Could you recommend a home security system?
Question:I have been looking at ADT, Alarm Force, and Magen for Toronto. I want the two way voice monitoring as well as smoke detector monitoring. Alarm Force seems to be the best choice. Does someone have a bad/good experience to share about any of these home security systems?
Answers:
I'm not in TO but I am in Vancouver. All I can say about alarmforce is I have run into many customers of mine who have had nothing but bad experiences with them. Personally, I am not a fan of their advertising as it is filled with nothing but falicies. Under pressure, they have changed alot of it but it still is fairly suspect.
Also, their alarm panel is nothing more than a portable (Read throwable) box which looks similar to a shoebox. The speaker in which the bellowing voice you hear on the radio comes from is mearly the size of one from a small transistor radio of the 70's. The entire system is contained in this box and can easily fit in a toilet. Plastic is also low grade and can easily be stepped on. I had some pictures which I wanted to post on my website, but they ended up being mis-placed... good for some entertainment (I like to call these systems "Toilet alarms"). Also, the contract is 7 years which might as well be life because the system is even more useless without monitoring and it is not a standard alarm panel which can be monitored by anyone. Two way voice is available through most companies, if you really want it.
Enough of the anti Joel rant. As for the others on the list, I do not know about Magen, but ADT is one of the big boys aimed at numbers only. Free systems in quantity is the name of the game. In my opinion, you are better off going with a small company that has a good history. You will most likely get a better level of service and be happier in the end. Ask around locally, don't just go for a company because they are national. Also, don't rely on the largest yellow page ad. Sometimes the best companies are found through word of mouth advertising.
All that aside, I have written a number of security related articles that can be found on my website at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca. I am not in your service area but if you want, I can ask around for some names. Some articles of mine which may be of interest are protection 101, false alarm info and there is also an article on the truth about wireless "security systems" in the archive.
Good Luck
I cannot recommend a particular company as I am from Ok, USA, but my husband owned an alarm company. Just make sure you read the fine print on any contract as with many companies you do not outright own the system. Also, be aware that periodically they will raise the monitoring fee. Be aware of hidden fees. See if maintenance is included in the monthly fee. Good luck!
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