IGX

Have any of you freaks installed a home security system in the last year or two? I would like to get a self monitor system with no monthly fee.

A buddy of mine owned a security company...they did a lot of different set ups and things, but what he told me was that most home security set ups are fucking garbage. He said that a panic button by the doors with an airhorn hooked up in the duct work of the house was the best inexpensive deterrent they had, that and a big dog and some situational awareness.

I'd recommend if you have any sort of driveway into your place you set up a well cammoed infrared setup that will give you a signal in the house if the beam is broken. Set it high enough that most animals won't break it but a vehicle or person would.

Dog.

Even a frufru kickapoo shit dog. Alarm barking bothers burglars.

What is the specific threat you are concerned about?

I agree with Bogatir & Benny.

1 - What is the threat?

2 - The answer to almost any burglary/home invasion threat is a dog. They don't miss much and burglars don't want to fuck with. OTOH, cops will just shoot the poodle.

I do a little work with alarm systems. For self monitoring, the best thing I've found is the Elk brand, with email - to - text for notifications. Text message notifications would be a must for me. Pair it with a Dropcam for sure. If you want something a little heavier, get cloud recording for the Dropcam and use a hotspot for the Dropcam and alarm panel's internet (can't cut the line.)

Don't forget good motion activated lights for the outside. With a little finagling the sensors that sense motion in the yard, driveway, etc. can both turn on lights and send notifications. A good siren and strobe on the outside of the house, where the neighbors can hear the noise and see the strobe, is a good thing.

Wiring is a real pain in the ass in typical residential construction, not bad at all in commercial. Wireless is not a bad way to go but changing the batteries is a chore and depending on the type of battery, a bit of an annual expense, and the sensors aren't usually hidden.

Good question on goals. The main goal is to prevent entry to some degree and deter entry to a greater degree. Especially when we're home.

What I want is door security against break ins, audible alarms, a motion based floodlight and something easy to fucking use.

What I don't care about is paid monitoring (self monitoring would be OK). I also don't really care about window sensors but I could be convinced if there's a significant amount of window entries.

Important to have a bokken by the toilet (if you get attacked by ninjas!)

bennyonesix wrote:

I haven't tried this...I swear I haven't.

I'm a fan of the dog option, but I think I'm going to put an air horn in the ducts just to fuck with people.

buckethead wrote:Good question on goals. The main goal is to prevent entry to some degree and deter entry to a greater degree. Especially when we're home.

What I want is door security against break ins, audible alarms,

I doubt that an alarm will deter entry while you're home. A dog and an available firearm are the solution to that problem. That, and living in a low crime neighborhood.

johno wrote:

buckethead wrote:Good question on goals. The main goal is to prevent entry to some degree and deter entry to a greater degree. Especially when we're home.

What I want is door security against break ins, audible alarms,

I doubt that an alarm will deter entry while you're home. A dog and an available firearm are the solution to that problem. That, and living in a low crime neighborhood.

And even if you're opposed to a home protection firearm for some crazy reason, or, you're not allowed to have one, a fresh can of wasp/hornet spray should be kept in your bedroom.

Last point - I'm not opposed to door security. But that calls for fairly radical methods. I'm no PowerBear, but in 29 years of firefighting, I've never taken more than 10 seconds to break through a residential type door. Unless you go with screens & bars or a metal door with heavy duty doorjamb, your door is merely a noisemaker that gives you a few extra seconds to respond.