I just stumbled across an article about someone (Who will remain unnamed) within the security alarm industry and his move over to 2gig technologies. This prompted me to do a little research on the company. It seems the gang over at APX are using it so it must be crap... or at least cheap.
Cheap does not always mean bad so I looked a little further. Well, first of all, the security alarm portion of the 2Gig Go Control system is completely wireless. Not good touchscreen or not.
Looking a little further, 2Gig is touting the 2 gig technologies Go Control as a complete home automation system stating "Make any home a smart home." I will be the first to admit smart home technology is highly overpriced for what it is. The thing is, cheap Home Automation "Solutions" such as the 2Gig Go Control bring back nightmares of X-10 and what they were trying to do.
So what is the 2Gig Go Control you ask. Well, from initial review, I see it as nothing more than a souped up DSC Alexor, GE Simon, Paradox Magellan, Alarmforce, Honeywell Lynx, Snif or any of the other wireless wannabe security alarm system pieces of trash. I really wish the alarm manufacturers would get a grip on reality and realise security alarms are serious business. Security alarm systems are not toys, security alarm systems need to be able to withstand the attack of a potential intruder. A transistor radio sized box mounted on the wall by the front door and containing the entire 'Brains' of your security system is not real security. I don't care how fancy you make it and how many functions it can do, this type of wireless 'security alarm system' is just a fancier toilet alarm. It just looks a little nicer before the would be intruder steps on it, rendering the 2gig technologies Go Control home automation security alarm control panel totally useless when compared to its' hardwired counterpart.
Sorry guys, I did take an honest look at the 2gig Go Control security alarm system and just do not like it, even with the cheesy little touchscreen and online demo. I will continue to stick to hardwired security alarm systems as well as automation systems. When it comes to wireless and security alarm systems, I firmly believe it should only be used for systems which much be portable as well as cellular communications to the monitoring station. Of course, cellular communications uses a completely different type of wireless. If this technology was deployed in security alarm system sensors, they would be financially out of reach for consumers. So to those mooks and boneheads who like to use cellular phones as a defence for wireless security systems... get a grip.
Controlling lighting via wireless is not as bad, but that is only because lighting does not tend to be mission critical. So what if a little interference stops your lights from being able to be remotely turned on. It is not as if you are relying on this function to contact the fire department if your house catches on fire, or notify the police if you are being broken into.
Showing posts with label alarm system. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alarm system. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tell me what it really costs - The security alarm system package deal scam
We have all heard of them, those TV, radio and newspaper ads touting free of very cheap security alarm systems. Usually these “Complete security systems” system consist of nothing more than 2 stick on / fall off door window contacts and one cheaply made wireless Motion detector made in Mainland China by children. As far as security alarm systems go, this would be a perfect solution for a very small apartment or single room construction trailer. Also, with the system being wireless, it would be best if your home was lead lined and did not contain any forms of RF interference (Cordless phones, cell phones, wireless transmitters, or electricity). Yes, common household electrical wiring can also cause problems on most any wireless security systems.
On the other hand, let’s say the “free” alarm system you just signed up for is hardwired; you still should approach this “deal” with caution. After all, rarely anything worth getting in life is really free. Properly installing a hardwired security alarm system requires skill, the best installers often have years of installation training and experience.
In conclusion, anyone considering purchasing a security system should do some research on the installation company prior to signing their contract. A poorly installed security system can result in false alarms or worse, an ineffective system with dangerous holes for potential criminals to take advantage of.
Having done some reaseach on customer complaints, false alarm statistics and over-all truth in advertising, companies with poor reputations to be weary of include, Alarmforce, ADT (Authorized Dealers & Corporate), Brinks, Protection One, Voxcom etcetera......
On the other hand, let’s say the “free” alarm system you just signed up for is hardwired; you still should approach this “deal” with caution. After all, rarely anything worth getting in life is really free. Properly installing a hardwired security alarm system requires skill, the best installers often have years of installation training and experience.
In conclusion, anyone considering purchasing a security system should do some research on the installation company prior to signing their contract. A poorly installed security system can result in false alarms or worse, an ineffective system with dangerous holes for potential criminals to take advantage of.
Having done some reaseach on customer complaints, false alarm statistics and over-all truth in advertising, companies with poor reputations to be weary of include, Alarmforce, ADT (Authorized Dealers & Corporate), Brinks, Protection One, Voxcom etcetera......
Discount alarm monitoring services - So what's the big dif?
As with any other volume based scam, the commercials seem to be everywhere. Deals from $ 9.99, $ 14.99, $ 19.99 and pretty much everything in between.
So with all the different prices out there, what is the difference and what is the best way to go when it comes to monitoring your home or business security alarm system.
The first thing you should know is the industry standard rate for monitoring is right around $25.00 per month. Some companies may charge you a few dollars more of you are leasing the equipment. Some will charge you a little extra for a service contract. The thing is this $25 is pretty much what the service is worth. If you see a price for anything less than that you should be suspicious as to why the price is lower.
