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GE 45142 Choice-Alert Wireless Control Center with Door or Window Sensor Kit | 
 enlarge | Brand: General Electric
Category: Home Improvement
List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $29.20
You Save: $20.79 (42%)
New (16) Used (1) from $19.50
Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 4466
Color: White
Media: Tools & Hardware
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 11 x 8.8 x 1.8
MPN: 45142
Model: 45142
UPC: 043180451422
EAN: 0043180451422
ASIN: B0013V1T2I
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Includes control center and window and door sensor | | • | Indicates when a door, window or gate has been opened indoors or outdoors | | • | Operates up to 150-Feet away | | • | Control all sensors and accessories from one location | | • | Easy to set up, easy to use |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
GE WIRELESS ALARM SYSTEM
Amazon.com Product Description
The GE 45142 Choice Alert Wireless Control Center Starter Kit offers everything you need to begin building your Choice Alert Security System. It features four separate zones for up to 16 sensors, providing a custom wireless security system for your home or business. Its five-button keypad makes it easy to pair a sensor or accessory within seconds, and there's no wiring or drilling required for installation. The built-in 120-decibel siren is loud enough to alert you and your neighbors when the system is compromised, so you get complete, effective wireless security protection at an affordable price. This kit includes a Door/Window Sensor that is completely wire-free and works seamlessly with the Wireless Control Center. | The GE 45129 Wireless Control Center and Window/Door Sensor Features:- Control of up to 16 wireless sensors and accessories for complete security coverage
- One Door/Window Sensor for building a custom wireless security system
- A built-in 120-dB siren
- 150-feet of wireless coverage
- A keypad for programming passwords and a dedicated "Learn" button for easy pairing with sensors
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A weather-resistant, wireless design lets you intall the included sensor on any door or window. View larger. |
The Wireless Control Center lets you secure your system with a custom four-digit code that can be changed at any time. View larger. | 
Choice Alert components offer expandability for complete home protection. |
Note: This product can be used with Choice Alert sensors and accessories (sold separately). This kit is designed to provide security coverage for a single door or window.Part of the GE Choice Alert Wireless Alarm System
The GE 45142 Wireless Control Center Starter Kit is the primary component of the GE Choice Alert Wireless Alarm System line of products. Cost-effective and easy to install, Choice Alert components offer wireless operation, multi-zone coverage, home and away settings, and expandability for complete home protection. With wireless capabilities, Choice Alert products require no complicated wiring, drilling or expensive installation costs. And because they are designed to be part of a self-contained system, there are no monthly usage charges. System components are simple enough for anyone to use, and they can be combined to provide a customized blanket of protection over your entire property. Wireless Control Center for Sensor Monitoring
The entire Choice Alert Security System is designed around the Wireless Control Center, the system's hub. The Control Center monitors each and every sensor that is wirelessly connected to it. As many as four sensors can be programmed in each of four zones, giving you the security of up to 16 sensors to guard your entire home, including sensors for doors, windows, gates, water leaks, and motion detection. The Wireless Control Center allows you to secure your system with a custom four-digit code that can be changed at any time. Plus, the center lets you control many system features. For example, you can select 'Home' mode for an instant alarm and 'Away' mode for a delayed alarm. In addition to the armed alarm system, the Control Center also offers a visible and audible Zone Notification alert system (with a choice of continuous alert or single chime mode) and a dedicated alert zone (Zone 4). The center wirelessly transmits and receives signals up to 150 feet. Additionally, the Wireless Control Center features a low-battery indicator that will alert you when battery power is low in a specific zone, so you'll know exactly when to replace the batteries in every one of your components. Combine Components for Total Home Coverage
There are several components available for use with the Wireless Control Center, including a door/window sensor, motion detector, water leak sensor, secondary audio alarm siren, signal repeater (for enhanced wireless range), garage door sensor, and Silent Alert LED indicator.. Add up to 16 sensors and give yourself the peace of mind that only complete home protection can provide. Quick and Easy Pairing With Choice Alert Sensors
