Fortress Security Store (TM) S03-A Wireless Home Security Alarm System DIY Kit with Auto Dial

I do not normally post many product reviews, but with this product, I could not pass up the opportunity to share how great it really is! The system does everything that the description says it will, plus so much more. There is a reason that the security system has so many 5 star reviews. I did a lot of research before purchasing, and I read through just about every review for this product before I decided that it was the right one for me. Let me first start off by giving a list of Pro's and Con's.Pro's:-Simple to Set Up-Online video's available for free-Easy to navigate the main panel-Works perfectly-Customer service is excellent (You call and talk to the company owner)-Alarm "Zones" are easy to change if needed.Con's:-Instructions are a little hard to understand at first, but follow them carefully and everything goes rather smooth.Overall, this system does exactly what I wanted it to do. Setting it all up; from opening the package to arming the system took under 2 hours. It is very convenient that it comes with 2 remotes that allow you to arm the system out and home, disarm the system, and panic button. Setting this system up took about two hours. The system is very customizable, allowing you to set delayed entry, delayed exits, and can be armed by the remote, the main keypad, and by calling in. By far, the best feature of this system is the auto dial feature. As soon as the alarm is triggered, you can easily set the alarm to call up to 6 different phone numbers. I set it up so it will only call my cell phone and upon testing this, it works great! within 30 seconds of the alarm being triggered, I get a call to my cell phone with a pre-recorded message that is easy to set up and record. Makes it very nice for when you are not home or out of town. You can also use the system when connected to a phone line to call in, and control the panel from any phone. Simply pick up any phone from wherever you are at, call your landline phone that is connected to the system (actual landline, Voip, MahicJack, Vonage, Ooma, ect.) and once the main panel picks up, you will hear a beep. You can set how many rings you want to have before the system answers very easily from the main unit. Once you hear this beep, enter the password, then #. you can now press 1 to arm the sytem, 2 to disarm, and * to listen in on your home. The unit comes with a built in microphone so when you are away, you can hear what is happening around the unit. Another great feature is the Home/Away option. When you are home and arm the system, the motion sensors are not activated so you can move around the house and not trip the alarm, but the doors and windows are all still secure. When you leave, and press away, this arms every sensor so if any window or door is opened, or if any motion is detected, the alarm is triggered. This is all customizable as well. For example, I set it so that one motion sensor in the main part of the home is off when the alarm is armed and on home mode, while the alarm motion sensor at the back of the house is on still. Once the initial set up is completed, using the system is easier than locking a door. When you are home, simply push and hold the home button for 3 seconds, and it is armed. When you leave, push and hold away for 3 seconds and the system will chirp when it has been armed. You can also use the key fob to do all of this as well. I have also set mine up so that when I open the front door, the system will beep 3 times. This reminds me to set the alarm, and also alerts me if someone comes in, even if the alarm is not armed. I highly recommend this product!

