OK folks, I've seen (and been following) the many threads covering cellular communicators spawned in the wake of the 2G sunset. I am finally ready to pull the trigger, but am having some trouble deciding which way to go. I've searched extensively here (and elsewhere) without finding the answers I need, so apologies for creating yet another thread on this topic.
Here are the details:
1. My CS is AlarmRelay.
2. My panel is an HAI OmniPro 2.
3. I have VOIP (Comcast Business Class voice) and no POTS.
4. I previously tried using an HAI C3 but it didn't work reliably for me, due to (AT&T) reception issues; 2G sunset makes the C3 irrelevant, but I believe I would have AT&T reception issues even with 3G or 4G.
5. I'm looking for a Verizon CDMA solution, for which reception should be somewhat better.
6. I'm not willing to consider the IPDatatel solutions, given all the issues people here have reported in the past.
7. UL Listing seems (to me) worth having.
8. I would like to set up supervisory zones on my panel to know when the cellular unit is reporting troubles.
9. Being cellular only, I would like to know right away if the communication path is not working.
10. I'm DIY (I have no dealer).
My choices are:
1. Telguard TG-1 Express CDMA or TG-4 CDMA
2. Uplink CDMA30 or CDMA50
3. Napco makes the SLE-CDMA, which is claimed to be both UL-listed and capable of reporting to "any central station".
I spoke to AlarmRelay, who tell me that their monthly charge for monitoring via either the Telguard or Uplink solutions is the same (~$26/month), plus $60 one-time charge for setup. They also told me that the Napco solution is not supported (there are different Napco units on their supported list, for Napco panels, but these appear to be only older units, not these Starlink3 units).
Here are my questions:
TELGUARD / UPLINK questions:
1. Telguard vs. Uplink: For the same monthly fee, is there a reason to prefer one over the other, when used in conjunction with AlarmRelay and my HAI OP2?
2. Cellular only vs cellular primary: I feel like it's more "future proof" to buy the more expensive unit that supports cellular+POTS, even if i'm not using it now. But once AlarmRelay configures the device (I am assuming they would be the "dealer" from the perspective of Telguard or Uplink), would I be "locked in" to using only them? If so, perhaps I should just view this device as a consumable item.
3. Will the only reliable indication of communication trouble be the trouble signal generated on my panel? IOW, when can I expect the Central Station to know / notify me they have lost 'heartbeat' with the cellular unit? AFAICT, AlarmRelay only offers monthly timer test. I do see references in the data sheets for these units to something like "Remote Query" capability, but I am assuming this is something that has to be configured with Telguard or Uplink directly (via a dealer). Is there any reasonable way for me to get more reliable (external) notifications of communication trouble?
NAPCO questions:
1. I assume when Napco say it works with "any Central Station", they mean that they do DTMF retransmission to your Central Station. So, would the Napco solution work with AR (despite what they say)?
2. Does anyone have experience using a Starlink unit with an HAI OP2? With AlarmRelay?
3. As far as I can tell, I would need someone with a Napco dealer account to properly configure the Starlink unit's settings with the Napco NOC. If AlarmRelay will not activate this unit, would I need to find a dealer out there to help me with this setup? Is there anyone out there who could help?
ALARMRELAY questions:
1. I have used AlarmRelay for years and, while I haven't had any serious troubles with them, the people I interact with do seem to have been inconsistently trained. Is there another DIY-friendly/tolerant CS out there that people prefer to AlarmRelay these days?
Thanks for any input or advice you can provide
--js
Here are the details:
1. My CS is AlarmRelay.
2. My panel is an HAI OmniPro 2.
3. I have VOIP (Comcast Business Class voice) and no POTS.
4. I previously tried using an HAI C3 but it didn't work reliably for me, due to (AT&T) reception issues; 2G sunset makes the C3 irrelevant, but I believe I would have AT&T reception issues even with 3G or 4G.
5. I'm looking for a Verizon CDMA solution, for which reception should be somewhat better.
6. I'm not willing to consider the IPDatatel solutions, given all the issues people here have reported in the past.
7. UL Listing seems (to me) worth having.
8. I would like to set up supervisory zones on my panel to know when the cellular unit is reporting troubles.
9. Being cellular only, I would like to know right away if the communication path is not working.
10. I'm DIY (I have no dealer).
My choices are:
1. Telguard TG-1 Express CDMA or TG-4 CDMA
2. Uplink CDMA30 or CDMA50
3. Napco makes the SLE-CDMA, which is claimed to be both UL-listed and capable of reporting to "any central station".
I spoke to AlarmRelay, who tell me that their monthly charge for monitoring via either the Telguard or Uplink solutions is the same (~$26/month), plus $60 one-time charge for setup. They also told me that the Napco solution is not supported (there are different Napco units on their supported list, for Napco panels, but these appear to be only older units, not these Starlink3 units).
Here are my questions:
TELGUARD / UPLINK questions:
1. Telguard vs. Uplink: For the same monthly fee, is there a reason to prefer one over the other, when used in conjunction with AlarmRelay and my HAI OP2?
2. Cellular only vs cellular primary: I feel like it's more "future proof" to buy the more expensive unit that supports cellular+POTS, even if i'm not using it now. But once AlarmRelay configures the device (I am assuming they would be the "dealer" from the perspective of Telguard or Uplink), would I be "locked in" to using only them? If so, perhaps I should just view this device as a consumable item.
3. Will the only reliable indication of communication trouble be the trouble signal generated on my panel? IOW, when can I expect the Central Station to know / notify me they have lost 'heartbeat' with the cellular unit? AFAICT, AlarmRelay only offers monthly timer test. I do see references in the data sheets for these units to something like "Remote Query" capability, but I am assuming this is something that has to be configured with Telguard or Uplink directly (via a dealer). Is there any reasonable way for me to get more reliable (external) notifications of communication trouble?
NAPCO questions:
1. I assume when Napco say it works with "any Central Station", they mean that they do DTMF retransmission to your Central Station. So, would the Napco solution work with AR (despite what they say)?
2. Does anyone have experience using a Starlink unit with an HAI OP2? With AlarmRelay?
3. As far as I can tell, I would need someone with a Napco dealer account to properly configure the Starlink unit's settings with the Napco NOC. If AlarmRelay will not activate this unit, would I need to find a dealer out there to help me with this setup? Is there anyone out there who could help?
ALARMRELAY questions:
1. I have used AlarmRelay for years and, while I haven't had any serious troubles with them, the people I interact with do seem to have been inconsistently trained. Is there another DIY-friendly/tolerant CS out there that people prefer to AlarmRelay these days?
Thanks for any input or advice you can provide
--js