Alertgen C7 GSM Alarm

Purchased in 2013 1 x Alertgen C7 GSM Alarm (from Quicksafe Security Limited). Don't waste your money. I persevered for about 3 months and then just stopped using it. Installing was also a nightmare and trying to get the outside audible alarm to connect to the inside one was almost impossible. Many unwanted false alarms. After 3 months I just turned it off and now have useless alarm system components spread about the house.

I purchased my alarm about four years ago now. Setting up instructions are okay if you have some skill at fixing or installing technical equipment. Generally, I service my system once every six months or if batteries need replacing or if a fault is suspected. SIM card credit is eaten up rapidly when fixing a problem and zone naming is difficult. Unless you name each zone on initial install they can be mixed up and name the wrong sensor. I set off each sensor then moved it to the correct named zone if needed. Having an alarm system that is almost perfect is better than no security system at all.

Personally, I would have automatic machine guns zeroed in on a killing ground to stop little light-fingered misfits breaking into my home. That'll learn the little C U next Tuedays.

I have never fitted an alarm before but my next door neighbour has a Alertgen SmartAlarm installed in 2012 and he recommended it to me. I was impressed by the look and SMS control feature. I bought a pet freindly version as we have a small dog. Installation took 2/3 hours. The change of settings is best done with the Smartphone App as not to use up too much SIM card credit. The alarm has now been installed for 14 months and has worked as it should from day one. A good choice if you are looking for an alarm with SMS text messaging control.

Well I had high expectations on this alarm after fitting for a friend.........all I can say is chonglish junk......the plastic housing is wafer thin, the pir's feel like their dummies from poundland......very disappointed...I will not even mention the pathetic external siren....I advised my friend the promptly return and by a proper gsm alarm system.

He purchased a Yale smart alarm ena-kit2 from Yale and all I can say is, you pay for what you get! Very impressed and I will have no hesitation recommending this alarm to a friend!

Installed the Alarm which took ages as it doesnt come with any real instructions and most of the time the only way to set it up is via a smart phone, which costs a fortune, it comes with 10 quid of credit which got burnt up in minutes. Then every time it goes off, which is all the time it texts you which again cost a fortune.

The PIR fittings, which do not hold the PIR in position had to be glued to stop wobbling about.

Oh and then theres the outside siren which was not sent with the original order and only got delivered after I chased Quicksafe.

The alarm is temperamental and only works when it feels like it

Utter waste of money

After 14 months of use I have found the Alertgen C7 GSM Alarm to be of high quality and very reliable. I was put off other GSM alarms be complicated installation procedures that were out of my comfort zone. The control and detectors look good and easily blend in to the surroundings. The swipe tag feature is great for knowing when my daughter gets home as i receive text message when she disarms the alarm.

I am using a standard PAYG SIM from 02 as they have the best reception in my area. The wireless solar powered siren works well and is easy to install.

If I could change one thing about the Alertgen C7 GSM Alarm I would have had pet PIR that ingnore larger dogs. We have got round this by suing contact detectors in the areas the dog is kept when we are out.

Like:

Able to txt commands, including arm and disarm

Receive txts telling you of low battery or tampering with the system

Easy setup

Good looks

Dislike:

Security hole, if anyone knows your SIM card phone number, they can disarm your entire alarm system by sending a '0' to that number, very insecure.

You can find out the SIM card number by dialling your own number from the keypad and checking the caller ID!

We fitted a Alertgen C7 in June 2012. Originally we had ordered another GSM burglar alarm only to find it was far too complicated to install myself. I researched the market and came across the C7 at a DIY trade show were the Alertgen had a stand. Fitting of the alarm system took just over 2 hours with 4 wireless movement detectors, 2 magnetic door detectors for front and back door and 1 smoke detector. As we like to go away often the ability to monitor the alarm remotely by text message or dialling in was a big selling point. The alarm looks good and is not obtrusive in the home. The wireless external siren offered much easier installation than the alarm I returned. We paid around £400 and think we got good value for money.