Home Security Systems

[metta]

I was thinking about changing my landline phone number to a mobile number so that I can take it with me when I move and cut my expenses down. My bill is usually $55-70/month and I can get a mobile phone for $14/month plus leasing a phone for another $11mo for 36 months. I use that number for my business. I called the phone company to inquire about it, and they told me that my alarm system may not work if I get rid of it. I asked my alarm company and it turns out that it is hardwired into the phone.

ADT required that they come to my home to get pricing on changing my system so that it is not hardwired. I have always used ADT. They came to my home today, and it would increase my monthly costs and cost around $600-700 to change the system. I think the current system is paid up until around July of next year.

I was looking at the ring systems, and they have a pro service that includes monitoring, that would contact emergency services if ever needed for $20/month. Much cheaper than ADT. A replacement system would be around $260, also much cheaper. But ADT has much higher ratings than the Ring systems. Seems like a better deal to me.

I was wondering if any of you have the monitoring service with Ring and if so, what you think of it. Or possibly another service?

 

[jjonn3]

Amazon owns Ring - not sure I really want to trust my home security to Amazon.

Have you looked into SimpliSafe? It is all through WiFi with a cell phone connection for back-up.

 

[metta]

Amazon owns Ring - not sure I really want to trust my home security to Amazon.

Have you looked into SimpliSafe? It is all through WiFi with a cell phone connection for back-up.

I will look into them. Thanks.

 

[NotHardUp1]

Pardon the humor of asking, but what sort of things do you think you keep that are stealable, assuming thieves don't go to the trouble of breaking and entering when they can steal identities from much more secure locations remotely?

I ask because I was broken into twice in Albuquerque, both times kicking doors in to gain access. Neither time was anything stolen other than my jewelry making kit I kept in a tackle box.

If you're like me, and don't keep drugs, guns or expensive jewelry or very expensive toys like souped up gaming computers, you may not have target homes' fence-able items.

Guess I'm asking you if you have done the math, so to speak. If your break in were to intend you harm, would an alarm likely prevent it? If he were to steal, would the cost of replacing a laptop or television be anywhere near the cost of the "security" system. If your phone and laptop are backed up, unless you figure you're a likely theft victim, it just doesn't look like the math makes sense.

Most thieves aren't looking to carry out large items.

What kind of cost ranges are you looking at for annual coverage, including the cost of the system and changeover?

 

[metta]

I have my business stuff and other stuff. I'm not going to get into detail online. It also reduces the risk of a home invasion. My neighborhood has been targeted before. I don't like the idea of leaving my home without the alarm being on. I also leave it on at night.

 

[me203]

Maybe you could consider the alarm system Jack Benny's vault had!

 

[fredroy]

Looks to me the best bet is to keep your land line. Yes, port the number to your mobile phone and get a new number for the house.