[Vicegrip]

all kidding aside don't get a dog unless you want a dog. If you happen to want a dog they do seem to have some deterent for low level B&E types. Deterent is key. Things like putting a "Ima gun owner" sign out is 100% not a deterent, it is a come on. Hand guns are the gold standard of small easy to fence stuff the B&E types are after. A gun is nothing but a chunk of easy to fence metal unless you are home to use it and the B&E boys are not hitting you when you are home.

Door and window to base unit systems are OK and offer warning when you are home. Motion based setups have advantages in setup but are no good if you have large enough pets and when home.

Door, window and some motion sensors with DVR video recording and cell backed up call out. Set up for video to record in light and IR all motion all stations inside and out when the alarm is set. Hide real DVR or secondary hard drive and leave live hooked up looking but not primary one for the pro to find.

For some reason standard res systems are often crappy hardware and the security co's that focus mostly on res tend to do sucky work. Look into com grade systems and methods.

You can get mon for the video too. While you are away the system transmits video feed to mon co. If there is a pixel change the cam in question pops up for them to see and check into. They see the bad dood (or dog or wind blown plastic bag or deer or kid from down the street looking for his baseball) in your side yard before any lights or alarms go on. Cuts way down on false hits and grumpy cops.

[jbailey930]

there is a local company I am familiar with, FrontPoint Security, in Tysons. Former colleague runs the telesales group and he is recent dorki member when he bought a 95 Cab. http://paths.frontpointsecurity.com/...FUjNOgodTzYAHQ
their systems are pricy. I've had Monitronics for years. Every 3 years or so they try to raise the rate. Tell them you will switch and your existing monitor provider will match the prices to keep you. GLWSecurity system search!

[Cliff Claven]

Originally Posted by ducatithunder

They are great bc they never shed.

hahaha

nice looking dog!

Originally Posted by Dr K

ACD? Australian Cattle Dog?

yes

my next dog may be a great pyrenees--excellent guardian dog--big enough to take down a good sized predator and their instinct is to go for the back of the neck and sever the spine. though i'll probably just get a newfie....

[N0tt0N]

Originally Posted by Cliff Claven

my next dog may be a great pyrenees--excellent guardian dog--big enough to take down a good sized predator and their instinct is to go for the back of the neck and sever the spine. though i'll probably just get a newfie....

I swear the first time I read this it said, "I'll probably just get a new wife...."

[realroadrage]

Originally Posted by good hands

Anyone have ADT or similar ? I've heard ADT sucks. Vector ? Brinks ?

My GSD is by far the best deterent along with my NRA member sign nailed to the fence.

My house had ADT when we bought it (not activated). We recently hired a company called Guardian to activate and monitor. Guardian can make use of old hard wired sensors, add new wireless sensors, add video, and hook it all up to alarm.com. They were also the cheapest: no brainer for me.