DSC Neo

[Jim Davis]

Anyone have any experience with the DSC Neo panels?

I've taken over some of the older DSC panels a number of years ago but this product appears to be in quite a different league.

I'm just beginning to do some research on the product but thought I'd check in here first.

One of my customers moved into a new home that is already wired and set up with one of these panels. Looks like a pretty good installation. Has 3 Touchpad keypads and a couple of zone expanders. I don't know if it's using cellular or landline yet. The system is all set up and programmed except for the central station info. I have the installer code and what little I've seen of the programming it looks like it would take some time to learn the little nuisances for keypad programming. I'm tempted to take it over but I don't want to put myself in the position of having my customer have a problem, and me not being able to trouble shoot it for lack of experience and knowledge about the product. Even though they've been with me for over 18 years, I'd rather lose them then not be able to give them good service.

I'd just replace everything with Napco if there weren't 3 touchpads.

Does anyone know if there is a DSC equivalent to the Napco Quickloader program?
And if there is any qualification necessary to obtain a copy of it. A downloader program makes it so much easier to understand the programming versus a keypad programming sheet.

[RTS]

a link to some information about the PC Link for DSC connections

http://dlshelp.dsc.com/index.php?title=Communication_Tutorial_-_PC-Link

--

*Rocky T. Squirrel, esq.*

[mleuck]

DSC uses DLS-5 for downloading but For something like central station settings it's extremely easy just to program it from the keypad even if you've never done it before

[ABLE1]

Jim,

I just took over a Neo 2064 with 54 active zones TODAY!!
Existing customer as well. What I did first was to
purchase a 2032 kit with keypad. DL'd DLS-5 and
purchased the USB kit for direct connect.

Played around with the 2032 to get the feel of the
programming and set up. There are a few things that are
a bit quirky. Thought I had it good enough.

Had customer get the existing company to default the
Panel ID Code and Installer code.

Connection was a breeze. Just plug it in, create a new
account. Connect and it does all the data transfer.

Then make the changes for receiver number and account.
Change the Installer code and Panel ID and send it.

Then disconnect the battery to verify that the panel is
communicating and it is. Yea!!

But could not at the time send any burg signals since
too many people in the building. Had the custodial staff
set alarm tonight and trip some zones.
Checked the C/S and NO test signals??????????

CRAP!!! I missed something.

Tune in tomorrow for the next episode.....................

Les

[doug]

"ABLE1" <some...@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:1mO6E.183303$Rk4....@fx32.iad...

Section 310
Did you put an account number for System and for partition 1 ( and any other
partitions that are in use).

Doug

[ABLE1]

Hi Doug,

BINGO!!! Go to the head of the class.

I went back today and I found that I DID NOT change the account
number for the partition. Fixed that and armed the system.
All signals good.

Won't make that mistake again. Crap!! Now this new info
and forced a old memorable event from my brain. I can't
remember what it was and maybe shouldn't care but it is
GONE Gone gone..........................

Les

[Jim Davis]

On Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 3:46:44 PM UTC-5, ABLE1 wrote:

> >>
> >
> > Section 310
> > Did you put an account number for System and for partition 1 ( and any other
> > partitions that are in use).
> >
> > Doug
> >
> >
>
>
> Hi Doug,
>
> BINGO!!! Go to the head of the class.
>
> I went back today and I found that I DID NOT change the account
> number for the partition. Fixed that and armed the system.
> All signals good.
>
> Won't make that mistake again. Crap!! Now this new info
> and forced a old memorable event from my brain. I can't
> remember what it was and maybe shouldn't care but it is
> GONE Gone gone..........................
>
> Les

Yeah, me too.

Every time I learn something new, something old falls out of my brain.

I couldn't swear to it but somehow I have this feeling that the gap between the two is getting smaller and smaller.

