To the staff at GeoArm:

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and the folks at GeoArm for helping me work through and correct a hardware issue that was ultimately not your problem.

Two months ago I purchased a mixed wired and wireless Vista 21IP system from Watchdog Superstore. I looked around online, made some local calls and found that their prices were the lowest for what I was looking for. Unfortunately for me I failed to recognize cheaper isn’t always better. After a month or so of correcting issues with the hardware purchase (an incompatible item, I was sold a less optimal device for my system and in one case given bad info and just made it work for me) I had tested the systsem enough to be sure I was ready to move on with monitoring.

I found GeoArm both through just searching for a monitoring company that worked with DIY installations and from a few folks in some online forums that had used your monitoring and were happy with the service. After signing up I was almost immediately contacted by your general manager to go over a few specifics and the next night I was working with one of your techs to get the panel programmed for IP/GSM monitoring. After the initial hiccup, we got the system registered and the technician finished the few details I missed and uploaded the final configuration to me, way past the time his shift was over on a Friday I’d like to add.

That night I plugged in my 5828V and was unable to get status from the system. It was late so I figured I’d fix it in the morning. The next morning I was woken by my phone, it was the central station calling me to alert me to a check condition on my system. It turned out that the 6160RF I used for the wireless receiver was no longer seeing any of the wireless sensors. After restarting the alarm system, they all came back up. The next morning the same thing happened. I also took some time to look at my 5828V and each time I tried to use it, one command would get to the system but subsequent ones were ignored and it turns out that using the wireless keypad would actually hang input to the panel so i could no longer do anything but restart it.

I called the GeoArm technician that i had been working with on Monday, explained what was going on and he agreed that the coincidence of just having programmed the panel and this problem was odd and started looking into it. After downloading a fresh copy of my configuration and going over it with Honeywell, they didn’t understand why it was happeneing. I then called Watchdog Superstore to see if they had seen anything like this. Immediately they pointed out that the system had been working fine until the programming was done and went on the defensive. They danced around my questions and I never got the feeling that they had any interest in helping me diagnose the problem. At one point they did offer to sell me a new 6160RF and send in the old one. Then if it did turn out to test bad they’d give me a credit on the second purchase. Unfortunately you can’t convey a person’s tone in a letter; let’s just say they didn’t give me the impression they cared or would have found a problem when they ‘tested’ the returned keypad. They then questioned why I was trusting a monitoring company that I found online of all things (forgetting how I found them apparently). At that point the call got heated and I hung up as they were not interested in helping me actually work through the problem, only deflect and be vague.

Then I gave the GeoArm technician another call, explained what the guys at Watchdog said and he wasn’t sure what could be programmed that would cause the system to stop recieving wireless. He asked for some more time and spoke with Honeywell again to give them my added info with no luck. During this the panel was losing the wireless sensors (sometimes all of them, sometimes a portion of them) roughly on 12 hour increments.

After that I tried turning off the low battery report field which GeoArm had turned on initially. For whatever reason, the RF check conditions stopped by the 5828V still would manage to hang the whole system. I then turned the low battery report back on and strangely the problem did not come back. Theat made me the most nervous as a problem that magically vanishes is never a good thing.

At this point I had spoken with a customer service representative about possibly having you do a warranty part swap for me. Since you hadn’t sold me the equipment, this was at your discretion. After speaking with Honeywell, you offered to get and send me a new 6160RF to swap with the one I had. I was unsure if that was the acse now since one problem had seemingly disappeared but decided to go with it.

After receiving the replacement 6160RF from you, I installed it and all the wireless sensors tested out fine with a go/no go. The big test was when I fired up the 5828V to which I was able to get status back from the panel, arm and disarm the system repeatedly with no issues.

I’m not sure exactly what happened, but without changing any other programming, swapping out a piece of hardware fixed my wireless keypad problem and I’m willing to bet the RF supervisory won’t come back either until I really do need to change my batteries.

So again let me thank you for helping me fix something that wasn’t yours to fix. I’m very happy I chose you for my monitoring.

Regards,
Happy Customer, Virginia

Read more GeoArm customer testimonials and see what we can do for you!

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1. Remember the basics. Besides your alarm system and other security gadgets, security door locks, strong doorframes, and locked windows need to be the foundation of a well protected home. Even with a top notch alarm system and monitoring service, you can still be vulnerable to an old fashioned smash & grab break in. Strong barriers to entry (as well as well positioned security signs and decals) are always your first line of defense.

