Fortress Security Store (TM) S03-B Wireless Home Security Alarm System DIY Kit with Auto Dial + Outdoor Siren

I wanted to purchase a home alarm system without the costly monthly monitoring charges. Comparing this with others, most notably SimpliSafe, I found that the price points and third party reviews of the Fortress system tipped the balance in their favor. At that point, I had to make the decision as to whether to buy the GSM or S02 system. I spoke at length with Ben of Fortress Security, and he was very honest with me (which solidified my decision to go with Fortress). Since the GSM system requires a full-size SIM card for its secondary cellular calling feature to function, I opted for the simpler and less expensive S02 system. I was delighted to find out that Fortress would also customize my system with the components I wanted. As a result, I was able to order additional motion sensors in lieu of the full allotment of door and window sensors that would normally have been included. The Fortress system appears to be manufactured by a Chinese company. If one searches Amazon, one will find that other sellers are marketing what is essentially the same system under a different name. However, even though they may be a tad more expensive, I would very strongly urge people to buy the system from Fortress. I say that for several reasons. Fortress is a US-based company, the manual coming with the system has been written in comprehensible English, the components are pre-programmed, and the Fortress support personnel are very accessible by phone and quite helpful. You should assume that you will require some support due to the complexities involved. What's more, when I determined after-the-fact that I would not be using one of the components I ordered (the glass break sensor), the Fortress staff graciously allowed me to exchange it for another component and made the swap very easy. Bravo! I use an Ooma phone system and had issues at first trying to reconcile the internal telephone pick-up component of the Fortress system with the voice mail function of Ooma. I ultimately determined that they are not reconcilable -- you will NOT be able to get both to pick up at exactly the same time. I ultimately resolved the issue by upgrading to Ooma Premier, thereby getting a second phone line and a free OomaLinx device in the process. I dedicated my second line (as well as the fax component of my printer) to the Linx device and told Ooma to switch off its voice mail service for that second line. Using a basic telephone line splitter, I also plugged the telephone line from the base unit of the Fortress system into the Linx device. To arm or disarm the system remotely by phone, I now need only to dial that second line and I don't have to worry about getting the voice mail on my main home line. It works very well. Since installing, I have run a number of tests and the system seems to be working well. You can program the system to dial up to six telephone numbers in the event of a system alarm. Based on my tests, it does so very quickly and efficiently. The only slight downside is that the internal recorder is not very good, so the recorded message that is played on those alert calls should be a bit louder and more intelligible. But overall, I am very pleased with the system, not to mention the service I have received from Fortress.

You get alot of sensors additional items with this package. The YALE version has less PIRs and far less door contacts. As a positive the YALE is easier to setup, but hey this takes time to fine tune, but once set its good. Most houses have 2 doors, a garage (main and side door) , maybe a shed. So there is a need for 5 sensors, with this you get 10. At the moment I have 2 PIRs, now wondering where to mount the 3rd, but it is a great package to have that flexibility. Tried 3 key fobs today, nice to dis arm and hear the beeps before you even open the door, in foul weather and things to bring in, who would want to go into the house dis arm and then go back to the car. All in all im very pleased and have to accept the user interface is very basic, but hey it works.

Not a great purchase. The keypad stops working after a while meaning I have to reset the whole device to get it to respond. It has also rstarted beeping randomly for no reason sometimes through the night and I dont even have the motion sensors installed.

Very good system. Easy to install, operational features are user friendly. Read the instructions and view all the videos before attempting to install. The videos are very good and answer many of the installation or operational issues that might arise. If not answered then contact Fortress and they will promptly answer all questions you might have. Wonderful equipment and good company to do business with.

Lots of annoyed by things such as not being able to set up the alarm at night before going to bed without a loud beep going off... the same to disable the alarm when I leave the house... really loud beep which wakes up everyone around the house. Also the buttons in the main unit don’t really work properly ... need to press them several times and really hard. My advice is for you not to waste your money and spend a bit more on a proper system...

It is fairly easy to fit but the instructions could be clearer and more up to date. It doesn't help that customer support is based in USA so you have to allow for the 8 hour difference and be patient when waiting for reply to an emailed enquiry But the system works very well

Battery life on the sensors isn't great.. tried several different brands.. the battery drains in less than six months on window sensors that are rarely opened. Plus you cant tweak the reporting interval on the motion sensors.. if the battery life wasnt an issue I'd give it five stars.. as it is. I feel like I'm changing batteries on sensors all the time. Its not worth the hassle.. would not buy again.

I had been using three basic Walmartmotion sensing alarms to cover our warehouse space so I would know if someone entered the area. This system works so much better as I can use one remote to arm and disarm all the sensors at once. Programming certain sensors to be instant or delayed is convenient too. On top of that calling my cell phone makes it perfect for my needs. It was all fairly easy to set up. When I had a question on syncing the remote siren I received email support within a few hours that provided a solution. I would highly recommend this system.