Most regular security companies will charge $300-$400 for what the “free” companies offer for no charge. After that, devices tend to be the same price, or slightly lower with the non-“free” companies. So for an extra $300-$400 upfront, you get a system that is a lot less vulnerable, is more reliable, lasts longer, is installed by the better technicians, and gives you the freedom to shop around for better service and/or a lower monitoring rate.
The following is from www.alarmsystemreviews.com
If you honestly think you’re going to get adequate security protection for “free”, you’re going to be disappointed. Let's set the record straight about the infamous "free home alarm system". When you’re offered a “free” system, it usually consists of the following:
An “all in one” wireless keypad, siren, control panel and dialer.
One wireless door or window contact, one wireless motion sensor.
A long term monitoring contract, that automatically renews (sometimes even up to five years).
Extra charges for additional contacts, motion sensors, etc.
Extra charges called “activation fees” or “police and fire registration fees”.
Especially sneaky: Some companies that use central monitoring stations that are out of your telephone area code will actually CHARGE you to use their 1-800 number, in order for your alarm to send its signal
So Why Is The System Wireless?
Most of these “free” alarm companies go with wireless because it takes virtually no skill to install. A lot of the programming can be done ahead of time, so the “technician” that installs the system can get the job done as quickly and easily as possible. Many of these employees have little to no skill, because their employers pay them as little as possible. Really talented technicians are paid well, because they are a surprisingly rare and valued commodity in the industry these days. These “free” alarm companies do not attract the best technicians.
What’s wrong with these “all in one” wireless units?
They’re extremely vulnerable. The best set up for your alarm is to have the keypad, control panel (the “brains” of the system) and siren installed in separate places. So for example if a thief rips the keypad off your wall, it doesn’t matter. The dialer that sends your alarm system’s signal to the monitoring station is located inside the control panel, which is most likely installed in your basement, and is not damaged. If you have an “all in one” system, not only is the keypad disabled, but so is the entire alarm system, including the siren!
No matter which company you go with, it is always best to have a hard wired alarm system. They are more reliable than wireless, last forever, and you don’t have to worry about batteries running out and compromising your security!
Here’s a scary fact about wireless alarm components: at one time, one of the bigger alarm equipment manufacturers produced wireless equipment that communicated using a 900MHZ signal. What’s wrong with that, you ask? The problem is/was that most cordless phones use the SAME frequency! These systems were vulnerable to interference (therefore false alarms) from not only the phones that belonged to the homeowner, but even the phones that belonged to neighbors! So now manufacturers are using different frequencies, such as 2.4 MHZ and 5.8 MHZ, to solve the problem. The only problem is, newer style cordless phones are now starting to use the same frequency! Will your wireless system be compromised by a cordless phone or any other wireless interference? The chances are slim, but not zero. All the more reason to go with a hard wired system, where there is NO chance of interference. Even better, hard wired devices generally cost less than their wireless counterparts.
They Cannot Be Monitored By Any Other Alarm Company.
It is important that you own your alarm equipment, so that you can switch monitoring companies if you’re not happy with their service, or want to shop around for a better monitoring rate. And there are dramatically different levels of service quality and monitoring cost between the various alarm companies! With a “free” system, it is almost certain that it is “locked out”. This means that no other alarm company can monitor it. These companies may also use software that can “remotely kill” your alarm system, rendering it useless in a matter of minutes.
They Give A False Sense Of Security.
Protecting your home with one motion sensor and one or two door contacts would not be even adequate protection for the average home owner. It will leave huge gaps in your security protection, allowing an intruder to easily enter your home, and stay a lot longer, before the alarm actually goes off.
The “Free” System Offer Gets Their Foot In The Door.
As explained above, you are definitely going to have to add more equipment to get to an acceptable level of security. Typical prices for a wireless device offered by any alarm company would be: $75-$95 for a door or window contact, $90-$130 for a wireless motion sensor, and about the same cost for a wireless smoke detector. If you decide to go with fire monitoring (highly recommended), or if you need a back up for your phone line using cell or radio, the (already inflated) monitoring charges will be much higher. The “free” offer is really a classic “bait and switch” tactic.
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