Monitronics is a relatively new player in the Home Security field, having been in business only since 1994. Based in Dallas, Texas, Monitronics now provides security alarm services to 700,000 customers nationwide. According to the company’s website, Monitronics service and home security systems “…have consistently met or exceeded all UL, National Fire Protection Association, Central Station Alarm Association standards…[providing] reliable, uninterrupted security monitoring service.” Inc. 500 recognized Monitronics as one of “America’s Fastest Growing Companies” between 1997 and 2004, and the company’s home security monitoring stations are certified by the Central Station Alarm Association.
Monitronics’ most serious weakness is one that is shared by most large corporations today, which is a failure to take direct responsibility for delivery of services. Installation, maintenance and billing is outsourced to a network of “Authorized Dealers” - too many of whom have been the target of serious complaints. According to an Philadelphia investigator who identifies himself as “Lauver,” subcontractors in 22 states consistently failed to adhere to contracting laws, nor were the installations properly investigated. On the consumer website RipoffReport.com, there are currently no fewer than 74 reports, many of which complain about the company’s billing practices. One Texas client filed a report on ComplaintsBoard.com stating that the company refused to honor his request that his service be discontinued and kept billing him for their service for several months.
Customers are not the only ones who report problems with Monitronics. According to one of the company’s Authorized Dealers, the corporation failed to keep its promises, provided no technical support and uses an obsolete technology that is incompatible with current digital phones. In addition, if an Authorized Dealer is a day late with payment of a monitoring fee, Monitronics contacts the customer directly and attempts to undersell its own contractors.
Conclusion: if consumer reports are any indication, Monitronics should not be your first choice for home security companies.
If you are a fan of Westerns, the name Brinks will not be unfamiliar to you; this home security company has furnished security services to big business (primarily banks, governments and jewelers) for 160 years. It is a relative newcomer to the home security, and in fact the corporation’s Home Security division was recently spun off and separated from the parent company and is now its own independent publicly traded entity.
Brink’s Home Security Division was formed in 1983 with corporate offices in Irving, Texas and support services based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Currently, the company provides services to 1.3 million homes in North America. Services provided include burglar/intruder alerts, smoke and fire detection and carbon monoxide monitoring; system installation starts at under $50, making it a relative bargain; the company’s top-of-the-line home security system is currently priced at $155.
There are few customer complaints about Brink’s services, and most of these are directed not at the company itself but rather locally based dealers. Unlike many home security companies, Brink’s Home Security uses its own local dealerships, all of whom are employees of - and thus accountable to - the main office in Texas. These dealers have been screened and their personnel trained by Brinks. Most local authorized dealers are conscientious and dedicated to providing the best possible service, but as with any large organization, there are invariably a few “bad apples.” One Brinks employee recommends that prospective customers “research the local dealer to make sure they are behaving with professionalism and excellence.” If there are concerns, customers should contact the Brinks head office and inquire about the authorized dealer before committing to the purchase of a home security system.
According to independent sources, all Brinks monitoring centers are certified by Underwriter’s Laboratories and has been recognized for excellence in customer service by JD Power and Associates for the past five years.
For the past eight years, we as a nation have been told to “be afraid.” Now, while Americans have started to reject this message and have begun to re-claim their national heritage as living in the “Home of the Free and Land of the Brave,” the fact remains that domestic crime is going to remain with us for a long time. Therefore, it behooves us to take certain precautions in order to protect our personal property as well as the physical safety of our families and ourselves.
A home security system not only provides this protection, it can be a money-saver as well, as many home insurers offer a discount for homeowners who install such a system. However, not all home security systems are created equal.
It is not the purpose here to promote one brand of home security system over another. However, there are certain features that you must have in order for such a system to do an adequate job protecting you and your family.
1. A Master Control Panel: This is the heart of your system, and should be easily accessible and user friendly. If it can be armed and disarmed remotely, so much the better.
2. Home Alarm Monitoring: Your home security system does not work alone; typically, a signal is sent to dispatchers whose job it is to monitor the system. Make sure this service is a good one. It’s also a good idea to have buttons, which can be pressed to notify police and fire fighters directly.
3. Window, Door Sensors & Motion Detectors: The best home security systems are proactive; motion detectors should activate lights when a person is moving in the vicinity (this by itself is often enough to discourage would-be burglars).
4. Extra keypad: You need to be able to access and program your system from all locations. A portable long-range keypad, which you can carry with you, is also a good idea.
5. Wireless Capability: This is a tremendous convenience, and allows you to operate the system from your car.
6. Heat Sensors: The first sign of a fire is not smoke, but heat, which collects near the ceilings. A good heat detector will notify you of a fire well in advance - often in time to prevent irreparable damage.
