PhöQ Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 Anyone have any opinions? We have had some changes around the home and I would feel better with a system. My work goes with ADT and the prices seem ok. Any info would be appreciated ty Quote
rmncwrtr Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 We had a couple of break-in in our neighborhood and at least one attempt at our house so I did some research. I don't know where you live but here in the PDX area, Brinks in Beaverton is the one recommended by Angie's List. I looked at ADT and it didn't seem all that different from Brinks. This was last year so I don't know if things have changed. If you want to do something cheaper without the monthly fee, you can buy a system x10 or z20 something like that (I can ask my husband if he still has the link you're interested in that) for a one-time fee. It calls your cellphone when activated. You can also see your house via a camera feed. Of course then, it's up to you to notify the police. If you're in the backcountry or out of the country you can tell it who to call if there's a problem. I think it will call up to four numbers, but I can't remember the exact number. We ended up going with a rescue dog with a mean bark, big teeth and the heart of an angel. Hadn't had any more break-in attempts since we got her. Monthly expenses are about the same as Brinks, maybe a little more if we have to see the vet, but we also get unconditional love and a warm welcome home when we walk in the door. Good luck. Quote
PhöQ Posted August 5, 2009 Author Posted August 5, 2009 Thanks for the info rmncwrtr, we just had to put one half of our four legged "security" systems down because of bone cancer but still have one left to guard the palace. But for longer weekends we thought it might be nice to have a little extra security. How is angies list? I checked it out and didnt realize it was a fee site. Do you think its worth it? It sounds like you already use it so I will prolly scope it out. Thanks for the tips and info, definitely a good start!! Max R.I.P. 7/20/09 Quote
rmncwrtr Posted August 5, 2009 Posted August 5, 2009 Oh, I'm sorry to hear about Max. Hugs and :kisss: I've never been a member of Angie's List. I looked into it, but couldn't justify the expense, but one of my closest friends swears by it. She says it's well worth the money. She never uses anyone who isn't on it, and she's never had any trouble with who is on it. I borrowed her dog after the break-in attempt because my husband was out of town at the time and asked if she knew anything about security system monitors. She told me about Brinks. Quote
selkirk Posted August 6, 2009 Posted August 6, 2009 I'm a big fan of the 4 legged system my self. I'm pretty sure our pup would eat anyone she doesn't know who tried to come in. She actually kept my Sister stranded at the front door for 30 minutes when she came over to feed wonder dog once (I think they had only met once or twice before). Quote
j_b Posted August 8, 2009 Posted August 8, 2009 Anyone have any opinions? We have had some changes around the home and I would feel better with a system. My work goes with ADT and the prices seem ok. Any info would be appreciated ty My guess (I used to have a home alarm service for about 15 years) is that 99% of the effectiveness of home alarm systems is due to having official looking stickers on your windows indicating that you have an alarm system service. Having the system itself is likely not necessary and it's a pain if you have pets and/or kids, or even wildlife. Quote
akhalteke Posted August 9, 2009 Posted August 9, 2009 Rem 870 Express 3.5" Magnum w/ 3.5" 00 BB. Sound of just loading it will scare anything and everything away and will put a 1' hole in any man. Something to think about. Quote
PhöQ Posted August 9, 2009 Author Posted August 9, 2009 Lol thanks for the tips/advice I like the sticker only idea as the "guard dog" would be with us if we were gone and I seriously doubt the cats would do anything to protect the pad. A gun is great but if I am not home the gun again wouldnt do anything by itself I am still pondering the alarm for what its worth as we live in an "emerging" neighborhood and I believe it would be at least peace of mind for us were we to be off on a trip, ya know Quote
