Do It Yourself Home Security System

Best Home Security System Reviewed

What is the best home security system? The Barking dog alarm wasn’t bad, but is it enough? Great news, if you’re in the market for a cheap, do it yourself home security system. A few weeks ago, a neighbor of ours was burglarized. Nothing was taken from their house because they had a professionally installed Home Alarm System. According to the police, the loud, piercing sound of the alarm is the best home security system you can possibly have and totally discouraged the burglars from even trying. I felt it was long past due that I protected my own house before I became a victim. The best home security system is the one that makes burglars think twice, right? So, what is the best home security system company for me?

Home Security Companies

The best home security system shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. I checked with a few local alarm companies, and got one estimate from a local company who seemed very competent, professional and trustworthy. However, a few things kept me from going this route: One, Cost$200 – $500 installation, plus monthly fees ranging from $35. $50 per month. Seems expensive, even for the best ones. Two, Phone System Compatibility:Vonage is not compatible with the alarm dial-in service, which requires a regular land-line. The solution is a cell phone back up which adds another $250 – $300 to the price above. Three: Motion Detectors and Pets. I knew that I would never be comfortable with the fact that our cat could possibly set off a false alarm. For the reasons above, I decided to look into getting an inexpensive, do-it-yourself, wireless  alarm system. One other thing, which swayed me from the alarm system companies was that the fact that so many of them did not get good reviews when it comes to response time once a call is dispatched.  What is the point in paying for a service like this if you cannot be confident in it?  If I could find an inexpensive product that would dial me directly when an alarm was triggered, I could bypass the monthly fees, and would gladly use some of the savings to go back to a traditional land line telephone service to make it work. Also, if I could setup my own alarm system, I would spend the time and practice necessary to get around the concerns about the cat and motion detector.  A good do it yourself home security system is the one product that meets all of these needs exactly:

Do-It-Yourself Wireless Kit

The Skylink Deluxe SC100 is Wireless Home Alarm System by Skylink that costs only $109.95 and is a breeze to install.  This kit includes: Wireless Keypad with alarm, two door/window entry detectors, one motion detector and remote keychain. What sold me on this particular kit was its starting price and expandability. Up to 30 motion or accessory products are supported. Also, a dial-in unit can be added for approximately $100 that accomplishes exactly what I had hoped was possible: The Emergency Dialer will store and dial up to 9 different phone numbers in-case of a break-in. There are no monthly fees. The way I look at it, this is a much more effective way of responding to possible break-ins, because it puts me in full control of how to proceed at my own discretion. The complete package with the emergency dial-in unit (See Image Below), Skylink SL Gold Deluxe, can be had for a little under $200.00. I opted to forego the dial-in unit initially, knowing that I could order it later, if I was satisfied with my initial setup.
(Dial In Unit Show Right) AD433-S.

Only one shortcoming would prevent me from rating this product even higher: It would be nice if the transmitter kept a log of door entries, alarm breaches, etc. Otherwise the Skylink SC100 is an excellent choice and I believe it to be the best do it yourself home security system for a reasonable price.

Final Rating:

Features: 84
Operation: 88
Installation and Ease of use:
92 Expansion: 88 Price
Value: 90
Overall: 88