Fortress SO2aI'm a UK user.Delivery......Once again Amazon did exceptionally well, ordered on the Monday evening and it arrived Wednesday lunch time.Packaging. ...Really well protected by Amazon and the supplier.Instalation instructions.....Watch the on line video tutorials and read the supplied booklet several times before attempting to install. (The booklet can be a bit mind boggling)Unpacking.....You have everything that you need for instalation (except a screwdriver) in the box.Magnetic contacts....On the back of each contact is a ZONE number, using a marker pen copy this number on to the front or side of the contact because once you apply the double sided tape you can not see the number. It is also helpful to write the number and the contacts location on a card for future reference. It comes in handy if the alarm is activated, the display will tell what ZONE has triggered the alarm. Mounting the contact is easy so long as the surface is smooth, clean and dry (such as plastic door and window frames). For other types of frames such as wooden there are screw holes on the magnetic side of the contact for this. On the other side of the contact you have to ease off the cover and there are two blanked off holes on the cover, open these up with a sharp knife or auger. Distance between the two halves of the contact is best at a 1/4 to 1/2 inch but they will still work at up to an inch. Two of my contacts initially refused to work so i removed the back and cleaned the battery contacts, this got them going. Dont forget to remove the plastic tab from the battery.PIRs....Simplicity itself, just screw the mount to a wall, slide the bracket on to the back of the unit, click the two halves together and position. Altough the PIR covers 180 degrees I found it best to mount the unit in a corner facing both door and windows.Internal siren...Just plug it in to the main unit, it is ear shattering so leave it unplugged until all testing is complete. It is powered by the control panel but has quite a long lead. Dont expect this to wake the neighbours because it wont, although very loud at point of installation out side of the premises it is dificult to hear. There is NO external alarm with the SO2a but can be purchased for £40.The control panel...Again very easy to use once you have watched the installation videos, a bit more difficult just using the instruction booklet. Once all of the contacts and PIRs are in place just switch it on. Changing your pass word, changing entry and exit zones (this is were making a note of all contact numbers comes in handy), length of alam sounder ect are all done via this panel. Very easy to wall mount with the kit provided. It has to be sited very close to a power outlet as the power lead is only about a metre long. Strangely there is an on/off switch on the side of the control box and here lies the systems major drawback. Turn this switch to the off position and thats it the alarm is disabled, the siren and telephone alerts are turned off, there is no back up. Of course anyone breaking in will be met with a wall of noise and it may panic them enought to make them turn tail but if they are determined enough and are familiar with the shortfalls of this type of system, well you've jusy become another statistic.Remote fobs...You get two, very easy to use.Pros......Well pricedEasy to install (after watching videos)Excellent build qualityVery good wireless range (up to 150 mtrs)Very loud internall alarmResponsive but not over sensitiveCan be remotely controlled via fobCan be controlled via telephone (but not if you have an answer phone)And finally a trully incredible after sales service, nothing is to much trouble for the team.Cons.....Control panel can be easily disabled by intruder using the on off switch.Remote key fobs need some form of protection, constant rubbing against keys in pocket or handbag will soon damage them. A silicone sleave similar to the one used for ipods would work and cost next to nothing.No other cons.Had the alarm system up and running for a week now and the only problem I have found is that the PIRs were active in the HOME mode, they were supposed to be passive but no biggy, but with a couple of dogs running round triggering them it did get a bit noisy. A quick email to the support team (thank you Brandon for your patience) and the problem was sorted.Would I buy another one of these alarm units or recommend it to a friend, most definitely. But pay the extra for an external alarm module.

Bit saddened after 25 years of life in a village to have to get my first ever alarm after a spate of burglaries.Didn't really want to spend too much so stumbled across this one and I'm pretty impressed at the value for money.All set-up and each sensor tested in less than two hours. Really easy install however he manual is clearly written in pidgeon english.Have configured to set and unset immediately as I use the remotes from outside the house. Love the fact that it comes pre-configured especially the home mode which is good for a device at this price range.Have recorded message, set-up and tested call to my mobile when activated. All works well as does the remote configuration and listening in.My only regret is that I didn't get the external alarm but the internal one is loud enough hopefully to deter opportunists who haven't been frightened off by my PIR lights or fake CCTV.All in all, for £100 it has its limitations especially than it can just be unplugged and/or the siren unplugged by a determined burglar but I would hope that the noise would send them running.Easy install for the novice DIY person or the most technophobic.Paid full price but if the manufacturer wants to offer me cash off an external siren I'm all ears ;)

Well so far the system has been a complete let down. currently contending with daily false alarms, triggering code 99, even though no panic alarm has been used. Not to mention you can't set variables to the devices. I want the sensors to not trigger while setting the alarm in home mode, but when the main alarm is set I want the sensors on a count down trigger... Good luck setting that up. If I don't get a reply from their customer service team with some support, I'll be sending this back for a refund.