I was a bit skeptical about this wireless system at first, but I figured for the price, why not give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised with how simple it is to install and set up. All the sensors are pre-registered with the control panel so it's pretty much plug and play. I required two additional sensors that had to be registered with the panel. But the instructions to do so are simple to follow and it only takes about a minute for each sensor. The key fobs and panic button are a nice touch too, eliminates going to the panel to arm/disarm the system, or even sound the siren if someone's confronting you when arriving home. The instructions to customize your system setting are pretty much straight forward as long as you follow them explicitly, a wrong key pressed and it won't accept the change. I did have an issue with the phone inter-phase at first, so I put in a call to tech support. To my surprise they called me back within a few hours. They were knowledgeable and very polite. It turned out it was my connection to my landline that was incorrect. Having the ability to have the system call your cell phone, or any number or numbers if the alarm is triggered is a nice feature. As is being able to call into the system to remotely arm, disarm, or enable the built in microphone to listen to what's going on in your home is an awesome feature. So far I have not had one false alarm or a problem arming or disarming the system. This system arms and disarms the same way as any alarm system you would get from an alarm company, but without the monthly service charge. My only suggestion would be to have it come with an siren that has an adjustable volume control. The 110db that it comes with is sufficient for a home, but it's a bit loud for a rental application. Even the optional 85db siren is too loud for a rental unit. My solution was to wrap the siren in an old bath towel. It's still loud enough to scare off intruders, but not drive the neighbors crazy.

UPDATE: After using the system for a short time I have to downgrade my original 5 star rating to 3. I chose not to change my original review because in all fairness, it is a simple system to install and use and has some nice features. But there are a few things that Fortress has chosen NOT to tell you before you purchase and install this system. I still think this a good system for the DIY'ers out there but it has flaws. First is with the operation of the motion sensors during delayed entry. Although you can set a delay time for entry to allow you time to get to the panel and disarm the system, the motion sensors will sound immediately regardless. You can change their programming to a "delay zone" to work like your door sensors, but it then changes their programming in "home mode". Now in "home mode" they'll now sound the alarm with any motion, which defeats having a mode that allows you to arm the system and still move around inside. Second flaw is the entry delay itself, it's still enabled when in "home mode". Which means that when your home at night sleeping someone could open your door and no alarm would sound till the panel finished counting down the delay time, giving an intruder plenty of time to get to you or the alarm panel. I think I would like to see all entry sensors sound immediately upon opening of any window or door when in "home mode". Third is with the audible "delay countdown". You can't disable it. Upon entry the panel "beeps" every second it's counting down the entry delay time. You should have the option to disable the audible countdown, as it can and will alert an intruder to the panels location where he could easily disable the alarm completely. These flaws are not to say this is a bad system, but it could use some upgrades to it's software.

UPDATE II: After contacting Fortress about these issues several times, they finally informed me that this a "starter" system and therefore not designed to accommodate these features. Then their very helpful customer service representative conveniently recommended I upgrade to one of their "Total Security" systems at an additional cost of $300-$400 that does utilize these features. After I already invested $100 plus additional sensors for this one!! After hearing this I have to downgrade my rating to 2 stars since it doesn't appear Fortress is interested in doing anything to try and resolve these issues, or acknowledge the the fact that they willingly withhold this information from the consumer. Maybe I would consider an upgrade if they would credit my total cost of this system toward the cost of an upgrade. Not likely.

This is an excellent DIY home and small business alarm system. It took us a few days to get everything set up just right and I ordered several additional accessories to complete our system. Customer service is OUTSTANDING!! Kip is just wonderful to deal with and helped use tremendously (as well as the other reps I spoke with). Be forewarned: THIS IS A VERY, VERY LOUD SIREN!!! I accidentally triggered It and felt like I was in front of a jet engine ready for takeoff! It will definitely hurt your ears and even cause temporary hearing loss if you are in close proximity to it...However, this is a GOOD thing if you want to make an intruder run away quickly as it is intolerable for more than a few seconds. Just be careful not to set off the alarm accidentally...oh my goodness it is deafening! We also purchased a plug-in siren with flashing light for upstairs so between the two, my neighbors would easily be able to hear the sirens go off. I feel much safer at night since we installed this system as we had an attempted break-in a few weeks ago and that is what motivated us to get a good alarm system. I didn't want to pay a monthly fee for surveillance and since someone is usually always home we decided a DIY system would be sufficient, (we don't have our system attached to a phone line but that is an option). I did research online and was convinced this was one of the best systems, despite some negative reviews.

In my experience, this system is A+++ and I have absolutely no complaints. Just be patient with setting everything up and if you need assistance, customer support is outstanding and respond quickly to calls. I very highly recommend this system and Fortress Security Store :)

First day the system locked up... sensors wouldn't work, neither would remote control... disconnected power and turned panel off then back on and all seemed ok... the next day the same thing. Keypad would react and allow me to set alarm, but once again none of the sensors communicated with it and neither did the remote. Reset again and seems to be working.

