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(More customer reviews)I did not want to spend $30/month on a monitored system that only includes two door sensors and one motion detector. By comparison, a wireless system might only cost $30/YEAR in batteries and replacement double sided tape. But up until now, it seems like none of the DIY systems out there are expandable enough to do everything I need them to do on a moderate size house (2500 SF). AAS appears to have finally filled that void in the marketplace with a programmable, customizable, and interestingly expandable system that does almost everything a homeowner would want it to do.
I purchased the AAS 600 Pet Immune system, which included an ample supply of door/window sensors and pet friendly motion detectors. It took me an afternoon to set up (mostly due to me playing with the sensors and planning where I wanted to put things). So far, it's better than I expected. Programming is EASY. The instructions are okay (I had no issues). I feel I need to add some helpful information here that I didn't read elsewhere when I was deciding whether to make the purchase:
1.The sirens don't need to be connected to the system. You can make it a silent alarm (dialing your phone). Or you can just make it flash a silent alert on its display when a zone is triggered (which is GREAT for quietly testing the system - no need to bother neighbors, or the family). Also, all of the sensors have small diode lights so you can see they're functioning properly while you work with them.
2.The motion detectors I received take two standard alkaline AA batteries. The door/window sensors take a smaller ALKALINE battery about half the length of AAA size ("Vantt" 23A, 12V). The smoke detector takes a standard rectangular 9V alkaline battery. Battery access is EASY. There is a place to put a screwdriver to pry open the units, but I found it easy to do with hand pressure (the plastic pieces still fit snuggly). I have no idea how long the batteries will last.
3. My kit came with four key fobs which can arm/disarm the house system as if it were a standard car alarm. So if you don't want the hassle of punching in a code to disarm the system, you can treat your house like a car. But this feature is OPTIONAL and it can be disabled if you want (say you lose a key fob). ALSO, the instruction manual indicates that the system can monitor for unknown devices using its airwaves and will sound an alert (in case of tampering or interference).
4. The door/window sensors do not need to be in contact in order for the alarm system to work. That is, the sensors send a signal only when detecting a "change". So if you have a door jamb that isn't flush with the door (like all of my doors), don't panic! It will still work. Just install them off-set. The alarm system can still be armed and then the sensor will work when the door moves the magnet past the sensor on the jamb. You can also off-set the sensors on your windows so that the windows can still be opened a crack without setting off the alarm. And I was able to install the magnet in several orientations with respect to the sensor, even with a bit of a gap.
5. I'm still testing the range, but it seems to be pretty darn good. It's definitely better than our in-home WIFI system. Right now, I'm installing the keypad at one end of the house. If I find that the farthest sensors can't reach, I'm absolutely certain that I can install the keypad near the center of the house and get perfect all-around reception.
6. It has convenient quick buttons for arming the system when you are HOME (i.e. motion detectors are ignored) and when you are AWAY (i.e. no sensors are ignored).
7. These sensors are smaller than I expected. When I saw the size of the UPS box, I was horrified thinking that it couldn't possible include everything I ordered. But I'm really happy with the size of the things - not as obtrusive as I thought they would be.
8. I haven't had to use customer service for troubleshooting, but I do have to say that their shipping department rocks! I ordered during the early evening (west coast time) and was amazed to get a shipping confirmation number only two hours later that night! Somebody was working late!
I wish this company the best of luck. They are obviously trying hard to be very competitive in the DIY home security market and I think they're off to a great start.
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