[Jim Davis]

I took a brief look at the programming manual and that looks pretty straight forward. I'm sure there are some little quirks such as Les ran into that I'd have to work my way though but ……… As I said, not knowing that much about it, I don't what to put myself or my customer in the position of me not knowing how to cure a issue in the future because of my lack of knowledge about the intricacies of it's operation. I just don't feature having to go there a year from now for a service call and have to wait an hour for technical support to answer a simple question. Especially with the touchpads that … at this point, I know absolutely nothing about.

Also, the previous alarm company told the homeowner that the system was set up for Alarm.com which I have avoided getting involved with and therefore know absolutely nothing about it. The Homeowner did some research and now knows about what they provide. I've stuck with the Napco Starlink/IBridge. I have yet to attempt to sway them away from Alarm.com. I don't know if there is any panel programming that is related to using Alarm.com that I would have to change. I know that the Starlink/IBridge is compatible with DSC but it's not the usual programming that is used with the Napco panels that I'd have to weed through. But ….. some of the IBridge features that you can get with the Starlink/IBridge and Napco panels are not available when programmed for a DSC panel. The Starlink/IBridge uses a datalink cable and very few wire connection. Using it with DSC requires all wire connections using trigger and terminal outputs etc which limits the IBridge functions. I haven't studied what would be missing yet which leaves me unable to describe to the homeowner what features they could have.

[Jim Davis]

On Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 11:20:15 PM UTC-5, ABLE1 wrote:
>
>
> Jim,
>
> I just took over a Neo 2064 with 54 active zones TODAY!!
> Existing customer as well. What I did first was to
> purchase a 2032 kit with keypad. DL'd DLS-5 and
> purchased the USB kit for direct connect.
>
> Played around with the 2032 to get the feel of the
> programming and set up. There are a few things that are
> a bit quirky. Thought I had it good enough.
>
> Had customer get the existing company to default the
> Panel ID Code and Installer code.
>
> Connection was a breeze. Just plug it in, create a new
> account. Connect and it does all the data transfer.
>
> Then make the changes for receiver number and account.
> Change the Installer code and Panel ID and send it.
>
> Then disconnect the battery to verify that the panel is
> communicating and it is. Yea!!
>
> But could not at the time send any burg signals since
> too many people in the building. Had the custodial staff
> set alarm tonight and trip some zones.
> Checked the C/S and NO test signals??????????
>
> CRAP!!! I missed something.
>
> Tune in tomorrow for the next episode.....................
>
> Les

Sounds like a good idea. Will probably try that.

B U T F I R S T !!!!!!

I'm taking off early Saturday morning for St Lucia in the Caribbean for 8 days.
I'll have to see if I remember any of this when I get back. If I don't mention it here ……. remind me so I can go back and read this thread to jog (what's left of) my memory.

Hmm Maybe I'd better leave myself a note or something because I'm guessing you'll probably forget it too. Now days ….. 8 days is a looooong time to have to remember something and with my brain cooking in the sun it could be a lot shorter. Don't know what kind of Internet service they have down there. Maybe I'll check in if I can.

[ABLE1]

Jim,

Enjoy St. Lucia!! I am way overdue for a Caribbean vacation.
Now I need to work on a plan...................

Have a safe trip.

Les

[Hogan]

Hi Jim,

From what I understand from having attended a live DSC information seminar on the new DSC Neo back some years ago when Neo was just about to come out, is that Alarm.com purchased the rights from DSC to have access to their keybus. They have locked that out to other communicator companies.

It was then decided that we would not be using that system ever, since we had already started using IPDatatel communicators already. The old DSC 1616, 1832, 1864, are all still readily available; and the keybus is also open.

Of course, you can use any communicator that uses tip/ring and key-switch zone, but I am sure that you already know that. There is a really small " MN01-4G " radio available that does not even depend on any access to changing the telco number or account number in the panel, as the radio is programmed to connect to the central station number even though the panel is dialing another. And as well, the account number that may be in the panel, is also irrelevant as the radio is assigned an account number by the central. Additionally, there is an app for the system called RControl that will make any system controllable by your customer's cellphone.