The Wireless Control Center features a dedicated "Learn" button that lets you easily pair Choice Alert Sensors within a matter of seconds. The process for disabling sensors is just as simple, making for hassle-free customization of your Choice Alert Security system. There's also a dedicated switch for toggling between 'Alert', 'Chime', and 'Off' modes (affects Zones One, Two, and Three only). The Control Center includes a special dedicated alert zone (Zone 4) that is always monitored, regardless of the alarm settings. This is ideal for alerting you of water leaks, and open garage, shed, freezer, or medicine-cabinet doors--areas of your home that you want to continually monitor with a silent alarm. All-Weather Door/Window Sensor that Installs Within Minutes
Installing the Door/Window Sensor couldn't be any easier. Using the included double-sided tape or screws and mounting plate, the sensor mounts to most doors (interior and exterior), gates, or windows within minutes. There's no wiring involved--the sensor transmits alerts wirelessly to the Choice Alert Wireless Control Center within a range of 150 feet. The Choice Alert Door/Window Sensor can be paired with any of the Wireless Control Center's four zones, and pairing takes just seconds. Zones One, Two, and Three provide alarm protection, while Zone Four is a dedicated alert zone that generates a visual alert along with a continuous beep to discreetly warn you when the zone has been compromised. The GE Choice Alert Wireless Control Center and Door/Window Sensor are backed by one-year limited warranties. What's in the Box
GE 45129 Wireless Control Center and Window/Door Sensor.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 18
 I "Hacked" the Control Center- here's how you can too... February 20, 2010
G. Todd (Illinois)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I just got done installing the Choice Alert system in our 1600 square foot split foyer. The components include the control center, one signal booster, one extra siren module, 3 door/ 3 window sensors, one garage door sensor, one signal repeater, and one motion sensor. Obviously, I don't yet have much experience with its performance, but I thought I'd share some installation thoughts.
Certainly the biggest problem is- what keeps an intruder from just unplugging/ taking the batteries out/ or just smashing the control center? The warning beeps in the "away" mode are obvious enough and give the intruder enough time to home in on the sound. My "Hack"? I just opened the Control Center and snipped the wires to the beeper/ siren. It works just fine like that, and it is totally silent until the siren module goes off. The upside of doing this is obvious, the downsides are- 1. You don't get the short beep when a door or window is opened when it is not armed (although I actually think that's a plus). 2. You don't get the warning beeps when you come home- if you forget, it will go off. 3. You have to buy a siren module. 4. I suspect GE would void the warranty. 5. You could mess up and snip the wrong wires.
If you decide to try it, here's what I did. I took the 3 screws on the back plus one in the battery compartment out. At that point I still could not completely open it up- the right side would not release. I pried the back open about an inch on the left side and examined it with a flashlight. After being pretty sure I had the right wires (2 brown ones that disappear into the beeper module) I snipped them with a pair of scissors. I then tested it and I got exactly what I wanted- total silence until the alarm sounds. I installed the siren module on top of our kitchen cabinet and ran the wire from the plug outlet used for our over-the-range microwave (my wife's idea). It is completely out of view.
All of the sensor modules seem to work as advertised. The most difficult part of the installation is getting the two sensor parts properly aligned on the doors. It would be nice if GE would include some shims to raise the small part off of the door, but the don't so I had to cut some pieces of wood.
All in all, I think the hacked system is a reasonable value for the money- the sensors seem to work well and the siren would certainly scare someone off. The non-hacked version has such a big problem with it giving the intruder 45 seconds to disarm it I would be hard pressed to recommend it.
Very effective July 29, 2010
Barnes
Folks....P.S. Ross (previous post) hit the nail on the head! In doing so, saved me alot of typing (thanks!).
I would like to add in a few notes:
First off, I should give an explanation of my setup: I live in an apartment, so obviously have neighbors on the other side of my walls. I have 2 doors, and 2 windows that can be accessed without a ladder, so I purchased a "starter control center," 3 additional door/window sensors (it came with one), a remote siren, and a motion sensor.
1) I elected to add the "Remote Siren" on the first floor close to the controller. The controller itself emits 105db (or so) , so with an additional 105db....a tripped alarm is SUPER LOUD!! They both plug into the wall, and also have battery backup....so even if the electricity is out/cut off....the system will still trip. I have purchased another I am going to mount outside in an inconspicuous place, that is protected from the elements....but will still annoy/alert the neighbors and let them know whats going on.
