Should I Replace My Panel?

[PhillyTim]

I've just purchased a home that has an ADT-installed Safewatch Pro 3000 (Vista-20P) with 35 zones (all wireless excepting one basement window sensor). I want central monitoring, but plan to bail on ADT and most likely will go with Alarm Relay. I'm not crazy about the panel; we had a Simon in old house that based on my first few days with the Safewatch I prefer the Simon; it seemed more configurable (or more easily configurable), the voice was much more pleasant (although we turned off all audible alerting in the end), it was easier to temporarily bypass zones, and most importantly, it had a second wireless keypad that we could use in our bedroom to disarm in the morning before heading downstairs which doesn't seem to be an option with the Safewatch.

So, should I replace my panel? I am interested in home automation--light control, HVAC control, water sensors / shutoff (for the 2nd floor laundry), but obviously I can do all that without replacing the panel. The idea of controlling the security system via an iPhone app is interesting, but not a deal breaker. Also, I'm concerned about the complexity of setting up 35 zones on a new panel. One other consideration is that the current keypad is right by the rear door where a thief could simply destroy it and avoid the call to central monitoring. I'd like to ensure it's not that easy for a thief to disable the system.

If I should replace, the next question is with what. It seems like Elk is dominent here both this forum and the HA forum. Is that correct, and if so is there a reason why people are choosing Elk over HAI? It seems like HAI is more expensive, but I'm having trouble making an apples-to-apples comparison.

Thanks in advance for the help / advice!

 

[drvnbysound]

I did the Elk vs. HAI comparison myself a little over a year ago and found that HAI is more expensive up-front, but it also comes with certain things that the ELK does not out of the box (e.g. Ethernet and serial ports to name a couple). In the case of the ELK, these are modules that can be purchased separately (M1XEP and M1XSP, respectively) if you desire to utilize the functionality. In the end, if you compare the systems, apples-to-apples, they are very close to the same price.

I simply chose to go with the ELK because I came across a good deal and because I felt like the user-base here was more ELK, which will (hopefully) result is additional support should I ever need it...

 

[Del91574]

I'm chuckling regarding the comparison of a Simon to a 20P. The 20P is a very capable security platform and offers a lot of what you seem to think does not exist, barring an easy HA integration or larger platform (without recurring charges or a lot more hardware).

Smashing a keypad does not disable a system other than an all-in-one unit, like the Simon, and in actuality, the Simon offers far less than what the 20P and some related hardware can do.

By hearing 35 zones, I'm assuming wireless peripherals. If you're concerned about moving to a more robust HA platform, I'd choose the Elk, as the RF hardware can be reused for about 95% for a Vista to M1 conversion.

As far as a HAI vs. M1 comparison, the brute facts are unless you spend for the top of the line HAI, your system is going to be hobbled for the complete functionality and peripherals. The M1 is far more modular and can be built up more as a phased install. I think Elk has the edge in being able to interface with more "security" hardware and has the UI beat compared to HAI. I've dealt with both, and honestly, I call HAI more of a "automation in a box" where a lot of the thinking and component selection is taken out of the equation. Side by side, an OPII and loaded M1 are similar in price, the HAI has a slight edge in a couple of areas, but the margin is very slight.

 

[PhillyTim]

Thank you both. DEL, I suspected my issue with the 20P stemmed from ignorance rather than a lack of functionality. I clearly need to spend some time learning to use it if I don't replace which I'm not likely to do in the short term. Since Vista (or at least ADT) doesn't seem to offer a cordless keypad like I had with the Simon, I assume I can just add a second keypad in my bedroom with the 20P for now? Does the 20P have any HA capabilities?

As for the 35 zones, 3 smokes, a motion, a glass brake sensor, 3 door sensors, and the rest are window sensors. I think I need to add another motion or two.

Thanks again!

 

[Del91574]

Wireless keypads:

5827
5827BD
5878
5828
5828V
5839

Various fobs.

As far as HA, the only thing really that truly comes close would be a Tuxedo keypad, they do offer the 4286 and 4500, but both require more work, cabling, etc. The 20P also supports X-10 with an appropriate header plug. It's somewhat limited compared to the M1, but it's a very capable panel, you just need to figure out if a dry contact or voltage output can accomplish what you want with other hardware.

As far as modifying the system while under contract....tread very lightly. There's specific damages and liabilities in doing such, read the contract, as once you tinker, you could be held in breach of contract, not to mention if something you do causes a failure or communications to not happen,

 

[PhillyTim]

Thanks! The previous owner's contract with ADT ends in a couple of weeks, so we're good on that front I think.