Home Security System
Reviews and Tips
This page includes
reviews of the home security system companies that we recommend
as well as tips for choosing the company that you would like to
go with. The companies reviewed include:
FrontPoint
Security | Protect America
| ADT | X10 Security Products
Tips for Selecting
a Home Security Company
If you only want
to buy some security equipment and install your own system then
it doesn't really matter all that much which company you go with.
When choosing a monitoring company, you should keep in mind that
you will be signing a contract with a company that will be responsible
for providing a quick response in case of an emergency. They will
need to monitor your home and respond when an alarm has been triggered.
Your family and your home are your most precious possessions so
it is important that you do some research about any security company
that you might use. You want a company that offers all of the latest
technology but you also want a company that will respond to your
individual needs in a professional manner.
Basic Tips for
Selecting a Home Security Monitoring Company Include:
- Ask friends
and neighbors - Your relatives, friends or neighbors may have
a home security system installed or they may have previously used
a particular monitoring company. Go ahead and ask them for their
opinion and ask about the experiences that they have had.
- Find out how
long the home security company has been in business. This can
often be a good measuring device for the reliability of a particular
monitoring company. If they haven't provided a reliable service
then they probably wouldn't be able to stay in business.
- Research the
technology that they employ with their home security systems and
the way in which they monitor the home. These days their is plenty
of cutting-edge technology that is available. The home security
company that you choose should have the latest stuff.
- Compare installation
costs, length of contract, transferability, warranty and how long
it will take in order to get your home security system installed.
- Verify that
the home security monitoring company is licensed by contacting
the licensing and consumer protection agency in your state. You
can also contact the Better Business Bureau and the local police
department if you have any questions about the company. The Better
Business Bureau can tell you whether or not the home security
company has a history of consumer complaints.
Home Security
Company Reviews
FrontPoint
Security
When you sign
up for a FrontPoint security system online, there is no need for
an in-home sales visit. Everything is explained online. You can
have your home security system installed as early as tomorrow. Advertised
as "The Next Generation in Total Home Security", FrontPoint
offers monthly monitoring plans with no hidden charges.
FrontPoint offers
you a choice between Protection Monitoring or their revolutionary
Interactive Monitoring. Each of these home security plans offer
the best cellular based monitoring available. FrontPoint has managed
to simplify home security installation like never before. They offer
an easy installation option that allows you to setup the home security
system yourself. However, they will help you with every step and
the installation process on takes 20-30 minutes on average. FrontPoint
also offers their installation services if you don't feel comfortable
doing it yourself. The choice is yours.
FrontPoint uses
proprietary wireless technology with their sensors and control panels.
The wireless technology allows for a simple installation. No wires,
drills or holes in the wall! This also means that you can take your
entire home security system with you if you move. When you go with
FrontPoint Security, you own the equipment so it is yours to keep.
FrontPoint uses
a unique cellular link with all of their monitored home security
systems. This means that if a burglar cuts the phone lines, you
will continue to have an unmatched level of protection. FrontPoint
home security systems use a digital GSM cellular link to connect
your home to their monitoring center.
Protection
Monitoring or Interactive Monitoring?
With Protection
Monitoring, everything is included. You get around the clock
detection of intruders, monitoring and police dispatch for intrusions
and fire emergencies. You also get around the clock monitored detection
of environmental conditions. Environmental conditions include freezing
temperatures or hazards that are related to water. With Protection
Monitoring, every security system includes the digital cellular
link so that communication stays intact.
Interactive
Monitoring lets you have control over your home with instant
notifications by e-mail or text message. You can even control your
system online or from your cell phone. Interactive Monitoring also
allows you to have the ability of arming or disarming your home
security system online. Using your web browser you can view event
histories, customize your settings settings, and manage all of your
user access codes.
