Editorial Review

TV3731 Features: -Driveway patrol. -Infrared wireless alert system. -Used to monitor the mailbox, garage, driveway or countless other places. -Battery operation and 400 foot range means no wiring is necessary. -Receiver emits an audible tone when a vehicle or person passes the sensor. -Installs in seconds. -Dimensions: 2.25'' H x 4.83'' W x 6'' D. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com Product DescriptionFeaturing rolling-code technology, the Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System provides maximum security and reduces the likelihood of false alarms. Suitable for homes, offices, 24-hour stores, businesses, or wherever security is a concern, this all-in-one system offers a 100-foot operating range, installs in minutes, and requires no monitoring services or fees.

The SC-1000 is a complete, easy-to-install wireless security system that requires no monthly monitoring fees. View larger.

Reliable, Cutting-Edge System Uses Trouble-Free Wireless Connections
Keep your home or business safe and secure with this reliable, cutting-edge wireless security system. The SC-1000 utilizes innovative technology with trouble-free wireless connections to provide security, making it a great choice for protecting against intruders and safeguarding in case of an accident, fire, flood, or other emergency.

Do-it-Yourself Security Eliminates the Need for Monitoring Fees
The SC-1000 is a do-it-yourself system, which means you can easily install it yourself and then use it without paying monitoring fees or registering with an alarm company. To arm or disarm, you simply enter your personal code or use the keychain transmitter.

Rolling-Code Technology for Maximum Security and Fewer False Alarms

The Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System: Offers fast, easy installation Utilizes Advanced Rolling Code Technology Automatically calls for help in the event of an emergency Dials up to 9 different numbers of your choice and sends out your personal 40 second message Can be customized using up to 30 Skylink accessories Does not require expensive, monthly monitoring fees

Skylink is the first company to incorporate rolling-code technology into a home/business security system, which means that the SC-1000 provides maximum security while virtually eliminating the number of false alarms. A rolling code (or hopping code) is often used in entry systems that don't require a key, because it prevents an eavesdropper from capturing and using your personal security code. Thanks to rolling-code technology, the SC-1000's control panel will recognize radio waves only from its remote sensors (door/window sensor, motion sensor, and keychain transmitter), thereby preventing high-tech thieves from duplicating signals and tampering with your system.

Motion, Door, and Window Sensors for Reliable Emergency Protection
The SC-1000 comes complete with a motion sensor and two door/window sensors--enough coverage for small- to medium-sized homes. Because it works in conjunction with up to 30 Skylink security accessories, including Dial Alert, Alarm Detector Sensor, and Flood Sensor, this system can be customized to suit your needs and can be expanded to accommodate larger spaces or businesses that require a higher level of protection. If any sensors are triggered when the system is armed, the included 110dB siren will make a piercing sound, and the sensor will immediately send a wireless signal to the system's dialer.

Automatically Calls for Help in an Emergency
In case of an emergency, the SC-1000 follows a straightforward process to make sure you get the help you need. When you receive the system, you can program the emergency dialer to call up to nine different phone numbers, including your cellular phone, a pager, your doctor, relatives, friends, neighbors, etc., should something trigger one of the sensors. You'll also record a personal 40-second emergency message. In case of emergency, the system's dialer will automatically dial the number or numbers you have entered. Once the recipient picks up the phone, the emergency dialer will play your prerecorded message and inform the recipient that you are in an emergency situation and that help should be sent right away.

Lighted Keypad and Low-Battery Indicator for Easy Operation
Offering simple and straightforward operation, the SC-1000 features a lighted keypad that is easy to read in dark conditions and offers Chime, Instant, and Delay modes. It runs on AC power with nine-volt alkaline battery backup (battery included), and provides a helpful low-battery indicator to prevent a loss of power.

What's in the Box
Alarm with control panel (SC-001); one motion sensor (PS-434A); two door/window sensors (WT-433); one keychain transmitter (4B-434); one emergency dialer (AD-433S); two adapters; three nine-volt alkaline batteries; three 12-volt alkaline batteries; phone line; instruction manual; and warranty card.

This kit includes everything you need to guard a medium-sized home. Add up to 30 Skylink accessories for full, customized protection of larger spaces.

1 ... Read more

Editorial Review

Wireless Motion Alert from Chamberlain alerts you the moment someone enters your property. With Chamberlain's Motion Alert, you'll always have advance notice that someone's on their way to your door. Compact, discreet motion-sensor unit installs on garage, mailbox, fencepost... nearly anywhere. And when activated, it sends a wireless signal to the receiver unit, up to one-half mile away! Then, when the unit's adjustable chime tells you you're about to have a visitor, you can prepare accordingly. Installs in minutes; Completely wireless; Receiver unit accepts signal from up to 4 sensors (one included), so you can protect a whole perimeter.; Weatherproof components.; Sensor: 3 1/4 x 5 1/4 x 3"h., uses 4 AA batteries (not included).; Receiver: 3 1/2 x 3 x 1 3/4"h., uses 4 AA batteries (not included). 1 lb., 11 ozs. Additional Sensors sold below.; Act Now! Chamberlain Wireless Motion Alert / Sensor Kit ... Read more

Editorial Review

Driveway Patrol is an infrared sensor that alerts you when someone crosses its path. When placed across the driveway or on your porch, a pleasant chime will sound alerting you that someone has come onto your property. Driveway Patrols amazing wireless technology provides easy mobility: simply place the sensor by the front door, garage, mailbox, or anywhere else near your home and the unit will send a signal to its receiver (up to 400 feet away)! With Driveway Patrols motion activation, you will always know when someone is coming up to your house before they ring the doorbell! Driveway Patrol is weather resistant, installs easily with only a screwdriver, and only needs one 9 V and 3 C batteries, not included. The Driveway Patrol motion detector notifier unit may also be used with a D.C. 4.5 volt connector instead of batteries. The Signal should be installed at a height of 4 feet to avoid feedback interferrence errors from the ground. ... Read more

Reviews

Infared wireless alert system, May 29, 2010
For my situation...this product works great. A few false alarms, but I dont think thats the fault of the unit. Its just picking up motion from something I havent figured out yet. This unit does not come with an A/C adapter...it should. I will eventually get one. Ive had the patrol about a month now and I am very pleased with it. The only reason I dont give it 5 stars is the lack of an A/C adapter. Of course it would cost more, but I would have liked that option. Possibly another of their products does come with one. So far the batteries are lasting, time will tell how long, and certainly that is going to be dependent on how many times it goes off. There is no volume setting..you only have 3 settings...high...low...and off. That is not an issue for me. For the money this is a great product. It performs for what it is intended for and works for what I wanted it for...which is to alert me when someone enters my drive way. I wanted this unit because my car was recently broken into..I do expect that in the future this unit will alert me to intruders.