7. Back-up Power: In case of a windstorm or natural catastrophe that results in a power outage, it is vital that your system stay on. Redundant systems will defeat burglars who attempt to cut electrical connections. A system that uses rechargeable batteries is best.
8. Yard and Window Signs: A warning that your home and property are protected is often a great deterrent to burglars all by itself.
9. Wireless Remote Controls: A small remote that you can carry on your key ring is the best, and should include some kind of “panic” button for informing the police or fire department immediately.
10. 2-Way Voice: A synthesized voice can literally “talk” you through your system’s features.
 The DSC Power 832 is an attractively priced home security system that includes a fixed icon LCD keypad as well as the DSC Bravo III digital motion detector and a single wall-mounted siren. There are four different keypads that can be used with the DSC Power 832, and the security system can be expanded from eight to as many as 32 zones. There are up to four high current outputs as well as a fully supervised output dedicated to the siren.
Communications capabilities include support for all formats including SIA and Contact ID as well as LINKS Cellular communication. The unit provides event initiated personal paging for those times that you are away from home; three telephone numbers and two account numbers can be stored. In addition, the DSC Power 832 supports central station two-way voice communication over a home intercom system.
The DSC Power 832 has received some mixed reviews from consumers. While many praise it’s low lost (around $170 MRSP) and its “sleek” appearance that blends in well with modern décor, many users complain about its relatively low level of user-friendliness. According to some homeowners who have purchased this particular model, learning how to program the DSC Power 832 effectively requires a great deal of effort. At least one consumer complained that it took him three days to understand the unit.
Another common complaint was a lack of updated features. According to some who have used earlier versions of this system, the current model is not a substantial improvement over the previous model. While the DSC Power 832 is capable of interfacing with a personal computer, this is accomplished via an outdated serial port. One consumer complained that he “had to look high and low for a computer old enough to support DSC’s outdated system to load their ‘newest’ software.” It is odd that the company failed to provide the unit with a USB port which standard for all modern PCs.
View the DSC Power 832 Owners Manual for additional information.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the number of fires in residential dwellings (one and two-family homes, apartment buildings, hotels and other boarding facilities) in 2007 was 414,000 - an increase of approximately 9.2% from 1998. During the same period, the direct dollar property losses nearly doubled, going from $4.4 billion to over $7.5 billion.
It is worth noting however that the number of fire deaths and injuries over this same nine-year period have generally decreased; overall, these figures have declined by approximately 8.3%. Still, there were 2,895 deaths and 14,000 fire-related injuries during 2007.
The decline in the death and injury rate can be attributed to better fire alarm system monitoring technology, and points up the importance of such technology in your home. Although most of us use reasonable caution, home fires have been known to start from all sorts of causes - including short circuits in the defective wiring of the inferior appliances now manufactured in substandard facilities in China and Mexico. In fact, older televisions can be turned off and unplugged and still cause fires for up to 24 hours because of electrical energy stored in the transducer; in 2006, a number of Chinese-manufactured Dell laptops mysteriously exploded for no apparent reason.
When we are asleep, our senses are asleep as well; therefore, it is possible to burn alive (though asphyxiation usually occurs first - mercifully) without ever being aware of it.
Because heat, which rises and gathers toward the ceiling, is the first warning sign of a fire, a good fire alarm monitoring system should have heat detection sensors as well as smoke detection sensors. Ideally, these are mechanical and not electronic in nature, since a building fire can put the electrical system out of commission in short order. Otherwise, your heat and smoke detection systems, if hard-wired in to the home electrical system, must have battery backup; this battery should be replaced at least once every year.
Of course, heat sensors and smoke detectors are only one element of fire safety. Fire extinguishers should be kept charged and ready in the kitchen, the workshop and anywhere else a fire is likely to occur. It’s also important to be familiar with all routes exiting the building as well as to have an escape plan. Be certain that you and all the members of the family are familiar with how to get out of the house and have a pre-arranged meeting place, should the worst happen.
 The DSC Envoy home security system is a user-friendly wireless security system that also allows for family messaging and hands-free voice communication. The perfect sized burglar alarm for an apartment or small to medium-sized house, the DSC Envoy security system offers quick installation as well as superior protection for you and your family.
DSC Envoy offers you the security of up to 32 wireless and 2 hardwired zones. Sixteen wireless keyfobs are also possible with the flexible home security system. Ease of use is a big part of why this security system is popular; it has 5 one-touch function keys, which can be programmed with up to 16 different options. If you need help, the audio voice on the unit can prompt you through each feature that the system offers. The backlit numeric keypad on the DSC Envoy makes it easy to read, and 3 LED indicators let you know when the security system is ready and armed.
