better than an unmonitored one ... yes, of course. Is a non-monitored alarm better than nothing ... yes ... in the very least if someone has broken in overnight then I'll know about it.

LeeUK · 27 Mar 2014 at 13:20

House opposite me installed a wireless Response alarm at the weekend. Wireless bell box, wireless panel, wireless PIR and door sensors.

This one.. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Friedland-R...=UTF8&qid=1395926327&sr=1-1&keywords=Response

But like already said, pointless unless it's a monitored alarm as no takes notice of them anyways.

Tackle_Berry · 27 Mar 2014 at 15:10

LeeUK said:
House opposite me installed a wireless Response alarm at the weekend. Wireless bell box, wireless panel, wireless PIR and door sensors.

This one.. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Friedland-R...=UTF8&qid=1395926327&sr=1-1&keywords=Response

But like already said, pointless unless it's a monitored alarm as no takes notice of them anyways.

Depends on your neighbours, I got broken into last year since then I have spoke to my nighbours and they would now take an interest if the alarm went off.

ANDARIAL · 27 Mar 2014 at 20:07

We got the response system from around 15-20 years ago,good for piece of mind and can easily be added to/more pir etc (can easily add protection to your outside shed or garage if within range)
only `pain` is having to replace the 9v batteries in each sender/pir.But that is only about every 6 months

ecksmen · 27 Mar 2014 at 20:27

pitchfork said:
Tough.

It's pointless having a self monitored alarm -

A. People won't phone the police, they'll assume it's tripped

B. Even if someone does phone the police they won't come out unless someone saw a person enter the property, in which case the alarm is redundant because the neighbours would have just spotted the scroat entering in the first place and called the fuzz.

Only monitored alarms are worth the money, explain it to your missus - you'll either have to get a monitored alarm installed or she'll realise it's a waste of money.

Thank you.

ecksmen · 27 Mar 2014 at 20:29

Scuzi said:
If you're the least bit tech savvy, take a look at the Visonic Powermax range. The Powermax complete ticks all your boxes and is easily expandable. It comes as standard with a PSTN dialler but it can be upgraded with a GSM and a IP module to enable text messaging, wireless calls and internet communications. There are a wide range of accessories including pet friendly PIRs, door contacts, smoke detectors etc..

You can pick up a kit including 2x PIRs, a magnetic door contact, a wireless bell box and the control panel for just over £200. You can add accessories as you need to suit your property.

It's not intended for DIY installers but if you're half sensible you will be able to figure it out.

Will check it out, techs my life so no concerns there! Mind you I've blown up enough components in my time...

bitslice · 28 Mar 2014 at 00:02

ecksmen said:
be pet friendly.

Have remote alert.

Wireless.

Don't bother with Pet Friendly PIR's, they will still trigger,
use door contacts and put dualtech in non pet areas

Wireless, nobody recommends these unless you have silk wallpaper.

Texecom Veritas R8+ Intruder Alarm Control Panelwith Remote Keypad
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEXECOM-VERITAS-R8-PLUS-WITH-LED-KEYPAD-/191074805674

Ebay do kits if you need wires, bells etc

Texecom sms dialer if you want remote contact/reset.

pitchfork · 28 Mar 2014 at 08:58

memyselfandi said:
People love saying this but it is not always the case. Around here at least any alarm is better than no alarm (based on burglaries in my area ... the only houses which have been burgled have been those with no alarm showing at all).

Is a monitored alarm better than an unmonitored one ... yes, of course. Is a non-monitored alarm better than nothing ... yes ... in the very least if someone has broken in overnight then I'll know about it.

If someone breaks into my house at night I'll know it, the only way they're getting in is by breaking down a door or smashing a window.

More worthwhile investments are proper eurolocks with the coded keys. I'm baffled about how many people still have the barrels which stick out - you can get through them in like 2 seconds.

memyselfandi · 28 Mar 2014 at 10:39

The only way someone is getting into my house too would be by breaking a window ... but doesn't mean that i'd be able to hear anything or it would make enough noise to wake me up when I'm asleep at the other end of the house with multiple closed doors between me and where it is happening ....

LeeUK · 28 Mar 2014 at 11:10

Ash2097 said:
Depends on your neighbours, I got broken into last year since then I have spoke to my nighbours and they would now take an interest if the alarm went off.

Every time there is a power trip or a thunderstorm there are loads of alarms going off down my street. Some are ancient systems from the 70s which clearly haven't been serviced since then either. No one takes notice.

And to the people who say wireless alarms are no good as they can be jammed or whatever, maybe so but your average sink estate scrote won't be bothering with that know how.

£15 · 29 Mar 2014 at 08:58

pitchfork said:
If someone breaks into my house at night I'll know it, the only way they're getting in is by breaking down a door or smashing a window.

More worthwhile investments are proper eurolocks with the coded keys. I'm baffled about how many people still have the barrels which stick out - you can get through them in like 2 seconds.

My next door, but one, neighbour was broken into a couple of months ago. They smashed a double glazed window at the rear to gain entry. It's not a particularly large house, just an average 3 bed semi. They took 3 laptops, several mobile phones, some other tech and then drove off in his car.

They were all upstairs asleep and never heard a thing.

Every now and again I get the urge to buy a house alarm and then remember the number of times I've walked past a house with one going off and done nothing about it.

I've just spent a comparable amount of money (c.£200) on buying keyed-a-like ABS, anti-snap cylinders to replace all the external door locks. As someone else mentioned above, I think that's a wiser use of your money.