I started out learning on DSC and have always liked them. I suppose that once you understand and learn on one type of panel and go to another, the others may seem quirky. Even though I have experience with Honeywell, Napco, Networx, Moose, Concord, DSC, and others, I still prefer DSC.

The DSC PTK5507 Touch Screen for the PC 1616, 1832, & 1864, has the same appearance as the DSC HS2TCHP NEO Touch Screen Keypad. So if you wanted an open keybus, you could switch out the equipment without even your customer knowing about it, and just your wallet would know.

Hope you have/had a good vacation!

[Jim Davis]

So as I gather …. what you are saying is
Anyone who installs the Neo equipment is essentially locking their customer into using Alarm dot com

Is that correct?

[mleuck]

No it's not, while Alarm.com equipment works with Neo DSC also makes communicators for it although in my opinion they are garbage compared to Alarm.com, nothing else comes close

But like any other panel you can still install Uplink or Telguard communicators if all you want to do is report signals.

[Jim Davis]

As you know I only install Napco equipment and the Starlink (Napco say's) "works with DSC" But, of course, I'll only ever find out "how well" it works with it when I try to use it. And "trying" something, on the job, with a customers panel is not how I do it. I usually set up a test setup and work with the equipment finding out all the little quirks before I'll ever try to make something work on the job. There's nothing like having the customer look over your shoulder while you struggle with stupid anomalies and misinformation and lack of information that is typical of all alarm equipment manufacturers.

I'm not interested in just a simple communications report to central. I can do that with a inexpensive $45.00 cellular communicator.

I'll be calling Napco this week to see if I can get some idea of how well (or not) the Starlink IBridge communicator works with DSC. Me getting involved with Alarm dot com for one account, is out of the question. Besides, as I understand it their "agreement" is very one sided and leaves the installer somewhat vulnerable as compared to the standard alarm/dealer agreements that I use. My agreements favor me, not some Ahole company providing me a service that I can get somewhere else without any agreement at all.

[HOGAN]

> No it's not, while Alarm.com equipment works with Neo DSC also makes communicators for it although in my opinion they are garbage compared to Alarm.com, nothing else comes close

> But like any other panel you can still install Uplink or Telguard communicators if all you want to do is report signals.

> So as I gather …. what you are saying is
> Anyone who installs the Neo equipment is essentially locking their customer into using Alarm dot com
>
> Is that correct?

> No it's not, while Alarm.com equipment works with Neo DSC also makes communicators for it although in my opinion they are garbage compared to Alarm.com, nothing else comes close

> But like any other panel you can still install Uplink or Telguard communicators if all you want to do is report signals.

Well, as per Mr. Leuck, of course DSC-made communicators would work with DSC-made Neo panels... unless DSC is very aaknoll. And, of course any other plain communicator can work with Neo & send signals thru Tip & Ring. But, the DSC's Main Man, at the seminar, specifically used those words, that DSC did not open their keybus to anyone else, and that it was encrypted. -I also do not have Alls-heim-ers, nor do I see shadows or hear voices in the night.

But, I already figured that you envisioned full interactive communication for the customer and yourself. That is why we went with IPDatatel in 2012, now renamed Alula after an acquisition... and did not entertain any Neo panels and certainly even less with Alarm.com because of their desire for control in their agreement. It did not take long for me to surmise this in that lengthy seminar, as I cut out at 'Half-time' break and went back to work.

The only reason that I mentioned IPDatatel/Alula, is because it is total interactive for the customer as well as the dealer. Just last week I had to log into a customer's store in order to turn off 2 specific zones because of some internal problems with their system. All I have to do, is log into the website where all of our accounts are, choose the customer, and a virtual keypad opens up. I then program into it just as if I was onsite. It took no more than 3-5 minutes and was a lot faster than just getting ready to start the van. Their communicators are fully interactive with Honeywell, DSC, and Networx. Additionally, they are available in wifi/network-wired and wifi/network-wired/cellular versions. There used to be also just a wired-network version but that was discontinued. They are also LTE cellular.