akhalteke Posted August 9, 2009 Posted August 9, 2009 If there is a community watch, becomming part of it increases the likelyhood that patrollers will keep an extra keen eye out on your house in particular. If there isn't one, starting one would be beneficial. Also helps to make your neighborhood more friendly. I would still get an alarm. Sorry I can't be of more help, a guy at my work is real handy with that sort of thing and hooked me and the misses up for some (lots) of beer. I like to use all resources Deterrents, defensive and offensive means to thwart would be thieves. F-ers make me sick. If you do go the gun route, make sure you spend plenty of time at the range and take a course in concealed carry (even if you don't carry) as they will teach you the legal times when you are and aren't allowed to show force and use deadly force. (It isn't always common sense unfortunately) If you get an alarm, make sure that a friendly neighbor is one of the numbers that are called. Police response times for a B/E on a vacant house are long and the thieves may be gone by the time they get there. An angry (preferably large) neighbor with a baseball bat yelling at the top of his lungs will make em run for the hills. Quote
Off_White Posted August 11, 2009 Posted August 11, 2009 Rem 870 Express 3.5" Magnum w/ 3.5" 00 BB. Sound of just loading it will scare anything and everything away and will put a 1' hole in any man. Something to think about. How about just a hand held tape recorder with that sound? With no experience or desire, I am definitely not a good candidate for gun ownership. I've got the dog though. Uh, he sounds much bigger in the dark. A good relationship with my various neighbors, all of whom are heavily armed, isn't a bad thing either. Quote
tvashtarkatena Posted August 11, 2009 Posted August 11, 2009 Seems to me that a gun is a great way to kill your neighbor's kid by accident while trying to keep the marauding zombie hordes away from your fly stereo system...particularly the gun recommended in this thread. Unless you live on the moon, a shotgun with very limited penetration power is the only sane home defense weapon, if paranoia drives you in that direction. The canine alarm system is foolproof. Personally, I would just litter the floor in front of every window and door with potato chip bags. That worked this weekend for me when my tent was infiltrated.... Quote
PhöQ Posted August 11, 2009 Author Posted August 11, 2009 Personally, I would just litter the floor in front of every window and door with potato chip bags. That worked this weekend for me when my tent was infiltrated.... FTW! Quote
KaskadskyjKozak Posted August 11, 2009 Posted August 11, 2009 Seems to me that a gun is a great way to kill your neighbor's kid by accident while trying to keep the marauding zombie hordes away from your fly stereo system...particularly the gun recommended in this thread. Unless you live on the moon, a shotgun with very limited penetration power is the only sane home defense weapon, if paranoia drives you in that direction. The canine alarm system is foolproof. Personally, I would just litter the floor in front of every window and door with potato chip bags. That worked this weekend for me when my tent was infiltrated.... seems to me a gun is not an *alarm* system Quote
tvashtarkatena Posted August 11, 2009 Posted August 11, 2009 My favorite sign is "This property protected by Smith and Wesson", which translates to "Wait till we're not home (as any good burgler's going to do), then come on in cuz we've got lots of guns (like, THE most sought after merchandise) to steal!" Quote
PhöQ Posted August 13, 2009 Author Posted August 13, 2009 LOL to all the above. We ended up going with ADT simply because they have a pretty solid program and we use it at work to protect all those coffee beans. Thus our lives begin anew after 7 years significantly reduced outside climb/hike/kayak time as caregivers in our home for my grandmother who recently "moved to a new address" after 102 year at this one. Thanks folks Quote
sobo Posted August 13, 2009 Posted August 13, 2009 Wow, sorry to hear that about Gramma, but that's pretty impressive. RIP Gramma. Quote
PhöQ Posted August 13, 2009 Author Posted August 13, 2009 Thanks Sobo, she had a huge and long life. Been a rough close to the chapters but now we can go out and climb and hike like we used to do, reborn with wisdom if you will. Quote
sobo Posted August 14, 2009 Posted August 14, 2009 ...reborn with wisdom if you will. Amen, brutha Quote
Ponderosa Posted August 14, 2009 Posted August 14, 2009 ...we also get unconditional love and a warm welcome home when we walk in the door. Yep. Billy Joel found the same deficits with his Brinks set-up. Quote
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