ADT Vs. Brinks Security
As crime rates soar, home security becomes more important to people who want to protect their families and property. Also, as technology improves, electronic home security systems have come down in price, making them more popular. Two companies providing this service are battling it out for the top spot in this market: ADT and Broadview (formerly Brinks Security). Does this Spark an idea?
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Function
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Home alarm systems come at various levels of security. A basic system will have sensors at windows and doors, controlled by a keypad placed near the most used household entrance. More involved, sophisticated and therefore more expensive systems can involve patrols by armed security guards and high-tech equipment. Some systems also involve fire and monoxide detection as well as break-in prevention and detection.
History
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Broadview, in its previous incarnation as Brinks Security, is a well-established company with a long reputation for proficiency since 1859. They began as an armored transportation service, and now have a hand in nearly every aspect of security worldwide. ADT is a relative newcomer, established in 1874. ADT began in the days of the first telegraph systems, monitoring and protecting messages sent by telegraph customers. When call boxes were invented, they stepped into the role of guarding business facilities, the guards using the boxes to keep in touch with the monitoring office. It was high-tech for the times..
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Equipment
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Home security systems can be basic or involved, and some can detect fire, gas and flood as well as intruders. Both Broadview and ADT offer state-of-the-art equipment and live monitoring.
Broadview offers for their home security systems a choice of keypads, door or window sensors, motion detectors, an interior siren, master control panel, yard signs, smoke and heat detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, wireless remote, "flex switch," or glass break detector, telephone control module to use the phone as an extra alarm keypad, environmental alert for monitoring room temperature, strobe light, moisture sensor and exterior siren.
ADT's security systems offer a control panel, choice of keypads, door and window sensors, motion detectors, keychain remote, emergency power supply in case of an outage, yard signs, indoor alarm, flood detector, temperature monitor and carbon monoxide detector.
Cost
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In August 2009 ADT's five system packages cost from $299 for installation and $42.99 monthly for live monitoring to $609 for installation and $46.99 a month for live monitoring.
Brinks, on the other hand, in August 2009 offers only two packages, at $49 for Standard and $155 for Premium, with add-on equipment available at extra cost.
Reputation
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After 135 years in business, ADT is still known for its electronic premises monitoring, while Brinks at 150 years is still the leading name in armored cars. Both have stellar reputations as professional, effective home security providers.
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Comments
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I don't find it very heplful for me to make a choice.
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iandunn
Dec 17, 2009
I didn't really find much substance here. I'm trying to choose between the two for a new system in my home, so I'm really looking for things like their reputation, the reliability of their equipment, the responsiveness of their call centers and the quality of their local subcontractors. Their histories and basic information about the features and costs are easily available elsewhere and most people comparing two quotes would already know those things. In my research I've come across plenty of consumer complaints about both of their services, so I think your comments about their reputations' are either naive or you're just not willing to give an honest, real world assessment.
