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[Billaban]

Greetings All,

So I had a break-in at my house this past summer and part (if not all) of my motivation here is home security.  That may change but for the moment..... I'm looking at some of the kit offers from the likes of x10.com, e.g., http://www.x10.com/products4/google/x10_home_security_system.html#up2

I'm wondering if this is truly quality equipment or should I expect to spend more for equipment that will work well. I'm definitely a quality over quantity kinda guy and there does appear to be an abundance of traffic on this forum talking about all kinds of problems getting these systems working.  I am a S/W engineer and know enough about H/W to be dangerous but would like to think this is and s/b quite simple.

thanks,

Billaban

[HA Dave]

Greetings All,

I had a break-in at my house ... my motivation here is home security. 

I'm wondering if this is truly quality equipment ....... I'm definitely a quality over quantity kinda guy and there does appear to be an abundance of traffic on this forum talking about all kinds of problems getting these systems working. 

I've never had a break-in [THANK GOD] so I can't say I know how you feel. But I can tell you my thoughts and feelings.

My dad was a cop. I know the comman break-in is committed by a neighborhood kid... often while skipping school....and/or in an attempt to get some quick cash for drugs.

Don't put your cart in front of your horse! Start from the outside, and work in.

Clear landscaping to make your house visiable.

Use outside (and inside) lighting. Dusk-to-dawn, and motion sensor lights outside. The more the better!

Use secure windows and doors, and good locks.

Consider hanging some cameras outside. I hide mine... except one.

X10 makes lots of products that can get you started. Floodlights (I love the floodlight), floodCAMS, timers, motion sensors, cameras....and so on. Then move into the alarm system, after you've gotten your feet wet with X10.

[tom j]

Greetings All,

So I had a break-in at my house this past summer and part (if not all) of my motivation here is home security.  That may change but for the moment..... I'm looking at some of the kit offers from the likes of x10.com, e.g., http://www.x10.com/products4/google/x10_home_security_system.html#up2

I'm wondering if this is truly quality equipment or should I expect to spend more for equipment that will work well. I'm definitely a quality over quantity kinda guy and there does appear to be an abundance of traffic on this forum talking about all kinds of problems getting these systems working.  I am a S/W engineer and know enough about H/W to be dangerous but would like to think this is and s/b quite simple.

thanks,

Billaban

Here's something else you might want to consider to fortify your doors Strike Master 2. I saw this product on the Discovery channel "It Takes A Thief", and it's very impressive be sure to check out the flash video, and let me know what you think. I already have two security doors but I plan on getting a couple of these one for my computer room and one for the bed room, but I'll have to call first to see if they can work on interior doors.

Tom

http://www.asafehome.net/watch.html

http://www.asafehome.net/index.html

[nklght]

Billaban,
First, we don't know how the thieves entered your house.  I would not recomend this setup as a way to protect your whole house, unless you do some testing.  X-10 does offer some promissing technology, but results do vary based on the build, wiring, and size of house.  For a security system in which you do not want to worry about it working or not, I would contact one of the major players, such as Brinks, ADT, etc; they install the system a lot of it wireless, and fix any problems.  With X-10 you install the system and use the have to use the forums to fix the problems, in 1994 a friend and I installed the technology, 14 years later it has the same issues.  If you have all day to figure out why certain sensors work and others don't then I would go with X-10, the product is not reliable and you would be better hiring an alarm company.   

[immyfish]

Billaban,
First, we don't know how the thieves entered your house.  I would not recomend this setup as a way to protect your whole house, unless you do some testing.  X-10 does offer some promissing technology, but results do vary based on the build, wiring, and size of house.  For a security system in which you do not want to worry about it working or not, I would contact one of the major players, such as Brinks, ADT, etc; they install the system a lot of it wireless, and fix any problems.  With X-10 you install the system and use the have to use the forums to fix the problems, in 1994 a friend and I installed the technology, 14 years later it has the same issues.  If you have all day to figure out why certain sensors work and others don't then I would go with X-10, the product is not reliable and you would be better hiring an alarm company.   

Thank you!
The first two replies sounded like they were recommending this person use X10!  PLEASE! IF YOU WANT SOMETHING RELIABLE, THAT ACTUALLY WORKS CONSISTANTLY AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO - DO NOT BUY X10 CRAP!!!! If you want a hobby, and want something to tinker with, then this can be fun (sometimes).  I've heard people say "you get what you pay for" with X10 quality vs low price. I disagree - I feel ripped off despite the cheap price - I did NOT get what I paid for!!!  I will continur to play with this stuff because it's fun (sometimes) but don't rely on it!

