Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)After my house was broken into I wanted to get an alarm but didn't want to pay any companies or commit to any monitoring contracts. This fit the bill perfectly. It works great once you plan around some caveats.
Pros: very simple operation. I've only had it two weeks but seems reliable so far. Easy to set up. The remote works well, but it's too bulky for me to carry around. So I just use a PIN code when I come and ago. I love the flexibility of this system. It's easy to add sensors or accessories. Compared to a pro alarm, the stuff is very cheap but built decently. It doesn't quite have the build quality "feel" of a pro system but it's simple and for the money works well. I love how it's all wireless. I"m a renter and don't want to drill holes or pull wire in walls and this is perfect.
Cons: The control panel (SC-001), PIN pad and siren are all one unit. If a crook breaks in and smashes it to bits during the 30 seconds on a delayed entry alarm it will be worthless. Or even if the siren is going off, cover it tightly with your hand, rip it off the wall and take it to the bathroom sink and submerge it in water or otherwise disable it. In other words, there's a single failure point that's not well protected. Especially if you mount it by your door for easy ripping off the wall as the crooks come in. In professional systems, the control unit is usually in a metal box in a closet so if someone smashes the keypad it will still go off. In pro systems the siren is separate as well.
Now here's how you can plan your system to mitigate the cons. Here's what to buy: Buy an extra key pad and at least one extra siren unit. They're only $30 each. Next, get creative where you hide the control panel. Put it in a closet or behind your washer and dryer or some place hard to get to. Some palace where it will take more than 30 seconds to destroy the control panel. Better yet, I am going to buy an inexpensive metal key box. It's a locking metal box that you can hang keys in. I found one on a big auction site for $15. I plan to drill a hole to poke the antenna out and another hole to run the power cord in. And some holes in the door so if the siren does go off, it can be heard. This will make it a little more like a pro system, in a locked metal box, preferably in a closet. Once the control box is secure, then set up one or more external sirens. I bought two. I put them on opposite sides of the house. Now if a bad guy breaks in, he has to find three sirens and smash them (control panel siren + 2 external ones). The sirens are very loud but I live on a noisy road and it's hard to hear the interior one from outside when traffic is going by. That's why I discreetly mounted one siren on the outside of a window on the front of the house. The other one is mounted on the outside of a window on the side of the house. I even wrapped one in black trash bad plastic to make it less obvious it's an alarm. You might even want to put electrical tape over the LED on the siren unit. Now you will have a system that's very difficult to defeat. Most crooks aren't going to want to hang around a house with 3 sirens going, not knowing it's it's monitored as well.
Some other thoughts: I didn't get a dialer because I don't have a land line and odds are burglars may cut the house phone lines anyway. But if you already have a landline, it couldn't hurt. The magnet contact sensors work well on the doors. The PIR (motion detector) works very well. The only problem is I have a cat and it might trip it. So I put a couple of the PIRs in closets. When I was burglarized, the first place they hit were the closets. Keep the closet doors closed and the cat won't set it off. I'm very careful to avoid false alarms because I don't want the neighbors hear it cry wolf from a false alarm. If you don't have pets, the PIRs will work great in the hallways or any rooms.
Wish list: separate key pad, controller box and siren units. I wish it would tell you if a sensor was "ready" like a pro system, but this would no doubt make the cost of the sensors much higher.
Plan around its shortcomings and this can be a 5 star system. I gave it 5 stars because it works well for what it is and is a great value for the money.
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Skylink SC-100 Security System Deluxe KitDesigned for use in small- to medium-sized homes or offices of up to 3,000 square feet, the Skylink SC-100 Security System Deluxe Kit helps you protect your family from unwanted intruders or theft, while also giving you real peace of mind in case of emergencies. Offering an operating range of up to 100 feet, the SC-100 requires no monitoring or registration fees and is a snap to setup, arm, and disarm.
Reliable, Advanced System Uses Trouble-Free Wireless ConnectionsKeep your home or business safe and secure with this reliable, cutting-edge wireless security system. The SC-100 utilizes innovative technology with trouble-free wireless connections to provide security, making it a great choice for protecting against intruders and safeguarding in case of an accident, fire, flood, or other emergency.
Works with up to 30 Skylink Accessories for Easy Customization and ExpansionBecause the SC-100 works in conjunction with up to 30 Skylink security accessories, including Dial Alert, it can be customized to suit your needs. This flexibility means you can easily expand your system to accommodate larger spaces or businesses that require a higher level of protection.
Do-it-Yourself System Eliminates the Need for Monitoring FeesThe SC-100 is a do-it-yourself system, which means you can easily install it yourself and then use it without paying monitoring fees or registering with an alarm company. To arm or disarm the system, simply enter your personal code or use the keychain transmitter. With this user-friendly system, you gain real peace of mind and control over your personal safety and that of your family, employees, and others at your home or business--all without excessive costs or upkeep.
Rolling-Code Technology for Maximum Security and Fewer False AlarmsSkylink is the first company to incorporate rolling-code technology into a home/business security system, which means that the SC-100 provides maximum security while virtually eliminating the number of false alarms. A rolling code (or hopping code) is often used in entry systems that don't require a key, because it prevents an eavesdropper from capturing and using your personal security code. Thanks to rolling-code technology, the SC-100's control panel will recognize radio waves only from its remote sensors (door/window sensor, motion sensor, and keychain transmitter), thereby preventing high-tech thieves from duplicating signals and tampering with your system.
Motion, Door, and Window Sensors Provide Reliable Emergency ProtectionThe SC-100 comes complete with a motion sensor and two door/window sensors, enough coverage for small- to medium-sized homes. If any sensors are triggered when the system is armed, and the correct pin is not entered, the included 110dB siren will make a piercing sound to ward off intruders and draw attention to your home.
Works with Dial Alert for Immediate Emergency HelpThe SC-100 can assist you in getting immediate help in case of an emergency. When its siren goes off, the SC-100 will immediately send a signal to Dial Alert (sold separately), which will call emergency phone numbers that you have preset. When someone answers the phone, your prerecorded message will play, and the contact person will be told that you need emergency help right away.
Easy to Program with Convenient KeypadThe SC-100 includes an easily programmable, lighted keypad with Chime, Instant, and Delay modes. Simply enter your preset pin code to arm or disarm the system; an LED will indicate when the alarm is properly set. All the accessories are preprogrammed to work with the control panel, so you won't have to worry about time-consuming, individual setup of each component.
The SC-100 runs on AC power with one nine-volt battery (included) as backup. A convenient low-battery indicator lets you know when it's time for a replacement. The system also comes with all necessary mounting hardware.
What's in the BoxAlarm with control panel and keypad, motion sensor, two door/window contact sensors, 4B434 keychain transmitter, AC adapter, all DC batteries, mounting materials, and instruction manual.
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