ELK-M1XRF2G or NX-548e for M1?

...which then leads to a question "is there any wireless keypads that work with Elk?" The answer is none.

And how bulky can a wireless siren be? AC and battery backup is no big deal.

Is there such thing as wireless RS-485 that connects to the data bus? Costly to make.

Do pro-installers install security systems in a rental apartment?

Very few mfg's make wireles keypads that I know of (Ademco and GE I beleive).

The wireless sirens are bulky. Ademco has one. It has to plug into an outlet and then be screwed into the wall it is so heavy.

Yes some pro installers do installs in rentals. The Ademco Lynx is very popular for that and possibly the EK Guard might work for that as well although I have never seen one and tried it.
 
I am very biased against all-in-one security systems and while I don't mean to be bluent (I'm playing devil's advocate) but when placed near the front door or in the hallway, once it's smashed, it's destroyed for good unless you pay about $200 for a new one. But when placing ElkGuard or Lynx in the secure location, such as the locked closet, you'll have to disable the internal siren/sounder.

Do a search for all-in-ones in http://forum.homesecuritystore.com.

That's why I went with component-based systems. Even if I prefer Ademco over DSC or GE (I like the look of the keypads and what Honeywell provides, like the 5883 wireless transeiver for 5800WAVE wireless siren), I prefer Elk M1 Gold because with the bundle of M1XSP and 2414S PLC, it supports home automation right out of the box. Plus, it supports analog zone type, which is good for my wireless doorbell.

Sorry guys for going off-topic, even though it's wireless-related.
 
Putting the ElkGuard in the closet defeats the purpose since it has a built in PIR. Anyway, I think if an intruder broke into an apartment and a siren started going off, the intruder is much more likely to get lost and find the next apartment rather than take the time trying to smash the alarm trying to silence it.

The bottom line is it doesn't matter what the technology, you will never find 1 vendor that has absolutely everything the way you would want it. While some come close, there is always some compromise.

On the topic... I do feel for people that bought a 548 or other Caddx receiver before the Elk RF, but I also understand Elk's position. We all squeek the wheels looking for more stuff in the M1 but there is only so much shxx they can put in a 5 pound bucket, so their option was to build their own wireless adapter so they can free up alot of space for other stuff we all want. It's a catch 22, people with Caddx wireless unfortunately won't be able to upgrade to some possible cool new firmware features, but at least there will be some of those features available if you are using Elk RF.

Maybe a good compromise is for Elk to offer some sort of discount or trade in credit for people that may want to have access to new firmware. That way it would be less painful for people to get an Elk RF and have access to the latest stuff too? But definitely, anyone just buying now would be silly to buy a Caddx card.
 
Going off-topic again:

Putting the ElkGuard in the closet defeats the purpose since it has a built in PIR. Anyway, I think if an intruder broke into an apartment and a siren started going off, the intruder is much more likely to get lost and find the next apartment rather than take the time trying to smash the alarm trying to silence it.

Well, so is the Family Message Center in PowerMax+, Rokonet WisDom, and Ademco Lynx. Useless while in a secured location.

I'll let that discussion continue in another/new thread.
 
The ElkGuard Security Control uses the Ness Security RF Protocol. Ness Security in Australia sells an RF receiver for the M1 that works with the Ness RF devices. ELK is introducing the M1XRF2N Ness protocol receiver soon so it will work with the ElkGuard's RF transmitters.
 
Speaking of M1XRF2N, I do have a question. Will there be wireless smoke detectors, glassbreaks, etc. planned in the future?

Anyway, the "doorbell" in the ElkGuard product website is very nice to have, as GE Security doesn't have one, as far as I know.

That way, I don't have to worry about mantaining the voltage "greater/less than," since if the voltage gets raised up to 4.5 volts for inactive and 3.8 volts for "active" like so "--B)--" ("-" is 4.5 volts and "_" is 3.8 volts), I'll have to set the two rules so that I can continue to hear and see the lights go off and on confirming that I have a visitor waiting at the front door. I could install a relay, bypass the resistor, and add in the transistor between the wireless doorbell doorbell receiver and the relay, but I won't go into that, because when it comes to bypassing the resistor, soldering is very hard for me and that my hands are not that steady enough to hold the soldering ion.
 
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