Security Alarm Systems

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Are you thinking of installing a home or office CCTV security system? Don’t rush it. Take the time to shop for the latest gadgets and choose a system that’ll work well for you. This is an investment worth your money, time, and effort.

CCTV Cameras and Lenses

For your home and business security, you cannot afford to scrimp on your CCTV cameras. If you are after performance, shell out extra cash to get a better performing system.

Brand name cameras are a bit pricey, depending on the features: higher resolution, larger formats, and better sensitivity. If you want those decent cameras that can be cleverly hidden, you’ll be spending $150-$250.

A Pan-tilt camera (PTZ) that has angling flexibility and wider coverage fetches a hefty $1,500 to $5,000. This comes with a controller so you must have a worker to operate the camera.

After the CCTV cameras, you’ll need lenses because you’d be buying cameras without these. Lenses with fixed focal lengths are cheaper.

You will require camera housing to protect it from the elements and possible vandalism. Perhaps the dome tinted cover is best for your indoor camera if don’t want the subjects detecting camera direction.

Your CCTV Monitors

After you have decided on the CCTV cameras, choose the appropriate monitors. The monitor should be able to go on for 24 hours daily. You may have a TV but perhaps this is not built for a non-stop daily grind.

Choose a flat panel LCD because these generate less heat, take up less space, and are known for their exceptional resolution. Be sure that the monitor complement your CCTV system. Buy color monitors if you want colored security cameras.

Don’t go overboard with more than a 15-inch monitor if your purpose is to merge multiple images from different cameras into one monitor. For a smaller system, a 9-inch monitor will do as long as the operator keeps a close watch.

Before Your Purchase

Before you rush to the store, take a look at the area where you want constant surveillance. If you have a grocery store, you might want all aisles monitored. You want to see what customers are picking up and plopping into the cart.

Do you want to see who is getting in and going out of your store, or who is getting off the car at the entrance? Do you want to see crowds, merchandise, and faces? Do you want good face shots? At home, do you want to know who is at the door? Do you want to watch the baby in the crib, or your teens in their band practice in the basement? The answers to these questions can help you pick the right CCTV cameras.

Having decided on what you want will make it easier for you to choose your CCTV component and system. Also consider if you need an operator to control the system or not. Quality will come next in your shopping agenda – detailed images and speed of frame rate.

Knowing your security needs will delight the supplier and eliminate post purchase problems. The supplier will make sure that you get what suits your needs for home or business security.

How would you like to KEEP more of the MONEY Uncle Sam SWIPES from You Every Single Payday? NOW YOU CAN! Home-business tax deductions have helped many people cut their taxes by up to 30-50% or more. If You run a Home-Based Business YOU can SLASH your TAXES by $300 to $600 per MONTH, STARTING THIS PAYDAY!

If you DON”T have a Home-Based Business, You’re Paying waaaaaay TOO MUCH TAXES!

Congress has approved major tax breaks specifically for those who have a home-based business, because home-businesses are good for the economy, and they provide a “safety net” if a taxpayer were to lose his/her primary source of income.

That’s Right! These are NOT “loopholes,” “tax dodges,” or “tax avoidance schemes.” They’re honest, ethical, legal tax breaks:

* Authorized by Congress,
* Published in the IRS Code, and
* Approved by the Federal Tax Court.

Your Home-Based Business can add $3,000 to $6,000 to your Tax REFUND YEAR after YEAR after YEAR!!!

That’s MORE THAN ENOUGH to PAY for ALL of the costs of running a home business! So the MONEY you EARN in your BUSINESS itself, will be 100% PROFIT!

Qualifying is EASY!

* Work your business 3 to 4 hours a week,
* Prove You’re Trying to Make a Profit,
* Keep Good business Records.

“THAT’S IT,” Congress said.
Oh! It Gets Even BETTER!

When Congress approved these tax breaks, they told the IRS: “Don’t make them wait for April 15th to get their refunds.”

As soon as you add up all of your tax savings, you can visit your employer’s payroll office to fill out a short form that will begin to put up to $300-$600 or more per month in your take home pay– beginning with your very next paycheck!!!
YES, THAT MEANS YOU GET PART OF YOUR ADDITIONAL TAX REFUND IN EVERY PAYCHECK, ALL YEAR LONG!

Could YOU use an EXTRA $100 POCKET CASH every week, week after week after week? That’s just from tax savings, not even counting the money you’ll make in your home-business!

CAN YOU AFFORD TO WAIT?
The COST of NOT having a Home-Based Business is HUGE!!!