Be Alerted by the Driveway Patrol Wireless System, September 5, 2010
U.S. Patrol Driveway Patrol Infrared Wireless Alert System

The Driveway Patrol consists of two compact wireless units. One of them is a transmitter and the other one is the receiver. The transmitter has a motion sensor, and will send information to the receiver indicating that someone or something has activated it.

The transmitter encases the circuitry and one 9-volt battery in hard, durable plastic. The battery fits neatly in a small compartment accessible from the rear of the unit by removing a cover which is secured with two small screws. A rubber gasket prevents moisture from entering through the battery compartment. It is adviseable to remove the battery when the unit is stored for long periods. Included in the package are two screws which can be used to secure the unit to any wooden support of your house or mailbox. The sensor has a range of about 400 feet.

The receiver is also constructed of durable plastic. It operates on three "C" cell batteries, which can be easily accessed by sliding the cover towards the bottom of the unit. In addition, the receiver can also accept power from a 4.5 volt DC charger plugged into a wall outlet. When the transmitter signals that its beam has been interrupted, the receiver gives off a pleasant chime in two tones. The chime's volume can be adjusted for high or low.

Before permanently installing the transmitter, you should test various locations until you are certain it will not be activated by stray animals or vehicles passing along the street.

I researched the availability of the Driveway Patrol on the internet, and found that the most reasonable price ($14.60, plus shipping) was offered by one of the merchants on Amazon.com. I highly recommend the Driveway Patrol, especially because it can alert you not only about visitors, but also unwanted intruders.

Alert me of Amazon drop-offs, September 29, 2010
I bought this after reading the mixed reviews and decided to take a chance. In my situation it worked pretty well with few false alarms here and there. I installed it to a beam on the front porch, which alerts me anyone standing in my front door that didn't ring the bell. This usually applies to drop-off of smaller items from Amazon, and other carriers. Now whenever a packaged is dropped off without ringing my bell, I will know immediately when I'm home!

As for sensitivity, my porch is pretty much blocked off/closed off in most directions so it only has a small area to detect. Only one direction has a tree 30 feet in sight. There has been false alarm whenever wind blows hard enough to cause the branches and leafs to move. I understand this device has pretty good range, so that's understandable.

Do make sure you put in batteries that have similar charges left (or brand new). I first put any available batteries (including one that's 3/4 drained), and it wouldn't receive the signal from the motion sensor consistently. This warning is given in the small instruction manual, but who reads that first!

Driveway Patrol, June 21, 2010
Great little product - sure let's us know when someone comes down our driveway. We did have to put some tape on either side of the sensor (per their suggestion), as the wind was setting it off. That little thing did the trick perfectly....

Works Great ! Great Value!, April 2, 2010
Works Great ! Great Value ! I used it to let me know that there are deer in my yard at a feeding area we set up. Went to Radio Shack and bought a closeout transformer / adapter for $ 1.97 (4.5 volts) Great!

Wireless Home Security Alarm, February 26, 2010
This is a great device for security. Put it up on a wall, fence, tree, or set it on a box. I have one on each side of my mobile home. Anyone coming into my yard, sets the alarm off. I can look out and see who is coming. Also, I carry one when I am traveling. I set it just inside my door, and if anyone opens the door, the alarm goes off. It's portable and wireless. I am very please with this purchase.

Driveway Alert, June 6, 2010
We like the alarm; it seems quite "touchy", chimes with the wind blowing! We are trying different locations. We have alot of trees, so this may be the problem.

Great value..., October 10, 2010
Works great, after taping the sides a bit as suggested by another reviewer, not experiencing very many false alarms---over all very happy-great price and am buying another for my side yard to my shed...

Not too sure here, September 17, 2010
This item does work and with two volume settings can be clearly heard even with hearing problems. I did find it too sensitive and toned down the face with duct tape. That made it too insensitive so I removed the tape. I've repositioned it several times and been able to test activate it by walking past.

I had contractors in and out of my property last week and it did not once activate on their comings and goings. I need to tweak it some more no doubt.

The item does work but needs more TLC than I bargained for.

Great features, LOW price!!!, August 3, 2010
I very much like this product, (1) for the low price, (2) separate chime unit from motion sensor, (3) power adapter option available (to save on batteries). I discreetly placed the motion sensor to focus on my front porch and the speaker (chime) unit inside my garage. Unlike other products, the motion sensor is attached with the chime unit. Imagine how awkward that would be. So I purchased another unit and placed the sensor in my backyard. I plugged-in a power adapter (not included) to the speaker (chime) unit so that I an inexpensive consistent home monitor system. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Extra Door / Window Sensor... SAVE! Protects entrances and sends a signal to the control panel or dialer when contact is broke. Up to 100' range. Measures 3 3/8 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/8" and weighs 2 3/5 ozs. Order ONLINE Today! AVAILABLE SEPARATELY: Skylink Complete Wireless Alarm System and Smoke / Carbon Monoxide or Extra Motion Sensors - word search in our Store for 'Sensors' and 'Alarm System'. Extra Door / Window Sensor ... Read more

Reviews

A bit bulky and unsightly, so just buy the smaller ones..., February 11, 2009
In spite of the retailer claiming that my smaller triggers from previous SkyLink alarm would NOT work, they did!! But my newer alarm came with these triggers (2). I find them a bit bulky and unsightly so I prefer the smaller ones with a smaller battery.

About the best thing about THIS trigger is that you KNOW if it is not in its closed position by the little red light. If the light comes on, it is not fully closed and alarm will not arm this particular trigger.

The sticker is terrible but a good add-on, June 8, 2009
I installed the SC-1000 and purchased a few of these add-ons. It does the job picking up the signal quiet nicely and easy install. I suggest you stock up on the batteries because you dont want these to fail in time of need so test them once in a while using the chime mode. Anyway, my main gripe is the I had these on my window and when it got warm, the double sided tape started unsticking I found a couple of these dangling from a couple of my windows when the sun was beating on it...I basically had to move it around - make the sun heat doesnt get to it or else the tape undoes itself.

Easy to install and use, September 9, 2009
I bought this product about a year ago now and it has been working flawlessly since then. The unit is very easy to install - follow the directions that come with it - it took me about one hour to install the three door sensors (I bought an extra one) and the one motion sensor. I usually use the remote unit to arm / disarm the unit and even after a year of use the batteries do not need replacement.
I have yet to install the telephone piece of the kit - the problem I face is that my house has multiple telephone lines and I need to locate the primary one. After a lot of procrastination, I finally decided to get a professional to do this piece of the work. If you have a simple telephone setup this should not be a problem either. I've tested the system randomly during this past year and it has never failed yet. I have had no false alarms of it going off when it should not and have taken long trips with at least some peace of mind. I would certainly recommend this as a very good alternative to all of those expensive alarm systems - and managed to get a 15% reduction in my insurance premium to boot!!

