GeoArm's DIY Security Systems Blog » Wireless Security Systems

GeoArm Goes Above & Beyond

Jacob — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:39:33 +0000

At GeoArm, providing excellent DIY security solutions is only the beginning. We strive to make sure that every customer is fully satisfied with their system and alarm monitoring service. Below is a letter that one customer took the time to write us, after having experienced the level of customer service provided by both GeoArm, and one of our competitors.

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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Honeywell adds Total Connect Video Surveillance to AlarmNet Services

Jacob — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:28:20 +0000

Honeywell’s AlarmNet division has added a new Video Surveillance option for their Total Connect alarm services. Providing both real time video surveillance along with video alerts of programmed events, Total Connect Video allows you to stay connected to every aspect of your business or home security situation. This video from Honeywell shows some of the newest video capabilities of the already award winning AlarmNet Total Connect servcies:

Total Connect video is accessible from your existing AlarmNet remote services login, or can be purchased as a Video Surveillance system independent of a Honeywell security system. The video services integrate seamlessly with Honeywell’s Total Connect app for iphone and other platforms to bring streaming video to you on the go!

Total Connect Video on iPhone and Remote Keypad.

For only $15 per month, you can get Honeywell’s Total Connect Video service with remote services for up to 6 cameras. You can choose the standard IPCAM-WI Honeywell Total Connect Wireless IP Camera or the IPCAM-PT Honeywell Total Connect Wireless Pan & Tilt IP Camera. At $174.99 and $274.99 respectively, these wireless IP cameras provide a cost effective way to view live video and recorded events.

There is also an easy Honeywell Total Connect Video starter kit available that includes a Honeywell Wireless Access Point to facilitate wireless network compatibility and ease of installation. If you already have AlarmNet Total Connect, you can add the video services for only $10 more than your current rate. Check out GeoArm to sign up for the full range of Honeywell AlarmNet and Total Connect Video Services. for more information on Total Connect and the new Video services, go to www.mytotalconnect.com.

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Home Security Tips and Links

Jacob — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:07:38 +0000

Today we have a few home security tips for you. Often overlooked but simple home security fixes can sometimes mean the difference between a vulnerable and secure residence.

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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Customer Testimonials & GeoArm Reviews

Jacob — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:44:04 +0000

Check out the new Alarm System Reviews & Customer Testimonials over at GeoArm. Customer response is usually a good indicator of how well a company is doing its job, and according to these GeoArm customers, they are doing a fantastic job:

“I would like to thank you and your team at GeoArm for your exceptional customer service.”

“I take pride in my DIY projects and GeoArm has enabled my success in the home security arena.”

“I am very impressed with the service that I have received.”

“I won’t hesitate to recommend your service.”

“The customer service I received is unheard of these days.”

“The technicians are very knowledgable and helpful.”

“I now have peace of mind in regards to my home security/safety needs for my family.”

Read the rest and see why you should transfer your alarm service to GeoArm.

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Honeywell LYNX Plus Alarm System User Guide Video

Jacob — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:12:31 +0000

A helpful video for users of Honeywell’s new LYNX Plus Wireless Security System:

Honeywell LYNX Plus is available in Phone Line, Internet, and Cellular kits from GeoArm, starting at just $274.99, including custom system programming! The easy to use interface is explained in this user guide video. For more helpful DIY home security video updates, subscribe to GeoArm’s Youtube Channel!

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GS3060 Universal Cellular Alarm Monitoring

Jacob — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:12:16 +0000

With GeoArm’s new low prices, you can now add cellular alarm monitoring to your system with the GS3060 for only $199.99. DSC’s GS3060 Cellular Alarm Communicator is universal to any control panel that has Contact ID as a communication option. Most modern control panel’s can be connected to the GS3060 with a simple 2-wire connection, and all signals will then be transmitted to GeoArm’s central station over AT&T’s cellular GSM network.

DSC GS3060 Universal Cellular Alarm Communicator

Cellular alarm monitoring service from GeoArm starts at just $20 per month! Don’t have a phone line for your alarm system? Want to protect your system from phone line cut? The GS3060 is an excellent fit to transition most existing alarm systems to cellular service. GeoArm’s experienced alarm technicians pre-program and pre-wire all cellular alarm communicators before they are shipped to provide clients with the easiest possible installation. For just $199.99 and $20 per month, you can get your system communicating to GeoArm’s central station over the most reliable communication path!

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Lower Prices on AlarmNet Cellular and Internet Radios

Jacob — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:48:41 +0000

GeoArm has reduced prices on the entire line of Honeywell AlarmNet cellular and internet alarm communicators. Enjoy the benefits of eliminating your phone line, or having your system communicate wirelessly with an AlarmNet radio that has been reduced in price by 20%-30%!

The 7847i internet communicator, 7845i-GSM internet & cellular communicator, and 7845GSMR cellular communicator are now available from between $157.99 and $238.99. These radios can be added to the Honeywell Vista series of alarm control panels to provide alternative central station monitoring service, and are also capable of providing Total Connect remote services. The 7847i-L, GSMVLP, and GSML have the same functionality, but are built specifically for installation with the Honeywell LYNX wireless security system. These radios actually fit inside the LYNX Plus and LYNXR2 all-in-one control panels.

AlarmNet monitoring service for these security system communicators is available from GeoArm at excellent rates. AlarmNet internet service starts at just $12, and cellular service is just $20 per month. Total Connect interactive services are an additional $5 per month.

