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We're looking to have our old house alarm replaced and have had a couple of guys in to give us a quote.
Currently it's a wired system with the box / keypad next to the front door.
The first guy said he'd put the control panel next to the electric distribution panel, with a remote keypad at the front door. The system he proposes would be a mix of wired and wireless sensors. Ideally I'd like a second remote keypad in the garage, so I can enter via that door rather than having to go in the front door first to unset the alarm, but he suggests using an app on my phone instead.
The second guy wants to put the primary control panel with keypad in the garage, with a remote kepyad next to the front door, with everything running wireless. The control panel would be powered by a spur running from the double socket in th garage, which is itself a spur rather than a ring (as far as I'm aware - I've not been in it to check).
Thinking it over, I'm not sure that this second course is wise - shouldn't the control panel for your alarm be on it's own ring? I'm not an expert, don't want to shell out for a job that isn't done properly. If taking power from the supply to the socket is ok, then that's fine, Mrs NBT prefers the second guy anyway on a personal level.
prices are fairly similar - Guy #1 was higher as his price included a Ring video doorbell, Guy #2 dioesn;t sell them but said he'd happily fit it free if we bought one ourselves, and the price difference is about the price of said doorbell. I did some scouting around and found another doorbell that seemd better, due for release soon, but frustratingly can't find the bookmark.
Edit - it was the netatmo, https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/netatmo-smart-video-doorbell
Advice please, oh experts of STW?
Alarm panels can be powered from a fused spur.
Thanks @wrightyson, he did say it would be a fused spur now you mention it
Hey Jules, we have a mixed wired / wireless system fitted that covers both the main house and the out-house. I also have a remote control thing that means I can disarm the whole system with a push of a button / alarm the outhouse separately / alarm the house separately when I'm in the outhouse. A bit like a car alarm control thing. You can also use the alarm via a keypad as per normal. Works really well. Feel free to drop by for a coffee and a look if it's helpful 🙂
I've got a Pyronix wireless system set up to cover our house and outbuildings which I installed myself. I can arm the outbuildings seperatly from the house or all together etc. and I can arm it from the main keypad, remote keypads, keyfobs or phone app. If the alarm goes off then it notifies my phone. It took me a few evenings with the user guide and Google to figure out the programming but it wasn't too hard. I'm fairly certain you can get video doorbells for it as it will also work with CCTV, automatic gates etc. For me the benefit of a DIY install is that I know exactly how it works and can add to it very easily without having to wait for an alarm guy to come round. And of course I saved money.