[The3Thomases]

We have been shopping around for a security system for a while. Lately we have been talking to a company called Monitronics and they have offered us 5 doors, 4 windows, one smoke, and one glass breaker for 210 dollars. Our concern is that their system does not have a separate control panel. Everything is integrated into the key pad. Should we be concerned about that or can those systems be trusted?

[RickJ]

We had a home security system in our previous home that had everything integrated in the keypad unit. We were very happy with it.

Has someone told you that a system with a control panel separate from the keypad should be desired over one with everything integrated in the keypad unit?

[The3Thomases]

Hi Rick,

We were told that since the control panel, which is the security systems brain, is integrated with the key pad, someone can easily break in and smash the key pad with a crow bar before the delay is up. Therefore no signal will reach the monitor station.
I also read that the quality is usually not that great on those systems.
Thanks for your feed back.

Becky

[RickJ]

Eh, I can see those points.

Do yourself a favor and get as many reviews of the product as you can. Google is great for that. Just search like this
"System you are considering"reviews
(be sure to put the system you are considering in quotes).

Another good search is
compare home security systems

.

[Stratmando]

They make good quality, capable integrated keypad/control panels.
Problem is, Smashing wth crowbar works effectively to disable dialing and siren.
If you feel you must use this type. Use Keyfob to Arm/Disarm with no Delay.
At least you may get a blast from siren and maybe data to receiver before they destroy.