Home security system recomendation

[drozwood90]

My brother recently had some work done to his house. The "security" guy claimed to be able to install something that would allow his phone to communicate to his alarm system. My brother was not able to tell me what system the guy was proposing to install.

He has all the motions in, and they are pulled to a central location, but as far as I know he does not currently do anything with them...or his system is older and he's looking to replace it.

When he asked me about this, I told him I did not do much with that aspect of Home Automation, however look into the Elk or HAI. I've heard a LOT of good things about the Elk, and the HAI system just kind of popped into my head.

Is this a good place for someone with minimal care to maintain, to allow him to setup a nicer system (I saw that Elk had touchscreens now)?

I also mentioned to him that the power of Elk is not just that it triggers and alarm, but that it can react to things. Put a water sensor under the hot water tank, when that trips, have the Elk unit trigger the Elk water valve to close...effectivly shutting off water flow to the house.

I also know that there are things you can do, such as interface the Elk to UPB PIMs, or X10 (I am not sure about any other technologies), which allows some basic lighting control. I had mentioned that to him, if he wanted to hook in, say 1-2 lights, or outside lights to kick on during an alarmed situation OR if he wanted the house to look somewhat lived in while the system is armed.

I felt with some minimal programming, he could get a lot more of what he wants, with probably the same cash (self installed Vs. having the other guy install it).

So, all you elk-ers, did I do right? Does the Elk have a remote capability? Or is that only because some people have interfaced their Elk systems with a system like Homeseer?

Thanks for any inputs!

--Dan

 

[tmbrown97]

Elk has lots of remote options; for direct control, you can use eKeypad for iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch); for android you have ElkDroid. Then if you want to go further, you can integrate a home automation controller like Elve, HomeSeer, CQC, etc.

Lighting, sprinklers, garage door control, HVAC - those are very easy to add as well. You can start with just the exterior lights and set a timer to come on at sunset and turn off at 11:00PM and never set a timer or come home to a dark house again - and the possibilities from there are endless.

My favorite part of the system is being able to return home when it's dark out and just opening doors causes a path into the main living area of the house to light up; then as I leave, I don't think about lights - when the arming countdown timer expires, they all turn off for me, and set the thermostat back - and even turn off the fireplace (in case I forgot).

And you can start small and keep expanding as you gain interest and available funds.

 

[pete_c]

Yes; both Elk and HAI systems were / are still ahead of their time in the ultimate combo security / HA stuff. I had the house in FL pre-wired for the alarm as part of the "package" and used all of the wiring for the HAI panel. (10 or so years after it was installed).

I also "ripped" (literally) the neighbors FL contractor installed alarm panel and put in an OPII (gratis - long time neighbor).

 

[sic0048]

ELK and HAI are great options for someone looking for an automation component with their alarm panel. However, if he is looking for just alarm and no automation, then it is a very expensive option. Something like the Caddix or DSC brands would do everything security wise that an ELK or HAI does, but for a lot less money. It just depends on what the end user is looking for.

 

[chrisexv6]

I went thru the "dilemma" of a Vista panel (21iP) vs an Elk setup. Obviously the Elk gives you much more power.

When you calculate the cost of the 21iP panel w/GSM communicator and also keep in mind the cost of the service (TotalConnect is extra per month), the Elk setup doesnt come out to THAT much more $$$ in the grand scheme of things. I was looking at about 400 or 450 for the 21iP panel with GSM comm and one keypad. The equivalent Elk would be the base M1G package (~600) + Uplink Communicator (~100 or so off Ebay) + XSP (~70.00 off Ebay). So 770 vs 450, 320.00 difference. Those Elk price estimates are actually high, as I was able to find all of the items a lot cheaper than that just by looking around/waiting (the LAST thing I bought for my install was the M1G unit itself....found a great deal on a demo unit being sold on a different forum).

Now factor in Uplink service being about 25.00/month vs Honeywell service + cell service + TotalConnect being at least 35.00/month. After 2.5 years or so you almost pay for the monetary difference in the systems....so, are you planning on staying in your house that long? Also keep in mind that the Elk is a LOT easier to program, can be expanded at a later date to to a LOT more, etc.

My install isnt complete yet but I bench tested the control unit and have to say its a pretty stout solution. Fired up RP2 and the internet module and I was programming it like Ive been using it forever within minutes (note you dont NEED the internet module to use RP2, just the correct serial cable to plug into the onboard serial port on the control)

 

[pete_c]

A few years back I purchased a newly installed (only maybe a month old) then de-installed HAI OPII, keypads, expansion boards, wireless stuff from an alarm company installer who was totally mystified by its functions (HAI panel) and preferred some quick cash rather than try to figure out the panel.

Same way I picked up two Russound CAS44's (one for $160 and the other for a bit under $200).

 

[drozwood90]

I would venture simple. Knowing my brother, he doesn't want to tinker with it like we tend to.

I was kinda hesitant regarding the Elk/HAI due to how much programming might be involved (I've not used them, hence tossing out to the community). However, I wanted to ensure this thread captured the better more basic features that he might want, so it might be worth programming.

Also, as far as I know, once you set the code into the Elk, you never have to touch it. Unlike a PC, where there is rebooting, etc, this just runs.

Great tip about the DSC system, I'll make sure he is aware of that as well.

--Dan

 

[pete_c]

Yup.

The programming lines are simple, to the point and logical; plug n play; instant; no perceivable delays.

Using keypads is a bit different for control (works fine). Touchscreen/programming is intuitive (from an engineering standpoint) though is very intuitive.

 

[pete_c]

Dan,

Cut your brother a deal. Tell him to buy you one so that you can support his setup easier and you will install his and support it.

 

[Neurorad]

Find an Elk or HAI installer, or his wife will blame you for any issues. And, it would take a lot of time to DIY - your brother might find it an enjoyable hobby, but maybe not.

 

[Steve]

Consider the Elk EZ8. Less expensive, just as good if not better security then the others plus room to expand into automation. I would also look at the HAI C3 as an alternative to Uplink.

 

[electron]

I'd take a close look at the 2Gig Go!Control Control Panel, completely wireless, and is accessible via alarm.com (which supports all smartphones from what I can tell). You do need to get it via a dealer/installer.

 

[chrisexv6]

I'd take a close look at the 2Gig Go!Control Control Panel, completely wireless, and is accessible via alarm.com (which supports all smartphones from what I can tell). You do need to get it via a dealer/installer.

One of a few alarm quotes I got was pushing this. Its definitely a decent setup, I just wanted a more traditional (i.e. not all-in-one) alarm.

And, at least through a dealer, the alarm.com monitoring fees were pretty high, especially if you started adding on things like home automation (which was one of the biggest points the dealer was pushing.....only later to say yeah the monitoring they quoted me didnt quite include that home automation stuff)