Discussion
I am looking to fit a burglar alarm to my house. I have an electrician over at the moment and it seems the best time to get something fitted. I don't need something sophisticated that will call out the SAS at a moment's notice (as I can’t see the value in the ongoing monthly charges) but I would like to have something that alerts my phone should the alarm go off.
I've seen a few systems at B&Q for around £200 but it would be good to get the views of the PH massive.
I've seen a few systems at B&Q for around £200 but it would be good to get the views of the PH massive.
Some of my neighbours have burglar alarms. As far as I'm aware they've never caught or deterred any burglars, but they are good at false alarms, invariably when the owners have just gone on holiday for a fortnight. Damn nuiscance IMHO.
ETA: I suppose if you get a discount on insurance then there's a small reason to have them.
ETA: I suppose if you get a discount on insurance then there's a small reason to have them.
Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 19th April 18:26
You can get the stuff that the "professionals" fit pretty cheaply and I imagine they are more reliable when set up properly. I was looking into an Accenta Gen4 system with some dual-tech PIRs. I'm not sure about having it text/call though, there must be an add-on module.
There are some professional alarm people on here who I'm sure will provide some useful info shortly.
There are some professional alarm people on here who I'm sure will provide some useful info shortly.
I used to fit alarms for a living (albeit a long time ago now!)
I'd strongly recommend installing Texecom kit (www.texe.com)
Reliable kit, and not particularly expensive.
Used a lot these days in professional installations, and flexible enough to be used on a small domestic install up to a large commercial installation.
Completely modular, and ability to add on extras such as door access, proximity sensors, text alerts, full-blown comms systems. Can even be programmed remotely providing a modem is installed.
Would probably cost more than £200 for something that would alert you via mobile in the event of an activation, but not excessivly so (probably more like £300) - particularly if you install yourself.
The trick with reliability of DIY alarm systems is in the quality of the install. Quality kit + crap install = probability of false alarms.
Get detectors that are fit for purpose, mount detectors in the right place, use the right kind of cable, use door contacts that are suitable.
Drop me a PM if I can help any further (ie answer any questions you may have but not want to broadcast on the interweb!)
ETA: Regarding Simpo's point about false alarms, if a system is installed badly, and gives false alarms, then agreed - it is neither use nor ornament. However, a decent install that only activates for a reason will usually generate nosey neighbours if it does go off.
A couple of years ago, we went out for a walk one Sunday afternoon - on arriving home, we discovered the alarm had gone off (a false alarm due to a failed door contact) and the neighbours were all over the place having a look "because the alarm on that house never goes off"
I'd strongly recommend installing Texecom kit (www.texe.com)
Reliable kit, and not particularly expensive.
Used a lot these days in professional installations, and flexible enough to be used on a small domestic install up to a large commercial installation.
Completely modular, and ability to add on extras such as door access, proximity sensors, text alerts, full-blown comms systems. Can even be programmed remotely providing a modem is installed.
Would probably cost more than £200 for something that would alert you via mobile in the event of an activation, but not excessivly so (probably more like £300) - particularly if you install yourself.
The trick with reliability of DIY alarm systems is in the quality of the install. Quality kit + crap install = probability of false alarms.
Get detectors that are fit for purpose, mount detectors in the right place, use the right kind of cable, use door contacts that are suitable.
Drop me a PM if I can help any further (ie answer any questions you may have but not want to broadcast on the interweb!)
ETA: Regarding Simpo's point about false alarms, if a system is installed badly, and gives false alarms, then agreed - it is neither use nor ornament. However, a decent install that only activates for a reason will usually generate nosey neighbours if it does go off.
A couple of years ago, we went out for a walk one Sunday afternoon - on arriving home, we discovered the alarm had gone off (a false alarm due to a failed door contact) and the neighbours were all over the place having a look "because the alarm on that house never goes off"
Edited by Meeja on Monday 19th April 20:43
Some good advice by Meeja there.
Better quality equipment for DIY installs will also generally be found at electrical wholesalers rather than B&Q.
If you want your alarm insurance approved though, you will need it fitted by an approved installer. Have started a write up on how to find an installer on our website in the downloads section, although we still haven't finished it yet
but will give you some good starting pointers. You will need to put in your details before you can download the information.
http://www.omigasecurity.co.uk/download_area.htm
As to certain text and speech diallers, all I can/will say atm if not a professionally fitted system as they will be able to advise, is to go down the speech dialler route.
Better quality equipment for DIY installs will also generally be found at electrical wholesalers rather than B&Q.
If you want your alarm insurance approved though, you will need it fitted by an approved installer. Have started a write up on how to find an installer on our website in the downloads section, although we still haven't finished it yet
but will give you some good starting pointers. You will need to put in your details before you can download the information.http://www.omigasecurity.co.uk/download_area.htm
As to certain text and speech diallers, all I can/will say atm if not a professionally fitted system as they will be able to advise, is to go down the speech dialler route.
Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Monday 19th April 22:08
We have an alarm that was installed by a professional...in the three plus years it's been installed we've never had a false alarm though we did have some issues with the tamper mechanism on the front door when it was first installed. We live in London where we had to get an professionally fitted alarm because we wanted quite a lot of cover, it also great for peace of mind as we have a wireless panic button which my wife likes to know is there when I am out at night.
If I remember correctly it was over £2k to have it installed which is a rip off but we had no choice...and that didn't include the electrician who was re-wiring laying all the cables.
If I remember correctly it was over £2k to have it installed which is a rip off but we had no choice...and that didn't include the electrician who was re-wiring laying all the cables.
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