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Need Advice Home Security System

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by malmit, Jun 20, 2017.

  1. malmit

    malmit New Member

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    I recently signed a contract to buy a new home being built by NVHomes and am deciding whether or not to have them install a security system or get one installed afterwards. Any feedback on wireless security systems? I've heard that wireless tends to have more false alarms because the signal drops. Is this true? That is the main reason why I'm leaning towards a wired system. Since our basement will be unfinished does it matter if I go with the builder or do it post settlement (I'm guessing that as long as I have unfinished basement that it would be the same installation without pulling wires through finished drywall)? Any advice would be appreciated.
     
  2. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    There are a ton of options... you could do it yourself with a fairly simple wireless system and just pay for monitoring... and go with one of the big names like ADT. I would stay away from the builder provided system so you are not locked into their solution or technology. Wireless is very reliable. While I do not have actual data... I can say that I have had a wireless system with ADT for years and only experienced what I can say is one false positive. And that was a weird one where a technician entered a maintenance code at another house and accidentally used mine. That was the only time I saw something weird happen. Also, with most national providers... you could ask to see if they provide discounts for other memberships, like USAA, AAA, or with your home insurance etc.

    I also think wireless is better for ease of upgrades too as technology changes or equipment gets improved. Batteries are easy to replace or you could include a maintenance agreement with your contract. And with an unfinished basement... you could simply add a door sensor and a glass break sensor for the open space... then add needed equipment later when you finish.
     
  3. hometheaterguy

    hometheaterguy New Member

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    Hard wired is less obtrusive. Wireless contacts are more bulky. Also consider replacing batteries every 3-5 years. Running wire later is do-able with an unfinished basement but it is still labor intensive and you will pay for it. I suggest running wire with the builder. Contacts and intrusion sensors can be used with any system.
     
  4. glencastle

    glencastle The Paterfamilias

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    Not sure about "Hard wired is less obtrusive". I'm no IoT expert, but most of these systems use Z-Wave or Zigbee wireless mesh networks, so there is no need to hard-wire anything. Just don't get a system that is wired to a land-line that can be cut.

    Also, for the major players, there is a major price difference between Vivint ($58/mo), ADT ($29), and Ackerman ($20).
     
  5. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    There are pros and cons either way. Personally, if my house were in the building phase with no plans to move in the foreseeable future, I would definitely hardwire for reliability most of all. Wireless definitely gives you more flexibility, especially if you want to controls door locks, thermostats, cams, etc. but also limited battery life, weak signals, intrusion.
     
  6. hometheaterguy

    hometheaterguy New Member

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    To the "obtrusive" point... Wireless contacts are physically visible 100% of the time, regardless of how small, I prefer not to see plastic boxes mounted with double sided tape at each of my doors and windows. Hard wired contacts can be recessed into every door frame. Plunger style on the hinge side is best. Depending on window style, you can also recess contacts into the window frame so they are not visible. Most vinyl double hung windows will not allow for recessed, so they must be surface mounted. In this case, hardwired surface mount contacts and mags still have a much smaller footprint than wireless contacts. Devices such as motion detectors and glass break sensors are also a little bulkier when the wireless versions are selected.
     
  7. grumpycat11

    grumpycat11 New Member

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    Live Watch is great! I'd highly recommend getting it and doing it yourself.
     
  8. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    I was an adt customoer for more than 20 years and had an ancient land line system. I called to ask it to be upgraded to celular and they told me it would be $800 for a new system and my monthly would go to $45 from $29 because the celular system requires their data package. They refused to give me a discount or anything even though we are usaa members and customers for 20 years. So now we are customers of front point. They gave us a large discount on the system and the monthly cost is less than adt plus we get full Android/iOS app support with tons of features I've never had with adt. Install took me only a few minutes. It took longer to rip out the old adt system.
     
  9. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    Wow, my experience as a USAA member was not the same. I was able to get a wireless system and later upgrades with a discount. Maybe because I had a wireless system to start... but there is supposed to be a monthly discount as a USAA member as well. But our monthly charges are around $52. And that includes a wireless touch screen remote and ADT app support.

    What is your monthly cost with Front Point?
     
  10. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    It's $45 for the app support and location services. I did not opt for the touch screen panel. I can reduce the monthly a lot if I want to forego the app support and location services but I use the app a ton.

    I was so surprised by the response from adt. I talked to three associates and a manager and they refused to help me unless I paid a ton of money. Not even threatening to go to another company mattered. I've been pretty happy with Front point so far. They are a local company and it seemed more secure than simplisafe from the reviews.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2017

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