Customer Reviews
Works great, but with limits 
2008-04-27
These detectors are a great idea. They really do link together and communicate, making a whole house network of smoke detectors. They also use the latest photoelectric sensor type, which was recently recommended by our local news report on smoke detectors. They're supposed to be quicker to sense a fire, plus they have CO2 sensors for a double whammy. I bought four of them, two for the kids' bedrooms, one for the hallway outside the master bedroom, and one for the basement. I had originally thought maybe we could put one each in our unattached garage and horse barn, but after the in-house experiment, I doubt that will work.
The first thing I noticed is that, although the battery compartment is conveniently located and designed to allow access without removing the unit(which is nice), not all are assembled equally. Two of them opened really nicely, one a little stiff, and the third I broke two nails and almost my thumb trying to open the battery compartment to insert the AA's (Energizers included). Then I followed the activation instructions one at a time to make sure they communicate. At first they wouldn't work. The first unit said "error" or something like that, "Check owner's manual". Well I realized that I had them on the desk next to my wireless router, so I moved them to the bed in the master bedroom and that cured the problem. While laying side by side, they all communicated effectively. I installed them in two upstairs bedrooms on the walls. One at the foot of the upstairs stairway outside the master bedroom, and one in the basement next to the furnace. At first they all worked great. The test of any unit sounded on all of them. However, when I tested the basement one, it said it had an error. I ended up having to move the basement unit closer to the stairs going up (farther from the furnace) before they all communicated smoothly. Now they're located fairly over top of one another. I think if there's too many walls, and maybe in interfering wireless system, their sensitivity is impaired. It is really cool though to push the test button in the basement and have all units say (in a piercing, painfully loud voice) "EVACUATE! SMOKE DETECTED IN BASEMENT!" after the test announcement. Maybe they're better if a wireless router isn't present, but they're doing the job for now. I really doubt they would reach the garage or barn with the basement issue we had.
Comforting Protection 
2008-03-29
Wireless interconnect of the three units I purchased was quick and easy. Fortunately, there has been no smoke or CO to trigger any of them so far; but initiating the test function from any of the three results in clear voice alarms on all three levels of my house. Good purchase!
Great Idea! Makes me feel safer! 2008-03-13
I bought 6 of these for our 3 bedroom house when they were a Gold Box deal. One in each bedroom, one in the living room, one in the dining room near the kitchen, and another in the hallway.
They were easy to install, but you will need a cordless drill. You have to drill two holes in the ceiling and push drywall anchors in, then attach that mounting bracket with two screws. After that you install the batteries in the alarm, program in, and twist it into place. It took me about an hour to do all six, and test them.
THEY ARE LOUD! I like the fact that it announces where fire or CO is coming from so you can avoid that area as you evacuate. I have not had the battery issue that others have mentioned.
Changing batteries too often! Recalled alarms. 2008-02-21
These smoke/carbon monoxide alarms had an issue back in 2006 and First Alert recalled like one million of them because the "replace battery" light or beep noise kept going off prematurely (the battery wasn't really low, but it told you it was). If you have one of these alarms and you're replacing battieries more than every 6 months (the batteries should last a year or so) you probably have one of the recalled units.
Check with First Alert and have them check your serial/part number.
The new alarms DON'T have this problem.
FABULOUS! A Must Have in Every Home! 2008-02-07
This is one of the best products ever invented! I don't have a very large home, but I've got several of these installed. I called the local fire marshalls to get input when I was buying new detectors and they said inter-connected ones that speak are the best.
It's expensive to buy ones that you need to re-wire to connect. These were simple and required NO re-wiring----only batteries and a few mins. of time. Not sure about the person who reviewed that keeps changing batteries. Think they may have defective units because mine are over 6 months old, tested monthly, and never had to replace a battery.
While the price is a bit more than a low end, simple detector, think about the cost of not waking up when there's carbon monoxide or smoke in your home and they're more than worth it. With the voice telling you where the problem is, you're able to get up and get out quickly. I've gotten all my family and friends to buy these---they're the best!
easy setup 2008-07-05
no problems following the instructions to set units up on main floor and basement. will later add another upstairs which should automatically syncronize itself.
Great unit(s) for older homes 2008-06-19
I bought 3 of these and was delighted that they worked so well. The wireless link feature with the location programing is especially nice for older homes where hard wiring can be difficult and expensive. I only wish there were more programed locations or maybe a way to add your own voice for warnings and locations i.e. John's bedroom, Jane's bedroom. They say children under 11 don't wake up to the standard alarm and my kids are a pretty good example. The location and type of alarm voice does help get them up but I think they respond quicker if it's mine or my wife's voice telling them to "GET UP!".
Excellent product and easy to use. Only one caution is to make sure you order the correct part 2008-06-11
Excellent product but I made a mistake and ordered the smoke detector that is not programmed. I like getting the fire location with the smoke detector. Very cheap to operate using 2 AA bateries.
Out of the box and it's defective 
2008-05-17
What a inferior product it even feels cheap. I initially liked it because of the wireless interconnect and the co2 and smoke all rolled out into one. I purchased 3 of them and the first one was ok a little hard to set up. Then I opened up another and the speaker was faint and made a crackling sound as it was announcing. This is the most important part of a detector and I don't feel safe with this defect. I returned them and bought the kidde smoke and co2 without interconnect.
Very happy with purchase so far 2008-04-30
I bought 3 of these. They installed very easily. I like that they use AA batteries instead of 9v. It's been 1+ month and no false alarms yet. I guess the real test will be if I ever have a fire (which will hopefully never happen!).
