I bought this controller because 2G has been phased out by my preferred SIM provider. One really nice surprise is that all of my older wireless motion detectors are compatible with this system (photo). There are no connectors for my wired exterior motion sensors, but that is easily fixed by patching the sensor output wires across the reed relay of a wireless door sensor.

The documentation could use some work. I wasted too much time discovering that the "3 bar" setups key also doubled as a backspace/delete key for some setups, the return key is the esc key, and the check(?!) key is the enter key.

I have only had this a short time, but here's my initial thoughts.

1. Overall this is a okay DYI system with some okay features, but I don't think it deserves 5 stars. The sensors window/door sensors look/feel pretty cheap, but they work and are easy to install.
2. The remotes also look/feel cheap. I can't imagine they will hold up over time if used on a key ring. I do like the sliding cover that covers the buttons to keep you (or items in a purse) from accidentally pushing a button.
3. I bought the GSM model as I thought it would text me each time the alarm was triggered. However, it texts you every time the alarm is turned on (activated) and turned off (de-activated). I purchased a SIM card on sale for $4.99 for T-Mobile as they offer 30 minutes and/or texts a month for $3 a month on their prepaid service (then $0.10 per message/minute after the 30). I assumed that $3 would cover me as I assumed my alarm would not be triggered once a month at most. However, with it texting me every time it's activated and deactivated (that's at least 60-62 times a month), I had to turn that option off. Of course, it still uses the GSM to call me, which is nice and I can turn the texting back on when I'm out of town (which I did last weekend).
4. I wish it chimed when a door was opened. Our old Radio Shack system would chime each time a door was open, which was nice to hear when someone was coming or going when the system was not armed. Fortress does offer a doorbell product that you can somehow program to work with your door sensors. I may give that a try, but that's another $30 or so and the video on their website does not make the setup look easy (but it may be). I will say that I emailed Fortress about the option for a door chime and within 24 hours they replied with a solution being the doorbell option, so that was very nice/quick customer service, although the solution was another purchase option.
5. I wish I could name each sensor. Maybe there is a way, but I'm a techy and I have yet to figure out if you can.
6. My old Radio Shack system would indicate with sensor/doors were open. It would be nice to see that information on the little screen too.
7. The indoor and outdoor speakers are LOUD. I like that. The outdoor speaker does make some beeping noises when I activate the alarm, with might be driving my neighbors crazy every time I activate and deactivate the system.
8. The speaker on the control panel is also very loud.
9. The sensors come ready to go for your system. This is very nice. All you have to do is pull the battery tab and immediately the base would recognize the sensor and add it to the system.

Overall, after a couple of weeks, I'm pleased with the system for the most part and I know some of the things above that I dislike are personal preference. It does what it's supposed to do and that is trigger an alarm and call me (and other numbers if you set it up that way) and my monthly fee is $3 with T-Mobile to have GSM capabilities. My number one wish is that you could set it up to text you only when the system was triggered.

3 stars since it does not have the feature configurations I desired. Some on me some on documentation.

The good,
it does what it says it does(bee careful on expectations).
It comes pre-configured for quick install.
It comes with a glass break.
The remote keyfobs to enable and disable are very nice
The siren is ear pearcing loud.

The bad:
This does not have all the functionality of a high end system

Window and door sensors are large. I have removable sashes for the windows and the sensors protrude into the area . Must mount down low on the window. I first mounted high and could not remove the sash for cleaning.

There is no chime setting. This is highly desirable when set to disarm to have the windows or doors chime when opened. I have pool and wanted the doors to chime when set to home. I wanted to know when someone goes in our out.

The system does not check or notify you of any open sensors when you set it to home or away. This means you can set it with windows open. It also means you could leave your house vulnerable when you are sleeping by leaving a window open you did not know about.

If a door is opened and closed, the system will tell you on the display the zone has been triggered. If the door gets closed, the message goes away after a few seconds.

There is no way to view what sensors or how many are in what zones.

The manual does not state what zones the sensors come pre-configured for so when you go to configure sensors for zones, you basically need to delete all zones.

If you try and add a device it states it is a duplicate but does not tell you what zone it is in to delete from. Again if you do not have the devices well documented to zones, you need to start deleting all the zones and start from scratch.

The zone names are pre-configured and can not be manually named. That means if you want to set a zone to say Bed1, you can not name the zone Bed1. You can only select it as windows or doors or any of the 8 names.

I bought this for the room based glass break that a competitor does not offer. It clearly does not have the features I desired and does not claim to have them. My mistake thinking it had the features I wanted. It does what it says limited in configuration options.

I would give it 5 stars if I did not want more from the system.

As stated, it clearly does not have from the add

'All the functions of a high-end alarm monitoring system without the monthly fees!"

It does not even have all the features of some low end competitors for similar price ranges.

I looked at three systems: SimplySafe and PiSector and Fortress.

* SimplySafe: My neighbor has it. The main reasons I didn't get that one are: 1). cost for the number of sensors (almost double after I bought what I needed), 2). If you decide not to have it monitored, then it's just a noisemaker-- it cannot notify you via text/phone. SimplySafe uses a USB dongle that you program on your PC, and transfer the settings to the alarm by moving the dongle to the alarm base. It seems quite easy. But SimplySafe is simply a noise maker that can only dial one number (the company) which costs $15/month.
* PiSector: This one is slightly more money than Fortress with similar specs, but the main reason I decided against it
was reviews stating the company was promising a freeby accessory to 5-star reviewers! I discounted all reviews based on that, and assumed the company unethical. If you can't trust your alarm provider, what kind of security are you getting?
* Fortress is reviewed below. I looked at the GSM/Landline version, and the Landline only version, but I decided the extra $70 was worth it since the GSM(cell phone) version also has extra features. I promise I was not paid anything for my review!