You can also
control your system through any web-enabled cell phone or PDA. Get
alerts by e-mail or text message. You can even customize e-mail
and text message alert notifications. This is something that could
come in handy. For instance, you could have it setup so that you
receive an alert if someone opens the backdoor leading to the pool
or if someone enters the master bedroom or for when a child arrives
home from school. Just use your imagination! With Interactive Monitoring
you also have Smart Home options that can control lighting, climate,
or any other plugged-in appliances in your home. These can all be
accessed remotely.
In general, FrontPoint
services include fire and intrusion monitoring, water/flood sensors,
smoke detectors and a freeze sensor to monitor environmental conditions
in your area. The monthly monitoring fees range from $32.99 to $39.99.
Offering simple, easy to install wireless equipment in conjunction
with a variety of wireless monitoring services, FrontPoint
has one of the premiere offers for total home security.
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Protect
America
Protect America
offers affordable protection for your home, apartment or even your
small business. Protect America offers GE home security systems.
Protect America's GE security systems provide flexible equipment
packages that can be customized in order to meet your specific needs.
Protect
America is the largest authorized installer of GE Home Security
and offers 24/7 monitoring in case of emergencies. You can get a
basic system for free when you sign up for monthly monitoring.
The basic free
system includes:
- Yard Warning
Sign & Window Decals
- Command Station
with Voice Instruction
- 3 Door/Window
Sensors
- Motion Detector
- Interior Warning
Siren
- Limited Lifetime
Equipment Warranty
How it Works
The GE security
system packages include wireless sensors in order to help detect
burglars and intruders. These sensors are installed on your doors
and windows. Wireless motion detectors are also used inside your
home as a secondary defense against intruders. GE home security
systems include a talking command station. The talking command station
is used in order to receive signals from the wireless devices. When
activated, it sets off the 100dB interior siren.
A monitoring
service is used in conjunction with the alarm equipment. When an
alarm goes off, the talking command station then attempts to notify
the monitoring facility about the problem in your home. It does
this by either sending signals through your landline telephone or
through your broadband Internet connection. Enough time will be
allowed in order for you to cancel the alarm from your home. You
do this by simply entering the predetermined four digit code. If
you do not enter the proper code on your GE home security system
then they will try to contact you in order to ask for your correct
password.
This is how they
verify whether there is a real emergency or just a false alarm.
If they don't receive the right password on the first attempt to
call you then the monitoring facility will attempt to dispatch the
emergency personnel to your home right away. Then they would try
to call your emergency contact numbers in order to notify you, your
family, and any friends or neighbors on the list about the problem
at your house.
Protect
America also offers a variety of more robust home security systems
for people who are interested in more than just basic protection.
Protect America also offers a guaranteed locked in rate for monitoring
and three different communication types for monitoring. The monitoring
communication types include:
- Landline -
The security system in the home communicates to the monitoring
facility through the telephone line.
- Broadband
- For people who use cell phones as a primary source of contact.
With this option, a landline telephone is not required.
- Two-way voice
- The command station for the security system acts as an intercom
and connects the home directly to the monitoring facility through
the telephone line.
The expandable
packages that are offered by Protect
America include:
- Copper
- Includes 3 Entry Points
- Bronze
- Includes 7 Entry Points
- Silver
- Includes 10 Entry Points
- Gold
- Includes 15 Entry Points
- Platinum
- Includes 20 Entry Points
Of the home security
protections packages that are offered by Protect
America, the Copper Package is the most affordable. It is available
with no up front costs and a low monthly service fee. The Copper
package is perfect for people who need just the right amount of
security equipment that is required in order to provide a minimum
level of protection to the home. This is a popular package because
it is the most affordable and because most homes in the United States
only have three or fewer outside doors. You can always customize
your security system by adding additional equipment at the time
the order is placed or at anytime in the future when your security
needs change. Monthly monitoring fees start at just $29.95 per month.
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ADT
Home Security from Alarm One
There has never
been a more affordable way to protect your family than with a FREE*
Home Security System Monitored by ADT. You can get complete protection
from a company that you know you can trust. The best part about
this deal is the free* equipment and free* activation. Be sure to
read the 'free' details* below.