* Every day you procrastinate…
* Every day you delay starting a home-business…
* Every day you don’t know about these big tax breaks…

You are OVERPAYING YOUR TAXES by $20.00 per DAY!!!

HOW MUCH ARE TAXES KILLING YOU?
Your Taxes Cost You MORE THAN YOUR

* Mortgage/Rent
* Car payments
* Health Care Costs
* Meals & Groceries
COMBINED!!!

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

* Run an active part-time HOME-BASED BUSINESS.
* Learn about these HUGE NEW TAX BREAKS.
* Collect Your $3,000-$6,000 in NEW TAX REFUNDS.

Having a home office can allow you to convert thousands of dollars worth of no-deductible personal expenses, into tax-deductible business expenses. They include mortgage or rent (Yes! Rent can be deductible!), heating, air conditioning, electricity, natural gas, oil, water, sewer, trash collection, recycling fees, HOA dues, house cleaning, exterior painting, security alarms, major repairs and much more!
Qualifying is easy if the primary administration of your home-based business takes place in your home, and if the Home Office area is used regularly and exclusively for business.

Hire Your Own Kids in your Business and They’ll Earn TAX-FREE Income.

If you have a child (or children) at least 7 years of age and under 18, and employ him/her/them in your home-based business, (a) they are not subject to child labor laws, (b) no payroll withholding is required, (c) the cost is 100% deductible to you as a business expense, and (d) the income is 100% tax-free to the child! That’s as good as it gets, Folks!

In one of my previous articles, I discussed the fact that one of my coworkers had his house broken into several times within a 24hour period. I also mentioned that this same coworker had a monitored alarm system. I believe I am not exaggerating when I say that his alarm went off five times. Each time it went off, the police came. Finally the police told him that if the alarm went off again, he would have to pay for them coming out. What am I saying? I’m saying that there are pros and cons to having your home security system monitored by a security company. And the cons just might outweigh the pros!

I have heard three different people tell me that when the monitored home security system went off in their homes and they were away from the house that they were notified on their cell phones by the alarm company. In each situation, as soon as they heard the news, they left what they were doing and went home. In each situation the home owners took some time to get home (I believe one individual took 20 minutes to get home, and of course he was closely following all the traffic laws ). The other individual, who lived on a farm raised llamas.  Yeah! Llamas! He took 35 minutes to get home. I forgot how long it took the other one. Oh well. Guess what? They all beat the police to their homes. What if the intruders were still there? Now before you get all frustrated at another person bashing the police, just realize that that’s not what I’m doing. I have the utmost respect for our boys in blue, who have a thankless job, and do it to the best of their abilities. My complaint is with the “system”. In the situation I mentioned earlier, the homeowner determined that although very little if any, was taken, the intruders did come into his house. If it happened four or five times in a 24hour period, I’d venture a guess that it was the same individual(s), and they were timing the response of the police. Why would they do that? Because they wanted the big flat screen television he had just purchased and wanted to know they had enough time to get it even with an alarm going off (Keep in mind that most burglars go after small items they can carry easily).  

I was supposed to be getting to the pros and the cons of the monitored home security system. We’ll go with the pros first:
1.    For the regular, run-of-the-mill burglar, it will keep them away. Especially when you have a sign in your yard.
2.    If your home when the alarm goes off, the company can call you and make sure you’re not in any duress by a simple pre designated code.
3.    You can push a “panic alarm” and the police will automatically respond at the behest of the alarm company (although it might take more than 20 minutes for them to get there…Oh, I forgot. We’re still on the “pros”).
4.    Most are backed up by battery, so if the power goes out you still have a warning device.
5.    Of course, like in our aforementioned situations, if the alarm goes off and you’re not at home, the company will call the appropriate authorities for you.
6.    When the alarm goes off, the burglar usually runs off. Usually.

