I just got a new house that has a Brinks security system installed. I am not under contract or anything and the security system is currently not even on, I had to disconnect it because it kept beeping telling me I didn't have monitoring currently on...

anyhow, Brinks wants you to sign a 3 year contract that is like $30 a month. Plus if you ever move before your contract is up or want to cancel service, you have to pay the remainder of your contract. It's really a bull**** way of ripping you off in my opinion. So needless to say, I didn't sign a contract with Brinks and started looking elsewhere. Well I found this company called AlarmRelay (www.alarmrelay.com), that does the monitoring service for only $9 a month and you pay 1-year up front. So instead of having a 3 year contract at $30 a month, you only have a 1-year prepaid service at $8 a month. And from what I read they do the same exact monitoring service as Brinks does.

But the problem is, AlarmRelay said they cannot use the Brinks hardware. Just about everybody else works with them besides Brinks because Brinks uses it's own proprietary hardware... so I am looking for the cheapest way I can replace my keypad and box so that it will work with AlarmRelay. I own all the current hardware in my house, such as the keypad, box, and door contacts and all the motion sensors..

Any help and any info on Alarm Relay is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

oh yeah, another note on this, I don't have a landline phone (I only use my cell phone) and for the last couple of weeks, every night at about 1:30 in the morning, the keypad starts beeping and wakes me up. I have to get out of bed run downstairs and hit the "Cancel" button. The keypad says there is a problem and to call Brinks. Well I called Brinks and they said it's doing this because there is no phone line hooked up and no monitoring service activated. So I asked, well I don't want to sign up for monitoring service and sign your ridiculous 3 year agreement for equipment I already own, so I just want to use the alarm siren that's all. Well they said I can't do that because without the monitoring service the keypad will continue to beep everynight... so I had to totally power down the whole system and now my siren won't even work because there is no power to the system anymore. Stupid Brinks wouldn't even give me the master code to turn the siren off because I accidently activated it, it's was like they didn't even want the system to work at all unless you pay them for their monitoring service. So this is why I am fed up with them and looking elsewhere for a better solution... this is my opinion is HORRIBBLE business ethics.. and I will not fall prey to this BS they try to give you..

 

Yes, most of Brinks panels are essentially hardwired/hardcoded for their protocals. All you should have to replace is the keypad(s) and control. Contacts, motion detectors and the like are pretty interchangeable. Peruse the previous topics in this forum. There have been a lot of pretty good discussions on the topic of replacement panels.

Monitoring without a landline is a bit of a headache. This is one area where the alarm technology is a bit behind the curve. There are cellular based monitoring, but these generally come at a higher price. There are a number of cell based dialers. Most work only on specific networks, there are a couple that work with consumer cell networks. You will have to check what's available in your region.

 

1.) how about monitoring with a wireless broadband connection (WiFi) connected to my wireless G router?

2.) is AlarmRelay a very good monitoring service if you own your own equipment?

3.) What kind of cost can I plan on to replace my 1 control pad and the panel that sits under the stairs in a closet?

Thanks

 

1) You would have to have Vonage or another broadband-based VoIP service
2) I've heard of AlarmRelay, but don't know what their service and support is like, or their response times, or whether they are UL listed as a monitoring company, etc.
3) You could get a GE/ITI Concord Express with programming keypad for about $150 online. This system is the perfect replacement for a Brinks - I've sold many of them for replacing ADT and Brinks systems, and every one of my customers is exstatic.

Good luck!

 

3.) Could I use my exisiting motion detectors, door sensors, and control box? is it just a matter of switching out the keypad?

 

The keypad and the control panel. If you like the Concord Express, then I would recommend the 80-518 kit - it includes everything you need to replace a basic system.

Good luck!

 

can I hook these up myself? or would I need a professional to come in to hook it all up?

 

Nah, they are easy to install. Just make sure you mark the wires very carefully before disconnecting them from the panel. Once you've done that, you're ready to install the new panel. Some of the connections will be slightly different (like sirens, keypads, etc.) so make sure you mark the device connected to each wire and not what it's connected to on the panel.

Programming on the Express is also pretty much done for you - with no monitoring, it can be used right out of the box.

Good luck!

 

Are these systems really good? or are there better ones I should look into, like Ademco, etc?

Thanks

 

IMO, they are the best on the market. If you want something better than the Concord Express, consider the Concord Hybrid/RF Integrated, or better yet the Concord Ultra system. The Ultra includes everything mentioned above, plus it has a 96 zone wireless receiver with a 2300 ft range, 2-way voice, phone access module, voice annunciation, and built-in X-10 automation.

The Concord Ultra is the absolutely the best system on the market.

The problem with Ademco, DSC, CaddX and many other systems is the programming - it's just too cryptic (DSC especially.) GE/ITI has definitely cornered the market on ease of programming.

If you like the idea of automating a home, you may also want to look into the HAI Omni systems - http://www.homeauto.com Or the OnQ HMS systems - http://www.onqhome.com

Good luck!

 

as far as automating, the only thing you really gain is the ability to control lights and appliances remotely right?

I mean as for the security, I don't see anything different that the Omni system does versus a GE system..

 

Exactly - the Omni/HMS systems add more IF/THEN programming (for automation), but other than that, are pretty much the same.

 

how does the Concord Ultra X10 module work? do it send out x10 commands to turn lights on and off when alarms are triggered?

for instance, I have like 4-5 hardwired motion detectors in my house from Brinks. Can I make it so that say, if the living room motion detector is tripped, it will send an x10 command out to turn on the light plugged into the x10 receiver in the living room? This could be pretty cool just to use without even having the alarm go off... for instance, while you are home, don't let the alarm siren go off or anything, but let it still turn lights on and off depending upon the motion sensors.. so as you get up in the dark to walk to the bathroom, the lights will go on in the rooms you walk through with motion sensors... can you do all of this?

Thanks

 

In short - yes. It's called "Sensor Activated Lights". Basically, any "sensor" (or zone) can activate any X-10 device/address. It's all programmed through the User Menu - very simple.