Thinking about a security system.Anybody know anything...anything?A lot of robberys around here lately.Any help would be helpful.
railguy

 

If you're thinking about an alarm system, don't waste your time. Have YOU ever called the police when you heard a car alarm go off? Best bet is a simple hidden kill switch.

 

My preference has been a large dog and a Colt .45............Seriously!

 

I meant a security cam More for show then anything.
railguy

 

You talking car or house?

For house, a full wireless system is your best bet. That way the bastards can't cut the phone line and disable it. Motion switches, door/window open switches, and glass breakage (though in my experience those tend to trigger a LOT of false alarms). SMoke/fire alarms are included in almost every package anyway. I have mine set up thru a local company, $150/yr. Big-name companies are going to be way more $$$ than that.

Texas' idea is good, but you can count on burglaries happening when no one is home, and when neighbors are also not at home.

 

My garage and house share the same drive way.nothing but woods out back only one way in or out.would like to have a system that covers the drive and parking area and would be highly visible.
railguy

 

Claymores.

- Eric

 

 

My cars had a remote entry security system on it for years, with the remote entry, trunk really being the stars. Key, hasn't gone near the car in years. Also have an armored cable lock set up, that cuts the ignition, and runs to a hood latch. Gonna be pretty hard starting this car, but there's always tow trucks. If attempting anything like this, you're gonna need the the cars chassis wiring diagram. Also, get an alarm system with built in relays, or you'll be needing to add several.

 

If you mean home security systems, stay away from ADT. Ironically, they are a bunch of crooks. Best advice I could give.
Cellular communications is great. Wireless sensors are lots of trouble with today's short life batteries. Go wired when you can. DSC's glass break detectors use DSP's to listen for only certain freq. combos. I have not had a falsie from them in the past 10 years.

X2 on the dog and certainly the firearm.

 

While the gun thing might sound pretty cool, if you actually use it and kill someone, then the fun really gets started. Another thing to consider, is pepper spray. The better stuff shoots 20 feet, and you wont hesitate to use it. Then you can kick the crap out of the guy. Best place is "pepperspraycenter.com" in NJ, as has a large selection, and will ship to places others wont. For home camera surveilance, maybe check the "x10.com" site.

 

But not just the little keychain pepper spray containers for emergency home use - get the bear spray instead! Think of it as a pepper spray shotgun...

I tried the X10 cams and the resolution is not good enough. You want something better to capture faces or lic plates. Now their home automation stuff like motion lights are good.

 

This might sound cheep ...but I use wild game trail cameras around my home and they are cheep and they take great video or pics and are activated by motion!!!!!!!

 

Have you ever been involved in the use of pepper spray indoors?
If so, I bet you'd hesitate plenty.

If you can see him with your eyes tearing.

- Eric

 

Yea Eric, can't say I've tried pepper spray indoors, but always make a habbit of wearing safety glasses for anything like this and guns. Keep in mind, there's different types of spray patterns availible, like foggers and stream type. Still think it's better than shooting/killing someone though. Not to mention getting the blood out of your carpet afterwards.

 

I don't want to be a buster or a wise guy here, but I'm also concerned about giving people a bad idea.

I'd honestly prefer to get blood out of the carpet than pepper spray off of everything.

And, as an example, I can tell you from experience that pepper spray, when used recreationally in the lockup, can clear an entire floor of a precinct house (with 12 foot ceilings).
Plus, it DOES NOT always disable people.

I really would NEVER use it in my own home.

- Eric

 

Pepper spray ranks up there with the use of a 22 caliber gun for home protection, useless. I like the 45 caliber approach and homeowners insurance. The 45 is for when I am at home, and the insurance is for when I'm not.

 

That'll work!

And about that .22, there is a reason why a .22 is not considered a deer hunting weapon. It will only wound and not kill. If a .22 won't kill a 160 lb. or smaller Deer it sure isn't going to stop a 150 lb. or larger home invader.

I find it amazing that people are naive enough to worry more about the joker(s) that breaks into one's house or outbuilding than their own safety. So to those who are naive I say:

"People the fact is the invader is not there to spread good will and make friends. Assume the sucker(s) will kill you unless you take them out first. First clue is they invaded your space, a big difference from their being invited! In any event, if you are present you just need to drop the sucker(s) right there. Thinking scaring them momentarily will cause them to run off is probably not going to happen and they have been given a chance to kill you and everyone else on the premise. The last thing you want is pi$$ed off invader. Permanently knock'em down with the first shot so they won't be getting up!"

One round of actual hand to hand combat knowing either you or your adversary is going to die on the spot will cure anyone of being naive about home invaders. Been there and done that!

 

Just a word of agreement on the .45 here.

Though I have never fired one at anything alive, from what I have read, and from .22 vs 9mm vs .45 wounds that I have seen, I'll choose the .45 every time (unless it's me that's downrange ). Even with ball ammo it does the job (though private citizens have no obligations under the Geneva Conventions).

The nice thing is that with a double-stack magazine, there's no trade off of capacity (and I am under no illusions that I could shoot like James Bond after rolling out of bed at 03:00, so capacity is a good thing )

- Eric

 

My opinion only, but dog with a solid "woof" and shotgun. Both make sounds that send the average creep running. Handguns in too many accidental shootings and the rounds go through too many walls.

 

Gotta agree, if you pull a gun, you need to use it, right then and there. While not a big gun guy myself, many of my friends are. One has a small plastic .32 he carries on him, and claims it to be accurate. Can't remember the name though. I do have a .357 magnum 6" barrel revolver, but kinda big to be carrying around. Eric, sounds like you were/are a cop, and good having you here for some advice.

 

Something simple is a motion light. Sometimes cats set them off but it gets peoples attention. I also have a big dog and a gun.

 

Some serious advice from this Old Marine:

1. Be proficient with whatever weapon(s) you have. Practice frequently!
2. Never point a weapon at an individual you don't intend to shoot.
3. Do not hesitate to pull the trigger when warranted. Hesitation will get you Killed! Maybe with your own weapon.

Remember that interior walls in your house will not stop a bullet from any firearm, including some pellet rifles and most definitely including a shotgun. Better be darn sure you can fire accurately, more is not necessarily better. See #1 above.
Rounds from a large bore rifle of .308 (7.62 Nato) or .3006 caliber and larger will penetrate the typical house brick veneer wall just as if it isn't there. .223 AR 15/16 rounds, not so much!

Lastly a round from any caliber weapon hitting nothing travels for a least a mile, maybe further, and may still have killing power at that distance.........Don't friggin' miss! See #1 above!