Looking for ideas on a new alarm systems - currently have GE Simon XT

[Mike]

When I first moved into my house I did not have any cameras so decided to get an alarm system from ADT. My contract is up next month and it's time to move away from ADT, they are just too expensive. I am looking to go with Alarm Relay and have been communicating with them but would like to hear some suggestions from the people here

Currently I have a GE Simon XT with multiple door and motion sensors. The system belongs to me so even after I drop ADT I will still own it. I would like to be able to remotely arm / disarm the alarm (from my smart phone) and if possible get a notification on my phone (even before Alarm Relay calls) telling me if the alarm was triggered. It is going to be near impossible to be accomplish this with the Simon XT so I will have to change that out. I'm wondering if it makes sense to stay in the GE family and use my current motion sensors and door sensors with the newer system that allows remote access.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as a system that I could re-use my motion and door sensors? Does this even make sense to do? What about new system completely and scrapping the entire GE system all together? I would like to keep my monthly charge < $10 (Alarm Relay is $8.95) and don't have a large budget for this project, but it's definitely a DIY project that I need to get done within a month.

Looking for suggestions! Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Kyle]

When I first moved into my house I did not have any cameras so decided to get an alarm system from ADT. My contract is up next month and it's time to move away from ADT, they are just too expensive. I am looking to go with Alarm Relay and have been communicating with them but would like to hear some suggestions from the people here

Currently I have a GE Simon XT with multiple door and motion sensors. The system belongs to me so even after I drop ADT I will still own it. I would like to be able to remotely arm / disarm the alarm (from my smart phone) and if possible get a notification on my phone (even before Alarm Relay calls) telling me if the alarm was triggered. It is going to be near impossible to be accomplish this with the Simon XT so I will have to change that out. I'm wondering if it makes sense to stay in the GE family and use my current motion sensors and door sensors with the newer system that allows remote access.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as a system that I could re-use my motion and door sensors? Does this even make sense to do? What about new system completely and scrapping the entire GE system all together? I would like to keep my monthly charge < $10 (Alarm Relay is $8.95) and don't have a large budget for this project, but it's definitely a DIY project that I need to get done within a month.

Looking for suggestions! Thanks in advance for the help.

Hey Mike,
When I bought my house there was no alarm at all, so I had to start from scratch. After doing a lot of research I opted for a DSC Wired/Wireless system. I currently have 3 keypads 22 window/door contacts and 3 motion detectors. I can tell you that programming the system is not easy if you've never done it before, especially from the keypad. DSC offers a program called "DLS 5" which makes programming a lot easier from the computer.

I also have a EnvisaLink 2 which connects to my alarm panel just like a keypad would. If my alarm goes off I get a text message from that company telling me which contact was tripped. They also offer a monitoring service for $8.99 a month but I do not use it.

 

[bombo]

Wow I never knew about the EnvisaLink.
Have been looking for a way to receive a text alert from home alarm.
Thank You!

 

[Mike]

Hey Mike,
When I bought my house there was no alarm at all, so I had to start from scratch. After doing a lot of research I opted for a DSC Wired/Wireless system. I currently have 3 keypads 22 window/door contacts and 3 motion detectors. I can tell you that programming the system is not easy if you've never done it before, especially from the keypad. DSC offers a program called "DLS 5" which makes programming a lot easier from the computer.

I also have a EnvisaLink 2 which connects to my alarm panel just like a keypad would. If my alarm goes off I get a text message from that company telling me which contact was tripped. They also offer a monitoring service for $8.99 a month but I do not use it.

Thanks for the great info, will look into this!

 

[Kyle]

Thanks for the great info, will look into this!

No problem man. If you decide to go with DSC, I can give you links to what I bought more info on how I have it all integrated.

 

[Mike]

No problem man. If you decide to go with DSC, I can give you links to what I bought more info on how I have it all integrated.

Thanks a lot. I spent several hours looking at their systems, seems like they are the way to go. Which unit did you go with? Thanks again!

 

[Kyle]

Thanks a lot. I spent several hours looking at their systems, seems like they are the way to go. Which unit did you go with? Thanks again!

Here is what I went with to start me off.

The "brains":
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-548-kit32-219-dsc-power-1832-wireless-ready-security-kit.aspx

Another Keypad (This keypad will allow you to label each zone so when its tripped you wont see "zone 1,2,3" you'll see the name of the zone. Same with the keypad included in the brains):
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-1540-pk5500eng-dsc-custom-alpha-keypad-with-english-function-keys.aspx

Here is the Envisalink 3:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-2164-evl-3-envisalink-internet-alert-module-for-dsc-honeywell-security.aspx

I also bought a number of these contacts: (Little more money but I like how slim they are)
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-431-ev-dw4975-vanishing-wireless-door-window-sensor.aspx

This is for programming the panel via your computer:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-715-pclink-scw-dsc-computer-interface.aspx

And if you want to spend a little more money check out this new keypad:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-2140-ptk5507w-dsc-powerseries-7-full-color-touch-screen-keypad.aspx

Hope this gives you some idea's. Also keep in mind if you add anymore keypads to the system, do not buy another "RFK5500ENG" seeing it has the wireless transmitter in it and you can only have one on the system.

-Kyle

 

[Mike]

Here is what I went with to start me off.

The "brains":
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-548-kit32-219-dsc-power-1832-wireless-ready-security-kit.aspx

Another Keypad (This keypad will allow you to label each zone so when its tripped you wont see "zone 1,2,3" you'll see the name of the zone. Same with the keypad included in the brains):
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-1540-pk5500eng-dsc-custom-alpha-keypad-with-english-function-keys.aspx

Here is the Envisalink 3:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-2164-evl-3-envisalink-internet-alert-module-for-dsc-honeywell-security.aspx

I also bought a number of these contacts: (Little more money but I like how slim they are)
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-431-ev-dw4975-vanishing-wireless-door-window-sensor.aspx

This is for programming the panel via your computer:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-715-pclink-scw-dsc-computer-interface.aspx

And if you want to spend a little more money check out this new keypad:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-2140-ptk5507w-dsc-powerseries-7-full-color-touch-screen-keypad.aspx

Hope this gives you some idea's. Also keep in mind if you add anymore keypads to the system, do not buy another "RFK5500ENG" seeing it has the wireless transmitter in it and you can only have one on the system.

-Kyle

Kyle,

Thanks a lot for the very informative post, all of this looks great! I will let you know how it turns out

Mike