Comparison

[Digger]

I find that the ELK does more automation than any other Security panel I have seen. It is also one of the easiest to program with a computer (the ELKRP beats many other manufacturers software based programming tool). In fact I work for an alarm equipment manufacturer now and I struggle to use the programming tool when I havent ever read the instructions for the ELKRP and I can easily use it.

I havent found an automation function that I cant do yet but I guess I am not into it as deep as others. A few of the recently added features are great to have and the fact that new features added by firmware are free is a huge benifet.

The one feature I would like to see someday is that the email messages be more robust and include the zone information that tripped or the person that disarmed etc. That may come someday but if it doesn't I wont be upset.

 

[carry15+1]

It is typically easier to answer these types of questions if you advise what you are trying to accomplish with home automation / security.

Thanks for replying.

I have an Elk M1 running now for about 2 months - great system and at a bargain price.

For additional HA I would suggest you consider the HomeVision or HomeVision Pro controllers. Excellent software, 100% reliable, far easier to program than most of the other controllers, and flawless IR support. A 3rd party software (HomeVisionXL ) program is available for free, or a donation, and exploites the power of the HV units better than the included software.

I've had most of the HA controllers on my test bench and give HV a big thumbs up.

 

[electron]

As far as the Ocelot not supporting new technologies, that's why I said you may consider an Ocelot combined with an Elk. I don’t do this myself, but Guy Lavoie does and you may want to solicit him for further details on making this combination work.

he isn't the only one with that setup btw The Elk & Ocelot make an awesome combination.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

As far as the Ocelot not supporting new technologies, that's why I said you may consider an Ocelot combined with an Elk.  I don’t do this myself, but Guy Lavoie does and you may want to solicit him for further details on making this combination work.

he isn't the only one with that setup btw The Elk & Ocelot make an awesome combination.

OMG, how did I forget about your setup!

Sorry about that!

So, just for my education and maybe help others playing along at home; if I wanted to use UPB or Insteon, I could use the Elk as far as the powerline interface (with appropriate powerline interface) and also use the Ocelot's timers and other logic functions to control the UPB/Insteon modules? Does Elk have a Z-Wave interface?

Also, in order to do this you would need to interface the Ocelot to the Elk via a serial port expander card?

I should also be able to control the Elk's I/O zones with the Ocelot as well correct?

 

[Guy Lavoie]

Yes, a serial expander card (M1XSP) would be used to interface the Elk to the Ocelot. Using the simple ASCII protocol and ASCII messages in the Ocelot, you could exchange data bi-directionally between two devices, which complement each other rather well.