I know there are many more, and if you’d like to, you can let me know what they are! Before I get to the cons, Let me just say that having a security system is a means to an end. The “end” being, you want to deter a would-be burglar from stopping at your door. No system is perfect, but we’ll get to that. The companies that service your system are there for security reasons and to make a profit. Most are good companies that are really concerned about your safety and that of your household. Having said that, there are certain things you can do to minimize the likelihood of a break in. That is, you can make your house less appealing. We’ll cover those methods in a subsequent article. For now we’ll just cover the cons:
1.    It’s predictable. After a while a pattern is set, and can be undermined by the intelligent thief (so can any other, if the thief is patient).
2.    After a few false alarms, local law enforcement may think the system is crying wolf and may take longer to respond, or may begin to charge you for each visit!
3.    Don’t forget how much it costs to have the system installed and monitored monthly.
4.    For this to work you have to give someone working for the company, the password for the alarm and the duress code. There may even be dishonest people working for the alarm company (this is unlikely, I’m just sayin’).
5.    When the alarm goes off, the burglar usually runs off. Usually (How can this be a pro and a con? You want the burglars to get caught by the police).
6.    You could forget to set the alarm, thus rendering it ineffective (I’ve got to have one more so that the cons can outweigh the pros).
7.    It must be monitored. If the system goes off and you’re out of town, unless you’ve designated a neighbor (whom you trust implicitly) to deactivate it, it’ll blare until you get home (Whew! That was close. I had to pull that one out of a hat).

All joking aside, home security is a serious matter. You can chose to depend on the companies that furnish the service, which is perfectly fine, or you can be responsible for providing your own, if you’re resourceful. You can do this for pennies on the dollar compared to hiring a company to monitor your alarms for you. You could even provide earlier warning when your DIY system is linked to your cell phone.

If you are reading this article, you are probably thinking about installing a Security System in your apartment.  Much like traditional homes, you should first evaluate your apartment’s vulnerabilities.   Is the building always locked to visitors?  Are there entry and exit doors in more than one part of the building?  Are the entrance/exit doors clearly visible to other tenants in the complex?  Are the doors to your apartment solid wood doors or hollow construction doors?  Are your windows accessible to entry from the outside?  Are you on the first floor and are is there landscaping obstructing your windows from the view of your neighbors? Do your neighbors know you and do they know your work schedule?

These are the types of questions you should be asking when deciding how to best protect yourself from crimes at or in your apartment.  Although some of your areas of vulnerability need to be handled by your landlord, (such as unlocked entry doors), a Security System will provide you with a layer of protection designed to protect you once an intruder has gained entry or attempts to gain entry into your building and then your apartment unit.

In the best case scenario, your Security System should include protection for every door and window that can be entered by an intruder.  This can easily be accomplished with the installation of a “contact” on each door and each window that can be used as an entry point into your unit.  These contacts are simple and small sensors that send a signal to the control panel once the door or window is opened.

All systems allow you the option to program your system to trigger “instantly” or allow a variable “delay” in order to give you sufficient time within which to reach the panel to “disarm” it.  Once the control panel receives the entry signal, it constantly triggers your sirens or strobe lights and if you have central monitoring, (which is strongly recommended), the system will simultaneously send a signal to the monitoring station to contact the emergency number(s) you have selected for notification such as the local Police Department 

If you choose not to equip each door and window with a contact, or if you want extra protection, you can use “motion detectors” to protect your property.  These are also small sensors that trigger a signal to the control panel when an intruder starts moving through a room where the sensor is located.  The primary advantage of a door or window contact is the fact that they trigger the alarm the instant the intruder breaches the entry point whereas a motion detector is only triggered “after” the intruder has entered into the protected room.

Although there are additional types of sensors that can be used, most apartments are suitably armed with the sensors described above.

Apartment dwellers concerned about lease terms prohibiting alterations or damage to the apartment.  In most cases these prohibitions will not prevent the installation of a “wireless” system because wireless systems do not require running wires to the various detectors.  The only wire a wireless system needs is a single wire from the control panel to a power source such as a standard wall plug. 

This single power wire can either be left exposed like a wire running to a lamp or it can be “fished” through a small hole large enough to drop a 1/4 inch wire into the wall and a second hole the same size through which the wire exits the wall to be plugged into the power outlet.  These holes are far too small to be considered “damage” under a lease and are easily patched with spackle when you vacate the apartment.  Most landlords will not object to these small holes much the same as the holes left after removing pictures and other hanging decorations.

If you are one of those people who are overwhelmed by the thought of programming a control panel, don’t fret, wireless systems are easily programmed with the “talking” keypads built into the control panel.  These keypads also provide step by step programming instructions and there are also video programming instructions offered on some of the websites selling alarm systems.   If you are concerned about installing the various sensors, again don’t fret.  These sensors are simply attached to your doors, windows or walls by the use of two small screws or double sided tape which are included in your security system.

One of the additional advantages of a wireless system is that it is portable and can be taken with you when you move into your next apartment or house.

