I just bought a new home that has an ADT alarm already installed, but no active service yet. It's new construction and appears to be fully equipped with an alarm. There's a mounted 12"x8"x6" metal box with an antenna that says ADT, key pads and motion detectors installed throughout the house. My first question is, can I just call up one of these other non-ADT providers and have them activate the service?
I've been reading up at http://www.asecurelife.com/best-home-alarm-system and it looks like they recommend FrontPoint security with interactive monitoring through Alarm.com. I've seen alarm.com recommended on a few home automation forums. Does anyone here recommend them? If not, why?
sil0nt said: I just bought a new home that has an ADT alarm already installed, but no active service yet. It's new construction and appears to be fully equipped with an alarm. There's a mounted 12"x8"x6" metal box with an antenna that says ADT, key pads and motion detectors installed throughout the house. My first question is, can I just call up one of these other non-ADT providers and have them activate the service?
As mentioned numerous times throughout this thread, and all over the internet, ADT locks their boxes, often both physically and with the codes to get into the system, so you have to use them. Or, replace the box. www.diyalarmforum.com has good info. As to monitoring, AlarmRelay is discussed in this thread, you may want to read it.
I have a DSC 1832 that is monitored through a local company and their rates are getting ridiculous.
I'd like to monitor over TCP/IP with backup via prepaid mobile, if possible.
Does anyone know how reliable such a setup would be? Am I correct in assuming cost would be:
$X one-time for cellular equipment $100 one-time for cellular minutes $10/3 mo to add minutes $9/mo monitoring
Thanks for this thread. Monitoring companies are up there with cable companies on how they keep jacking up prices, but what exactly is their overhead besides a couple UL approved monitoring centers and minimal staff? You would think that as their subscriber base grows, costs would at least stay level.
KYBOSH said: Got my ARIM in the mail. Its basically a Cisco Small Business SPA112 2-Port Phone Adapter - VoIP phone adapter that's priced online at $44.
The guy is telling me its "modified" but was else are they going to tell me. Overall the company is okay. CS is pretty good and the setup process seems well thought out. I'm waiting on a call from the tech-support/install guy to walk me through the setup. As soon as that's over I'll get them to forward my monitoring certificate to the insurance guy so I can know a big chunk off of my new HO insurance (what I am really trying to accomplish).
Still feel like a sucker though...
Finding this out too. I'm on the fence, do I move forward with a company that has the gall to sell a $40 device for $150, and not even offer me the option to get the device myself?
If I could buy the SPA112 myself not only would it cost only $40, I would have an extra year of warranty coverage through my CC.
I was told it's their way or the highway. Oh, or I could buy it from home security store... which is, their store. Duh.
I wish there were some ethically sound alarm monitoring companies out there.
Edit: EradicateSpam, I notice you 'red' anyone that says anything remotely negative about AlarmRelay.com. You may want to disclose the nature of your relationship with that company before anyone else starts thinking you're a shill.
Edit2: EradicateSpam, it seems you also 'red' some mentions of alternatives to AlarmRelay.com. Interesting.
I think the cost of the ARIM is something you just have to grin and bear unless you have the option to switch back to a landline. The cost savings of having Ooma make any other option not an option at all.
Once you've installed it and its hidden in the closet its "out of sight out of mind" from then on.
But you maybe in a unique position to try something out. When signing up let them know you already have an SPA112 and want to use it... and see what they say. As anyone familiar with networking knows, all they really need are numbers like the MAC address to do their what they need to do. Give a try... the worst they can say is No.
Thanks for noticing. I gave you red because you said that Alarm Relay was unethical, based on your opinion that because they require you to use their ARIM device if you want internet monitoring, not your own.
Since I don't agree with your opinion, I gave you red. Nothing unethical about them telling you that you cannot use your own device. You don't have to buy their ARIM device, there are other options, just not your own device.
My relationship with them is that I am a customer. Nothing more. I don't have any financial relationship with them.
