GE 51107 Smart Home Wireless Alarm System Kit

• 120-Decibel alarm sounds when window or door is opened
• Easy to install with no wiring necessary
• Door alarm uses 4-digit keypad to set security code for arming/disarming
• Alarm delay feature avoids false triggering
• Three window alarms included

I live in an apartment and wanted to add an inexpensive alarm system that could serve as a deterrent to intruders. I know that this GE system cannot substitute for a centralized alarm system in which authorities/police are immediately notified, but I felt that the activation of a loud alarm could scare off an unsuspecting burglar and was far better than not having any alarm system. It could also serve to wake you up at night as soon as a window or door is opened, giving you precious seconds to call 911, freak out, pray, reach for your 9mm, etc. (I mean this jokingly, but nevertheless, it is better than waking up to an intruder by your bedside.)

The main door unit is extremely easy to set up. You unscrew the back and install 3 AAA batteries and program a 4 digit code. You can also set the device to serve as a simple door chime, instead of an alarm if you desire. You mount the door device and its accompanying magnetic sensor to the door frame and to the door. The kit includes double-sided tape and the sensors have openings for you to use a woodscrew. I just chose to use some double-sided Velcro tape but obviously, it would be better to screw the sensors in directly.

Once you activate the alarm, you have 45 seconds to leave your apt/home. When you want to enter your armed home, you open your door, and then are given 30 seconds to punch in your alarm before it is triggered. This alarm is very loud, and I believe will at least startle most unsuspecting burglars and also potentially wake up your neighbors.

The kit also includes 3 very simple window alarm and sensor pairs. These are very easy to set up as they only have an on/off switch (besides the battery test switch). You simply attach the sensor pairs to the windows and flip the switch to on. If you want to open your window, you have to flip the switch to off, then open. These are really just deterrents, but I believe effective. In theory, an extremely relaxed, prepared burglar could just open your windows, study the device, and realize that he had to just flip the switch off. While the door alarm is very loud, the window alarms are not nearly that loud and perhaps just acceptable.

Again, if you live in an apartment without any alarm system presently, this system is infinitely better than not having anything. The alarm is so shockingly loud, that I sleep better at night knowing that I would be notified the very first moment an intruder enters (minus the 30 second "grace period" for the alarm to trigger). This can be a part of a more comprehensive security plan, which could include stronger door/window locks, lighting, signs of alarm system, alarm, guard dogs, self-defense education, TASER, pepperspray, tactical flashlight, firearms, etc. You must tailor a security system to your own specific needs, budget, practical concerns, etc.

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After reading the reviews posted here, I was actually surprised at the loudness of the 3 window alarms. Perhaps the batteries were fresh, because all of the window and the door alarms I received are piercingly loud at 120-decibels.

The kits I received did come with all the necessary screws and double-sided tape to install the door and window alarms. But, I used double-sided Velcro tape (as recommended by a reviewer) and this has worked like a charm!

Using chime mode, the kits have been very effective alert systems for toddlers in the house. Also, if strategically placed, a burglar won't be able to see the window alarm attached to the frame. It would be nice if the chime made a double set of 'ding-dong' sounds instead of a single set, but this is the only mild complaint I have about chime mode.

Also, the door system is pretty effective in alarm mode. The alarm will continue to pierce even if the door is closed after being opened, so the only way to turn off the sound is to enter your 4-digit code.

All in all, more than I expected and I'm extremely satisfied.

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The door alarm is pretty loud, but the screws to mount the sensors, which are mentioned in the instructions, aren't included. (double-sided tape is included.)

Also, it would have been nice if there was a way to set the chime/alarm mode from the keypad (with the code) instead of having to open it (with a screwdriver).

A 10-second warning beep before the alarm goes off would be nice too.

The window alarms aren't very loud, and also, they turn off as soon as the window is closed.

I put one on a sliding-glass door, and then discovered that... so, a burglar could open the door, come inside, and close the door, and the (not very loud) alarm would only go off for a few seconds.

They really aren't loud enough to be heard by a neighbor, even in attached condos.

I haven't checked to see how loud the door alarm is with the doors closed yet, but it is louder than the window alarms.

Can't really complain for the price, but still, I was hoping it would have been a little better.

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As a college student living in a college town apartment complex with a fiance who is gone the majority of the week for work this alarm system allows me to sleep peacefully at night. As a worrier who is 26 years old I have read one too many accounts of terrible incidents occurring at night. I am attending a college in the heart of the Midwest and my apartment building is well lit and closer to cornfields than anything anyone would consider a threat. However, with college gearing up, kids getting rowdy, and a sea of unidentifiable people; one never knows what might happen...better safe than sorry. This system provided three alerts for windows (of which I have three) and while the alarm sounding is softer than the main sounding you will hear on the door it is more than sufficient for my space. There is no possible way I would not hear any one of the three if they were triggered. The alarm sounding on the door is just plain loud...I suspect it would wake the entire apartment complex were it triggered. There are two setting on the door alarm one is HOME...it is what I set in the evenings before heading to bed. In the HOME mode the alarm will sound if the door is opened 1/2 inch and it will continue to sound until the door is closed or the code is entered. The other mode the door offers is the AWAY mode...this is what I set when leaving. In AWAY mode once door is opened one has 30 seconds to disarm the system before the alarm sounds. Alarm can only be turned off when code is entered. The window alarms have a CHIME or ALARM setting on them. When switched to ALARM the alarm will sound when the window is opened 1/2 inch and continue sounding until the window is closed. This systems primary function is to act as a deterrent for an intruder. I would say that 99 out of 100 times the system will do its job at deterring crime. However, if an intruder is determined or has the knowledge of the system they will know that in HOME mode the alram will cease to sound once the door is closed again...just as the windows will cease when they are once again closed. In such a case I would argue that the system still buys one precious seconds they need to telephone for help...nothing is perfect. I would reccommend this system to any young girl living on their own or any parent looking to keep their children safe away from home.

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Well, it's true you get what you pay for I guess. I will say that I am impressed with how loud the door units are but thats about the only positive comment I can come up with, and thats being generous.

The window units are cheesy. It's disappointing there is no way of permanently mounting the window units. Comes with 2 sided tape (pretty lame). Although, it's probably a good thing since the window units are more like toys than anything. If a thief did manage to hear the window unit alarm going off he might laugh so hard that he falls back out the window. So you can always bank on that happening anyways.

The door units do not fit securely into the mounting bracket when placed on the door. There is a flaw in the bracket design that allows to much play where the alarm unit merges with the mounting bracket. It rattles around like the cheap junk that it is.

There should be an indicator LED letting you know if the alarm is actually armed or not for the door units. The only way to tell if it is armed is by entering in your pass code and then seeing if it beeps once for (armed) or twice for (disarmed). Otherwise there is no way to tell if it's actually armed.

The keypad on the door units if very annoying. When you press the buttons to arm or disarm the alarm they make an piercing loud beep. So loud in fact that I have to cover the alarm speaker area with my left hand while I arm it with my right hand or it will wake my wife at the other end of the house.

You get what you pay for.