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you, I was extremely busy last week.

[mleuck]

Few companies want someone else making communicators for their panels, GE allowed Alarm.com access to their bus for the Simon and Concord but they reverse engineered Honeywell.

I've tested iPDatatel and it functions but the interface in my opinion is too primitive and they don't go very far with anything else

Just an opinion

[Jim Davis]

Just a note to everyone:


I ended up giving the account away … back to the original installer.

Once I found out the system was programmed and set up to communicate with alarm dot com. I considered what I would have to do to de-program it and re-program it to work with the Napco IBridge, And although Napco says it will work with DSC they also throw some "disclaimers" in the installation instructions about some of the things that can't be done and that some of the functions that can be attained when using Napco panels can't be used with DSC panels.

Rather than having to take the time to learn the programming, the differences and quirks associated with DSC and the integration of the IBridge …………. just for this one job ……. I determined it was not worth all the time and effort. And anyway, 6 months from now, if I had to make some changes or do some troubleshooting I wouldn't remember half of what I would have had to learn to take over the job and I'd have to put in MORE time just to make a few bucks a month.

I hate to lose a long time client but it's jus not worth the time, effort and expense.

However, I did get the new owner of their old home .. so I really didn't lose an account.

Just didn't gain a new one.

Thanks for the input though.

[mleuck]

1. It may have an Alarm.com communicator but it isn't programmed for Alarm.com, that's handled by the communicator itself, reprogramming the Neo communicator can send it anywhere else allowing Telguard, Uplink or whatever

2. Unless you told IpDatatel you were dealing with a Neo panel I doubt the communicator would be compatible unless it's dialer capture. Usually when companies specify DSC compatibility they mean older panels like the PC1555, 5010, 1632 etc not the Neo

3. Had you tackled the Neo you open yourself up to being able to program ANY other DSC panel which might be beneficial in the future but it's your call

[Jim Davis]

On Friday, February 22, 2019 at 12:04:17 AM UTC-5, mleuck wrote:
> > > Few companies want someone else making communicators for their panels, GE allowed Alarm.com access to their bus for the Simon and Concord but they reverse engineered Honeywell.
> > >
> > > I've tested iPDatatel and it functions but the interface in my opinion is too primitive and they don't go very far with anything else
> > >
> > > Just an opinion
> >
> > Just a note to everyone:
> >
> >
> > I ended up giving the account away … back to the original installer.
> >
> > Once I found out the system was programmed and set up to communicate with alarm dot com. I considered what I would have to do to de-program it and re-program it to work with the Napco IBridge, And although Napco says it will work with DSC they also throw some "disclaimers" in the installation instructions about some of the things that can't be done and that some of the functions that can be attained when using Napco panels can't be used with DSC panels.
> >
> > Rather than having to take the time to learn the programming, the differences and quirks associated with DSC and the integration of the IBridge …………. just for this one job ……. I determined it was not worth all the time and effort. And anyway, 6 months from now, if I had to make some changes or do some troubleshooting I wouldn't remember half of what I would have had to learn to take over the job and I'd have to put in MORE time just to make a few bucks a month.
> >
> > I hate to lose a long time client but it's jus not worth the time, effort and expense.
> >
> > However, I did get the new owner of their old home .. so I really didn't lose an account.
> >
> > Just didn't gain a new one.
> >
> > Thanks for the input though.
>
> 1. It may have an Alarm.com communicator but it isn't programmed for Alarm.com, that's handled by the communicator itself, reprogramming the Neo communicator can send it anywhere else allowing Telguard, Uplink or whatever

To make the Napco control panel compatable with the IBridge it requires that a number of items be programed to obtain full usage of the capabilities of each device. Such as opening and closing signals, user information, the communicator ID number, and so on. I'm sure there must be some items in the DSC panel that need to be programmed to make the most of the features of the panel with Alarm dot com. Those would have to be de-programmed. And I'd have to discover what they all were, de-program them, and then find what programmable items were required and if they were available to make the panel compatible with the IBridge.

