Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System
by Skylink
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List Price: Our Price: $159.99 You Save: $16.13 (9%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System
Customer Review: mixed opinions
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this unit about 1 year ago for my business. It was a 1000 square foot space. I initially tried to locate the base unit at the front of the business but the rear door alarm sensor wouldn't reach that far. I settled on placing the base unit mid-way between front and back door sensors. The base unit seems to work reasonably well. I never could get the dialer to work properly for an extended period. The design of the system requires the user to program all of the sensors to both the base unit AND ALSO program each separate sensor for the dialer (very redundant in my opinion). If I remember correctly, you have about 15 or 20 seconds after pressing the correct sequence on the base unit for which to activate the sensor (to program the base unit sensors) -- you have to run pretty fast. In order to program the sensors to the dialer (as I mentioned, this seems really redundant), you have only about 5 seconds after pressing the correct sequence on the dialer in order to RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN to the door, window or motion sensor and hit the activate button on the sensor. After this ridiculously hurried sprint, there is nothing that lets you know the particular sensor was programmed into the dialer. I found myself running sprint after sprint, hoping to get the dialer programmed. The dialer would, confusingly, lose the connections with the sensors and lose its stored dialer numbers about once every week or so, and I found myself reprogramming the system about once per week. I finally gave up on the sprint races and decided to just stick with the sensors and base unit, which work OK. I did try calling the tech support number on the back of the manual about the problems with the dialer -- someone answered "hello" and it sounded like I woke him up. Mr "hello" wasn't too helpful. My recommendations for Skylink: 1. Increase the range of the sensors 2. Give a tone or voice prompt to the base unit and dialer notifying when a new sensor has been detected and properly programmed (something like - "door sensor programmed to zone 1" or "motion sensor programmed to zone 2" might work or at least a "beep" sound). 3. Give more than 5 FREAKING SECONDS for someone to sprint from the dialer to the door sensor or motion detector and to press the activate button. 4. Quit making everyone program the sensors twice (base unit and then dialer). 5. Answer the phone professionally, you might consider something like "Skylink Alarm Systems, can I help you."Customer Review: Really Excellent DIY Home Security
Summary: 5 Stars
This kit has really given me peace of mind about our home security and done so at a very reasonable price. We just bought a new single family home and, after changing out the locks and installing deadbolts, wanted added protection for us and our new baby. I also wanted a system with "chimes" to warn us if our daughter opens a door (when she gets old enough, that is).
Our installation: I purchased two extra door/window sensors and installed these on all doors leading outside and a sliding glass door (used screws on all but the sliding glass door, where I had to use the double-sided tape). I installed the motion detector in our living room where all the electronics are. Since we have cats, this is the only place a sensor would work because it can be sealed off. Installed the keypad near the door leading to the garage (and wired it into the wall, for a professional look). The dialer is only programmed to call me, for now, until I am sure everything works over time.
So far, we've had no false alarms and the sensors have worked flawlessly. A few things I learned:
--When syncing the dialer, either get someone's help or be close to the main keypad since you only have a few seconds to type in the code. Also, be sure the motion detector is not turned on or close by when syncing (otherwise the dialer will sync to that individual device (if tripped) and not the main alarm system).
--Be sure to customize the settings with the extra zones so only the main entry/exit doors have the delays. A thief could do a lot of damage in 30 seconds before the alarm is triggered.
--Buy extra security stickers for doors and windows for your system to ward off intruders. For instance, SECURITY SYSTEM SIGNS ~1 Sign & 3 Free Decals~ alarm. A yard sign would help too. I'm guessing this will take care of 98% of thieves looking for an opportunity.
In the future, I'm planning on buying another siren to install upstairs, both for security and to better hear the chime if a door is opened. I also may buy the device that turns on a blinking light, just for added deterence and to signal neighbors that the alarm is triggered.
Overall, I would say this is an excellent alternative to paying someone to install and monitor your house. A great value that gives you confidence your home is secure.
Customer Review: Works Well but Ugly
Summary: 3 Stars
I have just received and started installing this system but so far it seems to work great. I will update my review later with more details but I did want to make one negative comment now.
This system is ugly! Amazon.com and even the packaging show the system as being white but it's actually an off-white or tannish color which is just very ugly. A little deceiving if you ask me.
UPDATE - PLEASE READ
After running this system for over a week now, I am extremely pleased with it but must point out one very important "issue". I put issue in quotes because it's not really a problem but worth noting.
