From: rotheroe@convex.com (Dave Rotheroe)
Subject: Re: Monitored security system for home
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 22:55:00 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA
Keywords: home security systems 
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

This post contains some information specific to the Dallas area, but parts
may be of general interest.

>I've been looking into a monitored home security system for a new house that
>is being built for my family.  The builder is going to pre-wire the house
>for a security system.  And I plan to install the electronics, etc. after
>I'm in the house. I've called a couple of companies (ADT and BRINKS) so
>far, and I plan to call more.  (ADT wanted 195 to install and 19.95 per
>month for monitoring and BRINKS wanted 199 to install and 21.95 per
>month.)  

That sounds like the basic three door and a motion detector system.  They'll
want a lot more to connect all the doors and windows, and add the necessary
motion detectors.  Probably $20-$50 per window/door.  Also, both of these
companies prefer to lease the equipment (they retain ownership), and require
excessive time committments.  In our area, Brinks has bad reputation.  ADT
is at the other end.

>When I spoke with the BRINKS salesperson, I asked what would happen if
>a burgular cut the phone lines before entering the house.  This person
>told me that they would not know about the break-in since the system
>would not be able to call them when the alarm went off.  However, the
>system siren would sound.  (I didn't ask about battery backup, but
>I assume that is possible for the siren to continue if the burgular
>cut the power too.)  When I asked this salesperson why they couldn't
>know when the phone lines were cut, they said that the phone company
>didn't provide that service and that "nobody else could do that either".

There are two basic ways this is done.  A dedicated cellular phone, or
a radio transmitter.  Neither is cheap, both are commonly available in
our area (Richardson/Dallas, TX).  Your first hint at what you can expect
from Brinks.  BTW, it probably isn't worth it unless you are trying to
protect something unreplacable.  A professional theif will bypass or
ignore the alarm system, amatures will run away at the local alarm.

>The reason I'm concerned about this possiblity is that there was 
>a string of voilent break-ins in North Dallas recently in which
>the burgulars cut the phone lines before breaking-in.  The central
>monitored security system didn't know about the breakin.

Yes, the "Hey, if they're home I'll shoot 'em" burglers.  At least this
group was finally caught.  One of the break-ins was very close to my house.

>I was wondering if anyone knows if any of these central monitored systems
>account for the possiblity of a cut phone line.  The salesperson told
>me that they would have to connect the security system to a cellular
>phone to "overcome" this problem.

See above.

Purchase and install the equipment yourself.  I saved about $500 by going
this route.  You then own the equipment and can switch services if you have
a problem with the monitoring (I haven't, but I've only had it for two
months).

>Paul H. Boudreaux	|Bell-Northern Research		|My opinions are my own,

Paul, give me a call if you want more info.

==================================================================8--<
Dave Rotheroe                rotheroe@convex.com              DoD#0045
CONVEX Computer Corporation, Richardson, TX 75083-3851, (214) 497-4512
A day without sunshine is like...   night
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house