Customer Reviews

GE 45129 Choice-Alert Wireless Control Center

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

The idea is great, an easy-to-install wireless alarm system that notifies you and your neighbors (if you have at least one additional siren and a neighbor) of a breakin. However, there is one serious design flaw.

The base unit is what communicates with all sensors and extra sirens. When in AWAY mode (mode you use when away from home), the unit will beep for 30 seconds after an intrusion has been detected (designed to allow you to get in and deactivate it before the alarm sounds). But the beeping can lead a burglar to the control unit and all he has to do is unplug the unit and take out the battery (or just slam the thing so hard it breaks) therefore stopping the alarm from ever going off.

The flaw could have easily been avoided (or at least lessened)if the battery cover simply had 4 to 6 screws attaching it to the unit. That way, the burglar would at least have to struggle to keep it from sounding the alarm.
Or, another design that would have helped would be if the unit was mounted to a wall where a burglar could not easily get to the battery compartment. It is designed to sit on a table.

Other than that, this is a great item to own. While in HOME mode (while you are in for the night), ANY intrusion detected will activate the alarm immediately. This really helps you to feel more safe at night.

The system is exactly as advertised, and I really like it. The control center itself emits a 120-decibel siren that causes pretty serious ear pain. Just for good measure, I also bought the extra siren (130 decibels) for maximum burglar discomfort.

It is true that there's a siren delay when "away" mode is used. That's really the only flaw I've found. I'd recommend putting the control center far away from doors and windows so a burglar wouldn't be able to find it easily (and buying the extra siren so you don't have to rely solely on the control center's own siren; I promise I don't work for GE!).

Everything was easy to install and operate, and I like that I have the ability to add components as needed. The control center can be programmed each time a system component is added.

If you want a security boost for your house but aren't ready for the added monthly expense of a full alarm service, this wireless GE system is a good way to go.

Bought this controller along with three garage door sensors; Idea was not to worry in the middle of night whether last driver coming in forgot to shut the garage door. I wanted to keep the controller next to me in my bed room so I can look at the alerts. It took awhile to get sensors installed on the garage doors. Programming was not difficult. However the controller has very erratic behavior. Controller works fine if it is within 20 ft of the sensors. After that reliability goes down. The sensor wireless signals don't reach to the controller (I suspect) in my bed room to be effective and the distance is only 45 ft from garage doors. The advertised distance is 150 ft with some disclaimers. GE is doing a disservice to its brand by letting Jasco (original manufacturer) use it for a inferior product. 50% of the time, zone alarm lights on controller starts flashing. That flashing as per its manual, indicates that no signal is reaching from the sensors.

I am assuming you are cost limited. I am rating this for a 20-30 system. This system is good for small houses and apartments.

I found the programming to be annoying (Read the directions) and expect to take 2 hours to set up.
Once working it works well, but in a larger house some sensors may be farther than the system can handle. The door sensors work well, but battery changes are a pain. I would buy this for an apartment.

Things I like - worth it for the money. 21-25 bucks is good for me. Extra sensors are cheap.
Thinks I don't like - volume control - No lamp flasher, can't upgrade to a different control.

If you buy the motion sensors they work adequately, but mount them carefully or you will get lots of false alarms.

The GE Choice Alert 45129 Wireless Alarm System Control Center is easy to set up and use if you take the time to first read the User Manual. There are various options as to zones, alerts (notifications and alarms) and arming (Home or Away) which make available a good number of configurations depending on your needs. And whatever those needs are for your home or small business, you can be assured this control center and GE's array of sensors will meet them. There really isn't anything else at this price point that will compete with it. The availability of a separate siren, keypad, key fobs and signal repeater are icing on the cake.

To help make your purchasing decision, do a Web search on "GE Choice Alert" and select the result for Jasco Products to see all the bits and pieces you will or might need. Find "User manuals" under the Support link and search for SKU 45129. Download the PDF manual and spend some time with pages 4-8 and the Jasco Web page and you can't go wrong.

The 45129 uses four AAA batteries for power backup. I suggest a premium alkaline at the least or a lithium type as I use.

I am currently using only the 45132 Motion Sensor which resembles internally and externally the type marketed by SkyLink. So far, it's detection and selectivity have been superb.

The 45129 alert signal is loud enough to demand your attention while the siren is a menacingly painful screaming wail - as it should be. I strongly suggest you wear ear plugs during your initial setup and testing.

GE doesn't have a dialer/listener for this system. For that I have placed the excellent TeleSpyII (Amazon ASIN: B000B8Z2GS) in the same area as the Motion Sensor. If the TeleSpy dials my cell phone and I hear the 45129 I'll have more confidence in reporting to 911 that TWO detection devices have been tripped.

For about a hundred bucks I have a system that rivals those selling for twice to three times as much.

The only downside is the 4-digit keypad. If your "favorite" numerical sequences (PINs) are peppered with any in the range of five through nine and zero your memory might be taxed by the one you'll need to create for the 45129. Considering the price, that's not worth a star hit, so...

Five stars!

It can be very tricky to get remote sensors to work properly. If a sensor loses contact with the control center due to, for example, too much shielding in an RV or shed, a false alarm will be generated (this fact comes from GE tech support). This can be maddening. Relocate the control center only to have the problem happen again....probably from another sensor. But you can never tell which sensor is causing the problem. The advertised 150' figure is a myth. Even line of sight. Keep your packing materials. You are likely going to return your system to Amazon.

There are two major flaws in the design of this alarm. First, if you set it for HOME the motion detectors do not trigger the alarm. The designers obviously never considered the situation where you may be sleeping on the second floor and would like to know if someone is prowling around the first. Second, if you set it for AWAY to get around this, it emits an ear-splitting sound for a full 45 seconds. The mute button stops the sound, but also stops the countdown. So if you're at home and want the motion detectors to trigger the alarm, you have to smother the unit. (I use a small box with fiberglass insulation in it.)
I don't know why there wasn't a no-sound option for setting the alarm to AWAY, and a means of activating the motion sensors if it's set for HOME.

I purchased this product, 2 motion sensors, a remote, and a supplementary alarm. This product did not work at all. To start it would not let me program a new code. I programed zones 1 and 2 for the motion detectors and tried the alert and chime settings. They went off whether or not the unit was armed. After about an hour, neither the chime nor alert worked and could not be reprogramed. The supplementary alarm worked because the remote panic button set it off but the motion detector would not set it off.

This is an inexpensive but effective alarm system. I'm very happy with my purchase.

For people who say that a burglar can just destroy the beeping control center before it sounds, you should put the control center inside a locked drawer or locked room. I put mine in the garage (with is locked from the garage). There's no way a burglar can break down the door within 30 seconds.

My only complaint is that they should allow you to choose the delay before the alarm sounds. 30 seconds is too much time. It'd be nice to reduce it to 10 seconds.

I live in a little house about 730 square feet. But when in my bedroom I can't hear the front door and when I was pregnant a guy broke in while I was sleeping and I didn't hear anything until he was in my bedroom. I've been nervous sleeping at night ever since. I found this product at walmart on clearance and couldn't resist. I bought 4 extra window/door sensors and put them at both doors and several windows that were easily assessible. I tested it by setting it and then opening the door and it is quite ear piercing. I feel so much better about going to sleep at night knowing that I will be able to know if someone gets inside and hopefully the sound will scare them away.