X10 (BSR) Home Alarms, opinions?
Loren Coe
of years? what kind of problems have you had? are you still using
it daily? would you buy this system again? i am looking at a RShack
"5000", or the X10 "7000", both include wireless switches and IR
detectors (at _very_ good sale prices).
is there a catch? the batteries? how long do they last in the
various sensors? can you add an external annunciator, or strobe? is
there a new system out that makes the current x10 systems obsolete?
should i expect to live with interference problems causing false
alarms, or no alarms?
i may go ahead with a wired system, but that will take time, and
i want something "now", even if it means a little extra cost. but
it would be nice to know if these wireless systems are really any
good.
thanks,
-- Loren respond to lc...@rsn.hp.com
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Webqueen
I've worked for 2 different companies... one who "installed" wireless
systems and the other hardwired.
Wireless systems, by far, are more faulty then good 'ol hard wire. I can't
tell you how many complaints I had from customers (false alarms, etc.) Even
with the "professional" installation... too many problems to list.
You can go through the trouble of hard wiring a system yourself, but with
the competitive nature of the 'security business' you might want to
entertain a monitored system. I don't want to promote any individual
company here... but the way it breaks down is this...
Most intruders know when a system is monitored or not... and the hard truth
is that your neighbors will probably not respond to an alarm going off. In
an emergency... wouldn't you want somebody to come to your rescue? Alarms
are now equipped for medical and fire alert as well as police.
National companies are very competitive. Most will offer a "free" basic
system (door contacts, motion detectors, keypad, etc) with no upfront costs.
You pay the monitoring fee for a set contract time (2-3 years average) in
the $30 range. After that time period is up, you can cancel monitoring, or
switch your monitoring to a local company that will charge you about 1/2 of
what the big guys do. Most local companies will not charge to switch
(they'll be happy to have you).
If this is a consideration... e-mail me and I will tell you what to watch
out for when interviewing individual companies.
Hope this helps.
Loren Coe wrote in message <7j3brr$d...@phoenix.rsn.hp.com>...
John
low-cost lighting controls have a lot of negative postings about them
in comp.home.automation. They're all made in China, and inexpensive
enough to be included as giveaways by at least one on-line supplier
who often throws in something with a list price of $20 for free if you
buy something else for $12. There's a message about the value of the
stuff in there, so the quality postings don't surprise me.
The security components may be better made.
jay...@hotmail.com
has anyone installed and used one of these systems in the past couple
of years? what kind of problems have you had? are you still using
it daily? would you buy this system again? i am looking at a RShack
"5000", or the X10 "7000", both include wireless switches and IR
detectors (at _very_ good sale prices).
I'm not familiar with the RShack "5000" but if the x10 is the module
from Ademco or First Alert family you would be hard pressed to go wrong.
is there a catch? the batteries? how long do they last in the
various sensors? can you add an external annunciator, or strobe? is
there a new system out that makes the current x10 systems obsolete?
should i expect to live with interference problems causing false
alarms, or no alarms?
No catch most of the Ademco or FA products are easy enough for you to
install yourself or at least install most of the components yourself
thus cutting down on any installation charges. The batteries are
usually long life lithium and are said in manuals to last at least 2
years..but it depends on usage. Devices range from wireless contacts,
motion detectors, heat and smokes, keypads, panic buttons, and 4 button
remotes, and x-10 modules. Most of the control panels will accecpt the
wireless devices with the addition of a reciever(type varies with the #
of devices required) so you have the added bonus of mixing hardwired
with wireless. Strobes or sirens or annunciators can be added in any
combination as long as you observe the current limitations of each. As
far as interference, RF is a funny thing and every install has to be
looked at individually, I've installed this equipment in a cinder block
building that housed a cell site with satisfactory results. If your
needs aren't more than 2 contacts and 1 motion a LYNX from Ademco is a
simple cheap and easy to install self-contained system (can upgrade to
over 30 wireless devices, only 1 hardwired).
i may go ahead with a wired system, but that will take time, and
i want something "now", even if it means a little extra cost. but
it would be nice to know if these wireless systems are really any
good.
A hard wired system will always be cheaper (inital cost for devices,
not labor) and will take more time, but you can use a combination to be
cost effective.
If you need anymore specific advice check out any alarm manufacturers
online or e-mail me.
Jimmy
jay...@hotmail.com
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