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AGWG Home Security Systems Initiative (August 2007) Evaluation Grid |
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FEATURE |
Interamerican |
Maximum |
Potomac Security |
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Activation/disarming with one-touch button rather than numeric code |
Yes; not recommended |
Yes |
Yes; not recommended |
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Alert (verbal) from system when specific door is opened when system is not armed |
Yes |
Yes, +$40 for verbal-capable keypad |
Yes, with more expensive keypad |
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Basement wetness monitoring, cost per wireless sensor |
$150 |
$100; ($60 wired) |
$120 |
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Closed-circuit camera installation available; cost estimate |
High-end equipment; $1000+ |
No |
No |
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Carbon monoxide monitoring available; sensor cost |
Yes, not recommended |
Yes, not recommended; $98 |
No, not recommended |
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Corporate presence in Washington area; year beginning |
1981; selective hiring protocol |
1978 |
1984, full-time business since 1995 |
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Discount on cost offered for multiple AGWG installations |
None; but "If you don't think you got good value, it's free!" |
10% with five commitments; rebates possible |
10% with two commitments |
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Door-Window contact sensors, cost each |
$50-$55 wireless |
$52 wireless |
$60 wireless |
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Exterior (yard, deck) security options available |
Yes, including noisemakers and/or police notification |
No; wildlife trigger false alarms |
Not recommended because of false alarms; use floor stress sensors |
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Fire detection monitoring; option cost |
$50-$150 per sensor, technology dependent |
$90 per sensor |
$120; add $20 to get low temp detection |
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Glass-breakage acoustic listening device (10x12 panes or >); cost each |
$100 |
$85 wireless; $65 hardwired |
$120 wireless |
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Keyfob device; option price |
Not recommended; $65 |
$68, programmable unit |
$65; important to call to report loss
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MONITORING SERVICE |
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Cancel if sell home? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Cost complications if switch to monitoring service using existing equipment |
None |
None |
None |
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Minimum contract length |
0 |
0 |
1 yr |
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Location |
Silver Spring, MD with 4 national backups |
Hunt Valley, MD |
Syracuse, NY; 1 min callback response; GSM add $15 |
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Minimum monthly fee |
$24; $34 with wireless web/camera monitoring |
$20 |
$24 |
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Motion detectors at major points of entry into home or with full-room range, cost each |
$100 pet immune |
$100 pet immune |
$120 pet immune |
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Senior monitoring pendent (medical alert); option price |
$50-$150 depending on frequency |
$65 |
$60 pendant or beltclip |
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Signage provided (yard signs and window stickers) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Siren Exterior, option price |
$100-$150 (tampered) |
$60, usually included in base installation |
Not recommended due to false alarms |
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Siren Interior; option cost if not in base-level system |
$50 |
included |
included |
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Siren activation/panic button available on keypad |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Waiting period (avg) between assessment and installation |
8 weeks |
10 days maximum; often few days |
10-14 days |
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Installation charge for
additional |
$0 |
$0 if single/few trips |
$0 |
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Interamerican Security |
7212 Righters Mill Road, Derwood, MD |
301-840-0004 |
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Maximum Security |
1702 Picadilly Rd, Crofton,MD |
301-261-3600 |
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Potomac Security Systems |
9821 Kendale Rd, Potomac,MD |
301-767-0039 |
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