Alarm + Home automation. So confused. Oh my...

[thatman]

Hey all -

Thanks for the awesome info on the forum. I'm quite overwhelmed.

I need your advice trying to make sense of it all.

I just moved into a house with 4 exterior doors + 2 patio doors + 24 easily-accessible windows.

I want an alarm system so I can sleep better at night. But I also home automation. Between ZWave and all the other technologies, I'm not sure what to do.

Ultimate, I'd like to have a "cool looking" (and better working) tablet/phone/portable-device that I can use to arm/disarm, control lights and hvac, etc.

I'd love to have a camera at the front door to see who's there before opening it… and possibly a couple more cameras around the house with night vision capability to just keep an eye on things on demand.

What would you do?

I've been leaning toward the 2gig control panel + sensors + zwave thermostats & light controls…. but the interface on the Honeywell Tuxedo looks awesome (though afaiu the Total Connect service is expensive).

I (think) I've seen comparable everything-monitoring from alarm.com resellers for around 20-25/mo with is where I'd like to be, if possible.

Please help unravel this confusing mess…

Thanks!!

Mike

 

[KenN]

I'll tell you what was super helpful for me, was looking up the home automation comparison spreadsheets available via these forums. This thread;

http://cocoontech.com/forums/topic/10140-ha-technology-comparison-spreadsheet/

Has a link to a spreadsheet on Google docs --> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgHb6Gq4ol2CcHEyUzhmdnUySlhFdjFOZTlUSVFoZEE&hl=en#gid=2

(not sure if the doc link will work but there is a link in the thread)

Also some good discussion throughout that thread and the others pinned at the top of the HA sub forum. I think the spreadsheet is a touch out of date as not maintained any more, but still gives a pretty complete picture of the choices, lets you pick through the features that are important to you.

Personally, I spent a good 2-3 months sifting through mounds of info before making my choices. Bottom line though is if you get a solid security system platform, one of the higher end ones, you'll have a good starting point. Then you can build out and integrate with HA hardware using whatever you think works best for you and your budget, needs and wants. I wound up going with the Elk M1G platform for security, and the UD ISY994i with Insteon devices for HA. Works well, but I expect the other top choices will perform equally well.

Main thing for us DIY types is to just keep it fun!

 

[wuench]

The interface shouldn't really be a primary factor in your decision mostly because technology changes quickly and an interface in a hardware device will soon look dated or may not function on future devices. The alarm industry has to meet testing guidelines for software updates so they are slow to keep up, and software really isn't their business.

If you select a security platform with an open RS232 or Ethernet (preferable) protocol (like Elk/HAI/DSC), then you can "bolt on" the ha software for the interface, and in some cases you can even design your own. And then you can change that as technology changes.

As far as monitoring I use NextAlarm, but there are several vendors that can meet your price point easily...

 

[bucko]

I have gone with the M1Gold as well. Very solid and full featured security system. I also decided to pass most of the HA stuff onto a MiCasaVerde Vera 3 controller and Z Wave modules. Right now I am set up and testing everything. So far, so good.
I will be ordering a SQ Blaster + to top off my whole house A/V systems. Also the CYP A/V distribution unit to push A/V to all my rooms.
All my electronics are located in one room and will control my 3 story home. Everything is hardwired and home run.