For more information on what type of system to use, you should do your home work by counting the entry points you wish to protect and contact an online home security store and speak to their design technicians who are usually very helpful.  Don’t be afraid to purchase and install a security system on your own.  It will save you hundreds of dollars compared to the money you will have to spend by hiring a major alarm company to install a security system for you.  These companies “always” require a long term central monitoring contract at exorbitant rates, (usually $35.00 to $40.00 per month), whereas these same monitoring services can be purchased for as little as $8.95 per month without a long term contract.

Installing a security system in your apartment will give you the peace of mind you desire, knowing that your family and property are properly protected.  You can purchase a complete Honeywell/Ademco “kit” for less than $200.00. and these systems are generally considered the best on the market, easy to install and easy to program. 

I’m thinking of buying Logitech WiLife digital video security system.

I just need four cameras. Two indoors and two outdoors.

Needs to be simple to install and “wireless” as possible, as I’m no electronic genius.

I want an opinion from a policeman.

Don’t say just get a gun, as I’m more likely to shoot myself or my family with a gun!

People can often be put off from buying security camera systems because of concerns about the complexities of security camera system installation. Even though installing security camera systems can have its hassles, you can avoid most of them by the adequate planning described in this installation checklist.

Before you buy your Security Camera

Ensure you are buying the right security system for your property. If you are unsure then a paid professional can do a survey and advise you of the best suited equipment and solve any potential problems you may have.

Check your Power Source

One of the most common problems with security cameras is the lack of an appropriate power source. This problem is especially common in an outdoor security camera installation. It’s no very encouraging to walk outside to install your CCTV to then realize you can’t plug it in.

Know where your outlets are before you buy. If you know potential power problems up front, you can get good advice from sales representatives or even CCTV installers before you buy. Their expert suggestions may take you in an entirely different direction than you might have gone without it.

If access to a power source is a challenge to your CCTV installation, you have several options. You can have power outlets installed near where you plan to install your cameras. Alternately, you can run hidden wiring into an outlet inside your garage. Or you can opt for a camera that draws power from a plug-in battery pack.

Security Lighting

With any outdoor security camera system installation lighting is another important consideration. If you want to monitor an area at night, you must ensure the area has enough lighting for the camera to display images clearly. You can either do this by installing some outdoor floodlights, or you can choose a camera with low light ratings (known as lux), or even a camera with infrared capability.

Weather and Climate factors

A sturdy weather proof protective casing is an essential option for any outside security camera system installation.

Depending on the climate in your location, you may need to consider the temperature ranges your system will need to endure. Not many CCTV cameras can work in extreme temperatures in hot climates, or very low temperatures in cold climates. Make sure the system you choose to install will work all year round in your climate.

Cables or Wireless?

The final factor to preplan in any security camera installation is cables. Running cables from your camera to your control point can be the most time-consuming task for CCTV installers.

With the ever improving reliability of wireless camera systems, wiring may not be required. However, if you are planning to install wireless CCTV cameras, you still need to plan your installation beforehand.

The signal range of wireless cameras is normally adequate for most installations. Ranges do vary though and can be reduced by walls and obstacles between the receiver and the camera. Don’t be put off by the presence of walls or objects, just bear in mind the more objects there are, the shorter the distance can be between the receiver and the camera. You therefore need to plan beforehand what distances and what obstacles are in the path of the signal. If you are worried, go for wireless security systems with stronger signal strengths.

Ultimately, installing security cameras is well within the ability of a competent do-it-yourselfer. Complications arise mainly when a buyer brings home a system that doesn’t fit their situation and then struggles to make it fit. If you determine your needs ahead of time and get competent advice, your CCTV installation should be manageable, whether you do it yourself, or use professional CCTV installers.

Polar 90027089-Womens-Heart-Monitor-Watch

Polar 90027089-Womens-Heart-Monitor-Watch
Save on Polar 90027089-Womens-Heart-Monitor-Watch. Free Shipping, Order Now!

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I purchased this watch to replace my 5 yr old one because I lost the transmitter strap. I love the color and size of the watch. It was easy to set up, and works great! My only complaint is that I can’t create my own workout zone like I was able to do with my old one.

Yes! we have “Polar 90027089 Womens Heart Monitor Watch”. You can Buy Polar 90027089 Womens Heart Monitor Watch In Stock. Lowest Prices on Polar 90027089 Womens Heart Monitor Watch Shops & Purchase Online – Buy today you Save BIG!

DiscountPolar F6 Women’s Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Pink Coral)

Great HRM!!!

