RE: Re: ESP Infinite Alarm

["Marc" <yahoogroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

OK, here's a quick review..

The Infinite alarm system is flexibility at it's best. The basic control
panel not much more than a standard alarm panel. It offers 32 wireless
zones, 32 user codes, event log, internal siren, two way audio,
hardwired zone, and 3 different arming modes. Where the Infinite alarm
panel get's it's flexibility is the range of optional add-on modules and
wireless sensors/controls. The optional modules allow the user to pick
and choose certain features of the alarm and thus not paying for
features they don't need or want. All the add-on modules are installed
directly inside the control panel then setup via the panels LCD display,
or via an optional RS232 interface. The standard kit consists of the
control panel, 2 PIR's, 1 remote keyfob, 1 Door contact, and the power
supply. The kit does not include any of the great add-ons that make this
system great, these need to be purchased separately.

The ESCOMMS add-on module allows the user to set the alarm up for either
24 hour monitoring (supplied by Infinite at cost) or self monitoring.
The self monitoring feature will dial a number of your choice when an
event is triggered. These can include Alarm, Fire, or Tamper. The
installation of the module is straight forward, but obviously does
require a PTSN line nearby. Once the call is connected, you can enter a
pin number and activate two way audio. This allows you to "Listen
in" to
the site. Once the call is terminated, the system reactivates any sirens
that are configured to run. If the alarm is to be fitted somewhere out
of site, this can effect the performance of the two way audio. This is
where the Infinite Interphone comes in handy. This little box is
basically an external speaker and microphone that can be placed outside
of an installation point to allow better two way audio. It should be
noted however that the Interphone is a hard wired device, so you will
need to run a cable from the control panel to the unit.=20

The Infinite system also offers a GSM module that works much the same
way, but also offers text messages used to inform the user of events
that have occurred, and even control devices around the home (via
optional ESHA add-on). The ES GSM is basically a mobile phone that you
plug directly into the control panel. Signal strength at the chosen
installation site should be taken into consideration to avoid problems.=20

The Home Automation module is another add-on that's installed directly
into the control panel. Once installed this little unit allows the
Infinite alarm to communicate with X10 devices. These devices can be
switched on or off under numerous events such. These events include
arming or dis-arming of the alarm, triggering of the alarm, or even just
activation of one particular sensor. Using the "On By Zone"
feature, I
was able to use the wireless PIR's (that are not directly compatible
with X10) as occupancy sensors. The On By Zone feature allows you to
define a HA Unit that will be switched on when movement is detected, and
this works if the alarm is armed or not. This extends to all zones, so
even door contacts can send an X10 ON/OFF command. Here's a screenshot
of my
Homeseer screen (a bit outdated now):
http://www.serenitymeadow.com/images/sec.jpg=20
The home automation module also offers the user the ability to define
schedules for turning on/off X10 devices when the alarm is armed.These
devices can be set to certain times, or to random times. An optional
remote control (ES-HA) allows you to control your HA devices via remote
control anywhere in the home.

The Infinite alarm does not directly attach to external sirens. For this
you need the Wireless sounder module. This module allows you to connect
existing sirens to your Infinite system. The WSM is installed local to
the siren, and then uses wireless signals to talk to the panel. This WSM
provides full connection to external sirens allowing Hold
Off/Strobe/Trigger. The external siren delay, cut off etc can be defined
via the control panel. I had no problems getting the WSM working with my
old "Wired" external bell box.=20

Sensors for the Infinite alarm come in all different shapes and sizes.
We have two types of PIR's. One for rooms with pets, and one for rooms
without. They are simply placed in the desired location and then
registered with the control panel. Each sensor takes up one zone, which
limits the panel to 32 sensors. Although the Infinite alarm only has one
hardwired zone, there are ways round this. The 33rd hardwired zone
connects directly to the control panel, but what's also available is the
Infinite Universal Transmitter. This basically works by connecting a
hardwired contact/sensor to the universal module (installed locally)
which then talks via wireless to the control panel. This means you can
have more than one hard wired zone.=20

The magnetic door contacts work much like the PIR's.. Stick them in the
desired location and register them with the control panel. The downside
of the door contacts are their size. They are a large and awkward, and
look a bit odd on the door. The remote keyfobs are fantastic for those
of you that hate rushing inside to put the code in the panel. This
little bad boys work just like a car alarm remote fob.. Simply approach
the house and press disarm. Each keyfob is registered with the control
panel. Only keyfobs registered with the panel will work with your alarm,
and they can be easily deleted if lost. One downside I have found with
these keyfobs is that it's very easy to accidentally disarm the alarm
when putting keys in your pocket.. So beware !

The fire alarm sensor is one of the main reasons I bought the Infinite
system. This sensor will monitor for smoke, and if detected will trigger
the alarm. When installing the fire alarm, it is setup as such via the
control panel. This allows the alarm to be activated if smoke is
detected, even if the alarm is disarmed. The main selling point for me
was, that once the alarm had been triggered because of fire.. It will
then use the PSTN of GSM module to call you.

All in all it's a fantastic alarm. It's easy to add new sensors, and you
can start off with the basic system and build it up to meet your
requirements. I've already added sensors to my garage etc, which took
about 10 minutes to install. I think it would have taken me all day to
do that with a hardwired alarm. When used in conjunction with the
various add-on modules, the Infinite alarm becomes a powerful home
security system. I have interfaced my Infinite system with my Homeseer
system. This allows me to have various Homeseer events that are
triggered by various Infinite sensors. I have found the range of the
sensors to be excellent. One of my out buildings, a shed, is over 20
meters away, and I have several concrete walls between it and the
control panel. I've had no problems getting the two to talk. The alarm
allows for 3 different type of arming modes, Full, Part and Perimeter.
These are all defined via the zones. I use the perimeter mode for
protecting the just the out buildings :)

I've had the alarm for about 6 months now, and it's not given me any
trouble what so ever. It works.. Plain and simple. I looked at various
other alarms when deciding what to buy, but decided the Infinite offered
the best solution to what I wanted, and would be the easiest to
intergrate to my existing equipment. It's not too technical, and is very
simple to setup. I must admit however, that the installation
instructions let it down a bit.

Anyways.. My boss is looking at me weird, so I better get on with some
work.. Feel free to ask any questions.

Cheers

Marc


-----Original Message-----
From: Ben McCormack [mailto:ben@xxxxxxx]=20
Sent: 03 March 2004 11:51
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: [ukha_d] Re: ESP Infinite Alarm


Hi ALl

Any chance of a Mini review / Review of this system as I have been=20
looking at Powermax but this also looks good

Regards

Ben

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Marc" <yahoogroups@s...> wrote:
> Sweet, thanks mate. Doing it now :)
>=20=20
> cheers
>=20=20
> Marc
>=20
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Bond [mailto:chris@l...]=20
> Sent: 03 March 2004 09:50
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: [ukha_d] Re: ESP Infinite Alarm
>=20
>=20
> > Thanks for the software BTW :) Just need to get my hands on
the=20
> RS232
> > module. I can't see it on the TLC website though :\
>=20
> Ah forgot to say use the code NONWEB then in the notes of the order=20
> put INF-RS232 price =A325 and they'll sort it for u.
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