Works excellent, a bit unsightly, November 25, 2009
The Window/Door sensors are not the most attractive pieces of hardware you've ever seen. The silver terminals on the magnet are exposed instead of hidden within a housing. They do work very well though, which is the most important feature they could have.

Be aware that in most of the product photos they do not show you the wire that runs from the "wireless" unit to the magnets, but there is one. It's only wireless back to the main control panel. With some planning you could probably install this with the wire hidden, like in new construction. For those of us with existing door and window frames however it will be hard to completely hide the wire.

Also keep in mind that if you keep your windows locked, an intruder will most likely be breaking your window, not just sliding it open. I chose to use these units on my doors and am looking into the vibration sensors for the windows instead, but they might work for your application.

I attached a few photos at the top of the page, and you can see where I needed to modify my wooden door trim to get the sensors to sit flat. I used a Dremel to do this, and it wasn't hard but there was not another way for me to mount these and get them to work without modifying the trim around the door frame.

Overall they do work very well and I can accept the aesthetics of them for the price I paid.

Works well, but UGLY, February 25, 2009
This thing works well, but stands out like a sore thumb. It's big, bulky, and archaic. They could have made it much more compact and streamlined, like other company's sensors are. This has a separate old style wired magnet sensor, and the wire runs to the transmitter. So you have to mount three pieces, instead of two.

Excelent and easy o install and operate, May 24, 2009
It's a excelent product. Easy to install and very effective. We feel very confortable with the safety it give us in our home. We bougth the complete kit with additional five door/windows switch for overall covering of my house and I am very glad with the product.

Works like it should. Easy to install., April 3, 2009
These door sensors have worked perfectly. They were very easy to install. The red light flashes when the sensor is tripped (by opening the door). Even though I haven't needed to replace any batteries yet (2 months so far), the 12v 23A battery is very easy to replace and easy to find for less on ebay. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Extra Motion Sensor... SAVE! Uses infrared technology to monitor areas up to 40' by an arc of 110-deg. On / test mode. Up to 100' range. Measures 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2" and weighs 6 ozs. Order ONLINE Today! AVAILABLE SEPARATELY: Skylink Complete Wireless Alarm System and Smoke / Carbon Monoxide or Extra Door / Window Sensors - word search in our Store for 'Sensors' and 'Alarm System'. Extra Motion Sensor ... Read more

Editorial Review

Pictures that you could only imagine are now possible with the DSC-WX5. It starts with the outstanding low-light performance of Sony's "Exmor R" CMOS sensor. Amazing features like Superior Auto and Background Defocus make it easy to get the best shot. There's even 3D Sweep Panorama8 and Full HD 1080/60i AVCHD movies.7 ... Read more

Editorial Review

Still the greatest thing to happen since IR remote control. The award-winning NextGen Remote Extender is now improved and we call it Remote Extender Plus. Simply install our battery transmitter in place of one of the AA or AAA batteries inside your remote control, then point the receiver or attach the bright eye emitter to the components you wish to control. Now you’ve converted your existing IR Remote to Digital RF, giving you the freedom to go from room-to-room and control your components anywhere in the house.The Remote extender plus gives you the ability to control two same brand components independently. ... Read more

Editorial Review

US Patrol 2 in 1 Motion Sensor Alarm and ChimeSecures your home from intruders! Piercing alarm for security or pleasant chime. Feel safe and secure anywhere. Infrared Motion Sensor Technology. No installation required. Panic button activates the alarm. Includes 1 mountable alarm unit and 2 remote control units. Great for doors, sheds, garages and more.Motion Sensor Alarm & Chime alerts you when door is opened. Activate from key chain remote with the simple press of a button. Perfect for house, shed, or garage. Choose from three settings, instant alarm, delayed alarm, and chime. Alarm sounds when magnetic contact is broken. No installation required. Includes one key pad alarm and two remote control units. Four AA batteries required, not included. 4 3/4 x 3 1/25 x 1 3/4".Includes:Feel Safe and Secure anywhere Infrared motion sensor technology No installation required Panic button activates the alarm Great for doors, sheds, garages and more Includes 1 mountable alarm unit and 2 remote controls ... Read more

Editorial Review

Don't be caught unaware. Protect your home or business from unexpected visitors. The WMA Wireless Motion Alert system sends an immediate alert when a person or car enters your property. The transmitter operates on one 9V battery, is weatherproof, and easily mounts to a tree or post near the driveway. The transmitter uses a infrared beam to detect people or vehicles to a distance up to 80', then sends a radio signal back to the receiver, which can be placed in your home up to 600 feet away. Dakota Alert WMA-3000 / Includes one Transmitter and one WR-3000 Receiver / Transmitter uses a passive infrared (PIR) beam to detect people or vehicles up to a distance of 80', then sends radio signal back to the Receiver up to 60' away (actual range will vary depending on local terrain). / Operating temp range: -30 degrees F to 120 degress F. ... Read more

Reviews

At last - one that really works, June 23, 2007
This is the fourth remote driveway alarm we have tried. The others ranged from a $70 GE unit to a $250 unit that supposedly worked "up to four miles." They would either not have the range needed (about 100 yards) or would stop working after a few days. Replacements were tried for all, and all had the same failures or problems.

This one, however, has now been working flawlessly here for two weeks. It has been through a major rainstorm and several extremely foggy mornings. Temperatures here have been as high as 94 degrees.

Other pro's:
Worked out of the box with both receivers. The default settings were fine and setting switches was not necessary.
We like the ability to choose the alarm sound. We chose the short musical selection for the house. The workshop/garage has the sharp whistle tone, as there is often other loud noise going on.

Con's:
Like most infra-red receivers, it does occasionally pick up dogs, deer, and even a crow that flies close enough. It does not trigger on trees or leaves, even in high wind (and where we have it mounted, there is a small forest across the driveway.) I suppose that would be possible, however, if the tree/leaves were in the sunshine, and thus hotter than the surroundings. BTW, although called a "motion sensor," the manufacturer says an object must be a minimum of six degrees warmer than the surroundings to be detected.

Suggestions:
We found that vehicle pickup is more reliable if the sensor is pointed somewhat down the driveway rather than directly across it.
Setting it higher off the ground reduces the triggers on dogs, but also makes it possible to miss some vehicles that do not produce a heat signature that high off the ground. We set ours at about four feet. It still picks up medium and larger dogs, but has not missed a single vehicle. It does not pick up cats, skunks, etc.
If you get false alarms, especially at similar times of day each day, try changing the transmitter and receiver subcode. One of your neighbors may be using the same unit.