In our family room, I have a motion sensor to cover the windows and a door/window sensor to cover the door leading to the garage. Well, because of the way our house is layed out, I can walk into the family room and set off the motion sensor a split second before I open the garage door. For some reason if you trip the motion sensor right before the door sensor, the chime mode WILL NOT WORK on that door sensor. It's as if the motion sensor signal overrides the door sensor signal. Like I said, for most this will not be an issue because you'd have to be in a situation like ours where you can enter a room and open the door right after setting off the motion sensor. Our other rooms its not an issue b/c you trip the motion sensor a few seconds before you get to the door. Anyways, I thought this was worth mentioning. It will not in any away negatively effect the way the alarm works as this can only happen if you're in the house. An intruder would set off the door alarm first.
If you already have the system and want to test this theory, put a door in chime mode while the motion sensor is in "off" mode. This way the sensor will still pick up your movement and turn red but won't chime. Then, stand right by a door very still for 20 seconds so the motion sensor resets. Once 20 seconds has past, wave your hand to trip the motion sensor (indicated by the red light on it) and immediately after open the door. I guarantee the door won't chime as it should. I tested this in all 3 rooms that have door sensors and motion sensors.
Once again, not a huge issue! Just worth mentioning if you plan on using chime mode and have a layout similar to our house!
Customer Review: A Happy User
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had this system for about a couple of months now. I must say I am quite happy. Here are some specific comments in no specific order.
1) False Alarms : None so far for me.
2) Dialer Settings: A lot of reviewers here seem to have had issues with different sensors speaking to the dialer directly. It can be configured such that only the base unit speaks with the dialer. The instructions are not clear. Refer to other people's helpful reviews here for instructions.
3) Installation time: It took me about 4 hours total to install the system completely (over a couple of different days).
4) Motion Sensor: I hadn't expected it earlier, but the motion sensor is the most useful sensor in my opinion. I have it set up to "monitor" 4 windows at highest sensitivity at the same time. I test it every couple of weeks, and it catches the slightest movement. And I have the sensor programmed in zone 3/4, which means the base goes off immediately (2 seconds) after a movement is detected. I turn the alarm on every night with this setting and it gives me some peace of mind.
5) Door sensors: The door sensors are just about okay at best. Certainly useless for a window.
6) Volume: The alarm volume is loud enough to discourage any potential intruders.
7) Dialer: The dialer seems like a useful thing though I haven't yet found the right people it should dial (except my own cell phone). I am too worried about false alarms in the middle of the night to bother my friends/family/neighbors. Maybe if one of my neighbors gets the same system some day ....
8) Potential Additions: Some day I might get another sensor and may be another alarm unit.
9) Overall Experience: I haven't used any other security systems before, but based on everything else that was available at the time I was researching this, I think it's a fairly useful thing to have at this price point.
10) Negatives: I am holding back one star for two reasons. Unclear instructions for dialer, and I don't know how long would this last. I have no reason to doubt it's life span, just that I haven't had it for long enough yet to say anything with confidence.
Customer Review: Great product works perfectly for my needs.
Summary: 5 Stars
Before buying this product I searched around with ADT, Broadview/Brink, Protect America. I had people coming out to my house telling me what they could and couldn't do how much they were going to charge me and everything. It seemed that when they came out they all told me the same thing. "We need to put in a wireless system and since you have vonage your control box will have to be in the room with your vonage box or you will have to get a cellular which will be 300 dollars and 10 extra dollars a month monitoring.
Well I had wanted wired, and didn't want the box in my office. So I settled for wireless but decided to do it myself which is the best decision I could make. I put this whole kit up no problem. I even ordered an extra three door/window sensors for my other doors and one more motion detector and set that one to monitor inside my garage. I also added a alarm detector to it which I put near the smoke detector upstairs for the kids so if there is a fire up there it will sound the alarm and start the dialer. I used the panic remote to put beside my front door as a panic button in case anyone tries to force there way in.
After I got through with everything I tested it all including the alarm and it all worked perfect when i set it to chime everything chimed when i wanted it set to alarm an alarm went off when needed the dialer would call out to my parents and our cell phones, so its great to have free monitoring instead of wasting 30-50 dollars a month on it. All in all this is one of the best purchases I have made for my house and it really makes me feel secure. All you have to do is follow the instructions really well on how to add new equipment and edit your armed features to make them do what you want them to do. Like when I arm my house I don't want the garage sensor to set off the alarm so I put it under a different section where it will only chime. It really is versatile if you read it thoroughly.
I also bought an ADT sign and some of there stickers off ebay and stuck them on my doors/windows and in my front yard. I guarantee you if a burglar sees them and breaks in and this alarm goes off they won't know the difference.