Review For: ADT Security Services (Con't)
This ADT customer review has been submitted anonymously by a present or former ADT burglar alarms client. Please note that ADT uses a sub-dealer program, which usually means that a local company will install and service your alarm, and ADT will monitor it. So a review listed here may not be for or against corporate ADT, but a completely independent local dealer. If you submit a review, please indicate whether the review is regarding ADT corporate, or the local company who installed your system.
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Several months after install, master console started reporting sensor failures. Replaced battery in sensors but kept getting intermittent sensor failures. After multiple calls to ADT, they agreed to send out a tech. Tech checks to see sensors are OK and even tries to move master console closer. This ends up loosing signals in other parts of the house.
Tech tells us that it is a known issue that over time, remote sensors transmissions signals fade. Changing batteries does not make it better. Long story short - instead of replacing sensor, fix is to install a signal repeater at a cost of $400 for the box and probably $$$ for labor. Sensor is not broken so they will not replace it unless you pay for new sensor. At least tech was honest enough to tell us it sucked. We declined the offer which we thought was a total rip-off. Tech showed us how to turn down annoying beep when sensor failure is reported every 4 hours.
Tech suggested we check internet for the repeater. Went to Amazon.com and found same device, GE 80-922-1 319.5 Mhz for under $160. Got repeater in the mail within a week. Assembled the thing (snap circuit board into body, connect daughter board and stuff). Instructions say you can run it in dumb mode - repeat any signal or put it in learn mode to repeat specific signals. Given this is home use, just left it run in dumb mode for now - no dip switches to set. Open and closed entry points, reset system status and sensor fault is gone.
Odd thing in the interim when we were having sensor failures for about a week, ADT never called us. A few days after tech left, both my wife and I got calls from ADT that they were seeing sensor failures - duh.
Update:
Even after the repeater was working fine for a while, the problematic sensor started reporting failures. Technician said it was location of repeater. It had to be closer to the control box. That was a load of crap given the signal strength he measured did not justify it. So we moved it closer. There are two other sensors further away and they work OK. Tech leaves and we get charged again for a useless visit. After another few days, sensor started reporting failure again. This time we insisted they change the sensor. Another visit and sensor installed. No more sensor failures for several months. So how come ADT did not fix it the first time when they know faulty sensors are an issue?
Tech tells us that it is a known issue that over time, remote sensors transmissions signals fade. Changing batteries does not make it better. Long story short - instead of replacing sensor, fix is to install a signal repeater at a cost of $400 for the box and probably $$$ for labor. Sensor is not broken so they will not replace it unless you pay for new sensor. At least tech was honest enough to tell us it sucked. We declined the offer which we thought was a total rip-off. Tech showed us how to turn down annoying beep when sensor failure is reported every 4 hours.
Tech suggested we check internet for the repeater. Went to Amazon.com and found same device, GE 80-922-1 319.5 Mhz for under $160. Got repeater in the mail within a week. Assembled the thing (snap circuit board into body, connect daughter board and stuff). Instructions say you can run it in dumb mode - repeat any signal or put it in learn mode to repeat specific signals. Given this is home use, just left it run in dumb mode for now - no dip switches to set. Open and closed entry points, reset system status and sensor fault is gone.
Odd thing in the interim when we were having sensor failures for about a week, ADT never called us. A few days after tech left, both my wife and I got calls from ADT that they were seeing sensor failures - duh.
Update:
Even after the repeater was working fine for a while, the problematic sensor started reporting failures. Technician said it was location of repeater. It had to be closer to the control box. That was a load of crap given the signal strength he measured did not justify it. So we moved it closer. There are two other sensors further away and they work OK. Tech leaves and we get charged again for a useless visit. After another few days, sensor started reporting failure again. This time we insisted they change the sensor. Another visit and sensor installed. No more sensor failures for several months. So how come ADT did not fix it the first time when they know faulty sensors are an issue?