I don't give red to mentions of other monitoring options. I did give red to a user that mentioned a significantly higher cost monitoring solution with no justification for why someone would want to pay more money, and referred to a BLOG.
Edit - where did you get info that told you that Homesecuritystore.com and AlarmRelay are the same company? News to me.
KYBOSH said: I think the cost of the ARIM is something you just have to grin and bear unless you have the option to switch back to a landline. The cost savings of having Ooma make any other option not an option at all.
Once you've installed it and its hidden in the closet its "out of sight out of mind" from then on.
But you maybe in a unique position to try something out. When signing up let them know you already have an SPA112 and want to use it... and see what they say. As anyone familiar with networking knows, all they really need are numbers like the MAC address to do their what they need to do. Give a try... the worst they can say is No.
I tried that, as a matter of fact I already have the device. Was told that I would need to buy their special version.
EradicateSpam, sorry if I'm off base, your immediate 'red' of my comment and others that have mentioned some of their negatives as well as your numerous pamphlet-like informational posts seem somewhat shill-like. But what do I know, just making an observation.
Look, I get that these companies need to make money, but upcharging $100 for provisioning a piece of $40 hardware (that is likely bought in bulk for a fraction of that amount) is ridiculous. I think it would sit better with me if a company provided those customers that brought their own hardware to the table the opportunity to provision it themselves, for a fee if necessary. Hell, cable companies do it, and they're more evil than any other company.
I may still sign up with them, and as KYBOSH said, smile and take it. Investigating other options like GeoArm, etc. first, which I wouldn't have had to do if AR was a little more considerate.
Thanks for calling my informative posts "pamphlet like". Guess that means I provide the same answers to the same questions when they are asked over and over again. Good news!
My issue was with your ETHICAL comment. You may not LIKE that they require their device. I didn't like it. You USED to be able to buy your own and mail it to them to get provisioned and save something (maybe $50). No longer. I like to save money like the next guy. But there is nothing UNETHICAL about their requirement.
I asked you where you found that AlarmRelay and HomeSecurityStore.com are the same company. I noticed you haven't backed up your claim. As I said, that would be news to me. I haven't bought from HomeSecurityStore.com, choosing to buy ALL of my added sensors on eBay for much below selling prices on any site.
I've had AlarmRelay for 5 1/2 years. I didn't start the post, I try to provide accurate info about what I know (which is their monitoring), and to correct people who misstate it. I also tell me to look on ALARM FORUMS for accurate info on their systems, not FatWallet. That's where I learned about my system and was able to add sensors, etc. That's where I found AlarmRelay, I did my comparison, and picked them. Then, years later, I evaluated what to do when I dumped my phone line, and I went with their ARIM device AFTER trying an HAI C3 that wouldn't work with my panel. I also provide info on that device when people ask and tell of the issues I had (like it not rebooting properly after a power outage).
Good luck with your search. I find that if I choose to do business with a company I try to think they're a good guy before paying them money, otherwise the relationship goes downhill fast.
Are they not the same company? If not, that's mighty generous of homesecuritystore.com to advertise for them.
Maybe they're just symbiotic - same difference, afaic.
Agree with your last comment regarding thinking a company is a 'good guy' - it's actually an important aspect of building a business. When you're trying to get people to sign a 3 year contract with you, do everything you can to make yourself out to be a 'good guy'. If you used to offer some savings for those that provided their own hardware, and then decide you can make more by forcing a potential customer to buy your overpriced hardware, that's not being a 'good guy', it's being a company that's pushing for greater profits. This ultimately makes the potential customer think twice about committing.
It's all about customer service. If it was _my_ company, in all honesty I'd probably charge the $150 for the device. I'd also happily accept a customer's hardware as long as they accepted any warranty work would have to be done through their supplier. Then I'd rake in the monthly subscriber fees. Doing so would make me seem like a 'good guy' (even though in reality I'm quite evil mwa ah ah ah).
