Home Security System

[meat]

Looking for suggestions for a home security system.

Who do you use, would you recommend it, etc.

Thanks

[WillErickson]

I have ADT, but honestly I don't think there's much difference between the major players. I shopped based on price, I'm happy with them. ADT offers a system that works without a home phone line, which was a necessity for me.

[bjurasz]

Brinks.

[JonBoy]

A dog.

[dcat151]

A dog.

I second this.

[bjurasz]

A dog.

But a dog won't automatically call the fire department if the smoke alarms go off. Nice feature when you're away from home or on vacation.

[wtmohr]

ADT and a dog.

[JonBoy]

A talking dog?

[Sara2k]

ADT....used to work for them so I got it pretty cheap.... I agree with the above that there is not much of a difference between the major players..... Sometimes getting the system installed by an "authorized dealer" can be a better deal than actually having an ADT technician come out and install.

[dcat151]

But a dog won't automatically call the fire department if the smoke alarms go off. Nice feature when you're away from home or on vacation.

That depends on how well you train the dog

[kwando]

I use Brinks. Make sure you pay to have all the doors and windows sensored up. Basic prices only include two doors and a keypad. Motion works great also. And get a dog

[WillErickson]

Dog's are phail... As soon as I meet a dog that can scare people like my cat I'll get one...

[meat]

Dog is not an option, but thanks for all the suggestions to get one.....

[asnbanker]

Brad - If it matters to you, some companies you own the euiqpement, some you are leasing it. ADT & Brinks, you do not own the equipement. The monthly monitoring is more for the leased equipement rather then the purchased equipement. I personally own my alarm equipement. MY parent's house also with the same company and the equipement and sensors are still working correctly. If there is a bad sensor, part of the monthly service charge includes a small maintenece fee so that replacing bad sensors or such is covered.

The initial cost for the purchased one is quite a bit more, but if you have had that alarm as long as my parents have, the cost savings already is realized after 5 years.

[4U2NV]

If you get a security system, tell your insurance agent. You will get a nice discount.

[SondraS2k]

I had Brinks at my house in Florida. It was a panic decision, and I didn't shop it the way I should have. When I decided to get one here in Texas, I did some shopping.

I found a local company who installed the system (I, like Alex, own my system) for a few hundred dollars and only committed me to a one year monitoring contract at $15/mo, versus Brinks and ADT who would install it free but wanted a 3 year monitoring contract at $30+/mo. Same service, but far less money for the local company. Aside from liking my money, I like to shop local too, so this was all very attractive to me.