Need recommendations instead of Phone watch.

Luckycharms_74

Hi all

You guys might be able to advise or recommend an alarm system (wireless preferably as I don't fancy getting walls chased out for cables) instead of phone watch. The alarm worked ok up to recently but now the app doesn't connect to the panel. I have had 3 engineer visits and they all say it could be a tele 2 issue or an app issue.

I have been holding off but now it's time to bite the bullet and switch.

I'm sure there are semi or fully smart alarm systems out there, I'm aware of HKC or ADT brands but not sure beyond that.

zg3409

What model phonewatch panel do you have now? Are motion sensors and doors wired or wireless? Until recently many installers would reuse the old wiring for a new system. Now they tend to go wireless but there is some downsides. Batteries in every sensor, particularly power hungry motion sensors need to be replaced regularly normally by alarm company during annual service and they are not cheap. If you want Gardai response you need at least one sensor with an inbuilt camera to verify an intruder us actually there. HKC are very popular and installers are plentyful. Maybe get a few email quotes by sending photos of existing systems. Local support us important. Generally phonewatch will be the most expensive. Beware of monthly maintenance fees and annual service fees. Some installers can do very low monthly fees where you monitor the system on your phone yourself with no call centre, and very minimum ongoing costs. Upfront costs can be high or low depending on the business model. Many people want external and or internal online CCTV as part of their security system, which is great during alarm activations when away from home.

kub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058233605/need-recommendations-instead-of-phone-watch

Hi OP,

I imagine if you have an App that you are having issues with, then you more than likely have the PW/ Sector Honeywell system, if you want to get away from PW they will more than likely call around to remove their equipment from your house. Obviously as they are not as such providing you with the service you expected from them, ie your App difficulties then legally you have the law on your side so no need to entertain any waffle there.

There is over twenty other monitoring centers in this country to which any other installer can connect systems to for professional monitoring as there are common protocols between us installers and those monitoring centers.

The Intruder Alarm business has vastly changed over the last few years and wireless is where it is at, this is due primarily to manufacturers such as HKC who have introduced very reliable equipment to the market.

I noticed the previous poster mentioned an issue with batteries in wireless devices and the necessity to replace same, well in my own experience and using HKC equipment, i still have systems out there that are installed over 5 years and the batteries in those wireless devices are still the original ones. The battery life performance has even beaten the manufacturers expectations.

I would recommend HKC and most especially the 10/270 alarm panel, that has smart functions on it. But please be mindful here that, at the end of the day, it is a security system. Just i have come across people wanting their systems connected to Alexa so they could arm and disarm their systems from same which in my view is very worrying.

Every and all installation companies have access to HKC equipment, I would recommend that you get 3 written quotations from PSA licensed Contractors.