DIY home security system options

[Luke]

Hi all,
I am planning on installing a home security system.
I want something with 3 or 4 PIRs, possibly some reed switches,
internal and external sirens and a separate panel to put near the
front door. Programmable zones (have bedrooms off and main areas on)
an advantage. Looking to spend under $500ish.

I have checked out DSE, Altronics, and Jaycar. Currently the only one I
can find that seems to fit the bill is this:
Melcom 8 Sector Pro Alarm Kit
http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=LA5322&CATID=
6&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=
xxxxxxxxxx&Keyword2=xxxxxxxxxx&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=421

for $499 from Jaycar.

Havnt really looked around anywhere else, just wondering if this is a
decent price, or if I can find something similar elsewhere
cheaper/better.

Thanks for any responses,

Luke

 

[David Sauer]

Hi all,
I am planning on installing a home security system.
I want something with 3 or 4 PIRs, possibly some reed switches,
internal and external sirens and a separate panel to put near the
front door. Programmable zones (have bedrooms off and main areas on)
an advantage. Looking to spend under $500ish.

I have checked out DSE, Altronics, and Jaycar. Currently the only one I
can find that seems to fit the bill is this:
Melcom 8 Sector Pro Alarm Kit
http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=LA5322&CATID=
6&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=
xxxxxxxxxx&Keyword2=xxxxxxxxxx&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=421

http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productVi...&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=421

Looks to be sourced from the cheapest components available.

I'm no expert installer but I've installed a few security systems for
mates and stuff, the dual PIRs with microwave are the best ones to go
for. Put a few in houses and industrial applications like sheds and
never had any issues. None of them have ever false alarmed.

http://www.altronics.com.au/cat.asp?cat=8&grp=278&id=S5312 They're on
sale ATM for $85, worth spending the extra cash and getting a systems
you'll actually use.

Their control panels aren't to bad, the 6 zone one is on sale ATM. Not
all of them feature dialers so consider that before purchasing, you
can always purchase an add on dialer for most systems if you need to.

 

[Richard Freeman]

Hi all,
I am planning on installing a home security system.
I want something with 3 or 4 PIRs, possibly some reed switches,
internal and external sirens and a separate panel to put near the
front door. Programmable zones (have bedrooms off and main areas on)
an advantage. Looking to spend under $500ish.

I have checked out DSE, Altronics, and Jaycar. Currently the only one I
can find that seems to fit the bill is this:
Melcom 8 Sector Pro Alarm Kit
http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=LA5322&CATID=
6&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=
xxxxxxxxxx&Keyword2=xxxxxxxxxx&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=421

for $499 from Jaycar.

Havnt really looked around anywhere else, just wondering if this is a
decent price, or if I can find something similar elsewhere
cheaper/better.

I installed the previous version of this alarm - the first went back under
Warranty and the replacement lasted until just outside of warranty - I would
not risk this brand again in a hurry.

Regards
Richard Freeman

 

[Kim Random]

Looks to be sourced from the cheapest components available.

I'm no expert installer but I've installed a few security systems for
mates and stuff, the dual PIRs with microwave are the best ones to go
for. Put a few in houses and industrial applications like sheds and
never had any issues. None of them have ever false alarmed.

http://www.altronics.com.au/cat.asp?cat=8&grp=278&id=S5312 They're on
sale ATM for $85, worth spending the extra cash and getting a systems
you'll actually use.

Hmmm.... they do look like a better alternative... Although, if I look
at buying all the components separately (even with the control panel
on special at altronics) it starts to get pretty expensive...

Just looking for something simple and inexpensive. But I do want to
avoid false alarms and especially not picking up intruders.

Is there any other alternatives? or is it just a case of "you get
what you pay for"?

Thanks for the replys
Luke
PS: I live in Perth

 

[Luke]

I installed the previous version of this alarm - the first went back under
Warranty and the replacement lasted until just outside of warranty - I would
not risk this brand again in a hurry.

Ah, bugger, thats not good.. Any other suggestions?

Luke

 

[Luke]

Hi all,
I have checked out DSE, Altronics, and Jaycar. Currently the only one I
can find that seems to fit the bill is this:
Melcom 8 Sector Pro Alarm Kit
http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=LA5322&CATID=
6&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=
xxxxxxxxxx&Keyword2=xxxxxxxxxx&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=421

Ok, after hearing not so good things about the jaycar pack, what do
people think of:

http://www.altronics.com.au/cat.asp?cat=8&grp=272&id=S5262

and

http://www.altronics.com.au/cat.asp?cat=8&grp=272&id=S5260S

Do I need anything else? I will probably get another couple of PIRs
(+$70ish) and an internal screamer.

So for around the same price does this look any better?

Thanks for all the advice so far

Luke
Perth

 

[Richard Freeman]

Ah, bugger, thats not good.. Any other suggestions?

Dunno yet I am waiting to see what answers you get ......
The panel mostly works just that the 12V line to the PIRs often goes low for
no Particular Reason - causing a false alarm - So I have lived with it for
the moment with the movement Sensors power wired straight across the Battery
and I keep meaning to replace the whole System.....