PRO:

* It works as advertised.
* the least expensive in its class for the number of accessories included.
* Extra accessories are reasonably priced, compared to competition.
* Install was a breeze.
* It comes pre-programmed in the box (you hang the sensors and you have a working basic noisemaker alarm), you need only enter numbers to text/call. Customizing the features is a little cumbersome, but not overly complicated.
* I was expecting difficulty in setting up the Cell, but it really was as easy as buying a SIM card, dropping it in, and entering a few numbers to call/text.
* Even the indoor wired siren is loud! (Louder than my neighbors SimplySafe, and he has both the default one and the "extra" one.) Neither Fortress siren uses battery power, no maintenance, louder. You can buy a battery powered one if desired.
* While no alarm is perfectly configurable to your need or liking without being overly complex to program, this one strikes a reasonable balance. I was able to do most everything I had hoped.
* Wireless siren operates independent of the main panel, so if an intruder finds and smashes your main panel, the wireless siren will still blast for three minutes unless disabled by proper signal from the main panel.
* I have a big house with lots of walls, yet there seems to be no issue with the range of the wireless sensor signals. Range extenders are available.
* Having Cell (GSM) plus Land line offers great redundancy if either is down or if a bad guy cuts the landline.
* Rechargable Battery Backup on the main unit if the house power is off or cut.

CON:

* The small list of sensor/zone names is limiting-- you have no way of knowing which door/window set off the alarm, only which "zone". This is the main "bug" in this system.
* The recorded outgoing message is muddy. The system voice "Alarm zone two" is clear enough, but the one you record "My house at 1234 Main has an alarm" is almost unintelligible.
* Software is reminiscent of a 1980's answering machine-- though it does work flawlessly.
* Manual is not fully clear, like it was translated out of another language. (Ditto for the choice of words in the software). Some things you just have to figure out by trial and error. Fortunately, you can get past this easily.
* There's no monitoring service, unless you find a third-party provider. My neighbor response time is much faster than police response time where I live, so self-monitor with local sirens is superior for me.

Some things not covered in the description:
* The door sensors and key FOBs each take a 23A type battery. These are between $0.50 and $2 each on amazon, depending on quality and quantity. I don't yet know how long they last, but this seems reasonable to maintain. The motion sensors are 9V tansistor batteries. Included sirens (2) are not battery powered.
* Buy a 3.5mm (audio) exension cable for the wired siren- you don't want it near the main panel because you don't want to announce the location of the main panel, and you don't want it screaming in your ear if you must disarm after triggering.

GENERAL:
* Standard Three "Home, Away, Disable" modes.
* Group the sensors into zones (up to 10 different zones, each with up to 10 individual sensors). You get to choose which sensor zones are active in which mode. You can even have sensors active in Disable mode, for instance a smoke detector.
* For each zone, you also decide whether or not to provide an entry delay. So, for instance, you can have the back
doors/windows alarm immediately, but have your normal entry doors (garage/front) delay the alarm to give you time to disable after entry.
* You can make some zones "silent", so that you are called/texted, but do wake up the neighbors. This might be useful for outdoor sensors, or catching a teenager sneaking out.
* You can arm/disarm the system through the phone or text msg, though you can only arm this way into Away mode, not Home mode.
* It has the ability to "listen in" and also "have a conversation" through the main panel when you dial in.
* You can also buy (at reasonable prices) smoke alarm, flood alarm, and a remote keypad, battery powered wireless siren/strobe, and more.

(Real security comes in layers, and an alarm is just one part of it. Also consider: a DVR/camera system, and a safe for your valuables. Cameras enable you to see people "casing" your house and other suspicious activity and help in identifying bad guys. A safe is a final layer to stop/slow down someone who gets in. Maybe you forgot to set your alarm, or maybe they "smash and grab" or they bypass your alarm. And of course, never forget good physical security. Lock your doors, and make sure that you have deadbolts that are properly installed. Don't rely on the latch on sliding doors, use a bar in the gap-- I just use a piece of wood cut to length.)

Insurance deductibles are usually in the thousands of dollars, and they don't cover everything. Sentimentals are irreplacable. This is really inexpensive protection.

All in all, this is an honest basic alarm with most all of the features you'd expect for this price. There are some minor disappointments mentioned above, but I would recommend and buy this system again, and give it about 4.5 stars.

This is a very nice easy to set up security system. Has voice prompt, calls out to you and or sends sms using cell network and or landline. Wow whats a landline? Even my home phone is on sprints cell network. Hints. Use the quick set up quide. Use the online videos for easy set up.
I got a free standard sim card from T-Mobile and called to activate. They have a Pay as you go plan

Buy minutes, talk and text away. When you run out, come back and buy more minutes. It's a simple and affordable way to stay connected.

10¢

/min or msg

â—¾$3 per month includes 30 minutes of talk or text messages and lets you keep your phone number from month to month
◾Add additional talk and text at a low flat rate of 10¢ minute/message
â—¾Daily and weekly high-speed data passes available for purchase

I did the $3 per month and charged the sim up with $50 and he said all unused minutes roll over at the end of the year.
That is a great deal!

Wow that siren is loud for a little thing. Some complain about the unit being made with cheap plastic. My dads protection one system is cheaply made also and its costing him 49.99 a month for the monitoring.