2) I purchased a motion sensor as well, and the thing works great. The only problem is....if you have a pet (dog, cat, bird, ect) that will be inside of its range, IT WILL TRIP. I took mine down and put it in a cabinet for use when I'm on a trip, and have my dog with me. Regardless of that, the good thing about the controller is that if you set it to "home" the motion sensor is disabled (so you can set the alarm at night, and wake up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water without sounding the alarm), but if you set it to away...it will trip just like a door/window was opened. That being said:
3) The controller gives you two options (as mentioned by P.S. Ross and myself)..... "Home" and "Away." "Home" sounds immediately, and "Away" starts a 45 sec countdown....so you can disable it when you get home. 45 seconds IS PLENTY OF TIME FOR THEM TO DISABLE/ STEAL WHAT THEY WANT. So get creative and figure out a way to set the system to "Home" even when you are away....and hide the controller in a good place....they will have to hunt it down...and if you have other remote sirens in the vicinity....it will make it a bit harder ;-)
PROS: This alarm system is a very affordable/alternative to getting a "professional" system. Its highly effective, easy to use, and can be installed/moved without a big headache. I installed mine in about 2 hours with ease (while drinking a beer or two), and the overall cost was around $160.
CONS: No external monitoring service available, and the flimsy yard sign.
Good, economical security June 15, 2009
inufreak483
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was surprised by the quality of this wireless system for the price. Great for apartments!
 Good - But understand the limitations December 21, 2009
P. S. Ross (USA)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
I bought this GE Home Security starter kit and several of the add ons to put in a security system to help protect our home. I've been fairly pleased, but there are a couple of issues to be aware of. In order to give my review a bit of structure, I'll attempt to break it down by component...including a couple of components that ARE NOT included in this basic kit, but that you may need to purchase to get the system to work, or elect to purchase to expand the system.
1. The conroller. The controler is small, easy to program and makes heck of a racket when the alarm system is triggered. My only slight complaint with the conroller is it does not include any provision to be wall mounted and it has limited range (more on that under "door/window sensor below". Turning the system on or off from the control pad is very easy. Each of first 3 zones can handle up to 4 sensors, allowing you to say, put all 4-exterior doors on Zone 1, and windows on zones 2 and 3. To do this, obviously you have to get more hardware than comes with the basic kit reviewed here.
2. Door/Window sensor. The advantage of the wireless door/window sensor is the ease of installation. A wired system would require many hours of running wires from each sensor to the controller to function. This is not practical in many instances. The wireless sensors are easy to place using a couple of screws to mount the contact plate and some double sided tape to mount the sensors themselves. Programming the controller to recognize the sensor is also easily accomplished. However, be aware that the sensors have limited range...in some cases VERY limited range. In my installation, 2 sensors located near the front of the house would not communicate all the time with the control box. Another reviewer talked about how his control box will flash, reporting a low battery in a sensor, when in fact the battery isn't low. Well...the reason the controller is flashing is because it is not getting a good signal from the sensor. It cannot differentiate between a low battery and a poor signal. So, it will flash repeatedly and the documentation says that means "low battery" but it can also mean the sensor is too far from the controller. In my situation, my 2 sensors were only about 40-feet from the controller and I had this issue...so beware when GE sasy "up to 150 feet". If you have an issue, you will need one or more "range extenders" which are not included in the basic kit. However, I had to buy one so I reviewed it below.
My other issue with the sensor is how hard it is to take them apart to change the battery (at least once every 2-years per GE). The tabs on the side would seem to indicate a screwdriver can be used to take them apart, but they are too flimsy to do that. The only way I was able to get mine apart was to use a razor knife as a prying tool (kind of dangerous) to get the case apart and get to the battery. I see no way to replace the batteries without removing the sensors from the door frame...and they are secured with double sided tape, not screws...so that's going to be an issue in the future. GE needs to redesign the catches that hold the sensor body together. The ones I had apart, I shaved the tabs down to make them easier to get back apart later.
