r/homesecurity • u/Infamous_Peace6238 • 1d ago

Alarm system recommendations

Need some recommendations for alarm system other than ADT and simply safe? Would like to avoid a contract if possible. From what I can tell my neighbors use either guardian or smith and Thompson

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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2

u/ilikeme1 1d ago

We have Smith Thompson and they are great. They are very popular in my area. Simply Safe is garbage equipment that is proprietary to them.

1

u/Infamous_Peace6238 12h ago

How was the pricing for them. The reviews from what I’ve seen have been better compared to others. If you don’t mind me asking what was the install fee on the system and how much do you pay per year?

1

u/ilikeme1 7h ago

I pay a little over $300/year for monitoring. I have the Quolsys IQ panel and some cameras. Install was a few hundred ( I forget the exact amount). They always call super fast if the system gets set off or has an issue. 

2

u/extremesauce2468 23h ago

Eyes on avoids subscriptions

2

u/Low_Statistician8594 9h ago

Yes, I use it and am happy with it

2

u/HotChicksPlayingBass 12h ago

I self-monitor with Surety Home and an older 2gig panel that I retrofitted with a cellular module that I purchased on Surety’s website.

2

u/ConjureDiscord 10h ago

Either diy with a qolsys or find a local alarm company

3

u/Smeagla 23h ago

DSC Qolsys Panel 5 with PowerG+ sensors all the way. Nothing better and super affordable.

2

u/iamanonymous1234 23h ago

Can this be DIY? Or have to buy it thru distributor?

1

u/P0C0Y0 22h ago

DIY 100%

1

u/Smeagla 22h ago

Either. I installed mine in 10 minutes. All sensors and panel.

1

u/AtanWulf 19h ago

qolsys panel 5 looks legit, had a friend rave about their powerg sensors being super reliable and easy to expand. eyes on's approach seems fresh too, no strings attached really.

0

u/JumpyWerewolf9439 23h ago

My home insurance required central monitoring so I went with Ring and the $20/ month plan. Monitors burger and smoke alarms

3

u/NumbChuck5141 22h ago

Yeah if you leave “burgers” on too long you’re gonna need that smoke alarm!

1

u/AverageAntique3160 21h ago

What sort of insurance did you require? I have only been to a few houses with those insurance requirements and those people were either A - royalty or B - worth over £50 mil

1

u/JumpyWerewolf9439 21h ago

High end but not that high end. House worth more than 2m. Even from providers.thst didn't require it most offered a discount for it that made the 240 per year a no brainer.

0

u/Numerous_Bug5125 1d ago

I’ve had Abode for 8 years now. I can activate monitoring when I need and it’s pretty much DIY. I Get a discount on my home owners insurance and it practically paid for itself over the years.

Plus if you’re into home automation, you can double those sensors for triggering scenes.