Originally Posted By: bepperb
I would think a burglar would be gone in 5 tops. Or if they were smarter they'd be in and out of my garage.
IMO this is the key. Short of a true safe (not an RSC) or vault, the intent isn't to prevent theft or catch the thieves, but rather to limit their time to the minimum so what they can steal is reduced.
5-10 minutes isn't enough time to even get into an rsc, load up, and get out (I'd think, this is all speculation). If you have your home reasonably well set up without all your valuables in one spot, the benefit it seems is to limit a theft to a simple smash and grab, with limited looking around.
I guess my concern with any security system is that if a thief kicks in a door, there usually is an entry delay, which gives them time. If they come in any other way, and the alarm starts bleeping, does it call the monitor right away? If a thief finds it and smashes it, it can't call. Ditto if a thief finds the phone/cable wire and cuts it before entry. If an alarm can be defeated by smashing or cutting, that's a problem.
But I suppose if it can limit the time that a thief is in the house, then it's done it's job. A determined thief will most likely always get what they're after. But let's hope not.
A good practical thread would be on good home safeguards to protect one's home. Not dogs, guns or alarms - they're obvious. But the best ways to secure doors, windows, basements, garages, how to or to not illuminate, etc.