I have a DSC system which is currently not monitored.

Where can I obtain a manual with information to make changes and expand?

What monitoring services could I contract to monitor with my system?

Alarm.com has remote, interactive features that are very user friendly. I control the alarm, lights, garage overhead door and front door lock.

Some of the wireless sensors have lithium batteries that last several years.

Find a smallish custom company vs. the nationwide chain type and get people that actually care about your security.

No reason not to do it yourself IF your tech capable.

Vanwall, everything is on the web. Your system may have the program locked if installed by company that chose to do so.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
Well, for better or worse, I now have a 2Gig GC2 system. It is a wireless system with integrated cellular for monitoring.

I am not using anywhere near the system's abilities in my case. Currently 2 door and 2 motion sensors. I might add cameras and glass breaks in the future.

Good to know as a possible easy-to-install and set up alternative to SimpliSafe.

quote:

Originally posted by Vanwall:
I have a DSC system which is currently not monitored.

Where can I obtain a manual with information to make changes and expand?

You can try contacting DSC, I suppose. The manual(s) might also be on-line.

Note that there will likely be several. An Installation Manual/Guide and Owner's (Operation) Manual, at least.

I'm going to warn you, and anybody else inclined to try professional systems installation and configuration for themselves: This stuff is not for the faint of heart. These systems are meant to be installed and configured by trained alarm/security technicians. You will almost certainly spend a lot of time searching for answers to questions such as "How do I...?" and "What does <blurfl> mean?"

I'm pretty tech savvy. Even then: Installing and configuring the Vista 20P in our home was somewhat challenging. And, yes: I spent more than a little time researching stuff on-line during the process.

quote:

Originally posted by Vanwall:
What monitoring services could I contract to monitor with my system?

Ah, well, that's a whole 'nother ball o' wax. The "traditional" monitoring services are really just a couple national services re-branded and re-sold by alarm companies at a markup.

If the DSC or Honeywell system is new enough, my inclination would be to go with an Eyez-On EnvisaLink 4 board, then arrange with Eyez-On for monitoring. That's what I did. That part was easy peasy.

Note that, with Eyez-On, you don't necessarily need paid monitoring. The configuration on their servers gives you all kinds of flexibility for notifications of arms, disarms, and alarms via text messaging and email. Furthermore they now have an app, for both Android and iOS, that gives you complete control over the panel, as well as notifications.

I'm a belt-and-suspenders kind of a guy, so I have

• Email alerts for all system activity: Arm, disarm and alarms
  
• Text message notifications of alarms
  
• The Eyez-On app installed on my phone
  
• Paid monitoring
  

And, to make sure it all keeps working even if the hardwired Internet connection goes down: An LTE backup Internet connection.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
Well, for better or worse, I now have a 2Gig GC2 system. It is a wireless system with integrated cellular for monitoring.

I am not using anywhere near the system's abilities in my case. Currently 2 door and 2 motion sensors. I might add cameras and glass breaks in the future.

Good to know as a possible easy-to-install and set up alternative to SimpliSafe.

The installer was on site almost 2 hours. Spent about an hour installing. Maybe 15 minutes configuring, and then test and training new user was the remainder.

He wasn't feeling well and was methodical in the process. On a better day, I estimate it could have been done in about 1.5 hours.

Very much a simplisafe type system in that it is all wireless. The biggest difference I see would be being able to add more later by myself instead of being forced to go through dealer (simplisafe).

There is also some home automation ability built in for z-wave devices.

Anyone have a panic button installed on theirs? I'm considering one in case of an attempted break while we're at home and the system isn't armed.

quote:

Originally posted by ryan81986:
Anyone have a panic button installed on theirs? I'm considering one in case of an attempted break while we're at home and the system isn't armed.

Got this part figured out, trying to to hijack the original thread. But bumping so others can get info too.