Update, 2009:
Well, it's still working fine almost two years later. It does occasionally miss a vehicle, and we have noticed that almost all of the ones it misses are painted white. Maybe that has something to do with the temperature difference requirements. Maybe mounting it a little lower would help.

It has stopped working once. That was one of those so-foggy-everything-is-soaked mornings. I brought the transmitter indoors and removed the battery. Then I set the opened case in front of a small fan for a couple of hours. After the drying it again worked fine, and has since. Still highly recommended.

Dakota Driveway Alert, January 10, 2007
I own a similar system by Dakota, but mine uses the magnetic detection sensor that is buried in or along side my driveway. The transmitters are the same as well as the reciever.

The PIR sensor type is sensitive to false alarms due to wind (swaying trees) and wildlife (the neighbors dog). This is unacceptable to me as I only want to detect vehicles of all sorts although it will actually detect a person if they walk directly over the magnetic sensor.

Range is very good as my driveway is about 1/2 mile long and is down over a hill and it works almost to the bottom of the hill.

My two complaints have been solved by me. The first is a single common 9 volt battery only lasts a month and near the end of that time won't work if it is very cold. After the sun comes up it starts working again. Using Lithium batteries and wiring in extra parallel batteries extends reliable operation.

The second problem was it was not waterproof and stopped working. I dried it out with a hair drier and it worked again. I used Vaseline over the O ring seal and it has worked well and stayed dry for the past 7 months.

Dakota vs Chamberlain Wireless Driveway Alert, May 30, 2008
I first purchased a Chamberlain "The Reporter" alert, returned it, and then purchased the Dakota alert. The Chamberlain is very cheaply constructed, difficult to adjust, and I could never get it to give reliable alerts, despite numerous adjustment attempts.

The Dakota is by far superior in terms of construction, performance, operational options, and ease of adjustments. It's well worth the additional $75. My only complaint about the Dakota is that it is extremely sensitive, even at the lowest settings, so I had to play around quite a bit with location and angle of the mount before I eliminated most erroneous alerts. When I called Dakota to ask for setup advice, I reached a technician who was actually very knowledgable about the technical operaton of the unit and therefore, quite helpful.

Could be better, June 13, 2009
Bought my first one in '97. Lasted (reliably) for a couple years then quit. Quit because water got inside even with O-Ring seal on cover. Sent it back (after warrantee expired) for replacement. They charged me about 1/3 less than new. New one lasted about 1.5 years before quitting - same issue, moisture inside. Someone somewhere must make a reliable unit that does NOT quit after a year or so.

Not Worth the Money, April 11, 2009
I have had a couple of these systems for about a year and a half. As other reviews have stated, there are problems working in wet weather and when it is cold out (below 20 degrees or so. I expected to get false alarms with deer and other animals, so that didn't bother me. After all, I wanted to be able to detect people, not just vehicles coming up my road.

I was able to eliminate the cold weather problem with better batteries. I did some research and found that all alkaline batteries start to fail in freezing weather, but lithium will still work well and last a LOT longer too. (Amazon has the best deal around on Ultra Life Battery UPVL-X 10 Year Smoke Detector Battery 9 volt batteries)

Lately however, both of these units quit working, and I don't know why. They seem to work fine when I take them inside, but fail when placed back out. This could be a wet weather issue, but I can't go out with a hair dryer every day, so this is a serious problem.

The manufacturer's website has no email address, and the comment page doesn't work.
I'm not sure if there is anything better on the market, but these aren't cheap, and aren't dependable either.

Buy This Product At Your Peril, June 5, 2009
We've had this device guarding our driveway for a few weeks now. It seems to be effective about 90% of the time (after much adjustment of the sensor's height) in detecting vehicles. It's about 100% effective at false alarming for dogs, birds, and other wildlife at all hours of the night. This then sets off our three dogs to barking.

Still, my wife likes it since she doesn't have a clear view of the driveway and we live out in the country where home defense is completely up to us.

Also, it's less expensive than the induction-type of sensor (which doesn't detect people on foot), and less noticeable than the air hose type (which can be moved out of the way by the bad guy). It's a compromise, but probably the best available for the price.

Very Pleased With Product Support., March 23, 2009
I bought one of these systems in December of 2008, but did not get around to installing it until late January of 2009. I could not get it to work with the transmitter more than 100 feet from the receiver. I called Dakota Alert, and they said to send it back. They returned it in a reasonable time, having replaced the transmitter circuit board, but it would only transmit about 120 feet. They again said to send it back, and about 10 days later returned it with another new transmitter circuit board. This time it works great!

I have it set up about 430 feet away, and it rings every time. I have noticed no false alarms. It will pick up a person walking, but I have not noticed it being set off by the deer that frequent our area. I don't know how I got by without it. I recommend it highly.

While I am dissapointed that the product was defective, Dakota Alert kept working at it until the fixed the problem. I wish other manufacturers would stand benind their product like Dakota Alert did.

Wireless Motion Alert Kit-3000' Max Range, July 1, 2008
My driveway is about 300 feet long and we do not have a visual of the entrace. If someone enters the drive, we neeeded a few seconds to secure our overly friendly dog. In most instances the alarm has functioned well. However, it does sound when there is not a vehicle or person in the drive. We do live in a rural area and there is a lot of wildlife. I just wish it was able to sound only when a car or person is detected. Too many false alarms.

Better than Most, May 27, 2008
We've tried 4 different driveway alerts, and I can say this one is by far the most reliable. We've had it up for a little over a month, and it has alerted us to probably 95% of the vehicles traveling up our lane. Very few false alarms. We're happy with the product to date. ... Read more

Editorial Review

GE 56789 Window Or Door Alarm 4 LR44 Batteries. ... Read more

Editorial Review

- Dakota Alert long range alert system kit- Includes one WMT-3000 wireless motion alert MURS transmitter and one M538-BS base station transceiver- Ideal for use in fixed locations such as homes, shops or offices- BlackDKMURSBSKIT ... Read more

Editorial Review

Vibration-sensitive window alarmeasily attaches to any window or sliding patio doors and is set off by vibrations. Alarm deters intruder, then resets itself.Leaves you and your home well-protected. Choose high or low sensitivity,adjustable volume control. Requires four AA batteries, not included. Plastic, 21/2 x 2 1/4". ... Read more

Editorial Review

Expand your Wireless Alert System with additional transmitters (use up to four with one receiver). Receiver distinguishes each transmitter with a different tone, so you know which area has someone slinking around your property. For use with Item# 333182. U.S.A. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Keep your family safe with the Safety Siren combination gas detector. The model # HS80504 protects your home and family from dangerous levels of Carbon Monoxide (often referred to as "The Silent Killer" because it is odorless, tasteless and colorless), in addition to Methane (Natural Gas), and Propane, the most common combustible gases found in the residential environment. Simply plug into any 110-volt wall socket and live with the confidence that your living quarters have an added level of protection from catastrophic gas leaks ... Read more

Reviews

Inexpensive insurance., March 8, 2008
I was disappointed to find that this U.S. manufacturer is actually
selling gas alarms that don't address current safety standards.
Specifically, I found that the product manual does not say it is
UL-listed for any relevant Underwriters Laboratories standards, and
when I checked the UL product database I could not find listings for
this product for either explosive gas (UL 1484) or carbon monoxide (UL
2034).

