Home alarm systems

If you're handy or like to ddabble in electronics, DIY imo.
nobody will know what/where you have, you'll own the equipment, and it'll be alot cheaper in longrun.
I bought the DSC alexor and am very pleased with it.
i got my stuff from homesecuritystore.com and then hooked up through geoarm (there's others like alarm relay or frontpoint)
yes it will take you some time tho, to go through all the options and configuration.

With home alarm systems, it's best to bite the bullet and just go with the big guys.

I've been very pleased with ADT.

Twice I accidentally tripped the alarm and within SECONDS I got the ADT dispatcher call to see if they should send police or fire.

klutz

It was the installing technician's fault. 15 seconds to disable after entry? REALLY??

Don't be lazy.

Problem is, in my situation, the control panel is not near the front door. For logistical purposes, it had to be installed inside a closet in the back hallway ... so I have to run through the foyer, dining room, living room, and into the back hallway to disable. Sometimes it takes more than 15 seconds. And with those spongy-rubber buttons, God forbid if you punch in the wrong number just once.

Excuses

the delay is usually totally configurable. the technician should have asked you how much delay you want on it.
next time u have a service call you can probably just tell them to change it.
since its ADT, they likely didn't give you the master installer code which would let you change it yourself as thats how they like to keep you roped in on their contract.

>the delay is usually totally configurable. the technician should have asked you how much delay you want on it.

The technician probably looked at NYCMatt and made a determination that he was a normal late 40s male who had reasonable reflexes, the ability to walk to the alarm pad in a reasonable time, and had normal finger dexterity to press the buttons. Seems like the technician was wrong.

He didn't allow time for me to take off my shoes and hang up my coat first.

I don't know Matt, it really seems like you are the type who would take a taxi instead of a 5 minute walk.

Actually I'm not. I generally will walk up to 20 blocks before going into the subway. Cab only if it's more than 40 blocks and I'm pressed for time.

Well then maybe the technician was expecting a tip?

Maybe the technician believes that your housing expenses should be a single day's pay per month and thus assumed Matt wasn't rich enough to afford an apartment with all those rooms that have to be walked through!

000, are you saying that Matt's apartment is luxury?
http://streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/discussion/33993-luxury-rentals

We did not have a favorable experience with ADT. We lived in a place with a combo home alarm/smoke detector system. The way it was supposed to work, if the home alarm or the smoke detector went off, ADT first called us and, if no answer, then they called the fire department or police as appropriate plus a secondary contact for us.

The smoke detector went off one day when we were not home. ADT promptly called, but since no one was home, they left a message on the answering machine. Thereafter, they failed to follow their own policy. They did not call the fire company nor did they call our secondary contact, a cell number. They did nothing but leave a message.

Problem was, the smoke detector was alerting to an actual fire. Fortunately, the fire was small and burned itself out before causing any serious damage.

We've done well with ADT but their signs are always stolen from in front of houses, presumably because our neighbors think that even an ADT sign is a deterrent. Years ago, also had a good experience with Slomin's.