3. Range Extender - This deal plugs into an unused wall socket (tying it up forever) and will simply "repeat" any signals it recieves from sensors around it, hopefully communicating all the way back to the controller, so that sensors that can't otherwise function reliably will now begin working properly. It works, in a fashion, but be aware that the Range Extender itself still has a very short range. In my case, I was able to find a spot to plug it in half way between the front of the house and the controller that was close enough to the sensors to work and close enough to the controller to work.....it seemed to need to be within 15 feet of the sensors and 25 feet of the controller. I have NO IDEA if you can chain one range extender after another.
4. Window Decals and Yard Sign. I read up on this and most "experts" say that putting in decals and a yard sign are your biggest deterents to simple home break ins. None of what I'm talking about here is going to keep a determined thief from stealing your Monet, but maybe it will keep the doper kids down the block from targeting your house for meyhem if they need some money to buy more dope. I went with an extra pack of sticky stickers and put one on most of my windows and all of my doors. The yard sign? It is so flimsy it broke trying to take it out of the package. If I was GE, I'd be ashamed to have my name on it. It's a flimsy piece of plastic junk. I taped mine together with some clear tape and then couldn't get the plastic stake to drive into the yard, as it is so cheap and flimsy. Get the picture?
5. Other Sensors available. A motion detector and a water sensor are available. I didn't get them so I can't comment really.
6. What isn't available. To my knowledge, you can't get any sort of dialer with this alarm system. Also, no home monitoring is included. To that extent this system represents a definite comprimise in security. To get it working, you are going to have to lay out some money, but you don't have an ongoing monitoring charge from a home security company. The comprimise, your home won't be as secure as it would be with a really top notch, monitored system.
7. Remote Siren - The remote siren is really loud and hopefully, being remote from the controller, will increase the chances that a passing neighbor will hear the alarm and take notice of the strange white van sitting in the driveway. It needs a receptical of its own and is also (I'm sure) limited in range. Mine would take a bit to find and disable...but that may not be too much of an issue for a thief as I summarize below.
OK...So...if I'm a thief and I'm not detered by the flimsy hard sign and the decals, I'm going to go right up to your house and bust open a door or window. IF that door or window is equipped with a sensor, there's really good chance it's going to trip an alarm. If you have the system set to "HOME" that means the alarm is going to go off immediately emitting a very loud (if your close to it) noise...that would alert anyone in the house and MAYBE someone outside of an intrusion. But honestly, that's a big Maybe. The determined thief now can follow his ears to the control box and disable it with a hammer (or even under heel) to little bits. That WILL make the alarm quit sounding. If you have the system set to "AWAY" it will just start beeping when triggered allowing the thief 45 seconds to enter the code to disarm it. Obviously he doesn't know the code so he'll just crush it to bits, again disabling the system. I've figured out a way to set my system to "HOME" even when I'm away. If you can figure out a way to exit your house without setting off a sensor, you can do the same thing.
This system, again, does represent good value, but the best you can hope for is the thief isn't "determined" and hopefully will go on down the street to the next house that has no alarm. You might consider putting in a yard sign from one of the "major" security providers to go along with this system. That would probably be an improvement. Even better would be a high-dollar WIRED system with home monitoring, but it's going to cost you a lot more and be more of a hassle. I've been called in the middle of the night at least 10 times when my mother's monitored home security system has been accidently triggered...so I know there are hassles going that way too.
Great entry alarm product for the money January 8, 2009
Jason Oates (Northern Virginia)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
I recently purchased this product (and 4 separate door/window sensors) to assist in securing out house at night. It was very easy to install and setup. It does have the "alarm and chime" options for entry, although there is an "off" option that will only allow the unit to flash the light of the unit opening if you desire. Once armed, the alarm is VERY loud. We actually used our firearms ear-protection to test all of the units once installed because it was so loud!
The only downside is that if you were to use it similar to that of a "Brinks" or "ADT" system, meaning a delay so that you can enter/exit the building and have the alarm on a timed delay, there is limited availability of this. Although it does feature this, it is audible and is limited to 45 seconds. I would like to option of no audible notice of the timer and the ability to change/lessen the time.
Overall, it is a wonderful product that will not hurt your wallet!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 18
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