Now an hour later the sensors not functioning again. Relearned them to panel. Worked for another hour and then lost the sensors.

Called customer service number and after 15 minutes decided to leave a voice mail. Will post with their response. No call back, being returned.

I received an email today about my review, asking me if customer service was able to help me... customer service still hasn't called me despite 2 messages left... so they are good and quick at reading the reviews, but not so much having tech support call back...

I purchased this system, along with an RFID keypad and external wireless siren, to replace my existing wired security system. The 6 zone wired connections were a must for me and I also wanted to install two remote keypads to replace the wired keypads on my existing system. I want to install the main controller inside a locked metal enclosure, where my current wired control system resides. I also plan to supplement my wired sensors with a few wireless sensors (especially in the basement where adding wired sensors is a huge problem).
The system has a few fatal flaws that I really don't know if I can live with. It is really unfortunate as a small amount of cost and effort would fix them.
First, and foremost, the wireless (RFID) keypad is only a transmitter. This is a secondary keypad (not the main control unit). It shows the alarm status (arm, disarm) but if the alarm is set (or disabled) via the main panel (or a keyfob) then the wireless keypad shows the WRONG alarm status. The indicated status is only accurate if the alarm is always (and only) set / disabled via the RFID keypad.
The second issue is external siren isn't really that loud, not as loud as the one on my existing alarm system. The power supply operating the Fortress external siren is rated at 4.5 Watts where most wired home security systems use either a 15 Watt or 30 Watt external siren. I found, and purchased, a small amplifier on Amazon to drive my old (wired) outside siren from the siren jack on the S02 controller (normally used to drive an internal siren, but with the amp I plan to feed the S02 output into each channel of the amp and use one output to drive an internal siren and one to drive the outside siren). The amp can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MDQ3OJF/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Since my wired alarm panel is supplied with 24 Volts AC, it is not to difficult to get the 12 Volts DC that the S02 controller needs as a power source. Rather than installing a new AC receptacle in my alarm box, I found a small (and inexpensive) AC to DC converter that will both power my S02 alarm control box and all of my wired sensors (motion, glass break, smoke alarm) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A6HABYM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This same supply will be used to power my amplifier to drive the larger outside siren. Powering the S02 box does require the power cord to be cut and wired into the local 12V supply I'm installing.

On a positive note, I was surprised (and pleased) that the metal box didn't interfere with the alarm control box. It receives signals from the wireless sensors and RFID keypad even with the box closed tight. My furthermost sensor is probably 30 feet from the control box. The wired zones also appear to be configurable for delay (i.e. door entry delay) and home disable (motion sensors). Although a few extra wired zones would have been nice, the 6 zones provided are enough to meet most needs if you are willing to run multiple sensors from a single zone. For me, I tied all instant triggered doors on one zone, motion sensors on another zone, glass break on a zone, smoke alarms on a zone, and delay door on a fifth zone.

The RFID keypads have a power cord for external power but also have a terminal on the back that appears to accept power as well. Since I'm replacing a keypad on a wired system, my plan is to use the existing wiring to send 12VDC directly to the RFID keypad from my alarm panel. Oddly, there is also a relay contact on the back of the RFID keypad (but no explanation on what it is for or how to use it). Fortress indicated it is for connecting a wired sensor, but I don't think this is entirely accurate.

In short, if I could find an alternate product that offered the features of the Fortress system, but had accurate status indicators on the remote keypads, I would send this one back and purchase something else. Unfortunately, a day's worth of internet searches has come up empty. The very few systems out there that do exactly what I need are professional grade and extremely pricey ($1000 range for a full system). So, I will probably have to live with the short comings of this system for a few years and then replace it with something better.

Well good thing is it's better than nothing. Apparently it will make noise and notify you if someone triggers the alarm in your home. The bad thing was thief could simply turn off the thing by using on/off switch on side of unit. But the people at Fortress listened to customer feedback and moved that switch to back on newer units. I'd say cover if you have older or used one cover that switch with a piece of black tape or something. A big bad thing that hasn't been resolved is the phone line feature. Thief can cut your home phone line. Also many people don't have land line and just use there cell phone. I recommend getting the version with sim card which will call you via cellular. But that version is much more expensive. They can easily find out everything about this unit and how to defeat it. I wouldn't bother putting sticker outside your house saying you have it because that will give thief heads up. I think this unit is okay for budget starter system. I use magic jack with it because I don't have landline.

A better alarm option would be one with sim card that calls you wireless via cellular. I will upgrade to one with sim card and app once I can afford it. I know there are cheaper ones with that on amazon. I do like fortress customer service. They seem to answer your questions fast via chat or phone. I think this unit will give you atleast some advance alert if someone breaks in your house. How much time I dont know. So if goes off act fast and have your cell phone and peace maker nearbye. Police on speed dial. Have a rapid plan in place for you and your family if the unexpected happens. I pray there is never a need for it in your home or mine.