New Home Security / Automation Setup Suggestions

[aschaef]

Hi all. I've been lurking the forums for months reading up on all of the different security and automation options available. The information has been great, and I'm just about ready to start putting together my own install. I was initially looking at just doing something like a Mi Casa Verde Vera 3 controller to do some simple lighting and automation controls, but priorities have changed. I am now looking for a solid security system that I can also use to do some automation controls once the security part is up and running.

We are in a 1300sq ft, single story home, which was built back in the 50s. There is no pre-wiring for security, and I'm not sure if I want to go through the trouble since there have been talks of re-building or moving to a new house. With that being said I'd love to put in an HAI or ELK controller that we could also use in a new home, or take with us if we move.
We have about 20 windows, 4 doors that I was thinking of trying to use wireless sensors. I think the most important pieces would be the door sensors and glass break sensors. I'm not sure how necessary it is to have a sensor on each window to tell if it is open or not, but I'm open to suggestions.

My wife's wish would be to come home and push a button on her iphone to disarm the security system, unlock the door, and turn on the lights. From what I've read, we'd need a z-wave enabled controller for a Schlage or Baldwin electronic lockset. I know both the Elk and HAI now support z-wave but may require some add-on components.

So far I'm leaning towards HAI so I'd have more automation options down the road. Any words of advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Del91574]

You don't necessarily need Z-wave to integrate with lights or locks. You would need to figure out the platform for lights or automation you would like to use, and honestly, I would use a commercial grade electric strike and adequate door hardware before I went with a Zwave enabled lock, but that may just be me.

HAI and Elk are both very capable, however I can't necessarily say one is more capable than the other, as for a larger automation setup, it's generally more wise to use a separate controller to take the heavy work off the panel and use the panel for items that the secondary controller isn't as capable of doing or doing as well. IMHO, while HAI is nice, I couldn't justify the expense for what it added, and the Elk modular factor appeals and is a selling point for many of our installs. I also like not having to homerun serial data back to the main controller, which is part of the downside to HAI.

 

[Steve]

My wife's wish would be to come home and push a button on her iphone to disarm the security system, unlock the door, and turn on the lights.

While that may seem nice and convenient I personally don't think that is a very good idea from a security perspective. Somebody gets a hold of your phone and now they disarm the house and open the door and help themselves to your stuff without any interruption.

 

[aschaef]

Would Elk or HAI have an iPhone app that may use a code to disarm the alarm system?

 

[Steve]

Yes, both Elk and HAI have nice iDevice apps. For Elk I would recommend eKeypad and for HAI Haiku. There are others, but those are the most actively developed and complete in my opinion. But I don't think that will be as 'convenient' as you may think. By the time you take out the phone, unlock it and start up the app it would be easier to simply enter the code at the console by the door. Sometimes old school is best.

Don't get me wrong, the iPhone apps are great but I don't think as a primary screen to arm/disarm unless you need to do it from a distance, or perhaps you have an iPad as your main console running the app all the time.

 

[gannhometech]

For the DIYer the Elk beats out the HAI in my opinion. The price point is better and the installation,setup and programming are more geared toward the end user.

I agree with the above post that an iPhone app to arm/disarm, while convenient and useful in certain situations, is not something that your going to want to pull out and use evertime you pull into your driveway. Instead I would suggest integrating a keyfob into the system to accomplish your arming/disarming automation commands. A simple press of a keyfob button can instantly disarm your system, provided your in range of the receiver, and rules can be programmed into either the Elk or HAI to accomplish the additional automation such as unlocking of doors and turning on lights using the same press of the keyfob.

 

[InspiredTim]

Never having installed Elk I can't comment on it, but Hai is very easy to set up and program for the end user. Drop down command menus that make it easy for even the computer illiterate.

 

[Del91574]

I've installed both, and honestly, both are capable systems, however I doubt most would come close to needing the HP that the OPII has to really get a system to work the way they need it to in order to function in an integration enviroment.

The main keys are the OPII is really an all or none proposition, and also 3 times the cost out of the box (dealer pricing) HAI's other systems are grouped into tiers, each is hobbled a little more than the more expensive unit(s). Not all the hardware is compatible across the board, you need to pay attention to which panel you have and what features you want to integrate. I'm also not a fan of being forced to buy software to do X or Y on the HAI platform, but it's how they work.

The M1 is more modular, add the equipement and/or features you want/need. The hardware and platform are the same across the board (barring the EZ8, which I doubt most people would pick as a completely stripped panel). There's limits to what it can do.

The big difference, is IMO, HAI was designed as an automation panel first, security second, and Elk is the opposite.

 

[aschaef]

I'll take a look at the Elk offering again and see how many components I'd have to add in the beginning. I'm really looking at doing the wireless security sensors and then ethernet communications so I can monitor from the web. We do have a few Axis video cameras that I'd like to integrate as well.