Why Wired? Why Not Diy? Why Branded?

[Rodders]

Hi folks

We're moving house shortly and I intend to improve the security of the home with a good alarm system.

In our current home I have installed a very cheap Micromark wireless system. It was very easy to do, simple to use and seems to be working just fine.

However, I'm aware that professional engineers tend to have a low opinion of wirefree systems especially cheap ones. There also seems to be a general consensus that an alarm system will not be much cop unless it is installed by a suitably qualified person. That is the impression I get from this forum and others.

So, I would like to understand this more before I decide whether to install my own system or pay for someone else to do it. Here's some questions:

1. Why is "wirefree" generally frowned upon? What are the main advantages of a wired system over wirefree?

2. What will a professional be able to do that a DIYer can't with a little bit of reading up and thought?

3. Why should one opt for a Texecom system over a budget brand?

4. Why on earth do some domestic systems have 8+ zones? I mean, surely 2 or 3 is sufficient!

5. Can my internal alarm system be setup to watch over a shed or maybe even a garden?

I'm not trying to belittle the professionals in the industry, I'm purely trying to get to grips with why there are specialists out there and what they offer over and above a very good DIYer. I don't happen to know anyone who has had a professionally installed system so I want to avoid cowboys at all costs.

I've been looking at these Texecom kits which seem to get good press and they contain plenty of kit for the money. Any opinions on those?

Texecom Ultimate

Texecom Premier

Many Thanks in advance

[Guest Alarm Guard]

Hi folks

We're moving house shortly and I intend to improve the security of the home with a good alarm system.

In our current home I have installed a very cheap Micromark wireless system. It was very easy to do, simple to use and seems to be working just fine.

However, I'm aware that professional engineers tend to have a low opinion of wirefree systems especially cheap ones. There also seems to be a general consensus that an alarm system will not be much cop unless it is installed by a suitably qualified person. That is the impression I get from this forum and others.

So, I would like to understand this more before I decide whether to install my own system or pay for someone else to do it. Here's some questions:

1. Why is "wirefree" generally frowned upon? What are the main advantages of a wired system over wirefree?

There are mixed views. My view is that wireless is my second choice and a good wireless system costs more to install and more to maintain

2. What will a professional be able to do that a DIYer can't with a little bit of reading up and thought?

Dozens of things eg, acheive insurance approval, be available for urgent calls... even when you are on holiday!, fit it much neater, Etc.

3. Why should one opt for a Texecom system over a budget brand?

What car do you drive? or perhaps what car do you want to drive?

4. Why on earth do some domestic systems have 8+ zones? I mean, surely 2 or 3 is sufficient!

Every device should be on it's own zone to make fault finding possible

5. Can my internal alarm system be setup to watch over a shed or maybe even a garden?

Shed, yes.... Garden: Possible, but not really advisable

I'm not trying to belittle the professionals in the industry, I'm purely trying to get to grips with why there are specialists out there and what they offer over and above a very good DIYer. I don't happen to know anyone who has had a professionally installed system so I want to avoid cowboys at all costs.

OK. This should give you some balance. We have taken out hundreds of DIY alarms to fit our alarm instead. I bet no-one has ever replaced one of my alarms with a DIY one.

I've been looking at these Texecom kits which seem to get good press and they contain plenty of kit for the money. Any opinions on those?

Many Thanks in advance

[Guest]

Hi folks

We're moving house shortly and I intend to improve the security of the home with a good alarm system.

In our current home I have installed a very cheap Micromark wireless system. It was very easy to do, simple to use and seems to be working just fine.

However, I'm aware that professional engineers tend to have a low opinion of wirefree systems especially cheap ones. There also seems to be a general consensus that an alarm system will not be much cop unless it is installed by a suitably qualified person. That is the impression I get from this forum and others.