Love this HRM! It keeps a continuous count & shows max heart rate & average. Also shows calories burned, time, & keeps exercise logs for up to a week! Love it!

LOVE THE WATCH

I would recommend this watch; I sent back 2 before setting on this one. It is very accurate and easy to use. When I am at the gym the gym equipment automatically displays my heart rate sync up with the chest strap. I love the watch. I had a mio classic a little over a year worked fine but after I changed the battery I had a hard time getting a heart rate that is why I bought another one. I wasn’t too sure about having to wear a chest strap, but it is very comfortable. Well worth the money.

Polar F6 review

I have recently taken up excerise with a Personal Trainer and on my own, trying for 3 times per week. I had the opportunity to train with an F6 which promoted me to purchase my own. 

I bought the Pink F6 – firstly for the functionality, being able to see my heart rate, calories burnt and have summaries keeps me motivated and I find that I will do an ‘extra’ 10 minutes in the gym just to reach a target. It also motivates me to work harder to keep my heart rate at a certain level. The second reason is because it was pink! Most of my gym gear is pink which the Pink F6 complements. I may be not at my most attractive when working out, however I like to feel that I have made an effort with my appearance and this is an accessory. 

If you are thinking of buying one, I would recommend it. Attractive, functional and most of all motivating.

NOT ACCURATE

The time, date and alarm works on this POLAR watch, but in terms of tracking calories burned this watch has missed the mark. 
I comapre calories burned on the watch indicator to calories burned on a Polar machine and it is so off kilter in terms odf #’s. 
I could burn 320 calories running for 30 minutes, but the watch will read 109 calories burned. I have reset all the settings and put my accurate ht and wt in along with my age and it still doesn’t work.

Great for the money; a little technical

I love my new polar heart rate monitor. It also doubles as a watch, which I love. While it picks up my heart very quickly and I have no problems while exercising; I have yet to set my “ownzone”. I do not have a treadmill and live in the country, therefore in order to establish my “ownzone” according to the directions I am going to have to make a special trip somewhere in order to have a place to walk. On top of that I will have to re-read the directions in order to do it correctly. 

This is a great watch for the money!

Read More About Polar F6 Women’s Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Pink Coral)

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NOTE: BLnet is now out of business. We have founded a new company (BelliCorp) that has taken over, for various reasons. Therefore, this building unfortunately doesn’t exist any longer. ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: “This is a quick a tour of the BLnet Research Center in Second Life. The center is restricted to authorized group members, and is a very high-security area. In-person tours are not given of this facility, and this may be your only chance to ever see where our systems are designed and tested. Don’t ask for the location. It’s a company secret that is closely guarded. If you dont know about the location by now, you never will. ” Looking for an affordable Fire Alarm system for your Second Life residence or business? Give the BelliCorp IntelliAlert a try. Our systems are thoroughly tested to rigorous standards. If a problem is found or an improvement is made, you are automatically sent an update, free of charge. We have one of the most frequently improved and updated fire alarm systems in Second Life! Various addon packages are also available. Visit our store at slurl.com on the Zurich City sim for a demo and other goodies.

Home security situations and needs differ with the physical size of the home, number of residents, ages and interests of those residents, and value of the contents of the house. Do you live alone? Are you or other members of your family completely healthy, or are you disabled in some way? All these factors may influence your decision regarding what is best for you and your personal security situation. Regardless of the size of your house in , the number and ages of family members and the quantity of individuals you live with, everyone needs protection from break-ins, burglary, and medical and fire emergencies. Do you currently enjoy total protection from an intruder intent on taking your belongings and harming you in the process? While no one can be absolutely 100 percent protected, you can make your home environment at least 3 times more secure* by employing a Wireless Home Alarm System with monitoring by ADT.

