Advantages of Elk M1KPNAV...?

[Jozza]

I got the KPNAV as part of my M1 kit from the training course. Not having anything else to compare it to (except the KP2 I played with on the course), I've not got too many complaints about it.

I've set it so that the screen goes off after 60 seconds so it won't burn the screen (I'm assuming thats still an issue these days). The ability to navigate through features was much easier than the KP2 I tried during the course. Probably one downside is that if you label the Function keys, the custom text under the Fn label is not in bold and hence not all that readable. Also, when you have Chime on, or code a Function key to be highlighted to indicate a "garage door" is open, the viewing angle influences whether you can discern if its highlighted or not.

Joz

 

[gatchel]

I have a KP, a KP2 and a NAV. I like them all and they all have their upsides.

The KP...more hard function keys. KP2 looks cleaner and less Odd than the KP (IMHO). The NAV has 6 "function keys" but it requires 1 or two touches of the screen to get to them. (One to wake the screen, one to select the function key screen, and one more tap to actually activate the function you are looking for.

 

[mikei-ma]

So just to be clear, it does turn completely off..right?

 

[tmbrown97]

It sounds like its a configurable setting.

 

[gatchel]

So just to be clear, it does turn completely off..right?

Don't quote me but IIRC you just set the back light level to 0 for the screen to go dark. It can not be seen at night until you touch it.

 

[mikei-ma]

Can you programmatically change the backlight? Eg - off at night and on during the day.

 

[gatchel]

Can you programmatically change the backlight? Eg - off at night and on during the day.

Last time I checked with Elk, No.

You can not change the back light with rules. One of the weaknesses of the system IMHO. Maybe we'll see a change in the future, who knows...

 

[Del91574]

Last time I checked with Elk, No.

You can not change the back light with rules. One of the weaknesses of the system IMHO. Maybe we'll see a change in the future, who knows...

Nothing via software, was on with engineers talking about that very scenario. I'm still hoping they'll solve the "flash" on the KP issue.

 

[tmbrown97]

Adding to that list, it'd be nice to have programmatically adjustable volumes as well.

 

[Del91574]

I'm ok with a fixed volume, assuming keypad, as the system provides for a keypress volume vs. alarm tone volume, in addition to the speakers ramping. I'd rather Elk spend the panel memory elsewhere.

 

[tmbrown97]

Well it's a feature that's been requested by many; in fact, I'd take that over programmable brightness any day. During the day, I want the voices louder so I can hear them over the TV, kids' games and toys, etc; 11:00pm, when a system alert goes off or my 4yr old gets up to go to the bathroom, I don't need to wake up the entire house with the voice alert.

 

[ddennerline]

+1 for variable voice announcements. I purchased the DPDT switch and big resistor to reduce the volume at night, but still haven’t installed it yet. I am not a big fan of this kludge.

Can someone explain the benefits M1KPNAV from function and ease-of-use perspective? Are there any extra capabilities available on M1KPNAV that cannot be found in regular keypads?

For me at least, I was expecting a bigger display, a speaker, larger area for text announcements/weather, picture display, and basic UI skinning. I was willing to pay an extra ~$75 (above current retail price) for such a device.

I guess Elk’s product strategy focused more on cost.

 

[Del91574]

I think Elk went the route the whole HA and CE market is tending to go.

I'd say their TS is in direct competition side by side with UTC/GE, DSC, and Honeywell's offerings and price point. The functionality that dennerline is speaking of was already present in the old TS of Elk past and they werent' a great seller from what I knew of them, also far more pricey (5-8X trade) of a standard KP. The other option was to move to an embedded win CE platform or even a straight win platform and install RM then build from there. Their TS was embedded CE on a touchscreen running RM, just a UL listed product.

The HA market seems to be moving towards working with the Ipad and their competitors, as it's what many have and are familiar with. Is it a good idea to move to all Ipad (or competitors) and then bolt on an app or whatever, I can't say. Installing a software and building on what presently exists seems to be what most are trying to stick with (why sell a $2K controller when the end user can buy an Ipad for $X).

The downside of doing such with 3rd party equipment is going to be looked at within the industry since with the next Iphone and other Apple generation products, their plug is going to change, making every Apple dock, charger, etc. obsolete overnight, which is most definately going to set everyone back a bit.

 

[znelbok]

I'll start by saying I dont have one other than a demo unit that was sent to me for one of the other alarm panels that this unit was made for, so I know what it is and have an understanding of how snesative it is and how the screen looks.

My first impressions were its missing buttons.

I use the function buttons as the garaeg door open close and some outside lights. I want them available at all times, regardless of what stsate the keypad is in. I do not want to have to walk up to it and tap it once to wake it up and then navigate to the function buttons.

My preference would be to have the touchscreen with some hard buttons as well, say the exit and function buttons so I can quickly press them as I walk past - something I dont think you could do with the nav kp.

Same deal if using an ipod or android device. Someone needs to make a wall mountto hold these that has a number of real buttons on them. This would give quick access to commonly used functions and the screen allows access to more in-depth control that may be required.

So I will stay with my KP2's.

Mick