Wireless Home Security Alarm System

5 comments

1. 

   Just the Facts on July 4, 2010 at 12:47 pm

   Although I have looked at X-10 products in the past, I never purchased any because I thought the quality would be poor. When I purchased this system, I did not know it was an X-10 product, and I probably would not have considered buying it if it had been advertised as such. However, after everything was installed, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.
   
   This package, as it comes to your door, is comprehensive enough to provide very good house coverage. I am impressed with the total number of accessories provided. The console has a built in horn. An additional small powerhorn is included in the package. Both horns, however, just didn’t have enough ‘ooomph’ as far as I was concerned. I added three additional large powerhorns, two more rocket lamp modules, and two more motion detectors to the system. Everything works without a hitch. The five horns literally make it unbearable to remain in the house. Five lights flash on and off when the alarm sounds also. In addition to this, the console will dial up to four phone numbers and play a recorded message to the person(s) it calls. The person is also given the option to press a number and ‘listen in’ to the home to try and determine if there really is a problem. I was concerned that if someone decided to simply break a window glass, they could get into the house without sounding the alarm by sliding the window up and breaking the magnetic contacts. The four motion detectors take care of that problem. Each motion detector can be set to sound the alarm after detecting one movement or two movements (to cut down on false alarms). And, you can set the remote control to arm the doors and windows – without arming the motion detectors – while you are home. That way you can move freely throughout the house without setting off the alarm. When you leave the house, you can also set the alarm to ‘arm’ everything including the motion detectors. The motion detectors have an approximate 40′ range. You can have a total of up to 16 motion detectors, or door/window sensors, or up to 8 keychain remotes, or up to 8 handheld security remotes, OR any combination of these up to 16 total. I don’t know for sure, but it seems like you can add any number of horns or lamp modules (for flashing the lights).
   
   Be advised that it does take a little time to install if you decide to put in all the door/window sensors. You also need to buy a LOT of alkaline AA and AAA batteries.
   
   My finished system has four motion detectors, nine window/door sensors, two keychain remotes, one security remote. This is a total of 16 items that are keyed into the console. In addition, there are five horns, including the one built into the console and five light modules. We have approximately 4,000 sq. ft. of room. The console is centrally located. There is no problem with it ‘reaching’ the sensors. The furthest sensor from my console is about 60 feet away. As an added benefit, every sensor ‘checks in’ with the console every 90 minutes. If there is a problem (such as low battery), the appropriate zoned light on the console will flash. The console also has a battery backup to retain information and allow limited alarm use. Out of the box, this system is very similar to what our apartment complex installed in all the individual apartments when I was living in the city. It really is a good system.
   My Score: 5 /5

2. 

   R.A.B. on July 4, 2010 at 3:05 pm

   I have owned this security system for a few years now. It has done a fine job of making our family feel very secure in our home. We have actually recommended this system to one of our friends and they have purchased and enjoyed theirs for about a year and a half. We have had no problems and it has proven to be reliable over the years.

   I think it is important for these reviews to be helpful so I want to take this opportunity to provide people with some tips and good information to utilize if you decide to purchase this system and install it yourself. These are things that I learned as I went through my installation and I am happy to save you from repeating my mistakes.

   1. As others have said, it is comprehensive and everything you need to do the install is included in the box (except the screwdriver..) Each window/door sensor can be installed with the double sided tape however I recommend that you take the time to install these with the screws that are included in the box. I made a mistake of just using the tape and one hot humid summer day the magnetic contact fell off and set the alarm off. Since then, I screwed each contact in for a more permanent solution. If you feel compelled to just use the double sided tape, make sure you clean the surface with alcohol prior. That was something I did not do also.

   2. Buy alkaline batteries. The batteries have a very long lifespan in the sensors. Over the years that we have had the system, we have only had to replace our keychain remote batteries. All the sensor batteries are still holding strong. The technology that is being used must operate on very little electricity…

   3. When you are first “registering” your sensors with the console, be sure to turn the motion sensors to face the wall. Otherwise, you will find that your motion sensor will be registered in multiple zones as it detects you walking around the house setting all the other sensors.

   4. Another sensor suggestion during the registration process is that you be careful not to close the window/door sensor lid too hard. It has a test button under the lid and if you press too hard you may register the sensor twice.

   5. If you have a lot of windows, I recommend that you utilize a motion sensor in that area as opposed to putting a sensor on each window. It will save you lots of time(and sensors) and provide comprehensive coverage.

   6. Get an extra siren or two.. I think you can add as many sirens as you have electrical outlets but if you really want to scare someone away, stock up on the sirens and put them around the house. The louder the better, right?

   7. The motion sensor is not pet sensitive but I fixed that real quick. I took a piece of medical tape (white color matched the sensor) and put it across the bottom of the IR sensor. It simply eliminated the sensor from detecting anything under 3 ft tall. Our dog is small so it worked for us. If your dog is taller than 3 ft then you probably don’t need a security system…

   8. I would set all of the sensors and remotes to arm instantly (min). If you have any of them set to (max), the console will ding for like 30-60 seconds before arming. It was actually quite annoying. With everything set to arm/disarm instantly you get instant gratification and can forgo the countdown. We just arm and disarm our alarm after we leave or before we enter the house with our keychain remote.

   9. Try to centrally locate your console in your house. (Especially if your house is huge) Ours is not centrally located and we have not had any issues with sensor or remote control range but you never know. Actually, we have tried turning our alarm off from the street before hitting our driveway and it worked. It probably has to be perfect weather conditions for that to happen again though…

   Anyway, hope this information and review is helpful. Enjoy your Amazon experience!
   My Score: 5 /5

3. 

   E. Escalante on July 4, 2010 at 5:26 pm

   For the cost this is a very good product. I install it, and program it alone, sensors in (2) doors, (3) windows and (2) motion detectors, (1) lamp module. The lamp module are not useful to me, because I don’t have any lamp plugged in to the walls and all my lamps are fluorecent (the lamp module functions with incandecent ligths only).

   The reception of the console is good if you put the console in the same floor of the sensors. But I have a two floor house and I would like to secure the console (the brain of the system) in a room in the floor of above, but I lost some sensor’s signal; That is due to the walls and the floor that the signal have to go through. I ordered a smart RF repeater, I hope that this solve my problem.
   
   My Score: 4 /5

4. 

   ursula on July 4, 2010 at 8:11 pm

   I just ordered a system and realized that there is a major problem with the phone dialer. The console of this system works with an oridinary household phone jack. What it means is that the system can NOT dial out in case the phone line is busy. So an intruder can simply pick a phone, make the line busy, and thus disable the dialer. Professional alarm systems use a special phone jack, RJX31, which lets the alarmm system “hijack” the phone line, meaning they can dial out even if the phone line is busy.
   My Score: 3 /5

5. 

   Beach Comber on July 4, 2010 at 9:08 pm

   I have checked into a lot of security systems and this one is by far the best price for the product. For me to get something comparable from ADT it was going to be twice as much AND I had to sign a three year contract. This system works flawlessly and the best part about it is that it is scalable. I got an extra window sensor for mine and it took about four minutes to install and program it into the console. I really like the the light controls on this. We have lights around the house that are just plugged into the wall and are not controlled by a switch. When I installed the included lamp modules I can now control the light by remote and can even dim them. Amazing!!! While the lights are an added bonus, the security features of this system provide a great comfort level for me in my home. Especially knowing that if someone tries to get in, the lights are going to start flashing and a blaring siren is going to be set off. I don’t think any potential intruder is going to be waiting around after that!!
   My Score: 5 /5

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