Home security monitoring question

[mrvaudo]

I have a security system through my cable company but I know a lot of other places have much cheaper monitoring services. I called one and they can't monitor the touchpad "brain" the cable company uses. Is there a way to switch out the touchscreen you think so I ca get monitoring for $10ish instead of 35$ a month?

[MaHoTex]

Find a company that you want to use and then see what panels they support. You may be able to pick up a panel on Ebay.

[mrvaudo]

How easy will it be to set up my new panel with all my wireless sensors and the wireless router?

[MaHoTex]

Whatever panel you get make sure you get the installer manual to go with it. I am not going to lie and tell you it is easy. I am sure the difficulty depends upon the panel. I was able to add all the sensors I wanted to my panel, it was frustrating, but I was able to accomplish it.

[mrvaudo]

I wonder what the return policy on panels is....if I can't make it work maybe I can return. I guess I'll try to find some manuals online and see what might work.

[MaHoTex]

You will need to know what sensors you have now and then search for compatible panel.

[mrvaudo]

Thanks. Research time I guess

[Clever]

Why get a company to monitor your property. Your DVR SHOULD IT WITH ITS MOTION DETECTION FEATURE AND NOTIFY YOU, the PROPER AUTHORITIES WITH VIDEO ATTACHED. Some cameras also do the same and store video. Look into CBC/GANZ. Let me know

[ldsnet]

Absolutely! You just need to know which technology the cable system is using for the sensors so your new panel can communicate with them.

My current system is 6 years old and I am looking to upgrade. I like the features of the cable company all-in-one system; having a difficult time finding a plug-and-play system with the same features.

My monitor service for my current system is $9 a month (paid annually). But I had to "install" and set up the system myself (install and map all the sensors within the alarm panel, then send the list to the alarm company so when a zone was set off, they could notify me and the authorities what the particular alarm was.

[Clever]

you can connect your sensors to the DVR and there is no need for a panel. The system will notify the proper authorities including you. The kicker is that it will also send a video of the incident. Also your home is backed up with the motion detection feature. The system will not trigger with pets but will trigger with humans. The software is programmed to distinguish body heat along with motion. If those things do not match it will not trigger. Animals body heat is much higher than a humans. Hence the mismatch in the system data base. One the heat projected from a human is matched with movement while the system is monitoring then the data will match and trigger the system as per operator standards. Simple?

[the86d]

Crack open a sensor (like you would do to fix a wire, or change a battery in it) and see if there is a model number on the sensor, and research from there.

My old system had sensors that I use with my new system.

Most systems can cost less than $600, and if you can reuse the sensors with a newer system (think same MFR), that is double the coverage... gratis.

I have a touchscreen, but if you want to use the sensors you will have to do some research, or give-away the model you run, right here...
The DIY route will let you get a touchscreen and monitoring <$15/month, IF you don't go with a big vendor... google "cheapest alarm monitoring", but some say you get what you pay for... however, sometimes you get luckier than those who always pay more.