In the case of explosive gas (UL 1484), this product is not UL-listed
though it appears to be compliant in the loose sense that it alarms at
the standard set point of 25% LEL. While other products in this
product line are UL-listed, this one is not, suggesting that the
manufacturer simply doesn't care enough to pay for the appropriate
testing/listing for all of their products.

In the case of carbon monoxide (UL 2034), this product is not
UL-listed and indeed has definitely NOT been compliant with UL
standards for over a decade. The original standard (UL 2034-1992)
specified CO alarm set points at 100ppm(90min), 200ppm(35min), and
400ppm(15min) and these are indeed the alarm points listed in the
product manual (which is dated 1996). In 1998, UL updated the CO
alarm set points to 70ppm(240min), 150ppm(50min), and 400ppm(15min).
But the manual says quite clearly: "This detector has not been
investigated for carbon monoxide detection below 100ppm."

Given the note about calibration that is also contained in the product
manual ("CO sensor calibrated at 200ppm CO specific to avoid false
alarms") one gets the sense that this is a product for people who care
about buying products that won't wake them up with false alarms as
opposed to people who care about safety standards of the current
century. The similar Kidde and First Alert products are UL-listed and
people complain about more false alarms. You pays your money and you
takes your choice.

Useful but False Alarms, July 4, 2009
I purchased this detector to put in my basement near a gas furnace. It replaces a much older natural gas detector and carbon monoxide detector. This particular unit plugs directly into a wall outlet, so one needs to have a wall outlet in the proper mounting location already. That was not a problem for me. So far, the unit has worked flawlessly, with no false alarms. I like the fact that it flashed a red led regularly to indicate the unit is working

There are a few comments in other reviews that the carbon monoxide detector is set too high for safety. The instructions that come with the unit say it is set for 200 ppm, and cite a US safety standard. (I tried to find the instructions online before purchase, but could not.) It appears that this trigger is beginning to approach levels where exposure over a period of time might cause problems. I find this very reasonable for my application since it reduces false alarms but sounds when there is really a problem. I might want a more sensitive carbon monoxide detector or one with a numerical readout for use near a bedroom upstairs, for example.

This unit neatly replaces two detectors and seems to provide just the kind of protection from a serious problem that I desire around the furnace in my basement. ... Read more

Editorial Review

100W, Plug In Motion Activated Floodlight, 8' Grounded Electrical Cord, Gray Die Cast Metal Fixture With Plastic Handle, Detects Motion Up To 180&degree. & Up To 60' Range, Adjustable Time & Sensitivity Settings For Indoor/Outdoor Use, Ideal For Outbuildings Or Sheds, Includes Bulb, Replacement Bulb True Value #787-513. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Skylink Wireless Alarm System... It's a complete WIRELESS security system that can be installed easily in minutes. It's ideal for your home, business office, stores, retail operations, wherever security is a concern. And thanks to the emergency dialer, there are no monthly charges because you don't have to sign up for additional monitoring services. The control panel can control up to 24 different sensors... triggering 120dB siren sounds, and sending a wireless signal to the emergency dialer that calls for help. Act ONLINE now... for some peace of mind! AVAILABLE SEPARATELY: Smoke / Carbon Monoxide, Extra Door / Window or Extra Motion Sensors - word search in our Store for 'Sensors'. Skylink Complete Wireless Alarm System ... Read more

Reviews

Great product, April 20, 2008
This is a wonderful system that allow for peace of mind when leaving the premises. I bought the complete system with alarm and dialer. The systems come linked together, so if someone sets off the door/windows alarms or the motion detector, the dialer will begin calling the pre-programmed numbers with your custom pre-recorded message. So far it has worked very well. The built in alarm is unbearably loud, so be careful if you set it off by accident. Be sure you have the remote handy as you do NOT want to get near it to disarm it. It has the ability to trip the phone dialer based on the sensors by themselves, as a whole, or by the main security system. The dialer can be set so that you can hear the numbers being dialed, or you can opt to make it completely silent. I have mine silent as I don't want someone finding it and pulling the phone cord out. Besides, the alarm is enough to scare anyone off. The motion detector is very touchy however, and it will trip the system with slight movement. In my opinion that is a good thing. At night I set it so that only the doors and windows are alarmed, and the motion detector is off. This is a handy feature. I've purchased many security devices lately and this one is certainly the best. If you combine this with an in home motion detection webcam such as the Linksys WVC54GC you can not only be alerted via phone, but also get pictures sent to your cell phone, send streaming media to your cell phone, or simply hop onto the web and view your house in real time with no computer needed. This is my setup and it gives you an amazing piece of mind. Just be sure to mount everything out of sight!

Good price but one major flaw, November 27, 2008
We bought this system to monitor our travel trailer while parked outside of our house during a remodel. We have 110v to the trailor so the system doesn't have to run from it's own batteries all of the time. The door sensors and motion detector are easy to mount, even in a trailer. Programming the base key pad is a snap and the remote control is great. With the remote, I don't really ever use the key pad. The alarm is painfully (literally) loud when it goes off. The system even has entry delays and one can program all of the input devices to a selected zone - delayed or instant.

My one complaint - the dialer functionality. The concept of the dialer is great. It will call your phone when the alarm goes off. The draw back is you have to turn it off and on seperately from the rest of the system. It does not "talk" with the remote or the keypad. Also, It will dial when anything is tripped, even when the system is not armed. It will dial if the system is set to monitor only the doors but the motion detector is activated (the "at home" setting). The only solution is to keep the dialer off when anything could be tripped and only turn it on when you leave. Also, if we arm the system for the doors only and one of the dogs activates the motion detector while we are gone...guess what. We get dialed. That is so annoying. The only work around is to hide the motion detector when we are gone.

UPDATE: After reading some truely helpful comments to the above review, I have reprogrammed the system and deleted all of the sensors except the main control panel from the dialer and that has solved the excessive calls. Now, my suggestion would be to clarify the instructions - which provide directions for registering the sensors before registering the panel. I am a very step by step person and I just followed the directions not realizing registering a device was optional and what impact that would have on the system as a whole.

Effective remote monitoring system, December 16, 2007
This is not a professional-grade alarm system, but armed (sorry) with that information, consumers can choose it and end up with a decent amount of protection for a small-to-medium size home.

