kahunapapa
New Member
Hi All,
I just bought a new large-ish house with a Vista-20p and 8 hardwired door sensors, 2 motion detectors, and *nothing* else... including no monitored smoke detectors, remotes, etc.
Two days ago, I didn't even know what a Vista is, but now... hehehe... I'm thinking of swapping that out for something that is more "automation enabled." Buzzwords like ELK, UPB, Cinemar and Promixis are running around my brain. And, yes, I do have a headache... ;-)
So I'm looking for some advice to send me in the "right" direction.
Here are the things I know I need:
o About 6 reliable wireless fire alarms
o Keypads in the master bedroom & mud room
o Keychain-style remote to enable/disable alarm and open garage door
o Enable 4 indoor hallway and 8 outdoor flood lights from remote
o System monitored by NextAlarm using their Internet VOIP adapter
o Web access to enable/disable alarm and check status
Here are the things I think I want:
o 7" or 8" color touch screen in Master bedroom
o See door and garage door status on touch screen
o Enable/disable alarm and lights from touch screen
o Water detectors in crawlspaces & sensor on main line
And somewhere down the road:
o Control thermostats & blinds
o Monitor electrical use & graph it
o Display weather on touchscreen in the "mud room"
I'm technically inclined so lots of DIY doesn't scare me. The Minister of the Interior, on the other hand, is enthusiastic but needs something foolproof and simple.
My budget is $2500-$3000. I know how to do some of the above using the Ademco / Vista technology but it seems like that will run out of steam after a bit. I feel I'm kind of lucky in a way because I can switch to a more unified approach now without throwing away too much (i.e. only toss the V20p board/keypads).
I'm thinking ELK M1 Gold -- but, is the ELK-TS071 the right way to go for the touchscreens or... ?
Are the ELK wireless smoke alarms as reliable & sophisticated as the Vista ones?
Any suggestions on other systems to consider? Is there anything even more "forward looking" than the ELK M1?
Thanks!!!
Dan
I just bought a new large-ish house with a Vista-20p and 8 hardwired door sensors, 2 motion detectors, and *nothing* else... including no monitored smoke detectors, remotes, etc.
Two days ago, I didn't even know what a Vista is, but now... hehehe... I'm thinking of swapping that out for something that is more "automation enabled." Buzzwords like ELK, UPB, Cinemar and Promixis are running around my brain. And, yes, I do have a headache... ;-)
So I'm looking for some advice to send me in the "right" direction.
Here are the things I know I need:
o About 6 reliable wireless fire alarms
o Keypads in the master bedroom & mud room
o Keychain-style remote to enable/disable alarm and open garage door
o Enable 4 indoor hallway and 8 outdoor flood lights from remote
o System monitored by NextAlarm using their Internet VOIP adapter
o Web access to enable/disable alarm and check status
Here are the things I think I want:
o 7" or 8" color touch screen in Master bedroom
o See door and garage door status on touch screen
o Enable/disable alarm and lights from touch screen
o Water detectors in crawlspaces & sensor on main line
And somewhere down the road:
o Control thermostats & blinds
o Monitor electrical use & graph it
o Display weather on touchscreen in the "mud room"
I'm technically inclined so lots of DIY doesn't scare me. The Minister of the Interior, on the other hand, is enthusiastic but needs something foolproof and simple.
My budget is $2500-$3000. I know how to do some of the above using the Ademco / Vista technology but it seems like that will run out of steam after a bit. I feel I'm kind of lucky in a way because I can switch to a more unified approach now without throwing away too much (i.e. only toss the V20p board/keypads).
I'm thinking ELK M1 Gold -- but, is the ELK-TS071 the right way to go for the touchscreens or... ?
Are the ELK wireless smoke alarms as reliable & sophisticated as the Vista ones?
Any suggestions on other systems to consider? Is there anything even more "forward looking" than the ELK M1?
Thanks!!!
Dan