SMS alert on house alarm

Chiron

I posted this over in DIY but got no response maybe somebody here can help.

I want to get some sort of connection that would text me in the event of my house alarm being activated. I was looking at this on e-bay

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...ksid=p3907.m29

and was wondering what people who know about this sort of thing think of it? Is there a cheaper/better option? Also, what is the story with installation, could I do it myself (not technically minded at all) or would I need an electrician or alarm engineer?

Thanks

Kavs

A full HKC system installed by a quailified electrician/alarm installer with digi-dialler is gonna cost in the region of €1500 first fix and 2nd fix.

fishdog

what is the story with installation, could I do it myself

It would not be impossible, but if you are

not technically minded at all

forget it!

Get some help, most electricians can do this or get an alarm installer.
You can buy these devices from Borsatec in Finglas. At least if you have a problem you have a back up service.

Chiron

Christ on a bike! €1500 :eek:

I think I'll give that place in Finglas a call and see what they say.

Thanks for the info guys.

fishdog

Christ on a bike! €1500

It very much depends on your house, it can be as little as €600.

The big question is: Is it wired for an alarm?? This will have a major impact on the price!

BTW I would not go for a system that is connected to a monitoring station if I were you!

Chiron

The house is an average 3 bed semi and already has an alarm installed. I dont want to go with Eircom or anything like that but i would like to be notified if the alarm goes off.

To be honest I thought this would be a lot simpler/cheaper.

TKK

What type of alarm does it have installed? You may be able to get an additional module to handle the sms.

fishdog

The house is an average 3 bed semi and already has an alarm installed

Well then this does not apply:

A full HKC system installed by a quailified electrician/alarm installer with digi-dialler is gonna cost in the region of €1500 first fix and 2nd fix.

Because this would be the price for installing and wiring for a new alarm system. But Kavs did not know you had an alarm.

You may be able to get an additional module to handle the sms.

This is true, but it depends on the system that you have. What make and model is it?? The chances are this will not cost you too much.

Stoner

the thing to remember here is that the texting unit is so much cheaper then a monitoring service, in the long run it will save a lot of money and it is not much of an expense to add one to a new alarm, its it the extent of the alarm system you want, and not the texting unit that will drive the price.

fishdog

its it the extent of the alarm system you want, and not the texting unit that will drive the price.

Stoner you are correct, but Chiron has an alarm already so the alarm system itself is already paid for. I am just unsure what system is installed, without that information it is not possible to know if this unit is compatible or not.

Chiron

Thanks for all the help/info so far everybody. I should have been a little clearer in my first post re already having an alarm already installed.

The alarm is an Aritech CS350N.

Stoner

ahh sorry with all the talk of 1500 euro bucks etc i missed that fact.

I don't know if that panel will take a texting unit,
Jnealon seems well tuned into this type of thing, if nobody else can answer it , try a PM to him/her, most likely him

fpmcaf

I don't have any help for the texting add-on, but I just wanted to say that we have an alarm with the SMS option. It is very good and I would recommend it.
The only thing is that you have to keep topping up the ready to go card with credit, and because the alarm doesn't go off that often the 6 month rule applies.
That is that if you don't top up every 6 months the network operator (Vodafone) blocks it until you top up again. We learnt the hard way because our installer told us to put €20 on for the year, we will never get to use this and we have to keep topping up by €5 at a time.
You will have to watch for this because it won't send any texts until you have topped up again. It might be different with the other operators but Vodafone do this anyway.
Hope you get the add on sorted out.

fishdog

we will never get to use this and we have to keep topping up by €5 at a time.

There is a facility to make test calls without setting the alarm off. Do this every 3 or 4 months to make sure all is well.