Regards
Richard Freeman

 

[Richard Freeman]

Hi Luke,

I'm just about looking for the same thing. In the past I have used the NESS
system (made in Australia too) and found them to be excellent. You don't say
where you are but Radio Parts in Melbourne carry them. You can look at
www.ness.com.au for details and contacts. I haven't looked at their current
products (may do so tomorrow) but in the past performance has been
excellent.

James.

May be worth Looking into I will have to have a look when I get around to
replacing my alarm

Regards
Richard Freeman

 

[Luke]

Dunno yet I am waiting to see what answers you get ......
The panel mostly works just that the 12V line to the PIRs often goes low for
no Particular Reason - causing a false alarm - So I have lived with it for
the moment with the movement Sensors power wired straight across the Battery
and I keep meaning to replace the whole System.....

Hmm... not so good news on altronics here in Perth, I just called them
and the alarm panel they have on special is not in stock, and they arent
getting any stock. In fact, they have hardly any security stuff at all,
and they are moving completely away from all that, so no more stock
coming in....

What to do now... ?

Luke

 

[Luke]

Hi Luke,

I'm just about looking for the same thing. In the past I have used the NESS
system (made in Australia too) and found them to be excellent. You don't say
where you are but Radio Parts in Melbourne carry them. You can look at
www.ness.com.au for details and contacts. I haven't looked at their current
products (may do so tomorrow) but in the past performance has been
excellent.

James.

I had a look at their web site, and saw basically what I would need from
them:
L8+Kit (100-239)
3 or 4 PIRs (100-021 the cheapest ones)
bunch of cables. and maybe a reed switch or two if I can be bothered.

I couldnt see any RRP's on their web site, so I emailed their sales
to see if I could get approx/exact prices for those products.

Do I need to contact a dealer? Anyone know one in Perth who will just
sell me the bits and not rip me off?

Thanks
Luke

 

[Luke]

Hi Luke,

Radio Parts here in Melbourne have prices that you can compare against.

Try www.radioparts.com.au and search for ness.

L8 kit (includes 2 sensors, sirens etc) is $415, and approx $48 per
additional sensor.

Hope this helps,

That did help. Thanks
Looks like I would need that kit, plus
a battery (around $25 I think)
1 or 2 extra sensors (say 2) : $96
lots of cables: $60
internal screamer: $10

total for around $600.

Thats not looking too bad, bit more than I was hoping to spend, but not
by much, and for a decent quality one too! Now I just need somewhere in
Perth that will sell it all to me cheaper

Thanks for all the help.

Luke

 

[David Sauer]

Hi Luke,

I'm just about looking for the same thing. In the past I have used the NESS
system (made in Australia too) and found them to be excellent. You don't say

The dual PIRs I mentioned are made by ness. They're stocked by
Altronics and Disk Smith for a fair bit more.

 

[David Sauer]

Ok, after hearing not so good things about the jaycar pack, what do
people think of:

http://www.altronics.com.au/cat.asp?cat=8&grp=272&id=S5262

and

http://www.altronics.com.au/cat.asp?cat=8&grp=272&id=S5260S

Do I need anything else? I will probably get another couple of PIRs
(+$70ish) and an internal screamer.

So for around the same price does this look any better?

The door reed switches are ugly, honestly who'd put those things on
their own house. Get the concealed ones as they're only a few bucks.
If its a shed or something then use them.

One end recesses into the top of the door, the other recesses into the
door frame. I've got a timber door and frame coated with a transparent
UV coating and even after its recessed into the frame, covered over
with filler and painted you don't even know its there. The door part
is in the top of the door which no-one sees so who cares.

I've got these:
http://www.altronics.com.au/cat.asp?cat=1&grp=295&id=S5152
but there are others available.

 

[Jason]

Luke,

batteries are supplied with unit (So the NESS site says).
Let me know your best prices, I'll be getting one shortly, though I may go
for the D8.

Right in the middle of installer a D8 in my place now. Got it from
RadioParts - they're approximately 5%-10% cheaper if you buy it in-store
rather than online.


Cheers,
Jason

 

[Jason]

Havnt really looked around anywhere else, just wondering if this is a
decent price, or if I can find something similar elsewhere
cheaper/better.

As mentioned in other posts, NESS are really good. In the middle of
installing a D8 in my home right now, and their installation manual is
great and easy to follow (except I'll be asking a question in a new post
shortly <g>). The product quality looks good too, but can't comment on
usage/alerting just yet. Did a considerable amount of research before
choosing mine, and the NESS constantly got good reports. So far, I'm very
happy. Spent just under 1G all up for all the bits applicable to my needs.


Cheers,
Jason

 

[Luke]

Right in the middle of installer a D8 in my place now. Got it from

RadioParts - they're approximately 5%-10% cheaper if you buy it in-store
rather than online.

Ahh, good. If I have any problems installing mine I might drop you a
line

Thanks
Luke