I believe HomeSecurityStore.com may have an affiliate relationship with AlarmRelay, i.e. they are paid a commission on each sale. Just like FatWallet has an affiliate relationship with most of the companies discussed here, including all of them that you can get Cash Back from.
I totally agree about ADT and similar companies. The house I moved into had a locked box, and the service provider refused to unlock it without charging me $80. I found on the internet that they never changed the default codes, and got into it myself and removed their access. A few months later I started monitoring with AlarmRelay, then added sensors over time as my insurance company added more discounts. I now pay $10.45 a month (in advance for a year) or $125.40 a year, and save $353 on my insurance, so I make over $200 a year. I even made money adding the ARIM that year. My insurance company provides a burglary discount, a fire discount, CO discount, freeze discount and water discount. Many of the sensors for my system were bought for $10 each.
I just called Alarmrelay.com, and the women I spoke to said that I could source my own internet router to use for internet monitoring. She was somewhat aloof, saying I was on my own to figure out how to do that, but she said that I could call her back and confirm compatibility if I found something that should work. I then confirmed all of the above and said that if I were to source my own device, then would alarmrelay.com help me configure it so it works with their service, and she said yes.
Ugh.. so I've been looking into GeoArm.com and reviews seemed extremely positive. Too positive. Then I saw this:
GeoArm said: Spread the good word about our alarm monitoring services by taking part in one of our new customer retention programs. All you have to do is simply submit the below form with a link to the web page that you posted your positive review on to receive the monitoring credit. Upon review confirmation, your processing charge will be reduced on any five (5) years, three (3) years or one (1) year alarm monitoring services renewal. Please help us overwhelm, any and all, negative and possibly erroneous postings written by a few individuals, by submitting your favorable review of our services today. We enjoy setting the bar, and living up to the highest of customer expectations.
There's other options out there aimed at the true DIY - look in diysecurityforum.com or diyalarmforum.com (can't remember which). Basically they'll let you use your own adapter.
In my case, I'm using a DSC Alexor with just the GSM module. Comcrap here shuts things down for about 10min every week around 3am - don't want a call to check if the internet is down... I do use Alarm Relay and sucked it up and pay the $12 extra per month. I use Vonage for VOIP and was told it would not work. Alarm companies allow Comcrap or Fios VOIP but that's it.
My only option is to get a GSM dialer and then configure the box to dial out instead via it. Then I would save the $12 a month.
Still happy with them. A couple of times a sensor gave me a little trouble and tripped the alarm. They called home then my cell. Since I wasn't sure one time what was going on, they dispatched the police. And this past year, I just forgot to pay. Even though it was a week late, they had no problem with it.
If anything, my next project would be to get a system I can arm or disarm from my phone.
There are a lot of discussion on different options here... My basic question... If I dont have any alarm setup at my place.. What is the economical way to have the equipment installed and how much it costs..
kingno1 said: There are a lot of discussion on different options here... My basic question... If I dont have any alarm setup at my place.. What is the economical way to have the equipment installed and how much it costs.. I have the same question.
jfgary said: kingno1 said: There are a lot of discussion on different options here... My basic question... If I dont have any alarm setup at my place.. What is the economical way to have the equipment installed and how much it costs.. I have the same question. There is information out there but not laid out the way you want it, many systems to choose from but not guided to help you make an easy choice. Simplisafe is one (DIY kit) that I found in this thread, might give it a try. http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/deal-discussion/1253021/
Just make an agreement with your local alarm company that you will keep service with them in exchange for decent rate, but you pay for equipment, labor and upkeep. I did this and pay very little for cell service and with local company. Labor can be expensive, but combine it with a new panel. They have to program that thing anyway. Just have all of the new sensors ready (many companies above have them) and the wires fished through walls etc, and you are good to go. Buy the good "Alarm Wire" from Amazon or some other reputable merchant. Anyone can mount motions on the wall and adjust the sensor view, but not anyone can program them all correctly. Then just mount the things where they need to go (instructions are in the box). Put a smoke/carbon monoxide in each sleeping area, never put them close to the kitchen - other side of dining room is best, and place all glass breaks within line of sight to windows they will protect. You can even mount those things on the ceiling. Your installer will tell you if you are exceeding any capacity of the panel. I read up on all of this stuff so was ready for the installer. He said it was the easiest job he ever did. Since I was paying by the hour he was not here very long, and he labeled on the boxes which rooms they go into for me. If you have wireless sensors, you can buy the batteries on Amazon cheaply (just buy the good ones and not the imported junk).
