Recent content by Experienced

  Yeah, while a bit of a pain, a regular occupancy sensor like the ones I linked to could easily be attached to the Elk panel, then used to activate whatever I suppose. Although it would be nice to not have to beat around the bush with it.

  You've seriously never heard of an occupancy sensor? There are tons of them, like these that we use at work: https://www.leviton.com/en/products/commercial/lighting-controls/occupancy-sensors-and-vacancy#t=Products&sort=%40wcs_site_tree_rank%20ascending&layout=card   This one here has a form c...

  Thanks. I'll definitely have to think about whether it's worth it to combine the two. Overall, are you happy with the Elk system itself? Any problems or issues with it?       Thanks. Yeah, the only thing is that most security motion detectors aren't nearly as sensitive as actual occupancy...

  Thanks. Good to hear. And yeah, I've been a bit on the fence about which way to go. Originally I was thinking of just doing a typical security system with a totally separate z-wave setup to control some lights and thermostats with occupancy sensors. But then I was considering getting the Elk...

  Thanks for the reply. So not being an expert on automation, how easy is it to connect the M1 to a home troller? For example, if I want the M1 to send a command that when a motion detector detects motion, then Homeseer should activate a light...how would I or what is the best way you would...

So I'm experienced on the security side of things, but rather new to the whole 'automation' side. So a few beginner questions:   1. I thought about getting an Elk M1 and the M1XEP thinking I could integrate z-wave stuff...but after doing some research, it appears that the M1XEP is just a...

  You're very wrong there. The percent of DIYers that are as capable as professional installers and their own engineers is probably less then .0001%...Bosch, for example, caters mostly to commercial businesses...I don't know too many Walmarts or McDonald's managers who are going to install the...

  Of course there is a reason, they would probably lose money doing that. Very very few DIYers are really going to be interested in purchasing a Bosch or DSC system...they prefer cheap, easy solutions like Simplisafe or whatever. If they did have API and whatever else, they would be getting tons...

  I highly doubt they are loosing too much business. Bosch, DSC and the like generally cater to dealers, businesses, etc. not really people interested in API's and the like. As far as the Bosch panels...they do have the typical programming software as well as remote connection apps for the...

  I guess I was looking at the all-in-one the first time...but I'm still not exactly sold. 500 zones? The Bosch system can handle over 500 zones...and all of them can be wireless, unlike the Ultrasync which only allows 192 wireless zones. The Bosch system even supports up to 2,000 users.  ...

  Interesting, but honestly that looks more like a child's toy then a professional security system. I'm looking for something a little more robust.

  Thanks. So to clarify, once you have the M1XEP and you buy the eKeypad app...then it's free after that, correct? As in, a one-time fee...but no monthly or recurring fees?       I haven't looked to hard at finding places to buy Bosch, but typing in some of their product model names in Google...

Anyone? Or at least since Elk seems popular on here...can anyone give me their thoughts on how Elk is doing recently? Can you still use your phone to control the system for free these days?

Long story short, several years ago I was planning to build a new house and had looked into alarm systems. At that time I pretty much decided on the Elk M1 after a lot of research. Unfortunately do to some life issues, the house got delayed...I am now looking at building again and decided to...