Basic Alarm For Rental

[sda]

Bought a foreclosure a couple of months ago which I'm turning into a rental for M.I.L. Taking longer than expected, but that's nothing new. Last week some low life's stole the Direct TV dish with the broken LNB off the front of the house. They actually saved me the trouble of trashing it, but they could have busted into the house and done some damage.

I'd like to add a basic alarm system for the work in progress and when she finally moves in. I don't need anything fancy, just some sensors, some noise makers, and monitoring. No need for "Intruder Alert" voice announcements.

I was browsing the DSC equipment at SH, and the 8.95 a month monitoring service from Alarm Relay.

Would appreciate any recommendations for equipment and monitoring services.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

If ALL you want is security without a computer interface, consider a Caddx NX8 Fastpack (includes NX148E Keypad, motion detector, speaker, battery, transformer, and RJ31X jack) for well under $200 from Worthington Distribution. You will then have to add any additional motions or glass break sensors, keypads, and of course, the wired sensors to doors and windows.

Caddx NX8 series is becoming a dinosaur, but it still is considered a staple in the security world.

 

[sda]

Yup, all I want is security.

I checked out worthingtondistribution.com, which sent me over to asihome.com (cuz i'm just a lowly consumer, not a dealer)

asihome.com has a few caddx/networx keypads and misc sensors, but no panels or kits.

Found a couple of other places that still carry them.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

One thing worth mentioning is you will have to perform all the programming via the keypad.

 

[drvnbysound]

While I cant say anything about the Caddx systems.. I have never used one, nor have I seen one.

I ended up going with an Ademco (by Honeywell) panel at my parents home as well as mine (before I knew anything dual purposing an alarm for HA purposes). I have had them installed for ~3 and ~1.5yrs respectively and havent had any problems with either unit. I went with Ademco because I seen them all over the place - various local businesses, friends homes, etc. so assumed it was a solid panel.

I believe I paid ~$200 for my parents system which consisted of Vista-15P panel, 6160 Keypad, 2 PIR motion sensors, 6 contacts, enclosure, backup battery, RJ31X jack, transformer, and siren.

Not trying to take anything away from what anyone else said, but figured Id throw another option out there if you continue to have an issue locating a Caddx panel.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Very true, Ademco is another known brand out there that merrits investigation for sure!

 

[ano]

Yup, Ademco. Maybe like a Vista 20 or 30. Very reliable. The only negative is that programming them is a bit of a pain, but you only have to do it once.

 

[drvnbysound]

I had a quick question, hoping someone knows the answer..

I currently have an Ademco Vista-20P as stated above, which has 8 on-board wired zones, which is all I am currently using. If I wanted to add contacts to my interior doors, can I do so with wireless sensors? If so, I have to assume that a wireless receiver has to be added to the 20P... Does any have a particular part number or specific name of what I should look for?

 

[Digger]

I had a quick question, hoping someone knows the answer..

I currently have an Ademco Vista-20P as stated above, which has 8 on-board wired zones, which is all I am currently using. If I wanted to add contacts to my interior doors, can I do so with wireless sensors? If so, I have to assume that a wireless receiver has to be added to the 20P... Does any have a particular part number or specific name of what I should look for?

Havent used Ademco in years but I think you are looking for a 5881 receiver