Considering having a home security system installed (ADT type) and wanted to get some feedback (good and bad) from anyone who has one of these type systems. I searched the forums, but the posts are several years old so I thought I'd start a new thread. Recommendations for and against specific companies, the upfront cost to install, and the monthly cost, etc. is what I'm looking for. TIA!
Home Security Systems
- Thread starter lmwelch
- Start date
Softballkid
No Longer the Kid
I currently have Vector. They are good, fair priced. Decent reaction times to when the alarm goes off (luckily, it has only went off on our own faults.. opening doors, accidently panic buttons, etc). We also added in the fire detector. Which we have set up as well, and they call you before they send FF/EMS 
Now, it is also tapped in to the automatic police call, EMS call, FF call, and 911, and we also have a fools code. (turns off alarm as if everything is normal, but lets 911 there is an emergency)
My parents have Front Point... I am going to switch to them next year when our contract runs up with Vector. Front Point is a satellite driven system. Vector is tapped into the phone lines... so, if we lose power, and phone, I have no system... If we lose phone, I have no system, even if I run a generator to keep it powered, no phone line, it's pointless... With the Front Point, I can just keep the main board powered and it's like a cell phone, I'm good to go..
Now don't get me wrong, I haven't had any issues with Vector. It is also a wireless system, except for the phone line tap. Which is the main reason, and basically only reason I am going to switch next year.
Vector:
Home
FrontPoint:
Wireless Home Security Systems | FrontPointSecurity
Now, it is also tapped in to the automatic police call, EMS call, FF call, and 911, and we also have a fools code. (turns off alarm as if everything is normal, but lets 911 there is an emergency)My parents have Front Point... I am going to switch to them next year when our contract runs up with Vector. Front Point is a satellite driven system. Vector is tapped into the phone lines... so, if we lose power, and phone, I have no system... If we lose phone, I have no system, even if I run a generator to keep it powered, no phone line, it's pointless... With the Front Point, I can just keep the main board powered and it's like a cell phone, I'm good to go..
Now don't get me wrong, I haven't had any issues with Vector. It is also a wireless system, except for the phone line tap. Which is the main reason, and basically only reason I am going to switch next year.
Vector:
Home
FrontPoint:
Wireless Home Security Systems | FrontPointSecurity
I have FrontPoint and like it very much. You can monitor and control your system via internet, smartphone or iPad. It's cellular based and wireless. Set up cost depends on how many sensors you need, and monthly is around $40.
I haven't had an emergency, but I've set it off accidentally a couple times and it's performed as it should. The FP people give very good customer service so far.
I haven't had an emergency, but I've set it off accidentally a couple times and it's performed as it should. The FP people give very good customer service so far.
itsbob
I bowl overhand
Check the reviews online.
Very telling.
Did you know Life Alert (I've fallen and I can't get up) is just another sales ploy for a home.alarm system? They are more expensive but they're feeding on the "taking care of mom" and charging 30% more than everyone else.
Vector is a new name for a company that had a lot of complaints and lawsuits...
But basically what is most important is the servixe the company uses when your alarm goes off. Almost all of the Alarm companies use the same GE hardware.
Very telling.
Did you know Life Alert (I've fallen and I can't get up) is just another sales ploy for a home.alarm system? They are more expensive but they're feeding on the "taking care of mom" and charging 30% more than everyone else.
Vector is a new name for a company that had a lot of complaints and lawsuits...
But basically what is most important is the servixe the company uses when your alarm goes off. Almost all of the Alarm companies use the same GE hardware.
GWguy
*
I have my own video security system. Monitors movement, auto-records 30 seconds on either side of the movement, sends email/text alerts with still pictures, accessible remotely with a browser or smartphone.
The only thing I don't like is that it will trigger on every single stinking bug that flies in front of the lens. In the summer at night, it's constantly recording. In the cooler weather, the heat from the camera's infrared lights attracts other bugs which walk across the lens.
Next time I get cameras with no lights in them. I would consider having a service/alarm company monitoring a better thing to do, as they can weed out the false alarms.
The only thing I don't like is that it will trigger on every single stinking bug that flies in front of the lens. In the summer at night, it's constantly recording. In the cooler weather, the heat from the camera's infrared lights attracts other bugs which walk across the lens.
Next time I get cameras with no lights in them. I would consider having a service/alarm company monitoring a better thing to do, as they can weed out the false alarms.
ginwoman
Well-Known Member
We just had ADT installed at my mothers house. It took forever to get a sales rep that carried thru. They had people coming and going (as in quitting the company). The different salesmen would give different estimates. It was an unpleasant fiasco. BUT we think we're good now. System is installed and we are trying to get used to it.
joedancer
bookman
Front Point is the best. Full cellular service, so cutting your phone line won't disable the system. Controls from cell phone or computer. Helpful folks. Self installation. Also, one of the few companies that uses "pending alarms" which means if someone gets in and smashes the control panel, the alarm will still go out, so you are covered.
ginwoman
Well-Known Member
Was she breaking glass or something in the tub?
itsbob
I bowl overhand
I think the term is "cutting cheese" not "breaking glass".
kwillia
n/a
OMG! You don't forget anything!
OMG! You don't forget anything!
It all depends on the amount of BudLights consumed.
saycheese321
New Member
Vivent! 
itsbob
I bowl overhand
Vivent!
I thought Vivent and vector were the same company. Door to door salesman the high pressure sales....
Good to know this, as I was not aware of it! This product was recommended to my mother recently, in case she becomes incapacitated while alone. Of course, she is considering it out of fear. We're a ways off from her needing anything like that, so I haven't researched it at all.
itsbob
I bowl overhand
From what I saw online is all the alarm systems offer the same "necklace" or personal alarm. No reason to pay lifealert prices, AND you get a complete alarm system.
itsbob
I bowl overhand
Vivent!
I thought Vivent and vector were the same company. Door to door salesman the high pressure sales....
Softballkid
No Longer the Kid
I believe Vector bought out Slomins/slomiens? I believe that is what is was called. Vector is actually more geared toward big businesses (Home Depot, Lowes, Target type places). Slomins was more the home security, but Vector bought them out.
We haven't had a single problem yet, guess it is just like everything, resturants, vehicles, etc... Some work out good, and some don't.
itsbob
I bowl overhand
You're right, vivent is a renamed company after the original company piled up complaints and lawsuits.I believe Vector bought out Slomins/slomiens? I believe that is what is was called. Vector is actually more geared toward big businesses (Home Depot, Lowes, Target type places). Slomins was more the home security, but Vector bought them out.
We haven't had a single problem yet, guess it is just like everything, resturants, vehicles, etc... Some work out good, and some don't.
