Architecture of ADT Pulse: What it Can & Can’t Do

I strongly discourage anyone from buying this system.  At first I was exuberant.  I am building an 11k sqft home.  The home is framed and walls will be closed in soon.  I called ADT and spent over an hour on the phone trying to get answers to simple questions about their system (i.e. max # of cameras..)  The said that only a technician can answer my questions and that I should call them back when house is completed.  I explained that I need to no more about their system and design before walls are framed bc most other systems are not wireless.  After spendinga another 30 mins while he got appprovals from supervisors….keep in mind 1.5 hours just to set up appt…they agreed that we could meet in about 55 days.  House is in wifes name they needed to record a call with her rather than me.  3 days later they called back and she had to answer all of their questions again, then they asked her social securtiy number.  She said not giving it and inquired why.  They said that they have to pull her credit to set up appt.  WTF???  I pulled phone from her and they insisted on SS# to setup appt. so they can then answer my questions so that I could see if this is the way I want to go.  This is probably going to be a 40k+ system.  There is no reason for them to pull credit just to meet but they would not budge. She has a 730 credit score and we have a construction loan that will need to go to permanent financing in a year.  A credit inquiry that is senseless will bring score down when we go to permanent.  This much trouble just to speak to someone….hardly worth it.  BTW, I have used many security companies at other homes and none have pulled credit.

The ADT Pulse product/team is not really equipped for large jobs like this. For large, higher-end jobs, you what their Custom Home Group.

https://adt.com/resi/programs/customhome_new/customhome_landing

This group does advanced security systems (cameras and alarm systems) and works with a local custom electronics professional to integrate the other goodies—lights, thermostats, AV, etc.

Or ... check http://www.electronichouse.com/installers for an independent integrator.

Devil’s Advocate: if ADT had another group that handled larger scale housing projects, perhaps the ADT Pulse representative should have referred the first gentleman to them? Especially when the manager came into the picture, I would think.

Can’t seem to find two install reps that have the same answer to any question. One say they can use wireless contacts from our old dsc system, the next says they have to be hard wired. One says you can do the basic pulse system without the ihub, the next says you need the hub. Where can I get the real answers to the questions I have?

What it sounds like is that Michael actually spoke to a Dealer.  They do not do the PULSE.  I had to deal with that the “auth Dealer” does not sell the same equipment as ADT Corporate.  I had to buy 2 systems and had to have both installed….what a pain.  I do have a 12000 sq ft house and the Pulse system works great, but the way company works is screwed up.

Ever since I had ADT install the Pulse iHub, the rest of my home network, which relies on DCHP has been wonkey. The wireless devices often times get their IP addresses from the iHub, and subsequently do not communicate with the internet. Is there someway that I can stop this from happening? Perhaps an administrative page to set options?

Where can I get an ihub for the GE Concord 4 (with ADT monitoring… if that makes any difference?).

You need to buy the set-up from ADT itself. If you have GE security, you can instead use a similar service from Alarm.com