You will sleep better knowing that everything works when you need it to.
I just got off the phone with Alarm Relay. The rep was very friendly and gave me several options for converting from a POTS line to something IP based. $150 for their adapter (Cisco SPA112) sent to me provisioned for AR. I can buy my own SPA112 (about $40) and pay $70 to convert my account ($35) to IP monitoring and have AR provision my Cisco box ($35). $40 savings to do it yourself. She also pointed out that the Honeywell 7847i will work but result in $5 increase per month in monitoring fees. That increase adds interactive monitoring and the ability to manipulate your system on your smart phone. She also said I am free to explore other broadband adapters and work with the AR techs to verify compatibility. I'll be buying my own Cisco unit. In any case, the AR rep I spoke to was very helpful. My $.02
Wtf, I was specifically told I couldn't buy my own Cisco device. That pisses me off, I just flushed $ down the toilet because I spoke to the wrong person there.
EradicateSpam said: I believe HomeSecurityStore.com may have an affiliate relationship with AlarmRelay, i.e. they are paid a commission on each sale. Just like FatWallet has an affiliate relationship with most of the companies discussed here, including all of them that you can get Cash Back from.
I totally agree about ADT and similar companies. The house I moved into had a locked box, and the service provider refused to unlock it without charging me $80. I found on the internet that they never changed the default codes, and got into it myself and removed their access. A few months later I started monitoring with AlarmRelay, then added sensors over time as my insurance company added more discounts. I now pay $10.45 a month (in advance for a year) or $125.40 a year, and save $353 on my insurance, so I make over $200 a year. I even made money adding the ARIM that year. My insurance company provides a burglary discount, a fire discount, CO discount, freeze discount and water discount. Many of the sensors for my system were bought for $10 each.
I understand burglary & fire. For the other sensors what do they involve? CO sensor is carbon monoxide hooked into your alarm system? What are freeze and water sensors? Checking for freezing pipes and water in the basement?
dewolfxy said: EradicateSpam said: I believe HomeSecurityStore.com may have an affiliate relationship with AlarmRelay, i.e. they are paid a commission on each sale. Just like FatWallet has an affiliate relationship with most of the companies discussed here, including all of them that you can get Cash Back from.
I totally agree about ADT and similar companies. The house I moved into had a locked box, and the service provider refused to unlock it without charging me $80. I found on the internet that they never changed the default codes, and got into it myself and removed their access. A few months later I started monitoring with AlarmRelay, then added sensors over time as my insurance company added more discounts. I now pay $10.45 a month (in advance for a year) or $125.40 a year, and save $353 on my insurance, so I make over $200 a year. I even made money adding the ARIM that year. My insurance company provides a burglary discount, a fire discount, CO discount, freeze discount and water discount. Many of the sensors for my system were bought for $10 each.
I understand burglary & fire. For the other sensors what do they involve? CO sensor is carbon monoxide hooked into your alarm system? What are freeze and water sensors? Checking for freezing pipes and water in the basement?
All are tied into alarm system as they have to be monitored to get the discount.
Freeze sensor goes off when temp hits low 40s / high 30s. So if heat fails and house cools, it goes off, warning you that pipes might freed soon. I put it in laundry room on main floor figuring it would be coldest first since next to garage.
