Choosing an alarm system

[JohnDennis]

I am looking to replace my hard wired Honeywell builder grade alarm system. Hopefully with something more advanced. I am a little overwhelmed by the number of choices and it is difficult to figure out which systems and features are best.
 
Currently the existing system has the following, all hard wired.
 
Contacts on all doors and windows
 
Smoke detectors controlled by the alarm panel, 110 volt with 9v battery
 
1 glass break sensor
 
1 motion in Living room
 
1 motion in Master
 
1 Keypad
 
1 Siren in attic
 
UpLink 4500EZ cellular monitor
 
My home is 1 story with reasonable access to add more wiring. 3 doors 10 windows 1 garage door opener
 
What I would like is to have a system that will notify me with some level of detail about any alarm event via text and or email, and of course notify the monitoring company.
 
I would also like to be able to arm and disarm the system with my Iphone. Remotely operating the garage door and or doggy door might be nice
 
I would like the alarm to activate a relay to turn on the exterior security lighting.  This can be a low voltage relay/contactor or some kind of smart switch. I prefer the contactor, it is low tech.
 
I will not likely get heavily involved in any kind of home automation, I will be getting some kind of video surveillance one day.
 
Thanks for your advice. Im sure this topic has been worn out by now but I just can't seem to figure out the best most cost effective solution.
 
Thanks
 
John 

 

[drvnbysound]

Elk M1G h34r:

 

[mikefamig]

John:
 
Are you planning to do the install yourself or hire the job out? The Elk and HAI/Leviton both have great reputations around here and both fit your needs but there are other factors to consider than technical specs. If you are going to hire someone to do the install then you will have to go with a system that is well supported in your area. I chose the Elk  for my self-install because it is so well supported online and because the company also supports do-it-yourselfers. The two are comparable in cost.
 
Video surveillance is usually a separate installation from the Elk or the Hai security system having it's own separate control software. EKeypad is the only IOS app that I know of that allows me to control my Elk remotely and also allows me to view my IP cameras but camera control is very limited. I think that any substantial video surveillance requires a dedicated server or PC based software to control the cams and record and store video.
 
I say that if you are going to hire someone to do the install then you should start calling local installers to see what they are supporting. If you are planning to do it yourself then this is a good place to start. For the self install my vote goes to the Elk.
 
Mike.

 

[JohnDennis]

I have been looking at the Elk M1.  AO wants 885.57 for the  M1G (Gold) Kit (Sys4) in Cardboard only (NO CAN) with M1KP2
Ethernet Port Interface
 
The M1 is an amazing piece of equipment, but that is a lot of money for an alarm.
 
I still am having trouble understanding what it will do without adding more accessories.
 
With the M1 and ethernet port, will it send text, emails and phone calls?  One of my concerns is that I will have to keep buying more accessories.

 

[RAL]

The Elk M1G plus the M1XEP ethernet interface will give you what you need to do phone calls (assuming you have a land line) and emails.  From the description of what you want to connect, you may need a zone expander (M1XIN).  The M1G board has 16 zone inputs.  If you want to have every contact and sensor on its own zone, then you will need more than 16, unless you are willing to combine some contacts into single zones (say, all windows in the living room in one zone, etc).
 
Having to add a zone expander is true for pretty much any alarm panel you might buy, as most tend to have just 8 to 16 zones on the base panel.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

ROI on the Elk M1 is less that 12 months compared to to the cost of commercial monitoring services (ADT, Brinks, Comcast, etc). That doesn't even include the flexibility you have of programming your own rules/events with the Elk. You just need the aptitude for it.

 

[drvnbysound]

If you aren't planning for any automation at all - yeah, the cost of the Elk is prohibitive when comparing to other basic alarm systems (e.g. Honeywell/Ademco, DSC, etc).

 

[JohnDennis]

Is there a way to have a simple alarm system send me text messages and email a description of which zone was triggered?

 

[elvisimprsntr]

With the Elk, yes

 

[mikefamig]

With the Elk, yes

 
But you will need to add an XEP adapter to the M1 control in order to communicate with the ethernet network first.
 
Mike.

 

[mikefamig]

still am having trouble understanding what it will do without adding more accessories.

 
  One of my concerns is that I will have to keep buying more accessories.

 
That is a valid concern and yes everything on the Elk is ala carte but that is one of the reasons that I chose it. The Leviton control is more expensive than the M1 control because it has more capabilities than the elk (ie several serial ports) but I did need it all so why pay extra for features that I won't use?
 
The way to know how many accessories that you will add is to draw your system on paper and then make a parts list.
 
I ended up adding
 
a supplemental power supply
an XEP
an rftw wiresless system with switches, motion and fire detector
an additional serial port and Simply Automated control for UPB lighting control
a remote input adapter for sensors in a detached garage
a remote output adapter to make doors go u p and down in detached garage
surge protection for phone and all external wires
 
and I think that covers it all adding up to over $1500 - I stopped counting. Make a list and be realistic and you won't be surprised in the end. I ended up spending more than I had planned but being that it was my first install I overlooked a few things like surge protection and the  additional power supply.
 
Mike.

 

[pete_c]

You can also purchase a Leviton HAI 20A00-72 LTe controller for $394 on Amazon. 
 

 
It is a smaller footprint and it includes more than what you need right now as a base.
 
Thinking the base price purchase includes:

• Omni LTe home control system on structured wiring enclosure mounting plate
• RJ31X cord and jack
• Accessory kit
• Wiring diagram
• Manuals

 
SECURITY:
Includes built-in residential UL Listed security and fire systems (UL Commercial Burglary), detecting intrusion, smoke and fire, carbon monoxide, water, and other hazards through wired and wireless sensors. For a truly secure property, integrate video surveillance, hard-wired access control, and third party wireless door locks.

Report activities to a central monitoring station, or receive a phone call, text, or email when an event occurs like children arriving home from school or a high temperature alert in a wine cellar.
 
TEMPERATURE & ENERGY MANAGEMENT:
By controlling temperature and lighting based on time of day, occupancy, or outdoor temperature, Leviton products can reduce energy costs. Automate pool pumps, fountains, electric water heaters, and other high-draw devices, plus manage temperatures in attics, greenhouses, garages, basements, and wine cellars.

From a smartphone or tablet, warm up or cool down the house after a vacation, check on temperatures, and save energy.
 
 
HAI Panel comparison.
 

 

[Del91574]

Downside is the HAI product is tiered. Either you get the carte blanche model and don't use half of it or you get the hobbled unit and when you're expanding, find out that half of what you need or want can't be done.
 
Granted, Elk does similar with their EZ8 vs. M1G (used to also be an M1 on the market) but at least you can expand an M1G from pretty basic (though capable) up to essentially comparable to an OPII, albeit much more modular.
 
For the OP, if there's only going to be basic dabbling and security is more paramount, I'd just get a V-20P (if that's not what you already have) and add some stuff to it to do what you want to do.

 

[bbrendon]

I will not likely get heavily involved in any kind of home automation, I will be getting some kind of video surveillance one day.

I would said HAI/Elk/DSC are your choices. But with the above statement, DSC is pretty much out of the running. You could do everything you listed above with a DSC+Software but since you don't want to get heavily involved into automation, Elk/HAI is your option.
 
Though (to complicate things), you may be able to do the DSC option with 3rd party hardware. http://www.eyezon.com/?page_id=176

 

[JohnDennis]

That is a very interesting option.  Do you have any experience with the eyezon ?