I'm interested in hearing any opinions and experiences with specific models of home security systems, particularly camera based units. I definitely want to be able to monitor it over the web and, ideally, over my iPhone. I think I'd be fine with simply having something with a few sensors (like knowing if someone comes down the driveway) and 2 to 5 fixed cameras.

On a related note, I have a complete ADT system in the house with motion sensors and the whole deal that is currently not monitored. I have to believe there is a way to "tap" into the system at the main box/brain without using ADT. I'm not set on necessarily doing this but it just seems that if there is a way to take advantage of all of the existing wiring and sensors that I might as well use that to my advantage.

Thanks,
AP

Tye is an awesome watch dog. He will watch anyone carry off anything. He never gets tired of watching.

Actually, our future German Shepard probably isn't too far off. Until then, I think I'm still going to go for some sort of web-based solution. Surely, someone around here has pulled this off?

Wish I had a system, but if I bought one I would look at what Costco offers.
They seem to do a good job evaluating their products and have a good return policy if needed.
http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx...&lang=en-US

Awesome, DD. This seems to be really close to what I want:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11675510&search=security+cameras&Mo=22&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=security+cameras&Ntt=security+cameras&No=13&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

P.S. I love your custom title.

Yeah, thanks to that Ryley character......all my secrets are out.

Sounds like mine. :>(

AP, I used to deal with these units and am familiar with some.

First off some of these units will only dial pr-programmed numbers to ADT call centers and they require a specific programming unit to change even that. what you may be able to do is have a separate unit attached to dial your cell when the unit is tripped, these can be had from Radio Shack, but I would look for something better online.

Prepare for the unit to go off when looking into the main unit as there is a switch inside there that will trip when you open it up.

Be aware that no one knows that your unit is not monitored and if it goes off that is your best defense, especially if you have a siren inside.

I used to have people ask me if they could just buy the signs, I told them that that they would cost $1500 and the systems were free when they
bought the signs.

If you have any questions PM me.


Fishy

AP,

My wife was looking at the Costco offering, but we haven't acted on it. Similar to you, we have Custom installed in the house, but I decided not to use their monitoring (auto dialer to their monitoring base) when I learned that our County Sheriff's Dept. doesn't respond to residential alarms. (Amazing! WTF?) What I want is for the alarm dialer to call me or my wife's cell phone so we can call the Sheriff directly. That way they will come when I tell them that if I get there before the deputy they will need to bring body bags.

Fishy,

Good info. I wondered if the security company would change the dialer to call me instead of them. I'm not sure what the point of them calling the Sheriff is. They say the Sheriff will respond, but the Sheriff's office says they won't unless I call them personally to say that it isn't a false alarm. False alarms are apparently the reason they don't respond. But if I tell them there are gonna' be bodies, they will come out for that. Weird?

Sg

Chuck, from what I've read so far, those Q-See products generally get less favorable reviews than most other systems.

Salmo g, I'm not sure that ADT would do that for you but it might be worth a try. You would still be on the ADT money [Bleeeeep!] though which I'm hoping to avoid. As Fishy said, it does appear there are third party products that can tap into brain of many of the ADT systems. The problem is that, should things not go well, you don't really have much support available. Also, I believe the sherriff thing might vary be region. I know at one point a while back, at least around here, they would show up once but if they ever showed up to a false alarm a second time, they'd stick you with a bill. I work so close to my house that I'd have time to go home, kill the robber, and drink a beer before the cops even showed up.

My biggest problem I've seen so far is the cable lengths. Ideally, I'd like to have some cameras in and around out buildings. I've seen a few wireless options but anything wireless throws a whole lot of potential problems in the mix.

SG and AP, the cops stopped showing to these alarms because of all the false alarms and would charge the home owner after a certain number.( makes for some angry alarm owners when they get lots of false alarms).

I can unequivocally say that a good thief will be long gone BEFORE a sheriff responds to any home alarm unless he's your next door neighbor fishing/drinking/poker buddy.

Industry standard was about 11-15 minutes and that was in town. Don't know now a days, probably gone up.

Your best shot at getting the company to re-program to your cell number is to find an installer that needs a few extra bucks. The company will not do this as most of their profits are in the monitoring, thats where ours were.You may be able to google your model number and look online for a programmer, all they are is an eprom unit that plugs into the main board. But be sure that they will except any number programmed into it.

Fishy

Fishy,

I may look into that re-programming. I'd have no problem paying Custom $25-30 a month if their monitoring produced any results. Our County deputy response time is 30-60 minutes, unless "shots are fired." If I report an active burglary in progress, they will come, but like you say, any prowler worth his take is long gone before the constable arrives. If I'm in my office, I'm 20 minutes away, but if I had camera security as well, I might be able to cut the @#$%&* off at the intersection on his way out with a vehicle photo, license plate, etc. Of course then there are complications about shooting bad guys who are off the property and not deemed a direct threat . . .

Sg

I've been thinking of putting a flashing yellow light on the roof that is triggered by a number of different switches.

SG, You may not want to say that your going to shoot somebody too many times on here as if that happens it could come back and haunt you...

Be very wary of anyone telling you that their response time is less than what I quoted (that was over 20 years ago now) because they will tell you what you want to hear. Our business model was to sell monitoring,monitoring and more monitoring, the residuals were key.

Some companies are monitored in Pakistan or India, which isn't much worse than Topeka Kansas or Marathon Florida.

If you have them on camera seems like prosecution would be a no brain-er, course we do live in Warshington!

Sorry in advance for any of you born and breds.

Fishy

Nah, just shoot 'im once.....good.







If you feel your life is threatened and you can't safely disengage.

Lots of ADT signs and stickers on ebay.

Do you happen to live at north Lake Samish?

Are you really asking him to say where he lives?

Think this wold be more appropriate for a PM especially since he stated the system was NOT monitored!

Fishy