Home Security System Review – Simon XT
Today’s focus is on the Simon XT alarm system made by General Electric (GE). The Simon XT security system is a completely wireless burglar alarm in which the “brains” also known as the circuit board, keypad, siren, and back up battery are all contained in a single unit. Here is a list of pros and cons to GE’s Simon XT security system.
GE Simon XT
First let’s look at the good:
Installation is easy- because everything is contained in a single unit, you only have to run one wire for power and one for the telephone if you are going to have alarm monitoring. As far as programming the system goes, it’s not too difficult in fact; it’s a little easier to do than the Ademco Lynx panel that I reviewed last month (you can check out that review here). However, if you are what I call “technically challenged,” then you may not want to undertake this project.
Standard System Features – the Simon XT has a good list of features that make this unit a good choice for a lot of different users. Some of the features include:
- 8 different user codes (great if you need to give out a different keypad codes)
- Up to 40 wireless zones (you can put as many as 40 wireless transmitters on the system. Wireless transmitters can be used as a door/window sensor, motion detector, glassbreak sensor, smoke detector, or a variety of other devices.)
- Two (2) hardwire zone (not sure why you would need this but it’s there in case you do. Some people will place the unit next to their front door and run a wire for that door contact so that they don’t have to use a wireless transmitter others will add a siren to their system because these wireless systems only come with the one built-in siren and if you have a larger home, you probably won’t be able to hear it very well.)
- Built-in two-way voice. This is an alarm monitoring option that allows the central station to listen to and talk to the premises.
- Voice Chime – the Simon XT alarm system can be programmed to announce when something is opened. For example: someone opens the garage entry door. Instead of the system just showing you the number of that zone (let’s say zone 2) it will actually announce in a voice the sensor’s name – “garage door”. This is a feature that a lot of people like. It’s good to know where the breech occurred so that you can be prepared.
- Learns Sensors – this is probably the coolest feature that the Simon XT has. This burglar alarm system has the ability to learn “self program” the wireless devices that you add to the system.
As you can see GE’s Simon XT comes with quite a few features, you probably won’t need or even want some of them but they are there for you if you decide to use them. Along with all of these great features, there are a few things that I don’t like about this wireless burglar alarm system.
Here is my list of the bad:
Size– General Electric is successful in packing a lot of function in such a small package. This wireless burglar alarm system’s dimensions are approximately 5.7 in. x 7 in. and will stick out from the wall abut 2 inches. These dimensions make this wireless unit considerably smaller than the Ademco Lynx alarm system.
Looks – as with all wireless home security systems that I have seen, it’s not the prettiest thing on the planet but considering everything that it does, I guess I shouldn’t complain.
Easy to disable – this is a design flaw that all wireless home security systems seem to have. Because everything is contained in one unit that is within easy reach, it really isn’t too much trouble for a burglar to simply tear the system off of the wall before it has time to send in an alarm monitoring signal. There are some ways to slow down the disabling process but I will have to get into that at a later time.
That’s it for my review of General Electric’s Simon XT wireless home alarm system. All in all it’s not a bad system. It does come with a few drawbacks but they are the ones that you will see with every wireless alarm system. I would use this security system in my home. It’s very reliable and easier to install than the Ademco Lynx alarm system (check out my review of the Lynx wireless alarm system).
Home Security System Review – Ademco Lynx
Since this site is all about home security that you can do yourself, I thought that I would take a closer look at some of the burglar alarm systems available.
Ademco Lynx
Today’s focus is on the Lynx alarm system made by Honewell. The Ademco Lynx security system is a completely wireless burglar alarm in which the “brains” also known as the circuit board, keypad, siren, and back up battery are all contained in a single unit. Personally, I love this system but that probably has a lot to do with the fact that this was the first one that I ever installed by myself. Here is a list of pros and cons to the Ademco Lynx security system.
First let’s look at the good:
Easy to install – because everything is contained in a single unit, you only have to run one wire for power and one for the telephone if you are going to have alarm monitoring. As far as programming the system goes, it’s not too difficult (hey, I managed to do it by myself) but it isn’t going to be easy for everyone to do. If you are what I call “technically challenged,” then you may not want to undertake this project.
System Features – the Ademco Lynx has a good list of features that make this unit a good choice for a lot of different users. Some of the features include:
- 8 different user codes (great if you need to give out a different keypad codes)
- Up to 24 wireless zones (you can put as many as 24 wireless transmitters on the system. Wireless transmitters can be used as a door/window sensor, motion detector, glassbreak sensor, or smoke detector.)
