Security for Apartment?

[aslamma]

What are some good options for an apartment with only a single point of entry? I do not have a land line, but would *ideally* like to have it call my cell phone somehow (perhaps via Simcard capability).

To be frank, I do not even know what the right goal of a security system is:

- Obviously a siren to scare off intruders.
- To call a monitoring service? Not really sure how effective this.
- To call your cell phone? What then...how effective will that really be?

Anyway, I am just looking for sort of decent protection over my nonexistant level. My other option was to enhace the door strength, but the complex does not seem to be too receptive of that.

As far as controlling home automation, I don't think that is too important to me right now. Current X-10 and starting to upgrade with Insteon.

 

[rfdesq]

Check out the Elkguard.

 

[aslamma]

Check out the Elkguard.

Looks like it has high potential and right up my alley. But there are few things I do not understand. After reading this thread there is more info, but....

http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showtopic=9350

- Can't the burglar just bash the thing in with a baseball bat and that is the end of it? Of course you did get a text about it so that is very nice but as mentioned in the previous thread...it seems like it could be put out of commission easily.

- If you put it on the ceiling, which would help since mine are 12', you lose the ability to remotely access it
http://www.elkproducts.com/elkguard/service_plans.html

- I guess as mentioned in the previous thread, it seems like you would need a remote siren to really make it useful. Agree?

 

[GraysonPeddie]

Well, it does have motion detector built-in to ElkGuard, but that doesn't matter, because if I were a burglar, I'd be happy to smash ElkGuard with a baseball bat as you suggested.

In that case, I'd get Elk M1 Gold (it's worth every penny!!!), NX-548E with door/window contacts, motion detectors, etc., and you might want to check the thread about NextAlarm over Uplink/Anynet.

I know it's expensive, but it's worth a try, since all-in-one panels are not an option for me, IMO.

 

[aslamma]

Well, I am a total newbie...but did just realize that there is a wireless transmitter for the Elkguard. So I could have it a sensor for the door and put the main unit in a more secure location, but that is still audible. In my case, I could mount it to the ceiling. I wonder if anyone has put it in a closet with a grill that covers it. This would seemingly be pretty secure. I have a pantry right near the entrance and could probably find some studs to put a grill over it.

I do not fully understand the GSM aspect. I was surprised at the cost (~$700 for the elkguard with GSM). Do I need a SIMcard and can that be a prepaid type? Do I then need to a monthly fee to someone? At that point it is probably not worth it.

As far as the M1 Gold goes, I have briefly looked into, but it seemed overly complex for what I want. But maybe I need to rethink that idea.

I do feel like I am on the right track though I don't mind spending the coin for something if it is quality.

 

[rfdesq]

Also check out the Dewalt Sitelock.

 

[BrettS]

What are some good options for an apartment with only a single point of entry? I do not have a land line, but would *ideally* like to have it call my cell phone somehow (perhaps via Simcard capability).

You can get a cellular system for most alarm panels, but they're designed to work with a central station and will definitely have a monthly fee involved for the cell service (paid to the central station). I don't think you could utilize this to call you on your cell phone. Frankly, for less than you'd pay for a cellular system you could get a cheap VOIP service (assuming you have high speed internet) and use that instead. It's probably a bit less reliable, but may be a good alternative.

- Obviously a siren to scare off intruders.
- To call a monitoring service? Not really sure how effective this.
- To call your cell phone? What then...how effective will that really be?

If you're going to get a system I would strongly suggest you have it monitored. The monitoring station can then call the police or fire department if something happens. If you're 'self monitoring' and you're out of range or your cell phone battery died or sitting on an airplane or whatever then you won't be able to do anything if someone breaks in.

As far as controlling home automation, I don't think that is too important to me right now. Current X-10 and starting to upgrade with Insteon.

Even if you aren't doing much with home automation now I would definitely look for a system that would work with automation later on... one of the elk panels or another panel that is supported by an automation system like homeseer. If you're going to be spending money on an alarm system now you wouldn't want to replace it in a year or two just because you want to connect it to your automation system at that time. You may as well spend a little more now rather than just completely replace your system later.

