New system parts vs. older systems

You say you have found "better alternatives".  By definition, this would mean "more reliable and functional at the same price", or "equally reliable and functional at a lower price".  

It appears that your problem is the cellular signal; and certainly if you could get a similar system which could provide that, "better" would be accurate.  But can you?  Would not any system based on cellular have the risk of similar problems?  Is your WiFi reliable enough and hard enough to interrupt that it would be practical to rely on?  Or are you considering land-line based, which is trivial to disrupt?

My problem is that I have not found any system which is close to "better".

I too am disappointed in SS and would appreciate a discount to upgrade to a more secure system.  I certainly will not be adding to my system and will likely switch to another vendor when the current system dies.

^  SS isn't exactly forthcoming with all the information people would need to 'research' their options.  Their website is lacking in several things informational which bring potential buyers to the forum, which of course has no search function.  I realize a phone call to SS would be simple...

Should be a place to download manuals if there isn't. That said, people tend not to read them anyway until they're already in a jam.

Considering the 60-day return policy, should be ample time to figure out what you got, or not; especially for people coming from other systems. If it doesn't have what you want/need then send it back. Don't sit on the forum complaining about lacking features and demanding an update for 978 PINs (or whatever) because you had two months to figure out it was lacking in that regard.

Actually, it would be nice if actual (useful, accurate, complete) manuals existed  :-)  The only one I've seen was done by a customer...

Maybe that's why there isn't any big push for manuals. Once you go through the initial setup wizard there really isnt much else to it, coupled with the 60-day return policy.

It's not like there's an assload of adjustments/tweaks like a home theater receiver (which is these days largely by an automatic setup and calibration routine as well) .

There are downloadable manuals for SS2 and SS3 - but they are pretty generic (mostly just basic set-up) and do not explain many functions of the sensors or monitoring, not to mention settings, in particular, base station and alarm settings for each sensor etc.  They used to have a FAQ section for SS2, but it too was generic and 2 extra pages with the same question/answers on it (it might still be up on the site).  SS knew customers needed a search function on the forum but it's been nearly 2 years and they obviously don't care.  We've never had a FAQ for SS3, so those who bought the systems were beta testers for everyone else -  that was really negligent on SS's part, not to mention rolling out a new system and their phone support didn't even know how to use it.  Not much has changed since then.  So, yes, there needs to be a CRC, search function on the forum, phone reps who know how to answer questions/recognize problems, and active engagement on the forum from SS, and not just an occasional post by Johnny M or Lee C.

Just installed new SS3 system.  Works fine.  Then ordered more smoke detectors.  Received the SD1 versions which are not compatible with the new base station.  Straightened it out with tech support; they are mailing me the SD3 models.  I didn't go to the "add to system" page, but just ordered, with them sending me the old SD1s.  Not a biggie, but I think SS should emphasize this compatibility issue in their ordering info, etc.

@nerd737 SS does warn  you if you go the path they think everyone will....and that's the problem. Us "users" don't always go the path that developers think we will.

Years ago our senior sales mgt want to put in a "Sale region call planning tool" (AKA big brother wants to see how you spend your time).  Usually a sales admin project (I was its head) the new VP of IT decided they could do better. 3 months and a lot of money later it was deployed with no input from the user community in our CRM. Disaster followed and the "hey, you're not supposed to use it that way" was said a 100 times from IT.  

Given the structure of the current SS website, I sincerely doubt SS's web development team has gotten much input and feedback from those that use it often. Sad, especially how talented  the SS developers are.