Wireless vs Wired Home Security Systems

[nj2Type-S]

hey guys,

per another thread, i am in the process of getting a house built. i have the option to pre-wire a security system for about $270.

my parents' house has a wireless system, but i don't know about having to change batteries on sensors and whatnot. i'm also a bit worried about reliability.

what do you guys have?

thanks!

[dj_rice]

Vivint Wireless


Only reason is I bought my house pre-owned and they had a wired ADT system. I didn't want them re-drilling everywhere for sensors.

[Swank]

I have wireless, the batteries last for years and the system notifies you when one is low.

[E46..sTyLez]

Originally posted by Swank
I have wireless, the batteries last for years and the system notifies you when one is low.

I don't know about years...my backdoor lock has gone through 2 set of batteries in 6 months. We pretty much exclusively use the back door though so a lot of use in those 6 months.

[nj2Type-S]

for a new build like mine, would you guys recommend getting it pre-wired?

[Thaco]

just get it wired cat5e or cat6 and do a POE system... that way you only need 1 wire and it's concealed. shouldn't cost you more than $100 a drop.. unless it's a long stupid run, but during construction it'd be easy for them.

[dj_rice]

If its pre-build, yes.

If no pre-build, then wireless.

[nj2Type-S]

they're charging me $270 for pre-wiring for a control panel to 9 locations. it doesn't seem too significant of a cost, but obviously i wouldn't want to spend it if i didn't have to lol.

[carson blocks]

Originally posted by E46..sTyLez
We pretty much exclusively use the back door though so a lot of use in those 6 months.

*snicker* Careful, back doors can start to leak with excessive usage.

[Thaco]

Originally posted by nj2Type-S
they're charging me $270 for pre-wiring for a control panel to 9 locations. it doesn't seem too significant of a cost, but obviously i wouldn't want to spend it if i didn't have to lol.

i've never been in your situation, but i have seen some of these "control panels" in newer houses and they are a joke, skip that if you can, see if they can just crimp ends on it for you, or have them leave the wires hanging near the breaker box if you can, (crimping is easy and you can buy the tool/ends for $20) that should be where your cable comes in too, then you can have all your equipment in one spot.

[E46..sTyLez]

Originally posted by carson blocks


*snicker* Careful, back doors can start to leak with excessive usage.

Bit of a reach, but I'll give you a lol

[broken_legs]

Originally posted by nj2Type-S
they're charging me $270 for pre-wiring for a control panel to 9 locations. it doesn't seem too significant of a cost, but obviously i wouldn't want to spend it if i didn't have to lol.

Sounds like an excellent deal.

Is the builder pre-wiring or are you going through ADT or some other company?

About 15 years ago I used to sell and install these things. Wiring after the fact is messy. The wireless systems could be spoofed and were unreliable.

What kind of panel are you getting? Does that include hardware?

[nj2Type-S]

the quote that they've given me only includes pre-wiring of control panel and to 9 locations.

it does not come with any hardware, so i will have to get ADT or similar providers to install and set it up for me.

i don't even know what panel i'll be getting haha! i'm a total noob at this lol!