[Drews]

Greetings All,

So I had a break-in at my house this past summer and part (if not all) of my motivation here is home security.  That may change but for the moment..... I'm looking at some of the kit offers from the likes of x10.com, e.g., http://www.x10.com/products4/google/x10_home_security_system.html#up2

I'm wondering if this is truly quality equipment or should I expect to spend more for equipment that will work well. I'm definitely a quality over quantity kinda guy and there does appear to be an abundance of traffic on this forum talking about all kinds of problems getting these systems working.  I am a S/W engineer and know enough about H/W to be dangerous but would like to think this is and s/b quite simple.

thanks,

Billaban

Here's something else you might want to consider to fortify your doors Strike Master 2. I saw this product on the Discovery channel "It Takes A Thief", and it's very impressive be sure to check out the flash video, and let me know what you think. I already have two security doors but I plan on getting a couple of these one for my computer room and one for the bed room, but I'll have to call first to see if they can work on interior doors.

Tom

http://www.asafehome.net/watch.html

http://www.asafehome.net/index.html

$109 for a strip of steel. You could go to Home Depot, by a 4' length of 1 1/2" x 1/8" steel, drill a couple holes, file them square, paint it and install it for about $10.

[steven r]

I've never had a break-in [THANK GOD] so I can't say I know how you feel....
...Clear landscaping to make your house visible.
Use outside (and inside) lighting. Dusk-to-dawn, and motion sensor lights outside. The more the better!...

I thank God that I also have never had a home break in either but I have had car break ins three times in my life. The thief has no concern for your feelings. A good monitored alarm can give you a great deal of peace of mind but lighting can make a big difference in whether your house is picked. It amazes me how few people in my neighborhood use lights at night. Their houses just disappear in the dark and are easy targets. Motion sensor lights are a cheap investment and X10 has some with cameras. (Read up on them here before buying.) Before you can ring my door bell, my front light is shining on you. Add to that a door viewer and I never have to open my door to a stranger. Don't over look good locks! Don't make it easy for someone to just break a door window and reach in to unlock your door.
I don't recommend X10 over a professional alarm system. X10 can supplement your security. e.g. My alarm triggers a powerflash module to flash my lights and I have many timed lights. Stay away from the from the companies that offer you the nearly free systems but lock you into an overpriced monitoring service.

[steven r]

Here's something else you might want to consider to fortify your doors Strike Master 2. I saw this product on the Discovery channel "It Takes A Thief", and it's very impressive be sure to check out the flash video, and let me know what you think....
http://www.asafehome.net/watch.html

That is pretty d*** impressive! It looks like it will be an easy install also. I just ordered a pair.

...I plan on getting a couple of these one for my computer room and one for the bed room...

The only problem I see about that is that most indoor latches are not dead bolt and can easily be compromised with a plastic card or unlocked with a screwdriver. If you have a "safe room" that you want to protect that has a dead bolt it could work.

[nklght]

I have been watching a show called "IT TAKES A THIEF", and they break into houses with the homeowners permission, the one thing I found intresting, was how they could walk around a property and determine if the security was professional or amatuer.  Theu determined amatuer systems, becuase they were missing sensors in certain areas, or the cameras allowed for big blind spots which a car could drive trough.  For security hire a professional, for a hobby use X-10

[tom j]

Hi Billaban! Yep I agree although I have a x10 system and it did prevent a break in I would only recommend it as a temporary fix while you're installing a professional system, there are just to many quirks and x10 lacks support for fire and carbon monoxide which I now consider essential. Also the first three consoles I received were defective two had bad voice chips and the third failed after about 6 months. Came home one day I actually had forgotten I had it still plugged in and heard this buzzing sound and well you guessed it it was the console, luckily this was a backup console I purchased that I had been testing and it failed so I sent it back under warranty and it was replaced, the one that replaced it has preformed flawlessly for the past few years  but to get two consoles that functioned I really had to go through a lot of hassle. Had a problem the other day when I got up to my horror all my zones were blinking had to miss a day of work to trouble shoot the problem just didn't want to leave the house unprotected, finally after a lot of aspirin I figured out that there was something in the room that was causing interference although I was never able to determine the source, by moving the console to another location it basically solved the problem, but If I had been on vacation or just away from the house when this happen my house would have been completely unprotected. I'm currently maybe a month or so way from completing my new DSC hybrid system all American and Canadian made parts no Chinese crap for me anymore not when it comes to my security. Check out the link below found this to be the best place hands down for all your home security needs great prices and tech support and they also have a forum as well, if you want quality you're find it here. Check out the wireless system below, one thing you might want to incorporate though and that's x10 lighting all my major lighting is x10 controlled and when those punks did break in the ds7000 sent that All Lights On All Lights Off command and my neighbors said it looked like my house was alive! I'm convinced that's why they actually got nothing, that and three of those large powerhorns and an outside third party siren did the trick so try to find a system that supports x10 if it's wireless and for a hardwired system x10 makes a burglar alarm interface that you can connect up to your hardwired system and will flash all your x10 controlled lighting. Hope this helps!

Tom j

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