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(More customer reviews)I bought this GE Home Security starter kit and several of the add ons to put in a security system to help protect our home. I've been fairly pleased, but there are a couple of issues to be aware of. In order to give my review a bit of structure, I'll attempt to break it down by component...including a couple of components that ARE NOT included in this basic kit, but that you may need to purchase to get the system to work, or elect to purchase to expand the system.
1. The conroller. The controler is small, easy to program and makes heck of a racket when the alarm system is triggered. My only slight complaint with the conroller is it does not include any provision to be wall mounted and it has limited range (more on that under "door/window sensor below". Turning the system on or off from the control pad is very easy. Each of first 3 zones can handle up to 4 sensors, allowing you to say, put all 4-exterior doors on Zone 1, and windows on zones 2 and 3. To do this, obviously you have to get more hardware than comes with the basic kit reviewed here.
2. Door/Window sensor. The advantage of the wireless door/window sensor is the ease of installation. A wired system would require many hours of running wires from each sensor to the controller to function. This is not practical in many instances. The wireless sensors are easy to place using a couple of screws to mount the contact plate and some double sided tape to mount the sensors themselves. Programming the controller to recognize the sensor is also easily accomplished. However, be aware that the sensors have limited range...in some cases VERY limited range. In my installation, 2 sensors located near the front of the house would not communicate all the time with the control box. Another reviewer talked about how his control box will flash, reporting a low battery in a sensor, when in fact the battery isn't low. Well...the reason the controller is flashing is because it is not getting a good signal from the sensor. It cannot differentiate between a low battery and a poor signal. So, it will flash repeatedly and the documentation says that means "low battery" but it can also mean the sensor is too far from the controller. In my situation, my 2 sensors were only about 40-feet from the controller and I had this issue...so beware when GE sasy "up to 150 feet". If you have an issue, you will need one or more "range extenders" which are not included in the basic kit. However, I had to buy one so I reviewed it below.
My other issue with the sensor is how hard it is to take them apart to change the battery (at least once every 2-years per GE). The tabs on the side would seem to indicate a screwdriver can be used to take them apart, but they are too flimsy to do that. The only way I was able to get mine apart was to use a razor knife as a prying tool (kind of dangerous) to get the case apart and get to the battery. I see no way to replace the batteries without removing the sensors from the door frame...and they are secured with double sided tape, not screws...so that's going to be an issue in the future. GE needs to redesign the catches that hold the sensor body together. The ones I had apart, I shaved the tabs down to make them easier to get back apart later.
3. Range Extender - This deal plugs into an unused wall socket (tying it up forever) and will simply "repeat" any signals it recieves from sensors around it, hopefully communicating all the way back to the controller, so that sensors that can't otherwise function reliably will now begin working properly. It works, in a fashion, but be aware that the Range Extender itself still has a very short range. In my case, I was able to find a spot to plug it in half way between the front of the house and the controller that was close enough to the sensors to work and close enough to the controller to work.....it seemed to need to be within 15 feet of the sensors and 25 feet of the controller. I have NO IDEA if you can chain one range extender after another.
4. Window Decals and Yard Sign. I read up on this and most "experts" say that putting in decals and a yard sign are your biggest deterents to simple home break ins. None of what I'm talking about here is going to keep a determined thief from stealing your Monet, but maybe it will keep the doper kids down the block from targeting your house for meyhem if they need some money to buy more dope. I went with an extra pack of sticky stickers and put one on most of my windows and all of my doors. The yard sign? It is so flimsy it broke trying to take it out of the package. If I was GE, I'd be ashamed to have my name on it. It's a flimsy piece of plastic junk. I taped mine together with some clear tape and then couldn't get the plastic stake to drive into the yard, as it is so cheap and flimsy. Get the picture?
5. Other Sensors available. A motion detector and a water sensor are available. I didn't get them so I can't comment really.
6. What isn't available. To my knowledge, you can't get any sort of dialer with this alarm system. Also, no home monitoring is included. To that extent this system represents a definite comprimise in security. To get it working, you are going to have to lay out some money, but you don't have an ongoing monitoring charge from a home security company. The comprimise, your home won't be as secure as it would be with a really top notch, monitored system.
7. Remote Siren - The remote siren is really loud and hopefully, being remote from the controller, will increase the chances that a passing neighbor will hear the alarm and take notice of the strange white van sitting in the driveway. It needs a receptical of its own and is also (I'm sure) limited in range. Mine would take a bit to find and disable...but that may not be too much of an issue for a thief as I summarize below.
OK...So...if I'm a thief and I'm not detered by the flimsy hard sign and the decals, I'm going to go right up to your house and bust open a door or window. IF that door or window is equipped with a sensor, there's really good chance it's going to trip an alarm. If you have the system set to "HOME" that means the alarm is going to go off immediately emitting a very loud (if your close to it) noise...that would alert anyone in the house and MAYBE someone outside of an intrusion. But honestly, that's a big Maybe. The determined thief now can follow his ears to the control box and disable it with a hammer (or even under heel) to little bits. That WILL make the alarm quit sounding. If you have the system set to "AWAY" it will just start beeping when triggered allowing the thief 45 seconds to enter the code to disarm it. Obviously he doesn't know the code so he'll just crush it to bits, again disabling the system. I've figured out a way to set my system to "HOME" even when I'm away. If you can figure out a way to exit your house without setting off a sensor, you can do the same thing.
