ELK M1 Gold Beats all?

[TurboSam]

You can find out more about the C1M1 in this thread.  Looks like Automated Outlet has it.
 
As for BulletHead's Uplink question, I went with the Telguard TG-1 Express instead of an Uplink, and am happy with that....  But I use it as primary and don't know if it would work with your existing internet monitoring...

 

[BulletHead]

I dont see it on Automated Outlet's website.  link?

 

[TurboSam]

Post 12 in the thread mentioned above says it has arrived.  Try calling AO

 

[drvnbysound]

That post says "We have arrived". I assumed that was in reference to the post that was quoted, asking if Martin or any AO personnel was available.

 

[IVB]

the expandability bit is key, i didn't know that about HAI.
 
For example (and i'm recording a vlog about this for reddit), I need more lighting in my attic. A few months ago I got sick of running wires down from the ceiling to the basement so I installed a second secondary panel there with an input expander and an output/relay expander.
 
Now instead of running HV wiring, I bought a few cheap $10 LED LV lights, a $10 12VDC/5A power adapter. I'll run that into the Elk relays, then install a $2 light switch and a motion into two zones. I'll have manual control, motion sensing, plus fully automated via Elk rules or CQC. Almost done running wiring, but clearly a nap today is more important. (Yay sabbatical!)
 
No way would I have done that if I hadn't put that additional secondary panel up in the attic where wiring to it was trivial.

 

[jrgrant]

I've been using an older HAI Omni (not Omni II or Omnipro - only serial connections) that I picked up used on Ebay.  I've been impressed by the build quality, low noise construction, bulletproof software and WAF.  We are building a new house and I've got to select the security system.  If I jump ship to the Elk M1G, what will I gain vs. a new Omnipro II?  It's a big house so the cost delta is minor compared to the total build cost.

 

[pete_c]

Welcome to the forum Cocoontech jrgrant!
 
As mentioned above both panels are similiar and both were the first to combine security with automation.
 
That said I have two OP2's running just fine.  The footprint is smaller for the OP2 than the Elk. 
 
You are already familiar (have a knowledgebase)  with the Leviton Omni Pro stuff.  Why change? 

 

[drvnbysound]

One that got me was the flexibility to pick and choose use of EOLRs with the Elk. HAI is limited here, but as long as you are OK with their offering and understand the limitations, it's really not an issue.
 
Another for me was the cost of the input expansion boards (IIRC). It's been a while since I've looked but I think the HAI boards are both input and output expanders and cost more. For example, if you are wiring for more than 16 zones, you will need additional inputs on either the HAI or Elk panels as they have 16 hardwired zones on board. Then compare the cost of the M1XIN board (16 zone input) to the comparable part for HAI (again, I believe it's input & output) and the cost is higher. I typically use many more inputs than outputs and feel that I would be paying extra $$$ for functionality that I know I would probably never use.
 
Someone with more HAI experience feel free to correct that if I'm wrong.

 

[JonW]

Someone with more HAI experience feel free to correct that if I'm wrong.

 
HAI has both a 16 channel input board and a 16 input + 16 output board.  You can add multiple boards to a system.
 
16 ch input board:  http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ProductDetail.jsp?partnumber=10A06-1&section=60582&minisite=10251
 
16 ch input + 16 Ch output:  http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ProductDetail.jsp?partnumber=17A00-8&section=60582&minisite=10251
 
The second board also has the ability to be remotely located away from the main panel.

 

[drvnbysound]

Got it. I definitely didn't recall the input-only device above. Some comparison notes below then...
 
The 16-ch input board has a description that states "up to 2 modules can be installed... for an additional 32 zone inputs ". Based on your last statement, I assume this one has to be installed near the main panel. (??)
 
The input/output board can be mounted up to 1000-ft away, "and requires its own power supply and battery." Up to (4) of these can be used.
 
With regard to Elk, the M1XIN is a databus device and as such can be installed remotely; power is also supplied over the databus. Up to 12 XINs can be used for a total of 208 hardwired zones (probably not really applicable in most residential applications though). The limitation I know of here is that the entire databus should not exceed 4000-ft for an Elk installation.  

 

[RAL]

The 10A06-1 16-input board stacks on top of the main OP2 board.  That's why you can only have two of them installed.  If you require more than 48 input zones, then you have to start adding 17A00-8 boards, even if you don't want the extra output capability.

 

[drvnbysound]

RAL, thanks for the added clarification!
 
I just pulled up some pricing to compare the expansion boards being discussed.... links provided to parts from Automated Outlet.
 
Cost of 10A06-1: $140
Cost of 17A00-8: $306 (OUCH!!!)
 
Cost of M1XIN: $102

 

[pete_c]

Yeah here have two 10A06-1 16-input boards stacked.  This was one issue preventing me from getting the HAI email board.  I probably could have fit it anyways.
 
Is the Elk M1XIN a combo input / output board?

 

[drvnbysound]

Yeah here have two 10A06-1 16-input boards stacked.  This was one issue preventing me from getting the HAI email board.  I probably could have fit it anyways.
 
Is the Elk M1XIN a combo input / output board?

 
No, it's 16-zone input only. They have a separate board options for outputs.
 
The ELK-M1RB (8 Form-C relays), and the ELK-M1XOVR (8 voltage outputs, and 8 relays).
 
The M1RB goes for $80; and the M1XOVR for $150.

 

[sic0048]

I use CQC and have an ELK panel. That being said, if I was to do it all over again I would just go with a plain security panel that integrated with CQC. The Elk is great, but ulimately I haven't used the extra automation aspect of it since I'm using CQC for all of that. At least I didn't get the HAI, that would have been a lot of money wasted for features I don't use.

Bottom line is you need to decide if you want your automation system to be built off a hardware panel like ELK or HAI, or if you are going to use another automation system to control everything. If it is the later, then save some money and just get a basic security system without the automation capabilities.