Elk M1 Gold List to audit

[Ximat]

So this is my first post.

I want to install an Elk M1 Gold. Here is the list of items I believe I need. Im hoping someone will help audit my list and tell me what I need, or don't need.

I've got a two story home, with three exterior doors. I plan on hard wiring them with recessed magnetic contacts. I also intend to put three glass breaks, and a contact for my garage door.

I also have a workshop that is roughly 50 feet from the house, I want to have a motion, and smoke out there but can only do wireless.

I want to have the alarm monitored, but this is where im completely at a loss. Im looking for someone to basically say: You need to get this item to do this, or this item to do that. Id like cellular, so exacly what do i need? If i want to do internet backup, what do i need to do that?

I hope this is enough enough to help me out, sorry for the brief and rushed first post.

Please help!!!!


Item Name Item Number
Elk M1 Gold ELK-M1GSYS4
Elk M1XEP ELK-M1XEP
Wireless Smoke Detector TX-6010-01-1/NX-491NT
Elk Strobe Light ELK-SL1
Wireless PIR Motion GE-60-511-02-95
Elk Keypad ELK-M1KP
Elk LED Arming Station ELK-M1KPAS
Elk RF Receiver ELK-M1XRF2C
Stubby Reed Switch (door monitor) GRI-2020-12W
Garage Door Sensor ODC-59B
4 Wire Carbon Monoxide Detector CO1224T
4 Wire Smoke Detector DSC-FSA410BST
Glassbreak Sensor 5812-RND

 

[WayneW]

Welcome to CT.

Your list looks pretty good.

Basically, there is no DIY friendly "internet monitoring" unless you have a local dealer or a monitoring company that will do it for you. You can use a VOIP line as a possible backup method, but most would consider the reliability to be lower than landline or cellular. YMMV

For cellular monitoring, as your primary or a backup, you have a few choices.
1) An Uplink unit with an XSP and a monitoring company that works with Uplink (such as NextAlarm)
2) A Telular unit. I believe you pay Telular for the airtime/bandwidth, but it emulates a phone line, so works with virtually all alarm panels and central stations.
3) I think the fairly new HAI C3 communicator would work, but don't know much about it.

I use option #1.

 

[Digger]

Nextalarm's TCP/IP Monitoring works well. You do have to buy their ABN from their retail partner. That is another hundred and change one time fee. It will then email you and text your cell phone etc.

I would get a second 8 aH battery since you have fire devices. You should have 24 hours of battery backup since you have fire.

Consider some water sensors such as GRI-2800 or 2600. They are relatively inexpensive.

 

[Ximat]

Welcome to CT.

Your list looks pretty good.

Basically, there is no DIY friendly "internet monitoring" unless you have a local dealer or a monitoring company that will do it for you. You can use a VOIP line as a possible backup method, but most would consider the reliability to be lower than landline or cellular. YMMV

For cellular monitoring, as your primary or a backup, you have a few choices.
1) An Uplink unit with an XSP and a monitoring company that works with Uplink (such as NextAlarm)
2) A Telular unit. I believe you pay Telular for the airtime/bandwidth, but it emulates a phone line, so works with virtually all alarm panels and central stations.
3) I think the fairly new HAI C3 communicator would work, but don't know much about it.

I use option #1.

Thank you for the input! I was kind of rushed by the wife when I typed the first post.

Can you tell me more about the Uplink with an XSP and the Telular unit?

 

[Ximat]

I looked at both Telular's web page as well as Uplink. I like the Telular concept of being plug and play, but there are several different models and I don't know which one I would need. It looks Like Uplink has a few different models as well, and Im not sure what the "XSP" is?


So what exactly do I need?


Thank you!!

 

[wuench]

I looked at both Telular's web page as well as Uplink. I like the Telular concept of being plug and play, but there are several different models and I don't know which one I would need. It looks Like Uplink has a few different models as well, and Im not sure what the "XSP" is?


So what exactly do I need?


Thank you!!

The M1XSP, Elk's serial port card for the M1. There is a lot of info on CT about cellular... (Just do some searches on Uplink and Tellular)

Cellular Backup, Looking 4 everything about cell backup
Elk M1 with Uplink AnyNet Module, NextAlarm with Uplink AnyNet Module
Activating Uplink DigiCell AnyNET

 

[kdub]

I looked at both Telular's web page as well as Uplink. I like the Telular concept of being plug and play, but there are several different models and I don't know which one I would need. It looks Like Uplink has a few different models as well, and Im not sure what the "XSP" is?


So what exactly do I need?


Thank you!!

I recently purchased a Telular TG-1B from ebay (brand new) and am currently using it with my Elk M1G for monitoring via Alarm Relay. It's simple to install since you only need to connect it to the Elk via a phone line the and power it from the supplied AC transformer. There's a relay output that can be configured to be tripped in case cell signal is lost, power is lost, etc. It's also "approved" to be used as a primary communication device, so you can use it as your primary link to the monitoring station.