>
> 2. Unless you told IpDatatel you were dealing with a Neo panel I doubt the communicator would be compatible unless it's dialer capture. Usually when companies specify DSC compatibility they mean older panels like the PC1555, 5010, 1632 etc not the Neo

I don't use IPDatatel

>
> 3. Had you tackled the Neo you open yourself up to being able to program ANY other DSC panel which might be beneficial in the future but it's your call

That's an important point as I would NEVER actually install a product I consider as being no better than a piece of compressed mud housed in a tin can such as DSC. Cheaply designed and depends highly on end user purchases to remain profitable. Napco has been my choice of equipment for decades. It has been a reliable and long lasting product. And if it has never (in your opinion) done anything right in it's long history, the advent and huge success of the Starlink radio Burg and Fire and IBridge Connect has overshadowed most of their competition as of late.

Also, what the hell is going on with Monotronics? Has it lost it's way or what? What's with the Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra (It's and Irish lullaby) name change then a buy-out … and now what? another name change? Looks like it's trying to hide it's identity or something the way Apex/Vivint did to hide it's past indiscretions. (???)

[mleuck]

> > 1. It may have an Alarm.com communicator but it isn't programmed for Alarm.com, that's handled by the communicator itself, reprogramming the Neo communicator can send it anywhere else allowing Telguard, Uplink or whatever
>
> To make the Napco control panel compatable with the IBridge it requires that a number of items be programed to obtain full usage of the capabilities of each device. Such as opening and closing signals, user information, the communicator ID number, and so on. I'm sure there must be some items in the DSC panel that need to be programmed to make the most of the features of the panel with Alarm dot com. Those would have to be de-programmed. And I'd have to discover what they all were, de-program them, and then find what programmable items were required and if they were available to make the panel compatible with the IBridge.

While I am not familiar with Starlink I've gone over the documentation and it appears it's not much more than a dialer capture cell unit on some Napco panels and DSC which is why you have to program those fields

You only have to make minor changes with DSC like the phone number and I think one section section concerning call directions, the communicator does that for you since it is a true bus device

> > 2. Unless you told IpDatatel you were dealing with a Neo panel I doubt the communicator would be compatible unless it's dialer capture. Usually when companies specify DSC compatibility they mean older panels like the PC1555, 5010, 1632 etc not the Neo
>
> I don't use IPDatatel

Sorry wrong guy

> >
> > 3. Had you tackled the Neo you open yourself up to being able to program ANY other DSC panel which might be beneficial in the future but it's your call
>
> That's an important point as I would NEVER actually install a product I consider as being no better than a piece of compressed mud housed in a tin can such as DSC. Cheaply designed and depends highly on end user purchases to remain profitable. Napco has been my choice of equipment for decades. It has been a reliable and long lasting product. And if it has never (in your opinion) done anything right in it's long history, the advent and huge success of the Starlink radio Burg and Fire and IBridge Connect has overshadowed most of their competition as of late.

I would love to see what the installed base of Starlink is, I doubt it compares to Alarm.com and AlarmNet or for that matter Telguard although I could be wrong

As far as circuit boards it doesn't have to be stout

Give you an example, you of course know what a GEM-P9600 board looks like, it's laden with dozens of resistors, capacitors, diodes, and 3 voltage regulators connected to a large thick heat sink 2/3rd the width of the circuit board. It needs that heat sink for all the heat given off those voltage regulators, and it has 4 OLD STYLE FUSES, all GEM boards are like that, many of those components have to be hand soldered, can't do it with a machine. Having thick circuit boards with lots of components doesn't mean it's bad just old outdated tech

DSC integrated most of that 25 years ago when they came out with the PC5010, the Neo can do everything a GEM-P9600 or X255 can do with half the board, a fraction of components and far less power requirements, Interlogix NetworX NX and Concord panels are the same

