Thread: Advice Needed: Wireless Home Security Systems (DSC Alexor or GE Simon XT)

We're interested in adding a security system to one of our properties that remains vacant most of the year. We want to do the install ourselves and want something that will call our mobile phones if something/someone trips the alarm without going through a monitoring plan. We were recommended two systems:

- DSC Alexor
- GE Simon XT

Any experiences with either one? Any other suggestions? The DSC looks easier to install but the GE looks like it has more features.

Sorry to get your hopes up with a response... Hopefully someone qualified chimes in. Very cool systems though! I had no idea things like this existed, sans monthly fees to a monitoring company.

Thanks for the info, good luck!

The great thing about today’s home security systems is that they are wireless, require no setup, installation is very easy, and the cost is extremely affordable. Consider the Home Safe Wireless Home Security System and you can quickly and easily provide high quality security to your home or small business.
The HOME SECURITY SYSTEM is an affordable solution to your home or office security needs. This easy to operate security system will sound an alarm and dial up to 5 preset phone numbers to let you know motion has been detected or a door or a window has been opened in your home. A land line with tone dialing is required.
HOW IT WORKS
1. When the door/window sensor or motion detector is triggered, it sounds an alarm and sends a signal to the base unit.
2. The base unit dials the first telephone number of your programmed list.
3. The person answering the call will hear a prerecorded alert message.
4. That person will have the option to listen in on the room, broadcast their voice through the base unit, or disarm the system.
5. If there is no answer, or if the person doesn’t disarm the system, it will dial the next number on your programmed list. Includes 1 base unit with AC adaptor, 1 window/door sensor (wireless transmission up to 250 feet), 1 motion detector (range 8 yards) and 1 remote control with panic feature for arming and disarming the unit. Additional Remote Controls HA-REMOTE $15.50

I will suggest, dont get a wireless system, they are super easy to disrupt. Any high powered frequency jammer can disable almost all of it or cause it to go off.
There are lots of wired solutions that offer the ability to have an email or call sent out if something is activated.
With a wired system go for the option of 1 or more IP (connects to a network or internet connection) PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera added so that you can monitor the place whenever you want. You can even have the cameras send the video feed to an offsite or onsite server.

We had a camera installed literally 4 days before someone broke into one of our condos (it is vacant most of the time) and it was key for IDing those responsible....it didnt really help that the response time for police was super delayed by the people who manage our alarm system...they waited to get a hold of us (which took like 5 calls and over 20min) until they called the police.

Or if you are set on a wireless system get a smaller wired security system/wired IP PTZ camera just in case. Even if it only monitors 1 or 2 main doors it could make a difference.