For a family with pets, you can rest assured that your animals will not trigger the system: the DSC Envoysecurity system is equipped with a wireless pet immune motion detector. The system is set to let you know when changes occur; even if you are not at home, you can utilize the personal paging option so that you are paged the minute the system is disarmed or someone enters or exits the home. We supervise your DSC Envoy security system continuously for radio frequency jamming, battery condition, system communication failures, tampering and zone faults, so that you know when there is a problem immediately. Our team will also dispatch rescue, police or fire emergency services to your home any time of the day or night as called for by the situation.
There are other convenient features that come with the DSC Envoy. The security system comes with a family message center, alloying you to access your messages or change your message by using a touch-tone phone if you are away from home, or the console itself if you are at home. The speaker has 3 adjustable volume levels, so you can make changes as needed. Although there is a chime or voice message that will sound when doors and windows are opened and closed, it can be turned on or off with one button. The ease of wireless keys allows you to set or disarm the system with the push of one button: other system functions can be added as you require. The system keeps track of the history of the 38 user access codes for you.
The DSC Envoy home security system provides you with the peace of mind that comes from the continual home alarm monitoring that is put in place with state of the art wireless security system technology.
View the DSC Envoy Owners Manual for additional information.
Although disasters such as home fire and earthquake get far more media attention, the fact is that flooding is far more common and does substantially more damage - with effects that can last for months, if not years. A home security system with a flood sensor can’t stop a flood, but it can alert you when water enters you home. This can help you limit the damage to your home. The sooner you can move valuables to higher ground, and start pumping the water out the less damage you will receive.
People living in low-lying areas such as the Gulf Coast or along the Mississippi River bottoms have discovered this the hard way. However, such flooding is not confined to areas around rivers, lakes and seacoast. Virtually anyone in North America can be a flood victim - and it doesn’t take a great deal of water to cause a substantial amount of damage. According to National Flood Insurance Program, no more than 1 inch of water is all it takes to cause major property damage. Flood waters only two feet deep can carry off an automobile.
Tragically, a great deal of flood danger is caused by irresponsible development by greedy corporations that want to throw up housing developments in the most unlikely places, simply to turn fast profits. Compounding the tragedy is the fact that these homes are usually cheaply built and easily damaged - and then, homeowners find they are not even covered when they attempt to file a claim.
When it comes to flood danger, forewarned is forearmed. Just as your home has fire and intruder alert systems installed, so too should it have a flood alert system. Several reputable companies offer flood warning stations and systems for residential use that monitor factors such as precipitation, water levels for your area, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, temperature and even moisture levels in the soil - all of which can significantly affect the amount of damage your home is liable to suffer.
Most of these systems can be customized for different geographical regions, networked to National Weather Service bureaus such as NOAA over the World Wide Web, and use the latest communication technologies to keep you and your family informed about flood dangers, allowing you to take preventive steps - or if necessary, evacuate ahead of the rush.
When looking into a home security system with flood sensors, be certain that such a system can be combined with resources from local and federal government agencies, allowing you to access up-tyo-the-minute data via satellite and other sources.
Investment in a home security system with flood sensors for your home is as important as having smoke and fire alarms and intruder protection, regardless of where you live in the U.S.
(See GE Concord Express Owners Manual for Full Features List)
Whether you are building your dream home or retrofitting an older home with a home security system, the Concord ExpressTM by General Electric is one of the most affordable and user-friendly home security systems available when it comes to intruder alert as well as fire protection.
GE Concord ExpressTM Features
Concord ExpressTM integrates hardwired and wireless security devices across as many as 24 zones. Six of these zones are hardwired, and the simple installation allows the user to set up one of these as a double-wired smoke detector loop, capable of handling up to ten detectors. In addition, the Concord ExpressTM features an integrated radio receiver that is capable of handling up to 16 wireless zone; this permits easy expansion of your system with GE’s proprietary LearnModeTM sensors as well as the use of remote keychain touchpads. This LearnMode technology is used to encrypt all remote touchpad transmissions, protecting your alarm codes from would-be thieves who may be using nearby cell phones to eavesdrop.
Finally, two programmable built-in output devices can be set up to activate external devices such as lights should a system event occur.
If you need more than 24 zones of security, the GE SnapCardTM allows you to expand your hardwire zones by as many as six, plus two double-wired smoke detection loops. These cards are easily connected to the system circuit board, and can be expanded even further with the SuperBus 2000 8Z input module, making for a total of 38 zones.
GE Concord ExpressTM Remote & Multiuser Access
The Concord ExpressTM allows for up to 16 user-programmable codes so that everyone in the household can have their own level of access privileges. On-site programming is fast and easily accomplished using standard alphanumeric touch keypads that can be used to access a menu-driven interface. Should you need to do remote programming, GE Security’s ToolBox® downloader software can be installed on any PC, enabling the user to enter code safely and securely over the World Wide Web - one of the most recent and most exciting developments in home security system technology.