 

[GraysonPeddie]

Well, just go with Elk M1 Gold + NX-584E + ABN Adapter for NextAlarm and just forget about GSM! That is, if you Froogle through the Internet for some great deals.

You have more flexibility with the placement of keypad, siren, etc.

(By the way, I scored a deal from OKAlarm, but the site is currently down at the time of writing.)

 

[aslamma]

Grayson:

One of the problems is that I am quite confused about the Elk, how it works, the 3 components. The Elkguard is so "easy" in comparison. Can you share some more info about how the Elk works with these components. Can it talk directly to my cellphone? I guess I am a bit of a control freak and would rather have it call me than a 3rd party.

 

[GraysonPeddie]

If you don't need monitoring, you can subscribe to SkypeOut/SkypeIn service and get yourself a D-Link Skype USB Phone Adapter. With SkypeOut, Elk can call your cell phone. With SkypeIn, you get a telephone number, so you can dial a telephone number from your cell phone to control your security/automation system.

But if you choose to go with monitoring in the future (I suggest you do), then you'll need an alarm broadband adapter with NextAlarm. You can have NextAlarm to call your cellphone, if you don't want a dispatcher service.

www.nextalarm.com

 

[Steve]

aslamma - While I don't disagree that the M1G is a good long term investment especially if you will be moving or doing more complex HA in the future, but the ElkGuard is quite a nice little device for what it is. I don't think the ceiling is an appropriate place for it and you probably want to place it so the built in motion detector catches activity shortly after opening the door. As far as it being smashed with a baseball bat - realistically, how many smash and grab thugs do you really think are walking around with a Louisville Slugger? Unless you leave one around the room for them I would not worry too much about that. The siren is pretty darn loud and I would think most thugs would turn tail and run for another apartment before they go all Steven Siegal on the ElkGuard. So if all you are looking for is decent reliable and inexpensive protection/deterrent, I think the ElkGuard is a good choice.

 

[electron]

I would definitely recommend the ElkGuard as well. There are tons of accessories (so you can hide the main unit if needed), and a wireless keypad, which is usually a big deal in an apartment environment.

 

[BrettS]

The only thing that really bothers me about the Elkguard is that you're paying $700 for it ($700? Really? That sounds high.) and it doesn't have any way to interface with an automation system. I know that you said it's not a priority for you now, but if you're like any of us (and if you hang around this board for much longer you will be) then you will want something you can integrate with your home automation system in the future. When that time comes (and I know it will) then personally I would hate to have spent $700 for something that will need to be outright replaced.

Also, look into the monthly cost for the ElkGuard... I suspect you'll need to pay something for it's GSM signaling capability.

Finally, one more word on monitoring - even if you are a control freak I think it's a good idea to get the monitoring service. You can have the monitoring company call you first if the alarm goes off and you can then make the decision for them to dispatch the police or not, but if you can't answer your cell phone for any reason, then they can still dispatch the police for you (if you want - you can have them set it up so that they need to make contact before they dispatch, but frankly, that kind of defeats the purpose of having a monitoring station). If you integrate smoke detectors with your system, then you know the fire department will be called whether you're home to hear the smoke detectors or not.

Brett

 

[aslamma]

All very good comments and I am have a couple of good units to work with now

What I like about Elkguard is its simplicity. I can be up and running very quickly without much knowledge. Of course this is also the downside. Brett, I agree, why so much $ for the elkguard? It seems too high for what it is.

I really do not understand how the M1 Gold works and what I need to interface with it. I am going to call someone to discuss the options. I agree that the M1 Gold is someting I really should consider as well because I have a feeling I will want to get into the automatio aspect further.

As far as the monitoring goes, the complex will take care of smoke and all of that. I guess one of my fears was false alarms and the event that the complex manager needs to access my apartment. I would not want to bother the police in those events since I am sure they have better things to do.

 

[electron]

You can always go with an Elk M1EZ8 (M1 Gold's little brother), but if they won't let you improve a door, I doubt they will let you drill holes etc so you can mount your keypad (no wireless keypad support for the M1 series).