Alarm
One, an authorized ADT dealer, now offers a wireless security
system with a price that can fit just about any budget. With this
package, you can protect your home and your loved one's for only
about a dollar a day! Plus, you’ll get:
* Free* Equipment ($850 value)
* Free Activation
*
Only $99 Installation (save $250)
Here is what
is included in the ADT security system
* Wireless system equipment – no wires, no hassle, no mess
* Complete door and window protection, keychain remote, motion sensor,
and ADT yard and window signs
*
FREE parts and labor for your entire contract
* ADT Theft Protection Guarantee
* Certification to save up to 20% off your homeowner’s insurance
ADT has been
completely committed to ensuring home security for more than 130
years. With ADT you can have peace of mind in knowing that they
will be monitoring your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
ADT does more
than just protect against burglars. The ADT Home Security Systems
help protect you against fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, flooding,
medical emergencies, and more. ADT offers a level of dedication
that is unmatched. Their level of dedication has enabled them to
offer certain benefits that simply cannot be found anywhere else.
ADT has a web
of Customer Monitoring Centers that are strategically placed. This
gives ADT Home Security the power to be able to constantly watch
over your home in an uninterrupted fashion.
When you sign
up for ADT home security services you can even save some money on
your home owner's insurance. You will be issued a certificate that
you can pass on to your insurance agent. Since ADT is a well known
and trusted home security company, most insurance organizations
will give you up to 20% off your premiums.
ADT offers a
theft protection guarantee as well as free parts and labor for the
entire life of your contract with them. You'll get complete window
and door protection plus many extras that other companies can't
offer. What more could you ask for?
Schedule a FREE,
No
Obligation Security Consultation with Alarm One, an ADT Authorized
Dealer
*$99.00 Customer
Installation Charge. 36-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $32.99
per month ($1,187.64). Form of payment must be by credit card or
electronic charge to your checking or savings account. Offer applies
to homeowners only. Local permit fees may be required. Satisfactory
credit history required. Certain restrictions may apply. Offer only
valid for new customers. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
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X10
Home Security Products
X10
offers the Protector Plus Voice Dialer Wireless Home Security System.
When the system triggered, it sounds a screaming siren, flashes
lights and automatically phones 4 preset numbers in order to provide
your home & family with maximum protection. This is a system that
can be used as an alternative to costly monthly monitoring. The
main difference between the security system that is offered by X10
and other home security monitoring companies is that the other companies
offer a full-blown monitoring service and charge between $30 and
$40 per month. With X10, there is no monthly monitoring fee to worry
about. Instead, you will have to setup your own monitoring routine.
Setting up
your own Monitoring Solution
Since the X10
home security system does not include monitoring, you would need
to have your own solution. The X10 Protector Plus Voice Dialer allows
you to have 4 phone numbers programmed into the system. The first
number on your list should be your cell phone number and the second
number should be someone that you can trust. Preferably, this would
be someone who is usually home or who usually has their mobile phone
with them. They need to be reliable because you would be counting
on them to notify the police that an alarm has gone off at your
house. The third and fourth numbers can be used as backups.
The Protector
Plus Voice Dialer Wireless Home Security System is not a monitored
solution so there are no monthly monitoring fees. This easy to install
system is only $99.99 and features 16-zone security with Motion,
Door & Window sensors. X10
also offers wireless video surveillance cameras and a wide variety
of other home security products that you can buy online.
Other Services
and Products
X10 also offers
a variety of home security equipment for the DIY (Do-It-Yourself)
enthusiast. Some of these products include door and window sensors,
indoor and outdoor motion detectors, keychain remotes, panic buttons,
hand held remote controls, sirens, lamp modules and more. X10 also
offers a variety of wireless security cameras and accessories. If
you can imagine it, they probably sell it. See our products
and devices section in order to see all the items that are available
for you to buy online from the X10 security store.
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