On Wed, 29 Dec 2004 08:44:00 -0800, Larry Jaques
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

A quick note: NEVER buy a wireless system again. They're much more
easily interrupted, are more prone to failure, and have a MUCH higher
rate of maintenance. Hardwiring is the only way to go and is also
usually about half the price, excluding installation.

Interrupted. Hehe. The general indication is that the burgs that did
our place were not up to that standard. If you mean accidental, I
agree. the placement of TV's, microwaves etc can have an effect. But
the PIRs seem to work VERY well......in bloody test mode. When the PIR
did fire, the board lit up. So commc are not am apparent problem.

But I do see the possibility of weaknesses. I am going to add wired
door and window sensors, which really make me feel better anyway. Stop
the *******s getting in. Actually "wired" in the other sense
altogether is very trmpting. Pity about the mantrap laws....

No, but you're half a world away. Judging by their blank main
page on the website, they're not too hot. Did you get the $690
system? It doesn't appear to be monitored. Ask your local cops
if they respond to automated phone messages from these systems.

Police will respond to messages _only_ from a person, nit from auto
machine calls. That person can either be a monitoring company, or a
private individual.

If a private person calls, they are obliged to check it out......some
time. No time guarantees. Crikey! They have been known to take 3 hours
to respond to home invasions and beatings on 80 Year Olds! Not
uncommon.

Police will not respond to monitoring co call unless at least two
Zones have been triggered. If the monitoring co calls me and gets no
reply, they do nothing, unless two zones have been triggered, when
they ring police. If they get me on a one zone call, they either leave
me to call the cops, or will check it out.......within the next half
hour and for $55. For this I pay $500 per year plus their gear.

So I am doing it myself. Basically, as far as I can see, the chances
of catching a burglar 1/2 hour after the fact are zilch. I can go and
check out the premises no problem myself. I pay for home insurance
every year in monitoring fees saved.

That's another downside to wireless. They can't be turned off while
you are "home" which eats up batteries.

They are talking one year battery life. No biggy. Thais part I
considered and took on board.

PIRs need both body heat and movement before they react. The cheaper
units require more movement while the more expensive units have a

Well, maybe these things are at one threshold when testing and one
when working? Serious. This could be to prevent false alarms. But all
the guy had to do was say so. It does misguide you about what parts
are being picked up when you Test.

These things are adjustable sensitivity. Two level only, but
adjustable.

I doubt it. They're probably keyed to the mfgr's electronics.

Yeah. I am going to check, but that's what I fear.

God Bless the Internet. I read about them and determined that I wanted
a wired solution. I, too, bought one (for my Vista, CA USA home) right
after a burglary/just before I left for a week at COMDEX (Las Vegas
Computer show) The guy also accepted a project bike (250 CZ dirtbike)
as a $250 prepayment on the $800 price tag. The installer took 4 hours

Well, that was one problem. I would still be waiting for an install at
this stage....the lead time was over a month. House empty over
Christmas. 3rd breakin....sympathise with me.

If this was an expensive investment, you might ask them if they have a
wired solution and a better grade of equipment.

Wireless only.

Otherwise, maybe you
could ask for a refund and then do more research before purchasing
again.

There is a 30-day payback option.

Another good resource is the comp.home.automation group. The
guys there are a better lot than at a.s.a. Several of the guys there
sell alarm systems. (I think Robert Bass is actually a good guy so
beware the guys dissing him. He may have stepped on toes over at
alt.security.alarms and cost them some sales by having better pricing
and service.)

Did you check with any local alarm companies who do local monitoring?
This is something you really want because they are colleagues with the
local cops: -their- alarms get responded to.

I actually knew a guy who worked for them. His opinion of them was not
good. I did call a couple out to quote. Lots of money, and I was not
that impressed with either the reps or the situation regarding
monitoring as described above. I do know that police reponse to any
alarm call is poor. They almost _never_ catch the burgs onsite.
errrm..I think their clearup rate is about 5-8% at _any_ time.....