Because home burglaries are always a threat, it’s good to consider any and all devices that can help detect when a potential threat is nearby. One of the most useful devices to consider is a high-quality driveway alarm that instantly alerts you when there is any activity in the driveway, such as a vehicle, a person, or even a large animal.
You can even get the device synced with your mobile phone, which means that you’ll know if someone is in your driveway even when you’re not at home.
These devices work by sensors that can be set to different sensitivity levels, which is helpful for people who have pets that are kept outside. After all, you don’t want your alarm to notify you every time Fido is outside playing.
In any case, if you’ve decided to get an alarm for your driveway but you’re not sure how to buy the right one, below are a few things to consider before starting your research.
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Cost
Driveway alarms are not expensive, but this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t shop around for the best price. If you’re interested in a high-quality driveway alarm, you should consult with several companies and get price quotes from each of them.
Make sure that you ask exactly what’s included in that price so that you’re comparing apples to apples, and get it in writing if you can. The costs may vary from one company to the next, but if you do your due diligence, it’ll be easy to decide on the right alarm.
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Ease of Installation
If you’re going to install the system yourself, it has to be easy to do. Keep in mind that infrared (IR) sensors are the easiest to replace when the time comes, while probe sensors can be a little tricky to replace. Research what is required to install everything properly and compare the different companies side by side.
Also, make sure you research which parts will eventually have to be replaced so that you can research the costs of those parts. If one company says that there’s a one-year warranty on the sensors and another gives you a five-year warranty, it’s clear which one you should choose.
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Sensitivity Settings
In order to reduce the number of false alarms you receive, you’ll want to make sure that the sensors come with different sensitivity settings. You should be able to control the monitor and easily alter the sensitivity settings so that you’re not constantly getting alarms when there is nothing there to worry about.
The adjustability of the sensors is an important aspect to research when trying to find one of these alarms because everyone’s preference is going to be different.
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Warranties
With alarms for your driveway, the typical warranty is one to three years, but if you can get a longer warranty, that is even better. The important thing to remember is that (1) the device should indeed have a warranty in place, and (2) you need to be sure what that warranty covers.
If you’re comparing different companies, make sure you know what the warranty covers for every one of those companies. This is the only way to determine which company best suits your needs.
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Weather Resistance
A high-quality driveway alarm should be resistant to rain, hail, and high winds so that it doesn’t cause problems every time the weather runs amok. The power source of the alarm can affect its weather-resistant capabilities.
These devices are usually run by electricity, solar power, or batteries. One is not necessarily better than the others, but you might still want to research each method so that you can choose which one is right for you.