Water sensor trips when metal contacts connect, which happens when a small layer of water is on floor. I put one next to hot water heater, other next to water softener and well pump and sump well.
This has been an interesting thread. I've read most of it, but not every single post.
I really do not want to get into a full blown monitored alarm system.
I have an iphone 5, and I do like the idea of something simple, like a motion camera inside, that triggers my phone and starts a video (app?) if it senses motion.
Then I can decide to call the cops, a neighbor, or race home hoping I get there before they go and get to introduce them to the barrel of a gun.
I have cable internet. Can anyone suggest something simple where I can buy a camera that I can hook to power, install some kind of phone app and just have it set up to sense motion, and wifi connect to my web and send a stream to my phone?
For someone installing an alarm for the first time, is there anywhere to get some advice on what equipment to buy as well as what monitoring to install? My daughter just bought a house that does not have an alarm and is thinking of getting one, and is certainly curious about not having to pay $40 for monitoring every month...but could use some start-to-finish assistance. Thanks!
I agree with Hynosis above. I have had an EnvisaLink module for over a year and it is simply amazing. Does everything they claim. It is one of the best things I have purchased in the last year. About a month ago I decided to upgrade from the free service (which was awesome) to their full IP UL monitoring service, which I found to be the cheapest out there on a 1-year pre-pay. Again 5-stars. The service was great and I have triggered a few false alarms and got immediate response from the call-centre. Just a great product and great company to work with. I tell everyone I know about it.
svallarian said: I've got a nice 2GIG unit that vivint left after I tried their service for a day or two...and never bothered to come pick it back up. Can't get into it cause the panel is locked, but I'm brute forcing 50 codes a day, I'll get in there eventually.
DigThisXL - I saw your post on the previous thread about ADT installer code normally being 6321. I just bought a house with an existing ADT system and $37 they quoted me to monitor is way too steep. I'd like to set up service with NextAlarm, but I need the installer code to do that. Your suggestion about the 6321 didn't work for me. Is there anything else you think I can try? I also tried the codes on NextAlarm's help page - http://info.nextalarm.com/help/ademco-installer-code.
Would greatly appreciate any suggestions you may have for me to figure out the installer code. Thx
I bought the Simplisafe alarm kit last week and activated it yesterday... They have a $14.99 plan but I got the $25 per month plan. No contracts or anything ..and I think the Simplisafe base can have upto 41 sensors. I bought the refurbished hardware kit with sensors and all the gizmo for $310 shipped..
Disclaimer: By providing links to other sites, FatWallet.com does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to FatWallet.com.
Members of our community may attach files to a post in accordance with the User Agreement. FatWallet is not responsible for the content, accuracy, completeness or validity of any information contained in any attached file. Files have *not* been scanned for viruses. Be especially wary of Excel files which may contain malicious content.
One-time set up
Avoid the hassle of entering your information every time you buy.
•
Instant Cash Back tracking
Since we complete the purchase, we can credit your Cash Back immediately.
•
Buy with just two clicks
One click begins checkout and another confirms your purchase.
Once set up, making a purchase with FW checkout is a breeze. FatWallet Checkout confirms the after-tax
price plus shipping and, after you confirm, completes your purchase for you.
Shopping
Earn Cash Back while you shop - just 3 simple steps.
1. Sign Up so we know who to pay! (It's FREE.)
2. Shop through FatWallet for deals from your favorite stores. Your online purchases earn Cash Back that builds in your FatWallet account.
3. Get Paid by requesting a payment via check or PayPal.
FatWallet coupons help you save more when shopping online. Use our Coupons Search to browse coupons and offers from thousands of stores, gathered into one convenient location.
Forums
As part of our FatWallet Community, you can share deals with almost a million shoppers in our forums. Forum content is generated by consumers for consumers. Share deals, money-saving tips, and more. It's FREE, fun, and addicting.
Support
Our customer experience team is here around the clock - real people ready to assist.
