Bell+Howell 7696 Sonic Wireless Alarm System

by Bell

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Bell+Howell Sonic Alarm Systems Wireless/Battery Operated is great for doors, windows and cabinets. It is a 90db alarm and when the magnetic contact is broken, the alarm will sound. It has three settings, alarm, chime and off.

Product Description

4 - Alarm and magnet sets (batteries included)

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000FJRNHO
• Item model number: 7696
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,599 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works fine on 'modern' doors., January 5, 2008

By 

Oldtechnohobbiest "Mr. Nobody" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bell+Howell 7696 Sonic Wireless Alarm System (Tools & Home Improvement)

Just a line here: I've had this type of alarm before. The one I had before and this one work great for what they do. Now, for the down side.

On those old doors--like what I have--in those hundred year old houses--like what I have--the doors are 'sunk' into the wall deeper than in the more modern houses. In modern houses the door is usually flush with the wall and door frame. It's easy to put a deadbolt on that type of door. But the older house's outside doors are sunk in deeper.

You will have trouble fitting one of these magnetic type alarms to the door frame and door. I had to turn mine upside down and put it on backwards (the adhesive side still goes up against the door and frame) and only found one spot on the entire door it would work.

But like I said, these types of alarms are great at what they do...I recommend them--when these stop working I will get more.

BYE!

1.0 out of 5 stars Performs poorly..., October 27, 2010

By 

Jim In Alaska - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bell+Howell 7696 Sonic Wireless Alarm System (Tools & Home Improvement)

Conclusion
* The unit I have is poorly constructed, not dependable, and does not produce a loud enough alarm to provide an adequate intrusion alert.

Pros
* Inexpensive.
* Might provide some "scare value" to casual/amateur intruders.
* Might be useful in monitoring young children's access to closets, storage spaces, etc. (but don't use for critical applications such as monitoring access to cabinets containing poisons, outside doors to swimming pools, etc. as the alarm is not dependable -- use a lock instead!)

Cons
* The sound level is low. While can be heard across an open space (such as a "great room") or within the same room, it is difficult or impossible to hear from other rooms. Hence, it's undependable for warning of intrusions into other areas of a home or as a perimeter alarm system.
* Not dependable. The unit I deployed (in monitoring child access to a restricted cabinet in the family room) failed to chime consistently in "chime mode" -- in fact, it rarely worked in chime mode at all. (However, the alarm mode works correctly on the unit.)
* This unit uses very lightweight materials and is poorly made. In addition to the performance issues mentioned above, the smaller, magnet portion of the unit fell apart and had to be glued back together.

Observations
* I also have another brand (not listed on Amazon) of this type of alarm which works much better (that is, it works consistently and it is louder.) The other brand cost about twice as much, but uses standard AA batteries (which are less expensive than this unit's LR44's) and cosmetically appears to be made better quality materials and have better workmanship.
* From a quick review of Amazon's listings, be aware that this unit appears to be marketed under several brand names.

1.0 out of 5 stars Bell Howell sonic, October 27, 2010

By 

Ricardo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bell+Howell 7696 Sonic Wireless Alarm System (Tools & Home Improvement)

Horrible item, I now know why they no longer sell at the stores. Only one out of the four in the pack worked. Some were cracked, this was my worst purchase ever.