Cheap Methods for Home Security Exist

You've seen the ads, gotten the calls and probably been pestered in the mail.

The premise is simple: All you have to do is sign up for monitoring from a home security company and they will install a free basic security system in your house. And, normally, the basic system consists of a couple of motion detectors, maybe two or three door and window sensors and a console that monitors them and calls the security company if there's a problem.

But being a geek (and a skinflint) at heart, I decided to check out what type of system I could put together myself, where I wouldn't need to pay a monitoring fee, Although I knew the hardware wouldn't be free, I could rest easy that there would be no additional charges attached to the deal.

What I found was the Protector Plus Voice Dialer Home Security System from X-10 Corp. ($99.99), which includes everything I've listed above. The system will call four phone numbers and let the folks on the other end of the line "listen in" so they can hear if there's any activity in your house and then call the police.

The package includes a base console, two door/window sensors, a motion detector, a key chain remote, a lamp module, a security/home control remote, batteries, phone cable and security warning sensors. Plus you can add a slew of other X-10 devices (wireless security cameras, additional lamp modules, etc.) to extend the range and effectiveness of your system.

The modules communicate with the console using wireless RF (radio frequency) technology, which X-10 has been using in their camera, appliance and lamp modules for years. And, since they're wireless, there's no way an intruder can disable them.

The system can be armed for when you're away or for when you're in the house (with the motion detector turned off). Also, this is a good option to have if you have pets that may trip the alarm by triggering a motion sensing device.

Basically, once the system is armed, the tripping of any of the sensors will trigger a siren, your lights will flash and the system will call up to four telephone numbers (in rotation until someone answers) you've programmed into it.

The person on the other end of the line will hear a message from you saying that there is an intruder in the house and will be able to verify it by listening in on any activity. He will then have the option of calling the police to report the break-in.

Other features of the system include:

The ability to monitor up to 16 different zones in your home.

The console is AC powered, but has a backup battery in case power is cut.

Supervised sensors report low power or tampering.

You can add up to eight key chain/handheld remotes and up to 16 window, door and motion sensors.

You can control up to 256 different lights and appliances.

Copyright 2003 Scripps Howard, Inc. Scripps Howard News Service March 19, 2003, Wednesday, SOURCE: Scripps
Howard News Service, BYLINE: MIKE BERMAN, (Mike Berman can be contacted at mberman(at)jocgeek.com).