Make sure you get a TG-1B as it's the latest model and comes with it's own battery backup. My only complaint is that it's not housed in a real secure box, so it could be more prone to tampering. But since it's small, you can mount it up someplace where it's hard to find or get to, so that may not be an issue.

For activating the device, the monitoring station will usually do that for you. For example, with Alarm Relay, I just gave them the serial number and they did all of the work to get it activated and I pay Alarm Relay directly for the Telular service.

 

[Ira]

I haven't bought one yet, but I still like the HAI C3 unit for people that will continue to use POTS phones, especially the feature that allows a POTS phone to dial out via the C3 cellular line if the POTS line goes down. The M1G just thinks it is hooked up to a POTS line when it is hooked up to the C3.

 

[Ximat]

So if i procure a Telular TG-1B i wont need anything else? It will plug directly into my POTS port of the alarm? And i can use Alarm Relay for my monitoring? Is there additional fees on top of their 8.95/mo monitoring fee to use the Telular device? Would I have an additional cellular fee? Like having another line on my AT&T account or something?

Its been a while since i've meddeled in the alarm world, but i can get my way around it, the only thing Im not up to par on is the monitoring side of it. When I messed with alarms cellular backup was only for the banks and high end clientele.

 

[Ximat]

I would get a second 8 aH battery since you have fire devices. You should have 24 hours of battery backup since you have fire.

Digger, does the M1 Gold easily support additional batteries, or do i need an additional device to support the extra battery?

 

[personalt]

A couple of things to think about
Speaker - ELK-44 - worth having the annouce commands
Flush mount box for keypad- ELK-M1BBK2 - personalt preference but looks nicer I think.
Wall mount kit for strobe - ELK-WK1 - if mounting outside this helps act as a weather protector
Differnt wirless receiver - ELK-M1XRF2G - most people recommend this one instead. there a few threads on the reasons why
I dont have the sku but there are these $4.00 or so plastic slid in clips you can use to moun the - M1XEP inside the case.

 

[Ira]

So if i procure a Telular TG-1B i wont need anything else? It will plug directly into my POTS port of the alarm? And i can use Alarm Relay for my monitoring? Is there additional fees on top of their 8.95/mo monitoring fee to use the Telular device? Would I have an additional cellular fee? Like having another line on my AT&T account or something?

Its been a while since i've meddeled in the alarm world, but i can get my way around it, the only thing Im not up to par on is the monitoring side of it. When I messed with alarms cellular backup was only for the banks and high end clientele.

Since I haven't bought a cellular backup yet, I'm curious as to why you would choose the Telular TG-1B over the HAI C3. What features make you lean towards it? Is it because you don't have a POTS?

Thanks,
Ira

 

[Ximat]

Since I haven't bought a cellular backup yet, I'm curious as to why you would choose the Telular TG-1B over the HAI C3. What features make you lean towards it? Is it because you don't have a POTS?

Thanks,
Ira

Ira,
Honestly I didn't even look at that device until just now. It looks pretty awesome. From what I understand all I do is buy a GSM card and add a line on my existing AT&T plan.

I do not have a POTS line now, nor do I intend to get it ever. I have U-verse so the only thing they would give me in my area is VOIP anyway, which I don't want.

Im kind of curious what others think, on which one I should get. The cellular communication side of the alarm system is something I have no idea about, and really need someone to say "You need to get this device to do this... Or if you want to do that, you need this device instead".

X

 

[Digger]

I would get a second 8 aH battery since you have fire devices. You should have 24 hours of battery backup since you have fire.

Digger, does the M1 Gold easily support additional batteries, or do i need an additional device to support the extra battery?

The M1 can charge up to 18 aH of batteries. By having two of the 8 aH in parallel it will give you 16 aH. That is enough for 500 ma stanby for 24 hours and plenty left over to sound the alarm at the end.

Anything beyond 500 ma standby you should consider getting an aux power supply. Elk just came out with a new one that looks great. I have not been able to buy one yet as none of the local distributors carry them yet. I havent even seen it advertised on the net yet but I imagine if you call a distributor they will order one for you.

 

[wuench]

Since I haven't bought a cellular backup yet, I'm curious as to why you would choose the Telular TG-1B over the HAI C3. What features make you lean towards it? Is it because you don't have a POTS?

Thanks,
Ira

Ira,
Honestly I didn't even look at that device until just now. It looks pretty awesome. From what I understand all I do is buy a GSM card and add a line on my existing AT&T plan.

I do not have a POTS line now, nor do I intend to get it ever. I have U-verse so the only thing they would give me in my area is VOIP anyway, which I don't want.

Im kind of curious what others think, on which one I should get. The cellular communication side of the alarm system is something I have no idea about, and really need someone to say "You need to get this device to do this... Or if you want to do that, you need this device instead".

X

But with the Telular and Uplink you don't need to provide your own cell service correct? I think you just pay the monitoring station the monthly fee.

Also, as mentioned above you are going to want some form of battery backup. The HAI C3 says it has a battery charger (no battery?) and it looks like the TG-1B comes with it's own battery and charger that fits in the enclosure. Not sure about the Uplink.