NX-8E vs Elk M

robashroy

New Member
I got an NX-8E installed 2 years ago in anticipation of getting into HA. I finally am diving back into the project and think I am going with CQC as the HA solution. It appears fairly robust and I already have RadioRA and Russound CAV6.6 also. CQC appears to work out of the box with these solutions. But the NX-8E isn't supported and the Elk M1G is.

Is there a big advantage of the M1G over the NX-8E for HA? Someone posted that I can use the Wireless and expansion board with from the NX to the M1. I hope that is true.

Awaiting your thoughts.
 
Welcome to CocoonTech!

I have an Elk & HomeSeer and never used the Caddx, just so you know where I am coming from. IMHO, there is a big difference between the Elk and the Caddx. Yes, you can use the Caddx wireless stuff with the Elk M1. The fact that CQC doesn't support the Caddx would be my biggest reason to vote against the Caddx, unless Dean has indicated any interest to add support for it.
 
I already have the NX-8E installed but am not opposed to replacing with an M1G if it is a magnitude better than the 8E. It appears the M1 does a whole lot more with HA.
 
I have a Caddx NX8e that I installed myself with a relay output expander board. I also have an expander input board for a total of 24 zones. I have motion sensors, glass break sensors, and your typical magnetic contacts for doors and windows along with three keypads attached to it.

One advantage I have is the Caddx NX8e is interfaced with my HomeSeer system via a plugin and I can perform arming and disarming tasks via HomeSeer as well as monitor all of the 24 zones (and perform actions/events via HomeSeer on those zones).

I also purchased an Elk M1 Gold for my buddy's house and will be installing it in a few months. I've been playing around with it on my bench, but don't have a lot of time involved with it yet. I've also played around with the ELK software.

I would say that your comment on "magnitude" better would depend on what exactly you plan on doing with your system as far as home automation tasks are concerned.

For instance if you just planned on using a system for basic security then either system will work well.

But, if you want to integrate voice announcements, analog measurements, W800 RF interface, logical "rules" based on various inputs, etc... then the Elk is the way to go.

How extensive is your security system now (glass breaks, motion detectors, zones, etc...)? Do you think you would ever want to integrate an 'action' that would be triggered by a motion sensor or window/door opening?

The Caddx can do logic integration and does have a relay output board, but the programming interface is not at all user friendly. I actually have my Caddx relay output connected to my Ocelot's SECU16 digital input module (the Ocelot is much easier to program and a lot more versatile). I also have the Ocelot's relay output tied to a zone input for the Caddx.

If the Elk M1 was available years ago, then I wouldn't have had to integrate these two systems (each with its own programming language) together to get the home automation flexiblity I wanted. I'm a big believer in NOT having critical tasks delegated to a PC!

If money is an issue, then stay with the Caddx and beg Dean to develop an interface for it. There are still a lot of Caddx users out there, but I'm betting every one of them wishes they had an Elk M1. :D
 
Great post and your comment about picking the Elk if it was available pretty much confirmed what I thought. If I am going to move forward I need to get the system that will help me do that -

Anyone need an NX-8E - Cheap?

Thanx
 
GE Caddx makes an outstanding Security Control System in the NX family.

ELK Products makes an outstanding Security and Automation Control System in the M1 and M1EZ8 with support for the GE Caddx/ITI RF Wireless devices.


The Caddx will cost less, the ELK will do more. Nuff said!!


I sold the Caddx I had in my house when I put in the M1 on ebay and got $80 for it. I had used it for 3 years.
 
robashroy said:
Great post and your comment about picking the Elk if it was available pretty much confirmed what I thought. If I am going to move forward I need to get the system that will help me do that -

Anyone need an NX-8E - Cheap?

Thanx
Hehe, do you want to get rid of your keypads for cheap? I'm just living with my Elk (and Ocelot)... for now. :D
 
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