Gulf Stream, Delta, Caesar Satellite, Rustelematics, ETC-security. Which security alarm to choose?
To select a system, I analyzed the parameters and studied reviews. I selected the most popular security systems that came up first in the search engine and looked at what people most often praise them for and what they criticize them for. I took notes during the review. There were 5 systems in total. At the end there is a summary table.
1. Gulf Stream
Basic security kit: Control panel, keyboard, door opening sensor, three proximity keys, motion sensors with photo recording.
Arrival at the alarm: 5-7 min (info from the site).
Who is coming: GBR + Russian Guard + fire service.
Peculiarities
There is a battery in the control panelwhich keeps the system operational after a power outage. The charge lasts up to 12 hours.
Communication with the monitoring center via two channels – GSM (via a cellular signal) and the Internet (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Two signals are needed for backup: in case one of the channels is unavailable (for example, there are interruptions in the Internet).
Protection against vandalism. If a thief tries to rip off the control panel or sensor, a signal will be sent to the response point.
The siren is built into the keyboard; it does not need to be purchased separately. This is also a safer option – if a thief discovers the control panel (and searching by sound allows you to do this faster), he can disable the system. And it won't send a signal to the monitoring station.
Motion sensors are equipped with a photo recording function. This function is needed to identify the cause of the alarm. If the system detects intrusion, the sensor takes a photo of the intruder. This is proof to see who got in, what and when.
Why they praise
There is a motion sensor with photo recording. “It’s a useful thing in everyday life when a photo is taken upon request to make sure everything is in order at home.”
Convenient mobile application: “The interface is clear, even parents quickly figured it out.”
Quick response to calls. “The security guards arrive promptly after the system is triggered.”
Why do they scold
Spam calls: “The company uses cold calling using a robot. They just bothered me with their calls, although I was never interested in their services.”
Problems with the technician's visit: “The day before the visit, I received a message with the technician’s number and the time interval of the visit. No one arrived at the appointed time or reported this. I called the foreman who simply said that he couldn’t do it today.”
You cannot reflash the equipment for another security system. “If you accidentally contacted them, then you won’t be able to switch to another private security company, only by changing all the equipment.”
2. DELTA
Another large security company. Uses Russian equipment Sea-Nord.
Basic kit: Control panel, control key fob, motion sensor, door opening sensor, panic button.
Arrival at the alarm: 5-7 min (info from the site).
Who is coming: GBR or Rosgvardia.
Peculiarities
Communication with the monitoring center is only via GSM using the 2G standard. On the one hand, the equipment does not have a backup communication channel with the monitoring center (Internet), on the other hand, the coverage from second generation networks is the greatest.
The hub has a built-in batterythe maximum operating time during a power outage is 5-6 hours.
There is protection against opening the panel body. If a thief tries to rip it off, a signal will be sent to the control center.
The siren is built into the control panel. A controversial decision, because a robber can quickly disable it. The keyboard also has a siren, but it needs to be purchased separately.
Wireless and wired connection. If you need something cheaper, they install wired equipment.
Why they praise
Operational service: “excellent work by the engineers, they did everything carefully and did not even interfere with the work of the salon. They also provided detailed instructions to the staff.”
Convenient mobile application. It reports when and who arms/disarms. You can remotely disarm your home. Relevant when children forget their password.
There are discounts and bonuses when you sign up.
Why do they scold
Spam calls: “They call every week. You block, but they always have a new number.”
There are cases when response teams do not arrive: “We installed a video surveillance system and a security alarm with a panic button. As a result, when that same incident happened – they entered the premises, the alarm button beeped and stopped, no brigade arrived.”
They can supply used equipment if you rent it. “A nuance: no one warned in the telephone conversation that it would be used – the installer installed everything, I drew attention to the defects of the devices after installation, he smiled: “Weren’t you warned?”
3. Caesar Satellite
The company is engaged in the protection of cars and real estate. Works on equipment from C-Nord (Russia) and Hikvision (China).
I did not consider the system on Hikvision – it is a Chinese manufacturer, and there are rumors that it is leaving Russia. At least it’s on the official website stub with an announcement about technical work.
Basic kit: Control panel, keyboard, motion sensor, door opening sensor.
Arrival at the alarm: 5-7 min (info from the site).
Who is coming: GBR or National Guard + fire service (the latter arrive in case of fires).
Peculiarities
Caesar Satellite supplies the same equipment as Delta, so the features will be the same.
Why they praise
A separate major area of the company is video surveillance. Using the camera, you can implement the following scenarios: “I installed video surveillance at my grandmother’s place. Not to keep an eye on her, but to control her, she turned off the stove or iron, because lately she often forgets to do this.”
Installation the next day after the call;
There is an installment plan: “They give in installments without any problems, no interest is charged.”
Good equipment. “It is compact and almost invisible in the interior. Connects wirelessly.”
Why do they scold
False alarms of equipment: “I always knew about the cat jumping from the sofa, but they surrounded the room – zero reaction.”