I don't dislike Napco, I do find their panels more difficult to program than they need to be and the download software is garbage, they aren't bad panels but I can find others that do the same thing cheaper and far easier to program

As far as reliability you've got Napco panels out in the field for decades I've got DSC panels out in the field for decades, "flimsy" boards don't matter if they work

BTW I hope those aren't electrolytic capacitors or your older boards may not be as reliable as you think in the next 5 to 10 years, if you are into 80's and 90's home stereos you will know what I'm talking about

> Also, what the hell is going on with Monotronics? Has it lost it's way or what? What's with the Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra (It's and Irish lullaby) name change then a buy-out … and now what? another name change? Looks like it's trying to hide it's identity or something the way Apex/Vivint did to hide it's past indiscretions. (???)

buy-out? Um nope and not hiding anything we've got well over a million accounts

Btw most of them with Alarm.com, I don't say good things about Alarm.com because we use them I say it because in my opinion they have the best communicators out there

[Jim Davis]

On Friday, February 22, 2019 at 6:11:43 PM UTC-5, mleuck wrote:
> > > 1. It may have an Alarm.com communicator but it isn't programmed for Alarm.com, that's handled by the communicator itself, reprogramming the Neo communicator can send it anywhere else allowing Telguard, Uplink or whatever
> >
> > To make the Napco control panel compatable with the IBridge it requires that a number of items be programed to obtain full usage of the capabilities of each device. Such as opening and closing signals, user information, the communicator ID number, and so on. I'm sure there must be some items in the DSC panel that need to be programmed to make the most of the features of the panel with Alarm dot com. Those would have to be de-programmed. And I'd have to discover what they all were, de-program them, and then find what programmable items were required and if they were available to make the panel compatible with the IBridge.
>
> While I am not familiar with Starlink I've gone over the documentation and it appears it's not much more than a dialer capture cell unit on some Napco panels and DSC which is why you have to program those fields
>
> You only have to make minor changes with DSC like the phone number and I think one section section concerning call directions, the communicator does that for you since it is a true bus device
>
>
> > > 2. Unless you told IpDatatel you were dealing with a Neo panel I doubt the communicator would be compatible unless it's dialer capture. Usually when companies specify DSC compatibility they mean older panels like the PC1555, 5010, 1632 etc not the Neo
> >
> > I don't use IPDatatel
>
> Sorry wrong guy
>
> > >
> > > 3. Had you tackled the Neo you open yourself up to being able to program ANY other DSC panel which might be beneficial in the future but it's your call
> >
> > That's an important point as I would NEVER actually install a product I consider as being no better than a piece of compressed mud housed in a tin can such as DSC. Cheaply designed and depends highly on end user purchases to remain profitable. Napco has been my choice of equipment for decades. It has been a reliable and long lasting product. And if it has never (in your opinion) done anything right in it's long history, the advent and huge success of the Starlink radio Burg and Fire and IBridge Connect has overshadowed most of their competition as of late.
>
> I would love to see what the installed base of Starlink is, I doubt it compares to Alarm.com and AlarmNet or for that matter Telguard although I could be wrong

===========================

What is it that you need to see? Buy one and try it out.

================================

>
> As far as circuit boards it doesn't have to be stout
>
> Give you an example, you of course know what a GEM-P9600 board looks like, it's laden with dozens of resistors, capacitors, diodes, and 3 voltage regulators connected to a large thick heat sink 2/3rd the width of the circuit board. It needs that heat sink for all the heat given off those voltage regulators, and it has 4 OLD STYLE FUSES, all GEM boards are like that, many of those components have to be hand soldered, can't do it with a machine. Having thick circuit boards with lots of components doesn't mean it's bad just old outdated tech
>
> DSC integrated most of that 25 years ago when they came out with the PC5010, the Neo can do everything a GEM-P9600 or X255 can do with half the board, a fraction of components and far less power requirements, Interlogix NetworX NX and Concord panels are the same
>
> I don't dislike Napco, I do find their panels more difficult to program than they need to be and the download software is garbage, they aren't bad panels but I can find others that do the same thing cheaper and far easier to program
>

> As far as reliability you've got Napco panels out in the field for decades I've got DSC panels out in the field for decades, "flimsy" boards don't matter if they work

=========================

Well, then, I guess it just matters to me.