The two professional features I would have liked to get (but which may not be available at this price) are a way for the system to store which zone tripped an alarm, and warning when a door or window is open and you try to arm the system.

Ability to know what triggered the alarm is important for troubleshooting, though to be fair this system has not yet given me any trouble with false alarms. An important tip is that the motion sensor ships with its jumpers in the "high" sensitivity mode. Switch to low and test thoroughly to avoid false alarms.

If I leave one of the protected windows or doors open I can still arm the system and leave the house. There is no warning of this and for obvious reasons it would be nice if it blinked or beeped.

Finally, it would be very easy for a burglar to rip the main alarm unit off the wall and smash it into silence, so I ignored the instructions which advise mounting the control unit near the door you usually enter. I'd recommend being much more creative about locating the panel and if that means you have trouble disarming when you enter, use the remote, which works great. You can also re-program individual zones to respond instantly, which is a nice feature and helps guard against this problem.

When our house was burglarized recently, we were advised by the police to get a device that makes plenty of noise, and not to waste money on a fancy system. So we bought this alarm and it does a good job.

The instructions could be better, but they are not bad and the installation went smoothly and rapidly.

Pretty good alarm, but several complaints and annoyances, February 25, 2009
I recently ordered the SC-1000 alarm package, along with the SC-10 package and one extra door sensor. Amazon, as always, was great. I ordered it with next day shipping, and I did indeed get it the next day. The SC-1000 comes with the keypad, the separate AD-433 auto dialer, motion sensor, two door sensors, and one keychain transmitter. Don't know why it only comes with one transmitter, I would think most people need at least two. I needed two transmitters and 5 door sensors, so I ordered the SC-10 because it comes with two sensors and two door transmitters, along with the AA-433 external siren. Saved a little money that way. Apparently, the SC-10 can be used as a stand-alone alarm. Why does it come with two transmitters, while the much more comprehensive SC-1000 package only comes with one? Weird.

Installation of all components was easy, took me about three hours, including programming. I did all the programming at my kitchen table, before I installed everything. Much easier that way. As another reviewer pointed out, you MUST clear all sensors from the AD-433 auto dialer and AA-433 siren before you can program them to the keypad. I'm glad she mentioned that, because it's not too clear in the instructions. Also, there's nothing in the SC-10 instruction book about programming it to be used as an external siren only with the SC-1000. I had to go online to Skylink's website and download the instructions for the AA-433 siren - the information was in there. That was the only problem, really, that I had with the programming.

The door sensors work very well. However, they're big, bulky, archaic, and downright ugly. They use an old style wired door magnet switch, and a separate transmitter with a short wire that goes to the magnet (you can see them in the photos I uploaded). In my opinion, they could have made them MUCH smaller and more streamlined, and much better looking. These stick out like a sore thumb.

The motion sensor is very sensitive. However, once it trips, it won't trip again for thirty seconds. Why is that? It's weird. It has high and low sensitivity jumpers, but I haven't tried it on low, so I can't comment on that. I do know that on high, my 50lb dog will trip it. But I have it in a room that I keep closed when I'm gone, so that's not an issue for me. I would imagine that on low sensitivity, and with the sensor pointed up more, a dog wouldn't trip it. But I don't know for sure.

The transmitters could be smaller, and with clearly marked buttons. The only markings at all are a series of raised dots on the buttons, which are worthless to me. The panic button is red, but the other three are the same color. I marked the arm and disarm buttons with red and blue Sharpies so I could tell them apart.

It would be nice, as another reviewer pointed out, if the alarm would tell you if a door was open when you try to arm it. It would also be nice if the external siren beeped when you arm it. It beeps when you disarm it, so why didn't they program it to beep when you arm it? Also, arming or disarming both give you a single beep. Why didn't they program it to give a double beep when you disarm?

The auto dialer works very well. But it would be nice if it could go into a "listen" mode when you answer the call, so you can hear if anything is going on inside the house, like the Macally Air Alarm does.

But with all of my complaints above, I am pretty happy overall with the system. It seems to work well, programming wasn't too difficult, and it has given me a measure of confidence when leaving the house. The Macally Air Alarm I bought previously didn't work at all, so obviously this one is much better. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, because even with its shortcomings, it has more features for the price than other alarms I've looked at do. Would I buy it again? Yes, for the same reasons.

Exceptional Home Security System, September 11, 2008
I bought this product just over a month ago. This product works as promised. Very Loud alarm, I particularly like the alert-phone-dialing when security is breached. Exceptionally easy to set-up. Anyone can do it. It takes less than an hour (and I am not much of a handy-man). Programing is very simple, just follow instruction. I did have an issue, however. One item came defective. I called the product manufacturer and the support was less than satisfactory. I then called AMAZON and they immediately shipped a replacement, no questions asked. Way to go AMAZON!!. Overall, it is a very good product, and I love doing business with AMAZON.

A review of the overall Skylink system..., January 10, 2010
I originally purchased the SC-1000 and the SC-10 a few months back. I ordered the SC-10 in addition to the SC-1000 because it allowed me to acquire the additional audio alarm and two additional door/window sensors for a lower price than it would have been if I had ordered the components separately. Since then, I have also acquired many more skylink components that I have integrated into my overall Skylink system. Overall, I really like the system. Tallying up my whole system, I have the control panel, the emergency dialer, 2 keypad controls, 3 remote keychains, 8 door/window sensors, 6 motion sensors, 3 audio alarms, 2 vibration sensors, 4 alarm sensors, and 1 silent alarm. This is more than enough for the 2500ft/sq home that I'm renting (which is why I went with a wireless system)

Overall, just like any other DIY security system...the Skylink system is not perfect. It is not bullet-proof. It can be defeated. However...it DOES provide deterrence, notification, and a certain peace-of-mind. That's what systems like these are for. If you are a typical consumer who is looking to deter/defeat the average burglar, this system can do a good job of it. However, if you possess highly valuable art/electronics/commodities...this may not quite cut it. If you, for whatever reason, could be SPECIFICALLY targeted by a more sophisticated type of criminal, you're probably looking in the completely wrong price-point. You won't find what you need for this kind of money, unfortunately. You'll probably be better off going with the pros in that situation.

Overall assessment
STRENGTHS:
-Easily expandable
-Easily installed/modified
-Solid range on the components

WEAKNESSES:
-Wireless signal could be jammed
-Skylink support is quite poor
-Some bulky/unsightly components

RE: the weaknesses...
The reason I put the potential jamming at the top of the list is the ease by which it could be done. In fact, I did it accidently. I purchased some Kidde 0919-9999/ RF-SM-DC Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm, Wirelessly Interconnectable alarms, which I found operate on the same frequency as the Skylink system. While the Kidde alarms were going off, the entire Skylink system was jammed. Literally no signals were successfully passed. If I can accidently jam it easily with some wireless fire alarms, I'm sure it would be quite easy for a career criminal. But, as I said earlier...what can you really expect at this price point?

