small house Small house in need of a wired alarm

[ConfusedPlsHelp]

 

Dear Security Experts:

 

I need to replace an outdated Scantronic alarm. These are the property characteristics:

-          A small, terraced house of two floors (60 sqm in total)

-          A long patio surrounded by a garden fence.

-          Located in an average crime post code in London.

-          Currently, I have 2 motion monitors, a door contact, a shock sensor on a window, and an external bell. No sensors on the second floor.

 

Requirements:

-          There is nothing of value that I want to protect; but I want a DETERRENT.

-          The idea that a burglar could be in my place when we're sleeping scares me. I want to set up the alarm at night.

-          Near zero false alarms. Houses are small, next to each other, and a sensitive alarm will be a serious problem for me. In 20 years, I haven’t had one false alarm with the Scantronic alarm.

-          I’d like to use the existing wires as I understand a wired alarm is more stable.

-          Excellent quality and professional installation.

-          A common alarm that can be serviced in the future by a good number of companies.

-          Remote monitoring by a security company is NOT required.

-          Remote self-monitoring via an app is NOT essential.

 

The solutions that I've found are a Texecom Premier 24 (wired, remote control via an app) or a Veritas (wired, no remote control). I can't find installers for new Scantronic or similar alarms. 

 

Could you pls advise on which ALARM/brand model/features? Is there any other alarm that will meet the above requirements?

I don’t want a cheap solution, on the contrary, but a sophisticated solution can become a headache when a simple one suffices. I know that technology has advanced, but sometimes LESS is MORE.

 

Apologies for the length of the post. This is a topic which is quite confusing for an ordinary person, and, as I'm 'small business', companies don't answer my questions.

 

Pls help, and thank you.

 

PS: I found your website when researching alarms, and your answers keep on popping up. 

 

[james.wilson]

Scantronic we're bought out by menvier and are now owned by Eaton. 

 

[ConfusedPlsHelp]

Thank you for your prompt reply. I know about Eaton, but none of the companies that I've contacted (and replied) seem to install wired Scantronic/Eaton alarms. There appears to be a significant number of installers of Texecom and Pyronix systems (some offer Risco); lots of 'smart' wireless/DIY options (SimplySafe/Ring/Yale, etc.), and the known big firms ADT/Verisure (that offered you a monitoring service). This is why I reduced the options to Texecom Premier and Texecom Veritas.

My specific questions are: based on the info provided above,

- Should I install a sophisticated Premier alarm or should I go for a basic alarm: Veritas. (Just because these are available and fit the requirements).

- Or should I try hard to find a wired Scantronic/Eaton alarm installer?

- Is there anything else in the market in terms of wired alarms/good quality/no remote monitoring that I should consider (NO DIY)?

I have disregarded Risco as I don't seem to find any advantages over Texecom. There are more installers of Texecom.

 

Thank you again. 

 

[james.wilson]

Everyone has their equipment preference. 

I for instance like hkc and acre/vanderbilt for controls

optex and hkc for sensors

etc etc

 

If you ever want to do anything other than turn it on and off via the keypad avoid the basic systems and obviously avoid the diy type ring simplisafe etc

Some love texecom though

[sixwheeledbeast]

Quick glance over your posts...

You should protect at least the landing of upstairs.

All decent systems will have a part set and if installed correctly shouldn't false alarm.

If the cabling is in good order it can probably be reused.

 

You need to decide if you are installing this yourself or you are getting a company in.

Assuming from your posts you want a company to fit it... the manufacturer of the kit is irrelevant to you the company will use there preferred kit.

They can support the products they sell. The usual suggestion is to get three quotes and choose who you feel most comfortable with (not necessarily the cheapest).

I install Texecom but wouldn't fit a Veritas, last one I installed was likely over a decade ago. PE24 poly would be my standard panel on smaller domestics.

 

If your stuck get your quotes, remove all the sensitive information and we can see what they suggest.

[james.wilson]

agree with the above from 6

id be wary of anyone that would fit the kit of your choice if it isnt their prefered equipment. Panels are similar but for instance i wouldnt touch some as the engineers are not trained on it or have experience so support will become an issue at some point. Also look for how long they have been going, you dont want to go with someone that wont be available next week. This is usually the case with the cheaper firms as they cant afford to survive and end up moving to something else

[al-yeti]

6 hours ago, ConfusedPlsHelp said:

 

Dear Security Experts:

 

I need to replace an outdated Scantronic alarm. These are the property characteristics:

-          A small, terraced house of two floors (60 sqm in total)

-          A long patio surrounded by a garden fence.

-          Located in an average crime post code in London.

-          Currently, I have 2 motion monitors, a door contact, a shock sensor on a window, and an external bell. No sensors on the second floor.

 

Requirements:

-          There is nothing of value that I want to protect; but I want a DETERRENT.

-          The idea that a burglar could be in my place when we're sleeping scares me. I want to set up the alarm at night.

-          Near zero false alarms. Houses are small, next to each other, and a sensitive alarm will be a serious problem for me. In 20 years, I haven’t had one false alarm with the Scantronic alarm.

-          I’d like to use the existing wires as I understand a wired alarm is more stable.

-          Excellent quality and professional installation.

-          A common alarm that can be serviced in the future by a good number of companies.

-          Remote monitoring by a security company is NOT required.

-          Remote self-monitoring via an app is NOT essential.

 

The solutions that I've found are a Texecom Premier 24 (wired, remote control via an app) or a Veritas (wired, no remote control). I can't find installers for new Scantronic or similar alarms. 

 

Could you pls advise on which ALARM/brand model/features? Is there any other alarm that will meet the above requirements?

I don’t want a cheap solution, on the contrary, but a sophisticated solution can become a headache when a simple one suffices. I know that technology has advanced, but sometimes LESS is MORE.

 

Apologies for the length of the post. This is a topic which is quite confusing for an ordinary person, and, as I'm 'small business', companies don't answer my questions.

 

Pls help, and thank you.

 

PS: I found your website when researching alarms, and your answers keep on popping up. 

 

What area are you?

[ConfusedPlsHelp]

 

Thanks to everybody for your kind replies.

 

I don't want to do this cheaply. I just don't want unnecessary complexity with sophisticated panels that I cannot reset without the aid of an engineer taking control of my panel remotely or incurring on an expensive monthly subscription to keep it running.

 

It's Veritas not a good system? I'm looking for quality/robustness, but not a smart home. 

 

PS: Thanks for the suggestions of protecting the landing. 

 

 

 

 

[sixwheeledbeast]

It was basic 20 years ago, a company isn't likely to fit a Grade 1 panel.

Even complex panels are designed to be easy for the standard user functions.

[ConfusedPlsHelp]

Thank you,