So, I would like to understand this more before I decide whether to install my own system or pay for someone else to do it. Here's some questions:

1. Why is "wirefree" generally frowned upon? What are the main advantages of a wired system over wirefree?

2. What will a professional be able to do that a DIYer can't with a little bit of reading up and thought?

3. Why should one opt for a Texecom system over a budget brand?

4. Why on earth do some domestic systems have 8+ zones? I mean, surely 2 or 3 is sufficient!

5. Can my internal alarm system be setup to watch over a shed or maybe even a garden?

I'm not trying to belittle the professionals in the industry, I'm purely trying to get to grips with why there are specialists out there and what they offer over and above a very good DIYer. I don't happen to know anyone who has had a professionally installed system so I want to avoid cowboys at all costs.

I've been looking at these Texecom kits which seem to get good press and they contain plenty of kit for the money. Any opinions on those?

Many Thanks in advance

Hi there, i`ll be brief,

1, Some DIY wire free can be "circumnavigated" very easily.

2, A professional can offer a well designed system to cover most eventualities, a system which works around you not the other way around and if certificated will be accepted by insurers.

3,Texecom or other brand names will have been thoroughly tested and offer more value for money. IE more facilities from the system.

4,See Point 2, hence all point of entry covered, possibly two entrances, panic devices perhaps, there goes 4-5 zones already.

5,Your alarm could be set to protect a garage or out house. Not however external areas as the false alarm rate would be horrendous.

If you want a good installer use the NSI or SSAIB listings here on this forum, there will be a local installer to you.

As for Texecom they have their good points as other makes do, the choice is up to you or your chosen installer if you go down that route.

Hope this helps.

[Guest]

I don't happen to know anyone who has had a professionally installed system so I want to avoid cowboys at all costs.

down my street of 40 odd houses there are 2 decent alarms one //.National Installer.// ("free" dealer job) & mine the rest are sparks, cowboys & diy..... largely because most people will pay more for their internet per year than for an alarm......

[BASS]

Have I missed something do TEXECOM do an ULTIMATE thought only ADE/HONEYWELL did that. ???

Ahhhhh disrgard that it was a a kit from a wholesaler Stupid me banghead

[Guest]

not totally ture about sparks some are a little dodgy at alarms but for the people that have trained in alarm installatyion and cctv they install to a much higher standard.

though often nowhere near the correct standard

and with regards to internet some people dont pay for their internet as i dont because ive had a orange contract and get free 2m broadband which suits me to the ground

free lunch anyone?

OMG that link for where the texecom ultimate kit is sold. Leads to a DIY site and it sells all the manuals for alarm systems on a disk for

[Guest]

...I'm aware that professional engineers tend to have a low opinion of wirefree systems especially cheap ones.

if only few more public members would be as genious as you are this world would be better place to live..

1. Why is "wirefree" generally frowned upon? What are the main advantages of a wired system over wirefree?

your wirefree signals can be interfered from outside of your premises

2. What will a professional be able to do that a DIYer can't with a little bit of reading up and thought?

he has much more experience and knowhow than DIYer can get with even lot's of reading and thinking.

even if a DIYer would do everything and a pro would be watching behind and telling every time it is goingt to go wrong DIYer wouldn't be able to do similar site as well as pro.

3. Why should one opt for a Texecom system over a budget brand?

ain't texecom a budget brand then??

anyhow if someone is selling you something cheaper than texecom i wouldn't necessarily touch it - unlike texecom..

4. Why on earth do some domestic systems have 8+ zones? I mean, surely 2 or 3 is sufficient!

one PIR and one door contact is quite insufficient to protect your house..

5. Can my internal alarm system be setup to watch over a shed or maybe even a garden?

yes but i wouldn't necessarily do this with any panel and any gear available..

[Rodders]

Thanks all.

I suppose my query about zones shows some of my misunderstanding. I thought a "zone" would be a part of the house - ie upstairs, front, back, shed etc. Am I right in thinking that it is normal to use a zone for each detector and then these can be grouped into areas - programmed at the control panel - which can then be armed/disarmed accordingly?

I think I'll have quotes from local companies as suggested. Is it normal/wise to have a monitored system these days?

[Guest]

... Am I right in thinking that it is normal to use a zone for each detector and then these can be grouped into areas - programmed at the control panel - which can then be armed/disarmed accordingly?

I think I'll have quotes from local companies as suggested. Is it normal/wise to have a monitored system these days?

[Rodders]

And......I can't seem to find any Peterborough based companies on this site. Any suggestions?