for the wireless alarm system, please bear in mind that there is some issue like batt life, not stable and so on...

I am all the while in this security and automation field. based on my experience is that even the landed luxury house we will still recommend for the wired alarm system. the reason why is simple because for wired sensor, it will be more reliable and maintanance free. for e.g: you don't know when the batt for the wireless sensor is dead. if you nvr change it and ppl break in, the sysm will not trigger.

the reason why they come up with the wireless DIY alarm system is target on budget user and want to save the cost on the installation charge. yes you can use it if you have the limited budget but please do test the system every month to see if it is still in working condition.

now a day alot of alarm system is coming up and it is not only working as alarm, but also integrated with other system like can control your light.for e.g: when the alarm trigger in the night, the sport light or the lights in the house will on.

yea true...there is advantage for wireless alarm...i agree with that...for normal home user, want easy and budget limited, the simple wireless alarm definately will be the choice. but for luxury house require high security and so on...then the wired alarm system will be recommended. there are both pros and cons lar...

based on my experience, the lightning will not strike on the sensor...maybe i should say this seldom happen, at least i nvr heard of any case. normally the lightning will only spoil the CCTV camera, CCTV DVR and so on. the reason why is because the sensor is wireless and not connect by any wire/cable hence the lightning is unable to spoil it unless it really strike on the sensor.

the issue with wireless alarm will be the battery and also interference...and also the range for the signal...

for a double storey corner unit, normally will use 16 zones alarm but depend on how many doors, windows and opening that u have. for the door and windows you can use magnectic contact, and for some glass window you might use the vibration shock sensor....

ok let do the math, a reliable alarm controller for 16 zones might cost you about 2-2.5k...depend how much the installer want to markup. and then for the installation, have to depend on how u want to run the wire...either by casing or conceal. by casing will be cheaper, mayb they charge u just about 1k+- for the double storey. but if u want it to be conceal, then the installation charge alone might go up to 3k+....

alot of installer can give a very low price like let say RM1,999.00...or some RM2,500 for the whole system. the reason why is because they using a not so realiable china product, and then they are "hit & run". meaning to say that after you installed the system, then anything goes wrong, u call for 1st time, they take 1 day to come....u call again another few months, they might take few weeks for them to come over and check for u. after that if you call again...they dare not even pick up ur phone...

so a realiable product and trustable installer is very important when come to alarm, cctv and so on...because we are not using it for 1-2 years...of coz u hope it will last for more than that.

not so sure about ADT CMS monitoring service, but the alarm panel that they use is something cheap and normal.
what i think is why not install a better alarm system, which will not give u stupid false alarm, and when ppl break in it will react like on your house light, or on the spot light to create the scene whereby someone is around.
configure the system to call you or call the guard house in your community area is a better way, so that you can respond ASAP.

I mean the alarm controller panel. GE? hmp...not sure about that because GE is consider branded and not as cheap as those china alarm. but there are still alot of limitation on normal alarm system if you compare to the Home Automation system like HAI and so on, where you can perform alot of things.

well...i didnt mean to say that they are cheap but there are different model and diff range even under the same brand.
the Chubb system that they use in bank is definately not the same model that your sister installed with 2.5k.

not here to argue on anything but just want to know what is the market price and what is the budget that our malaysian can afforb for a home alarm system.