Security arrives not after 5-7 minutes, as stated, but after 30-50 minutes. “According to the contract, the arrival time of the chop should be 15 minutes! In fact, from 30 to 50 minutes!”
Problems with technical support and service: “For false alarms due to a malfunction, you will be billed. And, if you are indignant, the contract will be terminated unilaterally and you will find out about it a few months later, if you are lucky or you will continue to pay the subscription fee for a non-working system.”
4. Rustelematics
Security agency, cooperates with private clients and organizations. Works on Russian equipment C-Nord and Ritm. In this section I will tell you about Rhythm.
Basic kit: Control panel, keyboard, motion sensor, door opening sensor.
Arrival at the alarm: 3-5 minutes (info from the site).
Who is coming: Russian Guard.
Peculiarities
The control panel works from the network, but also has There is a battery in case of a power outage. Enough for 6 hours.
Some models support two communication channels – GSM and Internet. Plus the stability of the system.
The control panel and keyboard are tamper-evident – if thieves try to do this, a signal will be sent to the response point.
Wireless connection. The sensors operate on batteries for two years. But they offered me a wired keyboard.
No siren – only a weak beepwhich is unlikely to deter burglars.
Why they praise
Stable operation of the monitoring station. “The call center responds to any alarm signals.”
Man-machine Savary Kirill. I'm serious, over 30 reviews have been written to him, thanking him for his patience.
You can reflash equipment from other security systems and connect to Rustelematics for monitoring and regulation.
Operational arrival of the Russian Guard: “The guys arrive quickly and efficiently.”
Why do they scold
Problems with document flow — they may send the wrong invoice or forget about the documents altogether;
Technical support is bad: “It took a very long time to wait for an engineer; even a basic issue with replacing batteries took weeks to resolve;
False alarms for equipment: “The curtain sensors detect flies. The second day we sit with the siren blaring, the system is not disarmed.”
5. ETC security
The company is engaged in the protection of houses, apartments and businesses. They work on Jupiter and Proxima equipment (Russia).
Basic kit: Control panel, keyboard, motion sensor, door/window opening sensor.
Arrival at the alarm: 5-7 min (info from the site).
Who is coming: Russian Guard.
Peculiarities
The Jupiter brand has a siren built into the control panel. This is a vulnerability because an attacker can quickly bring the system down.
Communication with the monitoring center is only via GSM.
They work with the Russian National Guard; they do not have their own response groups.
Equipment both wired and wireless.
Why they praise
Good service: “We installed and connected the equipment, despite the holidays. The master installed everything very carefully and efficiently, and cleaned everything up after himself. Fully detailed instructions on how to use the device”;
Installation the next day after the call;
Quick arrival of the Russian Guard.
Why do they scold
Complex mobile application: “Instructions for setting up a mobile application are absolute hell! In addition to higher education, you will definitely need IT courses to tell others how NOT to make mobile applications”;
Linked to your application and SIM cards. They register their account in your alarm system and can manage it remotely. The ability to independently control the alarm using SMS and calls is deliberately not enabled.
To make it easier to navigate, I made a table.
System | Advantages | Flaws |
– System operation without electricity for 12 hours; – The siren is built into the keyboard, it does not need to be purchased separately; – Two communication channels (GSM, Internet): if the signal does not pass through one channel, it is sent through a spare one; – Motion sensor with photo recording of the cause of the alarm. | – There are complaints about the visits of the master; – You cannot reflash the equipment for another security system. – Spam calls. | |
– System operation without electricity for 5-6 hours; – There are discounts and bonuses when connecting; – Prompt service; – there is a glass break sensor in case a thief decides to climb through the window. | – There are cases when response teams do not arrive; – They can supply used equipment if you rent it. | |
– Installation the next day after the call; – There is a glass break sensor in case a thief decides to climb through the window. | – Delay in the arrival of the State Bureau of Investigation; – There are often false positives; – Problems with technical support and service. | |
– Two communication channels for some models (GSM + Internet): if the signal does not pass through one channel, it is sent through a spare one; | – Problems with document flow; – Poor technical support; – False alarms from equipment. | |
– installation the next day after the call; – Good service; – by default, the Russian Guard arrives. | – Unintuitive mobile application; – They register their account in your alarm system and can manage it remotely. |
What's the result?
After reading the reviews, my choice was between two systems – Gulf Stream and Delta. I looked at the rest more for the sake of completeness of the report. I also noted Caesar Satellite, but was confused that according to reviews, response teams arrive in 30-50 minutes.
In the Gulf Stream, I liked that there is a sensor with photo recording – to understand the cause of the alarm, and in the future, if anything can be evidence in court.
When I studied the Delta website, a sensor with photo recording was also listed there. But when I called the company, the manager told me that Delta had now switched to other equipment and there would be no sensor.
Delta has a window break sensor, and that initially swayed me on their side. But then I read the reviews, and it turns out that plastic windows are often not broken, but pressed out with a master key. This is quite easy to do and there is less noise. So, in essence, this sensor is useless, and it costs a lot – almost 4000 rubles.
In general, these are the conclusions so far. I will update the article as I use the selected system.
