Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I looked at three systems: SimplySafe and PiSector and Fortress. * SimplySafe: My neighbor has it. The main reasons I didn't get that one are: 1). cost for the number of sensors (almost double after I bought what I needed), 2). If you decide not to have it monitored, then it's just a noisemaker-- it cannot notify you via text/phone. SimplySafe uses a USB dongle that you program on your PC, and transfer the settings to the alarm by moving the dongle to the alarm base. It seems quite easy. But SimplySafe is simply a noise maker that can only dial one number (the company) which costs $15/month. * PiSector: This one is slightly more money than Fortress with similar specs, but the main reason I decided against it was reviews stating the company was promising a freeby accessory to 5-star reviewers! I discounted all reviews based on that, and assumed the company unethical. If you can't trust your alarm provider, what kind of security are you getting? * Fortress is reviewed below. I looked at the GSM/Landline version, and the Landline only version, but I decided the extra $70 was worth it since the GSM(cell phone) version also has extra features. I promise I was not paid anything for my review! PRO: * It works as advertised. * the least expensive in its class for the number of accessories included. * Extra accessories are reasonably priced, compared to competition. * Install was a breeze. * It comes pre-programmed in the box (you hang the sensors and you have a working basic noisemaker alarm), you need only enter numbers to text/call. Customizing the features is a little cumbersome, but not overly complicated. * I was expecting difficulty in setting up the Cell, but it really was as easy as buying a SIM card, dropping it in, and entering a few numbers to call/text. * Even the indoor wired siren is loud! (Louder than my neighbors SimplySafe, and he has both the default one and the "extra" one.) Neither Fortress siren uses battery power, no maintenance, louder. You can buy a battery powered one if desired. * While no alarm is perfectly configurable to your need or liking without being overly complex to program, this one strikes a reasonable balance. I was able to do most everything I had hoped. * Wireless siren operates independent of the main panel, so if an intruder finds and smashes your main panel, the wireless siren will still blast for three minutes unless disabled by proper signal from the main panel. * I have a big house with lots of walls, yet there seems to be no issue with the range of the wireless sensor signals. Range extenders are available. * Having Cell (GSM) plus Land line offers great redundancy if either is down or if a bad guy cuts the landline. * Rechargable Battery Backup on the main unit if the house power is off or cut. CON: * The small list of sensor/zone names is limiting-- you have no way of knowing which door/window set off the alarm, only which "zone". This is the main "bug" in this system. * The recorded outgoing message is muddy. The system voice "Alarm zone two" is clear enough, but the one you record "My house at 1234 Main has an alarm" is almost unintelligible. * Software is reminiscent of a 1980's answering machine-- though it does work flawlessly. * Manual is not fully clear, like it was translated out of another language. (Ditto for the choice of words in the software). Some things you just have to figure out by trial and error. Fortunately, you can get past this easily. * There's no monitoring service, unless you find a third-party provider. My neighbor response time is much faster than police response time where I live, so self-monitor with local sirens is superior for me. Some things not covered in the description: * The door sensors and key FOBs each take a 23A type battery. These are between $0.50 and $2 each on amazon, depending on quality and quantity. I don't yet know how long they last, but this seems reasonable to maintain. The motion sensors are 9V tansistor batteries. Included sirens (2) are not battery powered. * Buy a 3.5mm (audio) exension cable for the wired siren- you don't want it near the main panel because you don't want to announce the location of the main panel, and you don't want it screaming in your ear if you must disarm after triggering. GENERAL: * Standard Three "Home, Away, Disable" modes. * Group the sensors into zones (up to 10 different zones, each with up to 10 individual sensors). You get to choose which sensor zones are active in which mode. You can even have sensors active in Disable mode, for instance a smoke detector. * For each zone, you also decide whether or not to provide an entry delay. So, for instance, you can have the back doors/windows alarm immediately, but have your normal entry doors (garage/front) delay the alarm to give you time to disable after entry. * You can make some zones "silent", so that you are called/texted, but do wake up the neighbors. This might be useful for outdoor sensors, or catching a teenager sneaking out. * You can arm/disarm the system through the phone or text msg, though you can only arm this way into Away mode, not Home mode. * It has the ability to "listen in" and also "have a conversation" through the main panel when you dial in. * You can also buy (at reasonable prices) smoke alarm, flood alarm, and a remote keypad, battery powered wireless siren/strobe, and more. (Real security comes in layers, and an alarm is just one part of it. Also consider: a DVR/camera system, and a safe for your valuables. Cameras enable you to see people "casing" your house and other suspicious activity and help in identifying bad guys. A safe is a final layer to stop/slow down someone who gets in. Maybe you forgot to set your alarm, or maybe they "smash and grab" or they bypass your alarm. And of course, never forget good physical security. Lock your doors, and make sure that you have deadbolts that are properly installed. Don't rely on the latch on sliding doors, use a bar in the gap-- I just use a piece of wood cut to length.) Insurance deductibles are usually in the thousands of dollars, and they don't cover everything. Sentimentals are irreplacable. This is really inexpensive protection. All in all, this is an honest basic alarm with most all of the features you'd expect for this price. There are some minor disappointments mentioned above, but I would recommend and buy this system again, and give it about 4.5 stars.