GE Simon XT and ADT monitoring and Mi Casa Verde

[rockstar0215]

I am a current ADT customer and I am moving soon to a house with no alarm system. I want to do a DIY alarm system but keep my current ADT monitoring. I plan on getting the GE Simon Xt. ADT told me that they could do monitoring on this pad, however it's up to them once they see it. I am scared I will dish out some cash on this system and not have ADT support it.

Also, I want to add a touchpad to this system, that includes Z-Wave for thermostate control and lighting. Will I be able to integrate this if I use ADT?

Additionally, I will have a Mi Casa Verde controller used with iRule remote control for ipad and iphone to control my lighting and AV equipment. Will I be able to use Mi Casa Verde along with this touchpad? So I guess what I want to know is if I the touchpad will communicate with Z-Wave devices and the Vera will also control the same devices but with different commands?

 

[rockstar0215]

I've done a bit of research. Frontpoint offers the Simom Xt with the GSM/Z-Wave module from alarm.com. I snooped around the micaseverde forum a bit and I found out that I can get the Simon Xt touch screen and have that work with the Vera. Great news! Now, what I don't understand is this...

Let's say I have a Z-wave deadbolt and i program the touch screen to close all doors once I arm the system, will I be able to communicate with the deadbolt from the Vera? The same goes for lighting etc.

 

[RedAggie03]

These are great questions that I'm asking myself too, but it looks like you are not getting replies. I see ELK all over the place, but a solution like this seems like what I'm looking for. What are we missing here guys as noobs??

 

[Del91574]

As long as the local tech can access programming, you can set the account for CID format and get it 99% ready for them to simply enter in a CSID and phone #, unless you are going cellular. Documentation and codes are key for any tech walking into a panel they haven't touched before.

Also, if you have fire alarm, you need to program an automatic test timer.

 

[JimS]

I am wondering why you want to stick to ADT. Are you locked into a contract you can't break when you move?. My only experience with them was very limited (a visit and quote) a long time ago but they didn't seem like they knew that much about what they were doing. I am sure it must vary a lot with who you get but they didn't have a clue about recomendations of where to put motion sensors, etc. As I see it you pay for the equipment they give you "free" with higher monthly monitoring fees. Since you are installing your own system why pay the higher fees? There are cheaper monitoring services available that are UL certified (not sure that is exactly the right term) that are DIY friendly.

I would ask ADT if they will lock you out of the panel once they take over monitoring. I think that is what they do with the panels they install but I don't know if that would apply if you installed the panel. It may depend on what you can work out with the local people. If you really are set on ADT I suggest you try to find others that have done similar things and see what they have to say. I would be a bit worried I wouldn't have flexibility in the future.