Maybe you remember my other post about home security. Anyway, I'd like to look into a nice home secuirty system that can be self-installed and then monitored by ADT or someone else. I'm in the phone biz, but in an IT dept. so I'm very good at running cable, fishing walls, computers and figuring things out in general.

I'd like your input (good links) on quality security systems that can be easily purchased online or locally and then installed by myself.

Must haves:
- Quality hardware - not $75 'for a complete system' junk
- While I want quality, I'd like to keep the system around $400 or less
- Accept wired or wireless devices (motion sensors, etc)
- Be something that can be monitored by ADT or someone I pick after I install
- Battery backup for at least 24 hours
- Nice backlit keypad that's easy to use/understand
- Must be able to accept sensors for 8 windows, 3 motion sensors that ignore cats, sensors for 4 doors.

OPTIONAL features not required, but would be NICE to have:
- Touchpad for programming
- PC programmable (prefer ethernet, but RS232 at least)
- Email alerts when events occurs (I can provide a PC that's always on to send mail)
- Accept carbon monoxide sensors, smoke sensors, heat sensors, cameras

I've looked at several sites and found some of what I want, but not all of what I want...unless I'm just not understanding the info being presented. My plan would be to maybe hardwire some items that are easy to get to and do wireless on the rest (mainly windows?). This is just something I'm exploring. I find the main players like ADT to be cheap on the standard equipment they install. They want to really stick it to you if they install extra sensors, better keypads, etc. If I can get a nice package and install it myself, that would be preferable...but the key is it must be something that I can have monitored by someone like ADT. I'm pretty sure that's possible, assuming you don't install a piece of crap that they don't want to fool with or can't monitor for whatever reason. So that's why I prefer to stick with well known equipment makers like Honeywell, GE and so on.

Thanks Fire away with the links and your input if you have any.

 

Well my house is old and running cable aint easy. I installed a wireless GE system and it has been great. I even put a contact on my back yard shed. Has glass break, motion, fire, etc. Works with the homelink in my truck if I buy an adapter.

I got the system for $300 installed but that is because I signed a 2 or 3 year monitoring deal wiht a company who basically gave me the system.

 

That might be an option too...letting a company pretty much give me the system/install in return for signing a multi-year deal. I guess part of the thing is I like doing things myself and I would rather be the one drilling holes in my house, etc But money talks too!

 

I've thought about this as well for the next house. Well, really I want a total integrated home automation/security/survalence system.

This place has some fun stuff:
http://www.smarthome.com

Forums attached to a decent store:
http://forum.homesecuritystore.com/

More forums:
http://www.homeautomationforum.com/forums/phpBB2/

 

I agree with you about drilling and such...if drilling and wiring were to be done I'd want to do it myself as well. With my old home and insane layout I wasnt wedging myself into the eaves of a pitched roof fishing cable.

If I build a new home I would want one like D said completely wired.

I went with protectamerica.com. They are pricey on the monitoring but like I said the system was just about free.

 

I looked at those links and many other sites. I think the best/easiest thing for us is to go with a professional installed package with monitoring. We can get a fully loaded system from our local phone company with a nice touchpad for $699 and extra keypad installed and no contract. $27 per month for monitoring. The 699 can be spread out over 24 months (no interest) on our phone bill. I like the no contract deal. ADT wanted to force us into a minimum 3 yr contract and NO breaks on the install price. Screw that! My wife likes the package below...so I think it's pretty much a done deal.

Phone company packge:
http://www.cincinnatibell.com/reside...id=NPR0003&t=2

Features:
Fire Protection
Break-in Protection
Carbon Monoxide Detection
Water Leak Detection
Additional Break-in Protection for Larger Homes
Easily activate system from a Wireless Keychain device

Benefits:
No Contracts to Sign
Low Monthly Monitoring
Peace of Mind - 24 Hours a Day Monitoring
Reliable Protection
Alarms Answered in our Local Monitoring Station

Equipment Includes:
2 Keypads
Control Panel
1 Smoke Detector
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Water Detector
6 Window and Door Contacts
1 Motion Detector
Siren
Keyfob