Stdrong like bull …. is goout! Yah!

=========================

>
> BTW I hope those aren't electrolytic capacitors or your older boards may not be as reliable as you think in the next 5 to 10 years, if you are into 80's and 90's home stereos you will know what I'm talking about

=======================================================

Yeah, I know what you mean about the electrolytics yet I've got 800 panels, 850's 854's 1016's some close to (if not over) 30 years. I've even got one CCI5 panel still working with an Ademco 693 communicator and an outdoor on/off keyswitch. Had to change the key switch a few years ago and had to really search to find a spring loaded Ace key switch. Customer says as long as it's still working he'll continue using it.
I think that one's over 40 years old. 4/2 format and all.

====================================================

>
> > Also, what the hell is going on with Monotronics? Has it lost it's way or what? What's with the Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra (It's and Irish lullaby) name change then a buy-out … and now what? another name change? Looks like it's trying to hide it's identity or something the way Apex/Vivint did to hide it's past indiscretions. (???)
>
> buy-out? Um nope and not hiding anything we've got well over a million accounts
>
> Btw most of them with Alarm.com, I don't say good things about Alarm.com because we use them I say it because in my opinion they have the best communicators out there

====================================================

Yet you say you haven't tried the Starlink devices. You'd probably want to take a look at the Starlink Connect with Zwave. As with most Napco items the programming takes some getting used to but it's for those with a little more grey matter. I think the capability is pretty far reaching. For my use, anyway.

Re Buyout: Didn't someone buy out someone? Brinks or something? I know the stock dropped over 90% in 2018. I just thought there might be a problem. While Napco was one of the few stocks that rose (82%).

As I said, the Starlink has really given Napco a great boost.

==============================================

[doug]

"Jim Davis" <alar...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:e4b90728-bc98-4339-b7f8- ..

. some of the IBridge features that you can get with the Starlink/IBridge
and Napco panels are not available when programmed for a DSC panel. The
Starlink/IBridge uses a datalink cable and very few wire connection. Using
it with DSC requires all wire connections using trigger and terminal outputs
etc which limits the IBridge functions. I haven't studied what would be
missing yet which leaves me unable to describe to the homeowner what
features they could have.

The basic Starlink model uses a DSC zone input programmed as keywitch
arm/disarm to toggle the alarm on/off and a DSC PGM output set as armed
status to update the app of the armed status to toggle the alarm on/off with
a very simple phone app with a button which changes colour from green to red
when armed/disarmed. As rudimentary as the functions are it actually works
well for the customer who just wants to turn the alarm on/off or verify its
status.

The Starlink Connect model uses data connections between the DSC keypad bus
and the DSC local program connector to communicate between the panel &
starlink connect.

A virtual keypad on the iBridge app allows you to control the system using
most of the functions available on the hardwired keypad and you can also
upload/download the DSC using DLS5.

In my experience it can be very slow sometimes updating the armed status on
the app.
I've stood in front of a keypad and using the app turned the alarm on/off
and the system arms immediately however sometimes the display on the app
seems to take forever to change.

Doug

[Jim Davis]

On Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 12:44:29 PM UTC-5, doug wrote:
> "Jim Davis" wrote in message

Thanks, good to know that.

I've noticed some latency sometimes on the basic (red button, green button) unit (only using Napco panels) Not so much with the "Starlink Connect" units. I'm not sure if it's due to product or communication services (Cellular/Internet) issues at any given time. It's not perfect but so far has worked well enough for my clients so that I've not received any complaints.

I think it's commonly acceptable for some latency to occur with most apps anyway.