- Up to 16 wireless button zones (the 4 button keyfobs take up a zone for each button that is programmed into the system so you can have up to 4 fully functioning keyfobs on the system)
- One (1) hardwire zone (not sure why you would need this but it’s there in case you do. Some people will place the unit next to their front door and run a wire for that door contact so that they don’t have to use a wireless transmitter)
- Supports two-way voice. This is an alarm monitoring option that allows the central station to listen to and talk to the premises.
- Voice descriptors – the system can be programmed to announce when something is opened. For example: someone opens a living room window. Instead of the system just showing you the number of that zone (let’s say zone 12) it will actually say in a voice living room window. Pretty cool if you can’t remember what every zone you have is associated with.
- Built-in message center – you can leave a message for yourself, your spouse or even the kids. This is a pretty cool, although seldom used, feature.
- Remote phone control feature – if you have the alarm system tied into your phone line, you can access the security system from any touch-tone phone. Great for people that want to arm/disarm the system without having to give out a keypad code. The system does have to be programmed for this to work and you have to have a phone line attached to it. Not the easiest thing for a novice to do.
As you can see the Ademco Lynx comes with quite a few features, not all of them will you want or even need but they are there for you if you decide to use them. Along with all of these great features, there are a few things that I don’t like about this wireless burglar alarm system. Here is my list of the bad:
Size – considering everything that has to be in the unit itself, I guess I shouldn’t complain about the size. However, since this alarm system has to be within easy reach of the main entry/exit door, it’s also going to be where everyone can see it. Coming in with measurements of about 10” x 7” it’s not the smallest wireless alarm system available and it kind of sticks out from the wall a bit.
Looks – although the Ademco Lynx isn’t the ugliest wireless alarm system that I have seen, it still isn’t all that aesthetically pleasing and since it has to be out in the open, I think that looks do matter.
Easy to disable – this is a design flaw that all wireless alarm systems have. Because everything is contained in one unit that is within easy reach, it really isn’t too much trouble for a burglar to simply tear the system off of the wall before it has time to send in an alarm monitoring signal. In order to make it more difficult for this to occur, it is a good idea to actually mount the system to the studs in your wall and not just use regular plastic anchors that I often see.
That’s it for my review of the Honeywell Ademco Lynx wireless alarm system. All in all it’s not a bad system. It does come with a few drawbacks but they are the ones that you will see with every wireless alarm system. I would use this security system in my home; in fact, I have used it in the past. It’s very reliable and relatively easy to install. When it comes to home security equipment I really trust Ademco’s home security products because they are built really well, do a great job and I’m fairly confident that they will be around for years to come.
Home Security Reviews – Choosing the Best for You
These days, everyone is concerned about protecting the people and possessions that are important to them. No matter what kind of dwelling you live in, it’s a sure bet that your family and the things that you enjoy together are very near and dear to your heart. The last thing you want is for thief to be able to gain entry to your home when you’re not there to protect it.
In an even worse situation, what would you think if a stranger was able to get into your house while you and your family are there? Burglaries are very dangerous and unexpected situations that happen to an American family every couple of minutes. Protect yourself by taking the time to read some home security reviews and choosing the security system that will be best for you.
The type of home that you live in can play a big part in which home security reviews you read, and ultimately, which home security system will be right for protecting your living space. If you are just starting to read over some home security reviews, whether online or in an industry specific catalog or book, be sure to pay special attention to security systems that specify the size or type of domicile that they’re best for protecting. Also look to see if there are home security reviews that make a note of the recommended cost for a security system on your type of dwelling.
If you live in a small to moderately sized condominium that you own, it will be wise to seek out home security reviews that focus on wireless, or plug and play home security systems. A wireless security system comes with a wireless receiver, panel and key pad that are all part of a single unit. This means that the only hard wiring that will have to be performed is a link from the grounded phone line to the unit itself. All of the other pieces, such as motion sensors and door contact spots will be wireless, making them easy to mount and move if necessary.
If you live in a smaller apartment that you are leasing and do not own, you should seek out home security reviews that feature systems that can be leased or rented for a certain period of time. Make sure you look for a contract that works with the length of time you will stay living in the same apartment. You’ll also want to investigate wireless security systems so you don’t have to drill a lot of holes.
If you live in a single family home that you own, you will want to check home security reviews that feature wired security systems. Wired systems can still be considered affordable security systems and will add value to your home when it comes time to sell.
