wilkes

satkmom-give me more info on the camera deal with your phone

Fins, the amount of time it takes for camera to adjust was very minimal. I tested that with flood light. LOL, you're probably right about the website...gotta sell the stuff : )

rh, with you there. Because of recent situation with my daughter, I am more concerned with my security. We live in a pretty rural area. Once I know someone is out there, I have protection.

Once i am locked in the house, i feel pretty secure. 4 dogs, (good watchdogs) a coupla guns, and an alarm system that is not monitored...just noise. I am thinking about the camera thing for when i am away. Dogs are still there, stuff is just stuff, but i still want to know what is going on. I don't need pan and tilt. Not sure about night vision. Fixed focus is ok. I have two ground floor entrances. Am i looking at 3 cameras? Don't need the cheapest thing out there... but don't want to over purchase. Remote/internet access is a must, as is recording.
Am i in a false sense of security? Does this make it easier to "guesstimate" an expenditure?
!

I have security cameras that I can monitor from my cell from anywhere in the USA,, It also records on its own DVR.. I also have CPI so if someone does break in it calls the Law.. My security cameras and my CPI are not connected to each other. I pay 34.95 a month for my CPI and I bought My Cameras striaght up and I monitor them for free from my cell... I love my cameras. I would cancel my CPI but it also call the fire dept if I have a fire so that is the only reason I keep it..

And you people complain because the local economy sucks.

http://www.newegg.com has some affordable and good equipment, with a large variety.

You read on a website where they are trying to sell you alarms that a deadbolt isn't enough? Think about that...

If someone can get past your deadbolt in 60 seconds, they can disable your alarm in 30 seconds. All I have to do is cut the phone line, kick the door in, and then have 60 seconds to find the alarm panel, find the key hidden on top of the panel, kill the AC power, and yank the battery back up. Then I have time to find your camera DVR to take the hard drive

Btw, most cameras can't handle going from dark to bright light quickly. It's likely that a flood light with a motion sensor will blind your camera for several seconds.

Thanks everyone for your input. I have camera's - pretty good ones actually, and if I use motion sensor lights I won't need night vision. Big thing, I guess is setting off alarms on windows. Is it really that easy to get through a bolt lock? I read on one of the security websites that good crooks can get in most locks in 60 seconds or less. I use to have a system that would call my cell if an alarm was activated and I could listen in. Wish I could find one like that again. I have dogs, but they bark at lots of things and aren't much of a threat to anyone.

Yeah, the phone company is a great idea. Have the guys that barely can keep a century old technology working protect your house. And the crap from lowes is an even bigger joke. If thats what you are going that route, save your money and just buy the window stickers.

How about a price range fins?

lowes has a new system that is called iris and its very resonably priced imo. I just heard about it (dont have one) but online it seems to get pretty good reviews

who is your telephone provider? I got a system through wilkes telephone and it's only $15 a month with monitoring. I didnt' have to pay any up front out of pocket cost.

you probably shouldn't spend much on a system, someone will steal it

guineas

Get a really large bone and super sized food bowl placed on your front porch. Put an industrial sized chain as a tie out. It will make the bad guys think twice.

I agree with kat. Can't beat a good dog.

I know of a good complete system email me and I will get u some info

get a big dog. Heck if you are on premises a lot even a small yappy dog is good to let you know to grab your gun.

A reliable system will cost some money. The cheap systems are a waste of money. Especially with cameras. Cheap cameras don't have clear images, and they don't last. Also, many of the cheap DIY kits have proprietary cables that are permenantly attached to the cameras and can't be extended or repaired.