Thread: Pendo Wireless Alarm System

Smithster,

I am unfamiliar with the product however am generally very skeptical toward any form of DIY Security system. At best, it will false alarm, at worst, can be easily defeated.
As for monitoring, you can get it dirt-cheap and it's often not worth the money. If your sole reason is to get an insurance discount, that's probably suitable but if security is genuinely of concern, I'd watch out for super-cheap providers. Even the ubiquitous "dollar a day" doesn't go very far these days.

I've had a quick look at the advertising and here are my initial thoughts.

Dodo appear to have partnered with a company called Secureway () whose website includes hilarious references to their "Products and Equipments" '[sic].

It is entirely unclear how a response would be initiated - if someone in the Back of Nowhere rang Dodo and asked for an alarm, I'm sure they'd be couriered one. Then what?

The site states "Our Central Monitoring Station is operated by "Specialist Australian Security Group", and under Australian Standards 2201, it operates a fully manned 24 hour Grade A1 Central Monitoring Station. "

Note I had to find a to SASG as Secureway's site didn't actually link to it themselves. However there is no ASIAL Graded Station by that name. I am usually quite skeptical about any company which grandiosely claims to be conformant to a Standard yet for 'some reason' hasn't actually been certified.

Their subsequent claim that "The A1 grading is the only grading that can request a Police response to an alarm condition." is patently untrue. Not sure about other states, but in NSW whilst there is a requirement by NSW Police that a monitoring centre be certified to AS2201.2 it does not mandate A1 level. That is, an A2, B1 or C3 station would also be acceptable. The Police are simply refusing to deal with ungraded stations that could be run out of someone's bedroom. Yes, these exist.

The company's "contact details" are provided as only a 1300 phone number and a PO Box. Doesn't inspire my confidence...

Although deliberately vague about the company details, the website does include a photograph of what appear to be Wilson Security patrol cars. It's unclear whether this is partly Wilson's venture into electronic security or the webmaster just 'borrowed' the images.

What do others think? Can anyone else shed light?

I'm not familiar with that system either and unsure of the specific requirements for all states, however I'd find it unlikely that any DIY system would qualify for a discount on insurance. There is also a requirement under AS/NZS 2201.1:2007 that all systems be serviced on a 'regular' (the actual service interval for a particular premises is determined by Table A1 Security Risk Profile Appendix A1 AS/NSZ2201.1:2007) basis by a suitably qualified and licenced person and that very specific records of such servicing is kept. If by some chance an insurer did allow you to claim a discount, you can bet that they'd be all over it if the system failed during a B&E.

The other thing is who is going to commission the system? Do Dodo exepct that the average home handyman is going to do this? What of the client verification form etc? Zone list, test report interval, AH/Keyholders etc. What if the system fails to report a restore or open cancel when commisioning? Far too many variables and holes for the handyman to fall into for my liking.

I'd suggest staying well clear of anything like this. If you're serious about security and monitoring, have a professional install it for you.

I just hope for your parents that it's nothing like the old FAI systems. Although a few are still out there, most weren't used after the first 12 months or so due to the rediculous number of problems. Just like anything, the best alarm system is the one you'll use the most.

I hear what you're saying about the cost thing. It's just it may wind up being an expensive excersise in the end. I've never seen what I'd call a 'good' wireless alarm/telephone combo around even from the bigger manufactures. The other thing is who's going to fix it when something goes wrong? Most tech's wont go anywhere near something like this.

A few things to consider:
Who's going to cover the cost of phone calls in the event of a runaway?
How often does it send test calls?
Does it report AC fails & system low batts?
Does it report RF device low batts?
Does it report RF device lost?
Aside from the reporting, does it even know if a device is missing or has a low batt?
Who's going to fix/service it?
Where are you going to source parts in 12 months when Dodo's given up on the product?
Some one breaks in, but wheres the sirens?(appart from the woeful siren tone that will inevitably come from the phone unit itself) Oh, that's right it's monitored and the guard's going to show up in time to catch the crims.
How easy is this thing to defeat? Crim breaks in, hears siren comming from the phone and pulls it away from the wall. Crim 1, Pendo 0.

I'm sure it serves a purpose, but seriously consider the possible holes in this thing before allowing your parents to be lulled into any false sense of security such products offer.

I see a fundamental design flaw with such systems. If a criminal can get to the alarm/phone all-in-one unit hanging on the wall and disconnect it during the entry delay (or a few seconds afterward) it is well and truly game over.

By design, the central control panel of this system (i.e. a telephone unit) would often be on the wall in the kitchen, living room or on a table in the entry hallway. In plain sight, easily accessible and easily removed, disconnected or tampered with.

There is a valid reason the alarm control panel should normally installed in a recess or other secure area such that it has time to send out a signal after an intrusion before being attacked. This type of system seems to undermine that, and would greatly encourage poor practices by installers (or in this case amateurs).

Originally Posted by cnafiz

The same logic is true for the Harvey Norman $899 Ness R8 System thats seem to be so popular these days.

A crappy system well installed is better than a great system badly installed (and vice versa).

I have to stick up for Ness here.

They make a lot of very good gear. Unfortunately, some of their designs have encouraged very sloppy practices amongst installers.

Anyone remember the Ness 5000, which had a keypad on the front of the panel housing? I still see retail shops where the entire control panel keypad is mounted right inside the front door.

A competent installer would have run a keyswitch (back in the day) or a second keypad. Plenty didn't and as always the client assumes the installer knew what they were doing.

Similarly, a lot of their designs today are simultaneously great but fraught with potential for dodgey installation. I like to believe however that nobody would mount an all-in-one Ness R8 or R16 inside the front door. Am I naive?

I had a discussion with a Ness engineer once where I pointed out that a growing number of dodgey installations would eventually start to reflect on their brand through no fault of their own. In other words, they could become a victim of their own success. It's a tough call for them as you would appreciate.

For what it's worth though, there's a difference between an 'all in one' alarm panel (i.e. panel, keypad, screamer) which can still be hidden away somewhere, and a device which by its very nature is going to be located in full view and in a completely accessible environment.

I might add the same is true of some all-in-one DVRs I've seen, which have a built in monitor and can be placed on a shelf or counter.

I can just imagine the police report.

Officer: Okay sir, and what do you think was stolen?
Victim: Uh, my jewellery, some cash, my laptop, oh and my f@#$(* alarm system which I bought last week off some website. What was it called again? Frodo? Bozo? Quasimodo or something?