One needs only to call a credit card company or computer technical support to realize many companies outsource their call center work to foreign countries (Often India.) In theory, this should not be too big of a problem; in fact I have received some fairly good technical support from India. Personally, when dealing with the dispatch of police to my home during a break-in, I do not want my safety to be the victim of a breakdown in communication.
Further to that, foreign alarm monitoring stations are not subject to the same laws as domestic. In other words, your personal and private information may be exposed to the less reputable in society. Be careful who you give your banking information to. One need only look at what is happening with all those nigerian internet scams. For the most part, this sould not be a concern as there is usually some sort of local representation. The thing is to be careful and aware of the possibilities.
Even if the monitoring station is not in a foreign country, long distance carriers use a technology referred to as “Least cost routing” Basically, this means long distance calls are often routed through several switches, all with the sole purpose of saving money. With voice calls, this could result in a slight echo, or maybe a little bit of static or a change in voice frequency. These issues are not a big deal when it comes to voice. The problem arises with frequency based data transmissions such as alarm signals. A slight deviation in bandwidth could have serious side effects on the ability for the signal coming from your security alarm system to be understood.
So what does this mean in the real world? Failure to communicate is a security alarm term referring to the security alarm panel not being able to communicate an event to the alarm central monitoring station aka Monitoring Center. In other words, neither the police, fire department nor the ambulance will know about your alarm going off. Burglars will have their way in your home, your home could burn down, or worse, an elderly family member calling for help may pass.
On a lighter note, when choosing a security alarm monitoring station or security alarm Installation Company, one should also look at the service policy and labor rates. In the case of a discount monitoring center, there usually is NO service. This is not saying they will not come out, what I am simply stating is if they do have a service technician in your area, you will be charged beyond normal industry rates for any kind of service calls. This includes simple instructions, entry delay changes or even code changes. Some of these companies even have the balls to charge an activation or connection fee.
In conclusion, be careful who you choose to trust your home or business security to. Maybe you are on a tight budget and you cannot afford quality alarm monitoring services. In that case, maybe the cheap guys are for you. What ever you decide, do yourself a favor and look at all the details. Choosing the cheapest monthly rate may result in you paying more in the long run.
So with all the different prices out there, what is the difference and what is the best way to go when it comes to monitoring your home or business security alarm system.
The first thing you should know is the industry standard rate for monitoring is right around $25.00 per month. Some companies may charge you a few dollars more of you are leasing the equipment. Some will charge you a little extra for a service contract. The thing is this $25 is pretty much what the service is worth. If you see a price for anything less than that you should be suspicious as to why the price is lower.
One needs only to call a credit card company or computer technical support to realize many companies outsource their call center work to foreign countries (Often India.) In theory, this should not be too big of a problem; in fact I have received some fairly good technical support from India. Personally, when dealing with the dispatch of police to my home during a break-in, I do not want my safety to be the victim of a breakdown in communication.
Further to that, foreign alarm monitoring stations are not subject to the same laws as domestic. In other words, your personal and private information may be exposed to the less reputable in society. Be careful who you give your banking information to. One need only look at what is happening with all those nigerian internet scams. For the most part, this sould not be a concern as there is usually some sort of local representation. The thing is to be careful and aware of the possibilities.
Even if the monitoring station is not in a foreign country, long distance carriers use a technology referred to as “Least cost routing” Basically, this means long distance calls are often routed through several switches, all with the sole purpose of saving money. With voice calls, this could result in a slight echo, or maybe a little bit of static or a change in voice frequency. These issues are not a big deal when it comes to voice. The problem arises with frequency based data transmissions such as alarm signals. A slight deviation in bandwidth could have serious side effects on the ability for the signal coming from your security alarm system to be understood.
So what does this mean in the real world? Failure to communicate is a security alarm term referring to the security alarm panel not being able to communicate an event to the alarm central monitoring station aka Monitoring Center. In other words, neither the police, fire department nor the ambulance will know about your alarm going off. Burglars will have their way in your home, your home could burn down, or worse, an elderly family member calling for help may pass.
On a lighter note, when choosing a security alarm monitoring station or security alarm Installation Company, one should also look at the service policy and labor rates. In the case of a discount monitoring center, there usually is NO service. This is not saying they will not come out, what I am simply stating is if they do have a service technician in your area, you will be charged beyond normal industry rates for any kind of service calls. This includes simple instructions, entry delay changes or even code changes. Some of these companies even have the balls to charge an activation or connection fee.
In conclusion, be careful who you choose to trust your home or business security to. Maybe you are on a tight budget and you cannot afford quality alarm monitoring services. In that case, maybe the cheap guys are for you. What ever you decide, do yourself a favor and look at all the details. Choosing the cheapest monthly rate may result in you paying more in the long run.
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