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GE Simon 3 User Videos

Jacob — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:25:55 +0000

If you have a GE Simon 3 model security system, these user videos will help you to get the most out of your home alarm.

GE Simon 3 Security System User Video Part 1:

GE Simon 3 Security System User Video Part 2:

Note:
For a limited time, the 60-924-3-01 Wireless Talking Alarm Keypad for the Simon 3 system is still available. If you have a Simon 3 system and want to upgrade with more keypads, don’t wait, now is the time!

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“Crash & Smash” Detection Feature on GSM Alarm.com Modules

Jacob — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:31:34 +0000

A vulnerability of all alarm panels is that intruders have a fair amount of time to find and destroy a panel before it reports the intrusion to the central station. With All-in-one alarm panels, this risk is even higher because the system is usually located near the door where the user can get easy access to the built-in keypad. The Security Industry Association’s CP-01 standard and other initiatives encourage longer entry-delay and dialer-delay settings for control panels in order to reduce the frequency of false alarms. Unfortunately this increases the panel’s vulnerability to “Crash & Smash” (not to be confused with “smash and grab”) incidents because these settings give the intruder more time to find and destroy the control panel before it sends the alarm message to the central station.

Alarm.com has introduced a new feature that allows the dealer or end user to set longer entry-delays and dialer-delays in alarm panels without increasing the panel’s vulnerability to physical attacks. Alarm.com’s patent-pending “Crash & Smash” protection provides protection against panel destruction that is equivalent to a ~10 second entry-delay and ~10 second dialer-delay, regardless of the actual settings of these options.

Legacy POTS alarm panels that do not have “Crash & Smash” detection give the intruder 30-120 seconds of entry-delay time, 30-45 seconds of dialer-delay time and 20-30 seconds of actual dialing time to find and disable the panel before the alarm is received by the central station.

With “Crash & Smash” protection, the Alarm.com Netowork Operations Center (NOC) is aware of the intrusion within a few seconds, so the alarm will get reported to the central station even if the panel is disabled during the entry-delay, dialer-delay, or attempted call. Residential and commercial clients can program generous entry-delays and dialer-delays into their alarm panels without worrying about increased risk of panel destruction by an intruder. “Crash & Smash” detection promotes false alarm reduction techniques without increasing the risk of system failure during a true intrusion.

Because the Alarm.com GSM modules send sensor and system event notifications in near real-time to the Alarm.com NOC, it is aware of the status of all “alarms-in-progress” as they occur – not only after the panel tries to report an alarm to the central station.

A traditional central station is aware of two alarm states: “In Alarm” and “Not in Alarm”. The Alarm.com NOC is aware of all the steps as an intrusion unfolds: “Armed”, “Entry-delay started”, “Dialer-delay started” (siren sounds) and “In Alarm”. The NOC also knows that once an intrusion sensor is tripped, an alarm can only be avoided if the system is disarmed before the entry-delay expires or cancelled before the dialer-delay expires. The NOC knows that someone or something has disabled the panel’s ability to communicate with the NOC if a “Disarmed”, “Alarm cancelled” or “Alarm” code is not received from the panel soon after the alarm sequence begins.

When the NOC detects a possible “Crash & Smash” condition after the siren sounds it can send a “Suspected Alarm (Possible Crash & Smash)” email/text/Phone alart to users, and it will send the intrusion code and zone information as a normal Alarm message to the central station. If the NOC determines that the alarm panel was disabled before the entry-delay expired, it can send a “Suspected Entry Delay Alarm (Possible Crash & Smash)” email/text/phone alart to users and it will send an alarm message to the central station.

Supported Panels:

GE Simon 3 Alarm.com GSM modules (firmware version 116 & later)
GE Simon XT Alarm.com GSM modules (all firmware versions)
GE Concord Alarm.com GSM modules (firmware version 115 & later)

“Crash & Smash” is only available with an Alarm.com Interactive Alarm Monitoring service plan. Cellular alarm service through Alarm.com without the interactive upgrade is not compatible with this service.

Notes:

“Crash & Smash” monitoring does not begin until 10 minutes after the panel is armed.
Fire alarms and panics do not have any entry-delay or dialer-delay, so “Crash & Smash” protection does not apply to these events.
Police and medical alarm from the keypad do have a dialer-delay and do benefit from “Crash & Smash” protection on the Concord panel, but do not use dialer-delay on Simon and Simon XT panels.

Alarm.com cellular interactive service is available from GeoArm for only $25 monthly, and can be paired with the purchase of a new GE Simon XT wireless security system.

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See Videofied in Action

Jacob — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:01:02 +0000

This is an actual video clip captured by a Videofied system and transmitted to GeoArm’s central station. This individual was in the process of burglarizing a construction site north of Tampa, FL.

When your security system leads to the capture of potential criminals (especially when they have been previously burglarized) it leads to some seriously happy Videofied customers! When the central station operator can see what causes the alarm, not only do you eliminate most false alarms, you also get priority dispatch from the police. Police departments know that most alarm systems are blind, and there is a strong chance that they will be responding to a false alarm. When an operator calls and can say that they visually see a crime, police respond much faster, as a robbery in progress. This also eliminates the need for verification calls which take valuable time. Only Videofied wireless video alarm systems make this possible.

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