Somethings happening at NESS?

[jestermgee]

I was speaking to one of the reps at Ness since I use the EZ24\M1 and he said they were getting geared up to release a "new" panel. He couldn't tell me much because he said it was being released next week but I managed to get some info out of him:
 
- Expandable zones and outputs
- Standard alphanumeric LCD keypads with touchscreen options
- text to speech voice and gsm diallers
- SMS Option (Finally)
- Free mobile apps
 
it was all a bit hush hush but I thought it sounded much like an M1 except the sales guy said it was priced more at the DX range end. I asked if they were thinking of dropping the DX range (nooooooo) but he said he hadn't heard word of the DX panels being dropped but there were some things to be announced next week in regards to the DX/Eco panel range and one thing he said it will really make the range an appealing option. 
 
Could this finally be a new expandable DX panel? Anyone heard of anything like this? Sounds quite interesting especially since I thought they were on their way to closing down after some staff cut backs.
 

 

[Del91574]

Looking at the Ness product lineup, to me, it seems like their panel offerings are bloated. Is there a need for 4-5 panels with almost the same capabilities but different price points in the market?
 
I still don't know the interchange between Elk and Ness...partnership? M1 made by Elk or Ness? Elk won't comment, but a lot of their M1 line and devices go both ways and is shared between the two.

 

[jestermgee]

Not sure I know what you mean?

They have the Evo panel which is a nice cheap "no frills" panel good for the cheap ass. Then there is the DX panels which have the Saturn and touchscreen which are great but limited to only 8 or 16 zones. The R16 is a wireless only panel and the M1/EZ24 are the high end automation panels for full integration but have the cost to match.

I have been to their manufacturing plant and it is a high tech operation. Well worth a visit. I've been using the M1 for years and Ness have a full partnership with the designers of that panel Elk where they manufacture the panel and export it back.

So not sure where the "4-5 panels that do the same thing" come in as the one thing they do t have is a cost effective expandable option. The M1 is just too much for someone that needs basic security and perimeter protection. Might go and hassle Them for some more details.

 

[Del91574]

If I compare Ness to a lot of other manufacturers, there's seems to be a disconnect in their product line from what I see. Maybe I'm missing it, but for example, a contemporary Honeywell panel has a family of panels and all the hardware is pretty much compatible across the line, keypads, expanders, etc. If you pick one panel, you're limited to whatever peripherals that series product uses.
 
I understand the M1 series...both the M1G and EZ8 make sense, even a logical pricepoint, but I'm missing the point of having a Evo or DX series...and the panels.
 
It also appears that you guys don't get the same capabilities in the panels as us via Elk.