Also...Skylink support is quite poor. In fact, I'll be honest...it sucks. I contacted their support when i was having problems integrating an Audio alarm. I specifically said that I followed the instructions in the Audio alarms manual, but it wasn't working (I went into specifics on the issues). Their response was literally nothing more than a copy/paste of the relevant portion from the audio alarm's manual. The same steps I specifically said I had already followed. After further trouble-shooting, I decided to ask for an exchange. I never got a response. That's bad customer service.

I figured if you are going to buy the SC-1000, you may be in the market to expand your system. The SC-1000 is the largest "system" that Skylink offers, but it really is a fraction of the overall capability that you can amass. So, I have decided to offer a component-by-component review of what this system entails.

The SC-001 Control Panel (included in the SC-1000). The control panel is the heart of the Skylink system. It allows for 4 "zones", which depending on how you set up your sequences, will react to each of your sensor activating by either completely ignoring it, chiming, beeping for 30 seconds prior to the alarm going off, or setting off the alarm instantly. The panel also communicates with all the other add-ons, such as the remote keypads, the audio alarms, the silent alarm, and the dialer. There really is quite a bit of capability and flexibility here. There are preset sequences already programmed into the panel when you receive it, but they can be changed to fit your specific needs. Setting up the panel to communicate with your sensors is pretty painless, so long as you follow the instructions in the manual. Reading the manual is CRUCIAL in using the control panel. Read, read, read! Keep the manual readily available for when changes/additions need to be made. Forgetting a crucial step can cause headaches such as wiping out all the sensor registrations of a particular zone (been there!).

The panel does have shortcomings. As other reviewers have mentioned, the alarm is embedded in the control panel. This is not a great setup. With just the standard SC-1000 setup, the alarm sound will lead the intruder directly to the panel. It would nice if the alarm and the control panel were separate components, which would allow for better security of the control panel by hiding it. At the very least, it would help if one were able to simply DISABLE the audio alarm portion of the control panel. That way, one could hide this entire control panel, while still having an alarm in the home by using additional stand-alone audio alarms.

Skylink AD-433S Emergency Dialer is also included with the SC-1000. It dials out if it receives a signal from the control panel, or from any other sensor that is connected to it. It does not have sequences like the control panel, so it will dial out ANY TIME it receives a signal from a sensor hooked up to it. So, if you pair a motion sensor directly to the dialer, it will cause the dialer to begin it's dialing program whenever the motion sensor is triggered. That's probably not a good idea...so typically, the only thing that should be paired directly to the dialer is the control panel. That way, the control panel will act as a "filter", causing the dialer to kick-in only if it meets the criteria you program into it. The dialer itself stores up to 9 numbers, stores a message of up to 40 seconds. You can tailor how long it will try to call a particular number, and how many times it will repeat the message. Despite the bad reviews it has received...I haven't had any issues with it yet.

Skylink 4B-434 Four-Button Remote. One of these is included with the SC-1000. Pretty straight forward here. It allows you to disarm/arm the Control Panel once it is paired to the Panel. The range is pretty decent. I'm able to disarm my system as I pull into the garage.

Skylink KP-434 Keypad Control. The Keypad control is not included in any of the prepackaged Skylink systems (SC-1000/100/10), but I think it is a vital component. It allows you to control the Control Panel from a remote location. Unlike the keychain, it is secure because you have to type in your security code. Perfect for controlling your system if you hid your Control Panel, which makes it great to put by your front or back door.

Skylink WT-433 Window/Door Sensor. Two of these are included with the SC-1000. This is the workhorse sensor. It detects when the door/window is opened, and sends a signal to the control panel. It does it's job well. As others have said, it's big and bulky and won't be winning any beauty contests. Depending on how you choose to attach it, it could take up to 6 screws to fasten it in place. 2 for the transmitter, and then 2 for each of the magnets. It can, however, be put in place using the provided adhesives. Others have said that the adhesive can fail to hold in hot conditions. It hasn't been hot since I got the system...so I will keep an eye on that. You may want to consider using a higher quality industrial adhesive, however.

Skylink PS-434A Motion Sensor. One of these is included with the SC-1000. This is my favorite of the Skylink sensors. It is very versatile, and unlike the door/window sensors, requires just two small screws or the adhesive to put in place. Using it in a home with pets is tricky, obviously. However, if one mounts it 5 feet above the floor, and carefully orients it to avoid pointing it at the floor where the pets will be, it can still be used. I have two smallish dogs and several motion sensors, and I have not had any false alarms to this point. Essentially, I use it as more of an invisible tripwire rather than a wide-area motion sensor. Be careful to avoid areas where your pets jump up on things, however, such as beds/couches. I don't know if I would even bother in a house with a cat. Yes, this would allow someone to crawl around my house...but I'm willing to take that risk.

As I said, these are very versatile. They could be put in a closet...which will trigger it immediately when the closet is opened. Same thing with a safe. One could also potentially mount one on a ceiling directly above windows, which would be a less-visible alternative to door/window sensor or a vibration sensor. If someone comes through the window, the motion sensor directly above them should trigger. The biggest weakness of the motion sensors is the potential false alarms. Be careful not to point these out windows/doors...which could cause it to trigger.

Skylink AA-433 Audio Alarm One of these is included in the SC-10 system, but not the others. The can be used as a second/third/fourth/etc audio alarm when it is paired to the Control Panel. The theory here is that more noise could increase the odds that the intruder will choose to flee. It's loud, no doubt. This, however, is the component I've had the most problems with. One of ones I have can't seem to communicate with the Control Panel consistently...despite being only 20 feet away. I think there is an issue with the antenna. Emails to Skylink support have been useless (as mentioned earlier). The other Audio Alarms I have work as expected.

Skylink VS-433 Vibration Sensor. None of these are included with the skylink systems. I have two of them, but I'm not a huge fan. Some people advocate putting these on windows is an alternative or backup to the more traditional door/window sensors, but I'm concerned that false alarms would be likely. I saw one report that a close lightning strike triggered one of these. Living in Florida, where thunderstorms are a daily occurrence in the summer, I decided against using them on windows. Using them in strategic locations inside, though, may be a good idea. Safes and jewelry drawers come to mind.

Skylink AS-433E Alarm Sensor. None of these are included with the Skylink Systems. I use these in conjunction with my smoke/monoxide detectors in my house. If the detectors go off, the Alarm Sensor registers the sound, and sends out its signal. I chose to have my Alarm Sensors link directly to my dialer. Having all of the alarms go off won't deter a fire, so I decided to skip the Control Panel. It hasn't caused any false alarms so far (knock on wood).