This system, again, does represent good value, but the best you can hope for is the thief isn't "determined" and hopefully will go on down the street to the next house that has no alarm. You might consider putting in a yard sign from one of the "major" security providers to go along with this system. That would probably be an improvement. Even better would be a high-dollar WIRED system with home monitoring, but it's going to cost you a lot more and be more of a hassle. I've been called in the middle of the night at least 10 times when my mother's monitored home security system has been accidently triggered...so I know there are hassles going that way too.
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GE 45142 Choice-Alert Wireless Control Center with Door or Window Sensor KitThe GE 45142 Choice Alert Wireless Control Center Starter Kit offers everything you need to begin building your Choice Alert Security System. It features four separate zones for up to 16 sensors, providing a custom wireless security system for your home or business. Its five-button keypad makes it easy to pair a sensor or accessory within seconds, and there's no wiring or drilling required for installation. The built-in 120-decibel siren is loud enough to alert you and your neighbors when the system is compromised, so you get complete, effective wireless security protection at an affordable price. This kit includes a Door/Window Sensor that is completely wire-free and works seamlessly with the Wireless Control Center.
A weather-resistant, wireless design lets you intall the included sensor on any door or window. View larger.Note: This product can be used with Choice Alert sensors and accessories (sold separately). This kit is designed to provide security coverage for a single door or window.
Part of the GE Choice Alert Wireless Alarm SystemThe GE 45142 Wireless Control Center Starter Kit is the primary component of the GE Choice Alert Wireless Alarm System line of products. Cost-effective and easy to install, Choice Alert components offer wireless operation, multi-zone coverage, home and away settings, and expandability for complete home protection.
With wireless capabilities, Choice Alert products require no complicated wiring, drilling or expensive installation costs. And because they are designed to be part of a self-contained system, there are no monthly usage charges. System components are simple enough for anyone to use, and they can be combined to provide a customized blanket of protection over your entire property.
Wireless Control Center for Sensor MonitoringThe entire Choice Alert Security System is designed around the Wireless Control Center, the system's hub. The Control Center monitors each and every sensor that is wirelessly connected to it. As many as four sensors can be programmed in each of four zones, giving you the security of up to 16 sensors to guard your entire home, including sensors for doors, windows, gates, water leaks, and motion detection.
The Wireless Control Center allows you to secure your system with a custom four-digit code that can be changed at any time. Plus, the center lets you control many system features. For example, you can select 'Home' mode for an instant alarm and 'Away' mode for a delayed alarm. In addition to the armed alarm system, the Control Center also offers a visible and audible Zone Notification alert system (with a choice of continuous alert or single chime mode) and a dedicated alert zone (Zone 4). The center wirelessly transmits and receives signals up to 150 feet.
Additionally, the Wireless Control Center features a low-battery indicator that will alert you when battery power is low in a specific zone, so you'll know exactly when to replace the batteries in every one of your components.
Combine Components for Total Home CoverageThere are several components available for use with the Wireless Control Center, including a door/window sensor, motion detector, water leak sensor, secondary audio alarm siren, signal repeater (for enhanced wireless range), garage door sensor, and Silent Alert LED indicator.. Add up to 16 sensors and give yourself the peace of mind that only complete home protection can provide.
Quick and Easy Pairing With Choice Alert SensorsThe Wireless Control Center features a dedicated "Learn" button that lets you easily pair Choice Alert Sensors within a matter of seconds. The process for disabling sensors is just as simple, making for hassle-free customization of your Choice Alert Security system. There's also a dedicated switch for toggling between 'Alert', 'Chime', and 'Off' modes (affects Zones One, Two, and Three only).
The Control Center includes a special dedicated alert zone (Zone 4) that is always monitored, regardless of the alarm settings. This is ideal for alerting you of water leaks, and open garage, shed, freezer, or medicine-cabinet doors--areas of your home that you want to continually monitor with a silent alarm.
All-Weather Door/Window Sensor that Installs Within MinutesInstalling the Door/Window Sensor couldn't be any easier. Using the included double-sided tape or screws and mounting plate, the sensor mounts to most doors (interior and exterior), gates, or windows within minutes. There's no wiring involved--the sensor transmits alerts wirelessly to the Choice Alert Wireless Control Center within a range of 150 feet.
The Choice Alert Door/Window Sensor can be paired with any of the Wireless Control Center's four zones, and pairing takes just seconds. Zones One, Two, and Three provide alarm protection, while Zone Four is a dedicated alert zone that generates a visual alert along with a continuous beep to discreetly warn you when the zone has been compromised.
The GE Choice Alert Wireless Control Center and Door/Window Sensor are backed by one-year limited warranties.
What's in the BoxGE 45129 Wireless Control Center and Window/Door Sensor.
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