GE Concord ExpressTM Price is Affordable
With prices starting as low as $120, the Concord ExpressTM by General Electric represents a small investment in peace of mind for you and your family, monitoring your home 24/7 for intruders, fire danger and even environmental damage. Its powerful range of high-tech features give the Concord ExpressTM the most “bang for the buck” of any other home security system in its class.
The Ademco 4110 Vantage Series Home Security System consists of a wall-mounted security control contained in a shoebox-sized, lockable metal cabinet that can readily be mounted against any wall. Powered by a microprocessor, the Ademco 4110 control can be accessed using a console that is equipped with a standard 12-key multifunction numeric keypad with LCD display. The Ademco 4110 security system allows for up to 6 wired zones in the home or place of business.
The Ademco 4110 control interface consists of a 21 terminal connector block, allowing for interface with peripherals that include a plug-in transformer, phone line, remote controls and external alarms. The central control is easily accessed and can be programmed from any remote control console. Because of the special memory storage function, the Ademco 4110 can be reprogrammed over and over again; however, this function also protects any current programming should there be a power failure.
The Ademco 4110 is fully compatible with, and communicates readily with any personal computer over standard phone lines; programming data can be uploaded and downloaded to such a modem-equipped PC as well (not currently compatible with the Macintosh OS). Since only two commands are used - one for uploading and the other for downloading - communications between the Ademco 4110 and the PC are simple, and a complete security instruction set can be transferred in less than a minute.
Each of the six wired zones can be set up for any one of nine different functions, including Entry or Exit Burglary, Fire, 24 Hour Silent or Audible Alarms and Intruder.
There are some limitations to the Ademco 4110. Although programming will not be affected by a power outage, passive intrusion detectors and smoke detectors will not function in the absence of power unless some type of external backup is in place. Because some passive detectors operate with infrared light, they may also fail to provide warning if they have been blocked or tampered with. Alarms that are installed on floors other than those in which people are present may not be heard by those located on different levels. Honeywell, the manufacturer of the Ademco 4110, also advises consumers that telephone lines that are required for the transmission of alarm signals to a central monitor may be blocked if said lines are out of service or have been tampered with. Finally, any of the electronic components may be subject to failure, although Honeywell reports that such components are designed to last up to 20 years; regular system tests of the Ademco 4110 Home Security System are therefore strongly recommended.
View the Ademco 4110 Owners Manual for additional information.
The Simon XT Wireless Security System is a product of General Electric. The Simon XT replaces the older Simon 3 home security system, which has now been discontinued, and features several significant upgrades over its predecessor.
The Simon XT Security System is a full-featured home security solution representing the latest in home security technology, yet is easily installed and is priced significantly less than similar home security systems costing hundreds of dollars more. Wireless alarm capability means that the user will not need to run unsightly wires to detectors and sensors in and around the home.
Simon XT Features
GE’s Simon XT Security System offers numerous improvements over the old Simon 3 system, which include the following:
- Support for 40 Wireless Zones
- Large backlit alpha-numeric LCD display with customizable text
- Simple menu-driven settings for timers, latchkey, and pass code options
- High-decibel siren
- Backup power supply
- User-friendly arm, disarm, and status buttons
- Emergency fast-action keys
- Microphone for emergency two-way communication
- Speaker for voice audio status messages, prompts and live communication
- Fully programmable and configurable “voice chimes”
- One-touch silence and sensor bypass buttons
- 100-event buffer with time and date stamp
(See Simon XT Manual for Full Features List)
All functions can be controlled by a small key-fob remote mechanism.
Simon XT Connectivity
One of the most advanced features of the Simon XT Security System is an integrated voice dialer that is capable of connecting to the user’s home telephone connection and calling in alerts to any telephone number in the world. This feature, which is usually an expensive option, is standard on the XT. These connectivity and communication features go far beyond standard telephone lines, however. The Simon XT Security System is one of the first such systems to have online Internet capability. This means that users can receive notifications not only by phone, but via e-mail. A sophisticated camera system also allows users to monitor events at home from any computer monitor connected to the World Wide Web. Of course, all control functions can be accessed online as well; this capability makes the Simon XT exceptionally useful for those who which to monitor conditions at any second homes or rental properties they may own.
Simon XT Complete Package
The Simon XT Security System comes with everything you need in order to be up and running within minutes. In addition to the control panel, the system comes with its own power supply, telephone jack and flat cord and a rechargeable 24-hour backup battery in case of power failure.
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