Cosd Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 I'm looking at getting a house alarm fitted. Not sure whether to go monitored or not. One issue is that I have just finished the house and didn't wire for it; The upstairs is fine as I can get wires from the loft to the understairs via a pipe I had fitted, but I cannot run wires downstairs without damaging walls; So Wireless may be my only option. The only problem with the wireless boxes though is everything I have seen uses dummy outside bell boxes, these in my experience don't look the part. Anyone have any recomendations, do's or dont's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 I think you may find it difficult getting it monitored on a diy installation, and wireless systems are pants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 Weve got an ADT system with 12 PIRs and 2 breakers fitted and a REAL box on the front which flashes when it goes off. It was with the house when we got it and the wiring job they did was amazingly neat to the point of being anal, I am sure if you got a firm in they would be able to run wires without a problem. Also, with wireless you have batteries which are foreverer going to need replacing which will get boring and expensive. We also got a dummy box of the ADT bloke for a score and its the same as a real one just without the internals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 and wireless systems are pants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 because of not understanding 'pants' as an English expression of something being ****, or because you are a die hard wireless fan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 Be wary of advising your Home Insurers that you have an alarm, even if does earns you a small discount on your premium. If you leave your house empty for any reason, or for any duration and don't set the alarm, if you are then burgled, they can/will contest the claim. This fact came up accidentally some time ago, in a chat with our Insurers and when I got a few other people to check with their Insurers, they got the same answer. Alarms are good things, but don't tell your Insurers. Monitored alarms usually have a "Panic button" facility, which is a reassuring feature and others can also monitor for fire ( through heat censors). Monitored alarms are well worth considering and the prices are coming down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Fudd Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 (edited) Be wary of advising your Home Insurers that you have an alarm, even if does earns you a small discount on your premium. If you leave your house empty for any reason, or for any duration and don't set the alarm, if you are then burgled, they can/will contest the claim. This fact came up accidentally some time ago, in a chat with our Insurers and when I got a few other people to check with their Insurers, they got the same answer. Alarms are good things, but don't tell your Insurers. the wording is usually something like "when you leave the house unoccupied without an authorised occupant (or something) and whilst youre sleeping, you must, to the best of your endeavours, put the alarm into operation" - it can cause major problems if you pop out for 5 mins and not set the alarm and get burgled, and is just a pain in the **** anytime i come across someone with an alarm i point this out to them and ask if they still want me to include it - it usually only gives a 5% discount anyway why notjust buy a rottweiler, works for me :lol: Edited September 11, 2009 by babbyc1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz2202 Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 Responce wireless system. It is very good and screams so loud inside that if it goes off no one will stay indoors. Outside it screams too but people won't and don't take any notice !!! Good piece of mind at night though as i have a pir in porch, conservatory and hall, as if anyone come in they have to go in these rooms and it will sure wake me up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted September 12, 2009 Report Share Posted September 12, 2009 Fitted plenty after the homeowner has decorated. It can be done without any damage but would depend on the layout of your house. I would steer clear of completely wireless systems but you can use a mixture of hard wired and wireless. Best bet is to get a specialist in to have a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy B Posted September 12, 2009 Report Share Posted September 12, 2009 wired are far better than wireless ones though they are better than waht they used to be.get good gear not argos stuff.wireless needs batteries changing every year but if you get a service contract with fitter they will do it for a fee(you also get call out cover to). Wiring could be a pain depending on house lay out flooring etc.getting a monitored system for a house is a bit pointless in my eyes, you can fit a dialer than phones a pre set list of friends/family upon activation.hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted September 12, 2009 Report Share Posted September 12, 2009 Wireless stuff is pants ie next to useless. How many high security installations use wireless? Why are you concerned with ease of installation, that is down to the company who do it, and if they are any good, you will see no wires. Wireless systems operate by radio, and as such are prone to interference, jamming and the battery problem as mentioned. Oh and having a monitored system means you will need to have a service contract in force, an additional annual expense. And panic buttons can be fitted to ANY system, monitored or otherwise. Wired sytem can be as loud, and Louder than wireless, try a mains siren for deafening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinea Fowl Posted September 12, 2009 Report Share Posted September 12, 2009 Don`t waist your money on a monitored alarm, I think its a bit pointless here in the UK. But if you feel safer and want it to monitor for fire then go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyoftheboy Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 any opinions on whether this is any good? http://www.dabs.com/products/bt-home-monit...p1000-4K43.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 I'm looking at getting a house alarm fitted. Not sure whether to go monitored or not. One issue is that I have just finished the house and didn't wire for it; The upstairs is fine as I can get wires from the loft to the understairs via a pipe I had fitted, but I cannot run wires downstairs without damaging walls; So Wireless may be my only option. The only problem with the wireless boxes though is everything I have seen uses dummy outside bell boxes, these in my experience don't look the part. Anyone have any recomendations, do's or dont's? Can't help to much there But I'd like to add - this lot did ours, and we're fairly local to you.. Happy to recommend http://www.amthalsecurity.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted September 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 Thanks guys, I think I won't discount a wired system, I'll get proffesionals in and see what they say. If they can fit it with no wires showing I'll go for a wired system. I have an empty tube running from my loft to my under stairs so all the upstairs is covered, I may need to add a couple of wireless bits downstairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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