The Alarm Sensor is the most poorly conceived of the Skylink sensors I've used. The sensor must be mounted VERY close to the target alarm (w/in 6 inches according to the manual). The most obvious use for these is in conjunction with smoke detectors...which are often mounted on the ceiling. The only means of mounting this sensor that is included in the package it comes in is an adhesive/velcro system that is pretty poor. Couple that poor adhesive with the relatively heavy weight of this Alarm sensor, and I couldn't even get it to mount to the wall. I couldn't conceive of it working on the ceiling. I had to use some partially-inserted screws and some industrial-strength adhesive to attach it to the wall.

SW433 - Skylink Light Flasher. I haven't really used this yet. I have considered coupling this with some plug-in strobe lights to create an unpleasant visual counterpart to the audio alarms, but I haven't gotten around to trying it out yet.
_________________________________________________________

Those are all of the components that I have experience with.

In short, this is a solid system from a technological standpoint. It's easily installed (if you follow the instructions), and is easily expanded and modified...which is a good thing, since Skylink support is practically non-existant. Be prepared to go it alone. Read the instructions, use trial-and-error, test your systems regularly, and you'll have a pretty solid security system at this price point.

Well Made, Reliable... A Satisfied Customer, April 9, 2009
After several weeks of usage, the Skylink system we purchased has proven to be well made and reliable. The installation went smoothly and all components worked as advertised (better even, actually).

Here's the thing... RTFM!!! RTFM!!! RTFM!!!

You must read the manual carefully if you are going to make the system work as designed. I cannot stress this enough. Many of the complaints I have read here in the comments could have been fixed had the instructions been read more carefully. Thankfully, the instructions are written well even though they are a bit on the techy side. The main book explains how to set the zones and modes, but it can be confusing. I'd suggest doing a little preplanning about which sensors/zones you are going to be setting up.

Once you've planned... setup the system on a table and get it to work BEFORE you do any installation. Labeling each sensor with a post-it note will help you keep it all straight. I found that clearing each zone and re-adding the sensors made for an easier set-up.

Each sensor/accessory has mounting hardware and templates that make permanent installation relatively easy. The components themselves are well made although there are some funky design elements. The only defect I had in a large installation (with a lot of add ons) was a defective antenna. Luckily it was easy to fix with a pair of pliers.

This alarm system is definitely worth the money. We wanted a high quality security system that did not require some sort of monthly monitoring fees. This definitely fit the bill. The dialer is reliable and, if set up correctly, will call up to 9 numbers. I'd suggest it call only your portable phone until you are comfortable with your installation. Later you can add neighbors.

Ultimately... I think our Skylink system was worth the $400 we invested. If you aren't looking to pay a company like ADT every month... this is an EXCELLENT choice.

Excellent Wireless Home Alarm System, April 3, 2009
This system is excellent for a home alarm system. I purchased the SC-1000 with additional motion sensors, door sensors, audio alarms, keypad control, and the alarm sensor (if the smoke detectors sound, the system will autodial).

The system was extremely easy to install and setup. The instructions were fairly easy to understand.

I have a suggestion for those who don't like the loud beep that sounds when you disarm the system... I changed one of the six arming sequences, MPINAC, to all four zones off. Instead of using MPIN# to disarm the system, just arm it with MPINAC, which will turn off all of the zones without having that loud beep.

I also have some wireless cameras that connect to my DSL wireless router, so I can view the cameras while at work and/or record them to a computer. This is in case the alarm goes off.

I attached a door sensor to the inside of my electrical box that is on the outside of the garage just in case someone wants to open it to disconnect the phone line before breaking into the house; there is an audio alarm nearby.

While you are home, you can turn the zones to chime mode to hear if any of the sensors are tripped instead of the alarm deafening you.

So far we have not had a single false alarm after 2 months of use.

This system is excellent and I recommend it to anyone.

Best Value - Nicely Done SkyLink, March 21, 2009
THE PURCHASE

I am VERY pleased with this product. I purchased the SC -1000 with the dialer to avoid the monthly monitoring fees. At $160, this is the best value out there. I also purchased an extra sensor for my third door, the AS-433 Audio Sensor to monitor my smoke alarm system, and two extra remote key faub remotes. One for my wife and one for our neighbor who feeds the cat when we are gone. Maybe I can even get him to let me program his phone into the dialer so he can look out the window and visually monitor my home when it goes off.

THE SETUP

I have a 2000 square foot home and the control panel is on the opposite side of the home from one of the door sensors but it has no problem transmitting through the walls. You can separate the door sensors slightly more than the advertised distance without setting off the alarm which is nice since some doors make it difficult to mount flush.

Setup took me a couple hours for the initial components. I took my time implementing the dialer to make sure the base system worked consistently first. Mounting sensors to metal doors was simplified with the sticky tabs. I also recommend marrying the dialer to the control panel instead of to each sensor independently. Instructions were slightly vague on this choice you have. It would be nice if they had explained the choice and the implications in more detail. I'm sure they get many calls about this.

The last component I installed was the Audio Sensor (AS-433). It really does need to be less than 6 inches from my smoke alarm siren. I tried it a foot and a half away and it did not work. Worked great right next to it. This should help eliminate false alarms though.

I also have several Linksys wireless cameras that allow me to monitor my home from my iPhone while away. So if the dialer calls my cell, I can immediately monitor 4 different camera locations in my home to see what is going on. Very nice.

I put the motion sensor inside my gun safe. This was perfect. No false alarms for any reason unless the safe door is opened. I can disable the system if I want to get my gun silently, or I can let it go off to disorient the intruder while I get my gun. Even with the metal safe being on a different floor of the home, it has no problem communicating with the control panel from inside the heavy duty metal safe. Amazing.

UPGRADES I AM CONSIDERING

I am considering getting a vibration detector or additional motion sensor to put inside one of my vehicles. Even thought this would only work while at home, it would alert me if someone smashed out a window on my SUV which spends most of the time parked in my driveway. Smash and grabs are one of the most common crimes in our area. I don't keep anything in my vehicle but I would be alerted the second of the smash.

I am also going to get additional window sensors for each of the 8 windows on our bottom floor. Even with all these upgrades I will not have spent what one year of monitoring costs with most systems. I have heard there are cheaper monitoring services out there. If I can find one for less than $5 a month, that I can activate or deactivate easily, I might consider purchasing it and programming their number into the dialer. ... Read more

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Prevents the garage door from closing onto people, pets, or objects. Fits any Chamberlain, Liftmaster, or Craftsman garage access system manufactured after 1997. Includes: 2 safety sensors, easy to install mounting brackets and hardware, 3' extension wire and connectors. ... Read more