2. Lighting & Landscaping. Why would you want to provide potential criminals with cover? Now we know that everybody’s botanical tastes are different, and some prefer a more lush yard, but it is important to not provide areas on your property where a burglar could easily hide or feel safe. Keep trees and bushes trimmed when possible, and provide plenty of lighting! A criminal would aways prefer to approach a target with the cover of darkness than when exposed by outdoor lighting.

3. Environmental Protection. Maybe you have a good handle on the security of your home, but safety is about more than preventing a burglary. Don’t forget fire protection! Monitored smoke detectors can often bring an extra discount from your homeowner’s insurance provider. Other devices such as temperature sensors and flood detectors can help save you money and aggrivation by alerting you to potential problem areas. Carbon Monoxide detectors are valuable for personal safety, especially in areas that could have ventillation close to a grage or generator site.

4. Plan ahead. Before you are in an emergency, whether a home intrusion, burglary or fire, you should have though ahead about potential contingency plans. Know your evacuation routes and have fire extinguishers available to everyone in the household. Wireless panic buttons can provide additional protection. for both intrusion and life safety. Have a kit of emergency supplies that is well stocked and accessible.

5. Remember vulnrable areas. People often forget to protect their garages, and even leave their garage doors unlocked. There are often many valuable items stored in garages, power tools, car radios etc, besides the easy home access. A security safe can also be a great item to store important documents or valuables and jewelry.

We will be sure to update with more tips for you soon! In the meantime, for additional reading, check out these links:

• Home Security Tips from GeoArm.
• Home Security Systems – Counting the Cost to You.
• How to Install Wireless Home Security Systems for DIYers.
• Home Alarm Monitoring Tips – Choosing Monitoring Company.

Keep safe!

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Apartment buildings can give you a sense of saftey in numbers, but in reality you should be more vigilant of your home security situation. Read these security tips for apartments and condos and remember, always lock your balcoy doors, even if you dont see how a criminal could reach your balcony. If you want an easy solution for your apartment, check out GeoArm’s wireless security system kits. These security systems can be easily installed in an apartment setting and you can even choose options that do not require a phone line. If your lease is up and you are moving, no big deal, simply move your wireless security system with you!

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Alarm systems with telephone dialers were made to use traditional POTS lines. They make a telephone call to a reciever which translates tones that your control panel is making into alarm signals. With a VoIP line, sometimes the quality of the connection, while fine for human communication, can alter the signals coming from your alarm system enough that the reciever will no longer get a valid alarm signal.

There are, however, some VoIP services that are better than others. Our reasearch has shown that Comcast Digital Voice, AT&T Uverse, as well as Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Charter, Cox, Bright House Networks, and other VoIP providers that use independent networks are significantly more reliable than general VoIP providers such as Vonage and Magic Jack. GeoArm is confident that these VoIP services will provide successful communication between your alarm system and our Central Station.

Other large alarm companies such as ADT have recently followed suite by realizing that certain VoIP providers service is reliable for alarm signals. VoIP customers who use Vonage or other VoIP services that use the public internet should be cautious. GeoArm offers IP and Cellular Alarm monitoring from $12 and $20 per month. This is often less than the cost of keeping a traditional POTS line just for the alarm monitoring service, and is a small price to pay for assurance that your security system will be able to communicate with central station operaters in the case of an emergency. GeoArm also has a wide range of cellular alarm communicators that you can add to your sercurity system.

All VoIP customers who use that service for their alarm monitoring should make sure that their VoIP installation is equipped with a backup battery so that in the event of a power outage, your security system will not be disabled. GeoArm recognizes that VoIP is the future of home phone service, and we are standing with our customers to provide the best in VoIP alarm monitoring service. If you have recently switched to VoIP service, make sure that you have tested your alarm system and know that it is still communicating properly with the central station.

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For additional resources about programming your alarm system, check out GeoArm’s security system manuals section. You can access hundreds of security and alarm system manuals free of charge for assitance in programming and installation. If you can’t find the manual you are looking for, GeoArm is always looking to update their database, so be sure to speak up!

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Because they are wireless, you can add new parts to your GeoArm burglar alarm system whenever you want. Building a new room? want a monitored smoke detector? Order it on www.GeoArm.com and we can help you add it to your system. If you move, you can simply take down your wireless security system and move it to your new home. Don’t buy all the drawbacks of a traditional istallation with that big price tag. Get a GeoArm wireless system today!

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