ADT Security Services in has top of the line wireless sensors that have the unique capability of detecting intruders before they step foot inside your property. Interior sensors are sensitive to body heat and movement and when activated make immediate contact with the closest command monitoring center and the appropriate authorities. ADT Security Services has five command centers located strategically across the United States so that your call and subsequent communications are received person-to-person rather than through automation. This assures prompt and immediate response during any emergency situation. Basic equipment includes a master control panel, a key chain remote, 3 door/window sensors, a motion detector, a built-in siren, and yard and window signs to be prominently displayed. Signs of this nature often deter crime before it is committed. Arming the home alarm system is easy – just a touch of the key chain remote – and protection is continuous – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Paramedics, fire, and police may be summoned by a touch of the control panel whether the system is armed or not. This assures assistance within minutes of activation. The scope of protection with these systems is comparable to having a private security specialist in your home at all times. Every Wireless ADT monitored alarm system is installed by a licensed professional who can answer any questions you might have and offer recommendations and suggestions for any additional security needs. Instruction on operation of your alarm system is provided as well as ADT certification for insurance purposes. Many homeowner insurance policies offer up to a 20 percent savings in premiums when an ADT monitored security system is installed. An added bonus for homeowners is that property values usually increase in homes protected by ADT alarm systems. Keep your loved ones and home protected from intruders, crime, fire, and medical emergencies. Continuous coverage starting at $32.99 per month is a small price to pay for 100 percent comfort and peace of mind. You can rest assured that your family is safe in the privacy of your home with ADT Alarm Services in . Everyone, everywhere is susceptible to crime. Your search for the best protection company has come to an end. ADT is the best in the business. Find more information about getting free system equipment and free activation – Home Security System monitored by ADT.

Fast, accurate response is probably the biggest benefit of your home alarm system during a burglary, fire, medical problem or other crisis. To deliver this kind of timely response ADT Security Services leads the industry with 5 virtually fail safe monitoring centers across the United States. Most companies in the USA only operate 1 or 2 monitoring facilities. When those centers go down, they have no way to monitor your residence. That leaves you without any protection when you need it the most. Don’t be left without any protection in .

By now you’ve seen the “powerful” television ads being run by ADT and the other big boys selling centrally monitored alarm systems.  Maybe one of these companies has visited your home with an offer of a “free” or “almost free” alarm system.

Sounds good, doesn’t it? Perhaps they even asked you the magic “closing” question…”Wouldn’t you spend just $1.00 per day to protect your family?”  Who could say no to that question?  That’s what they are counting on!  Now they have you ready to sign your contract!

What is wrong with this picture?  First of all, no one “gives” you a free system!  No one!  These “big boys” spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their powerful television ads and your dollars are used to pay for them.  Add it up. 

The so called free system is typically an Ademco/Honeywell system that includes a main control panel, a single keypad to operate the system, 3 door or window surface contacts, an interior siren and a motion detector.  Next, your monitoring contract is ALWAYS tied into a 3-5 year monitoring contract that automatically renews.    Lastly, you will probably need some extra contacts, a second motion detector and at least 1 smoke and fire sensor.

Now we’ll add it up.  For convenience, let’s just say your offer requires a 3 year commitment at $35.00 per month.  That comes up to $1,260.00. 

Too Much!  You can easily purchase central monitoring from a national company, without a written long term contract, for as little as $8.95 per month.  This adds up to $322.20 for the same 3 years the “big boys” require, and you aren’t subject to an automatic renewal.  Now add in the cost of the same Ademco/Honeywell system…control panel, keypad and 3 door or window contacts…$136.17, (link).  The difference is $801.63.  If you install the system yourself, you keep the entire difference.  If you pay a handyman or professional installer an installation fee, you will normally only pay $250.00.  You just saved yourself $551.63!

That’s not all you need to know.  The typical monitoring customer, like yourself, keeps their same monitoring service for an average of 15 years.  If you compare the total cost for an additional 12 years after your automatically renewing original contract expires, you will pay $5,040.00.  If you use the $8.95 program, you will pay only $1,288.80 for the same 12 years.   Is there really anything to think about?

Now for the “scary” part!  The “big boys” will not tell you that your system requires an “installer’s code” to be set in the system.  They will only tell you about the “user’s code”.  The “user’s code” allows you to program your secret numbered codes for the members of your family having access to the system.  The “installer’s code”, on the other hand, is required to re-program zones or add devices.  Without it, you cannot make changes to your system without paying the “big boy” to do it.  More importantly, without having the “installer’s code”, you CANNOT switch monitoring companies!  This allows the “big boys” to hold your system hostage.  Just try and get them to give it to you when you want to cancel the contract.  They usually don’t, and in most cases, they do so reluctantly, and usually require a fight.

Lastly, most home owners require more sensors than the limited number the “big boys” offer for “free”.  If you do require extra sensors such as window or door contacts or smoke and fire sensors, you will typically pay the “big boys” 2-3 times more for these extras. 

When the time comes for you to purchase a security system for your home, be an educated consumer.  Don’t let the polished television ads lure you in.  Purchase your system from a reputable internet security store and have the system installed on your own.  You will save thousands of dollars, (literally), and have the complete freedom to renew, not renew or change your monitoring service as you choose.