Alarm System

[Hopeful2]

Can anyone recommend a security alarm company they've used?

Thanks!

[vlm790]

I used ADT and got 10% off install and monthly cost with AARP discount.

[Cedwards38]

I love Frontpoint Security. Great equipment and amazing customer service. I have it in two homes, one of which is in The Villages. Check them out and you'll be impressed.

Total Security, Big Savings | FrontPoint Security (http://paths.frontpointsecurity.com/frontpoint-security?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=+frontpoint%20+security&utm_campaign=MSN_SE_NW_USA_brnd&mm_campaign=60d8b5483cafa7f82f1b6ce46d6f65a1&keyword=_PLUS_frontpoint__PLUS_security&c1=MSN_SE_NW&source=USA_brnd&kw=_PLUS_frontpoint__PLUS_security)

[Lark7]

Another vote of confidence for Frontpoint Security. It is amazingly simple and yet quite effective. The monitoring is excellent and the support staff is very professional.

[PFT Man]

We have a FrontPoint system also.
Very easy to install & operate. We are moving from MI to TV in a few weeks and taking our system with us. Easily portable. Only down side I feel is with camera addition if you want, WAY over priced. We recently had a B&E with minimal loss which I attributed to the fast response. Would recommend as long as you don't need video.

[ricthemic]

We have a FrontPoint system also.
Very easy to install & operate. We are moving from MI to TV in a few weeks and taking our system with us. Easily portable. Only down side I feel is with camera addition if you want, WAY over priced. We recently had a B&E with minimal loss which I attributed to the fast response. Would recommend as long as you don't need video.

Do you have to have a land line telephone w front point?

[Lark7]

Do you have to have a land line telephone w front point?

No, the base has a built-in cellular unit - no land lines for the intruder to cut.

[coolkayaker1]

LarkZ...is the cellular fee included in your monthly charge for the alarm system from the alarm company, or is it billed/hooked in with your own private cell phone monthly bill somehow? Thanks.

[dplars]

First of all, write down what you expect from a system, break in, fire, medical alert, etc. Then do you want it monitored by a central station or self reporting to your cell phone or family or friend, etc. Then check the monitoring rates per month and length of contract and possible penalties on contract cancellation. Set up a spread sheet then make a decision. Also check out the performance of the alarm company and their monitoring facilities. Unfortunately many alarm companies pay minimum wage and get very low quality employees. Good luck.

[billethkid]

If I may hitch hike on the original post, those of you who currently use Front Point are you using Front Point as your monitoring company as well?

I understand the Front Point system can be monitored by any number of monitoring companies.

I have been in contact with their customer service and they certainly know the product and services offered inside and out. Very amicable....no pressure to sell.....just educate and help and take an order when one is ready.

I found their web site to be extremely helpful.

btk

[Hopeful2]

Thank you all - for your valuable information!

[Lark7]

LarkZ...is the cellular fee included in your monthly charge for the alarm system from the alarm company, or is it billed/hooked in with your own private cell phone monthly bill somehow? Thanks.

Yes, the cellular fee is included in the monthly charge from the alarm company. Lark

[Cedwards38]

Do you have to have a land line telephone w front point?

Frontpoint is all wireless and uses your existing cell phone line.

[JourneyOfLife]

Frontpoint is all wireless and uses your existing cell phone line.

Wouldn't it require its own, dedicated, sim card?

[Hopeful2]

Does anyone have any other recommendations for an alarm company/security system? All input is very much appreciated!

[Wing-nut2]

Suncoast Security

Ask for Joe Pine 352-362-1777

Tell him Jim from Ainsworth Circle told you to call

[rubicon]

If a security system is wireless then isn't it possible to be hacked?

[Wing-nut2]

I have my security system with Suncoast Security. I't wireless. It does need a phone line to call the monitoring company, but I have Magic Jack and it works well. I didn't want to put in a phone line just for a security system. This gives me free long distance and a ling for the security system. Saves time on my cell phone plan for call when I'm home and the fax works again.

[Cedwards38]

Wouldn't it require its own, dedicated, sim card?

Nope. It is controlled by your home panel or by a free phone app and sends a call, text, or email (your choice) on all alerts. That is sent to your existing cell phone. The phone app used by Frontpoint is call "Alarm.com" and allows you to send wireless signals to your alarm panel to arm, disarm, or check status. You can also set up the system to allow you to control appliances and lights with the app if you choose.

[Cedwards38]

If a security system is wireless then isn't it possible to be hacked?

Good question. I don't think so, but here is what I found with a Google search:

"A perp couldn't use just any wireless keypad of the same brand as your
system. They have to be "enrolled" to your particular panel. If a perp
were to obtain the wireless keypad for *your* system it would take him
awhile to discover the four digit code you use to disarm. Some panels
employ an anti-hacking feature that your installer can enable (three or four
wrong code entries and the system "locks" for a period of time programmed by
your installer *and* transmits a code to the Central Station). He could
also inadvertently enter a "duress" code with some rather embarassing
results (for him). A keyfob with a single button "off" wouldn't present any
difficulty (which is why I normally recommend people use fobs to *arm* the
system, but not *disarm* it). If you *do* manage to lose a wireless keypad
or fob, though, make sure you contact your security company so they can
disable it (this can be accomplished by downloading the information to your
system without having a service man actually visit).

On a system that employs a four digit access code, there are 10,000
combinations. That number goes down with the number of different codes you
have programmed in."

[JourneyOfLife]

Nope. It is controlled by your home panel or by a free phone app and sends a call, text, or email (your choice) on all alerts. That is sent to your existing cell phone. The phone app used by Frontpoint is call "Alarm.com" and allows you to send wireless signals to your alarm panel to arm, disarm, or check status. You can also set up the system to allow you to control appliances and lights with the app if you choose.

I think I misunderstood what you meant in your first post by "existing cellphone line."

Frontpoint is all wireless and uses your existing cell phone line.