Re: ADT Safewatch 3000 pro RF versus GE Simon 3 with Nextalarm

["FG" <newsgroup@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Frank,

Your idea of just replacing the main board by a standard vista 20P is good .

I'll go with ADT and their Custom vista 20P if my company is willling to pay
the extra stuff  needed by their vista 20p to match the simon
functionnalities :
- extra 2lines alpanumerical keypad to be able to program the pannel
(standard ADT keypad is a "fixed english" type)
- extra VIP phone module to be able to take control of the pannel over the
phone   (extra $160)
- upgraded power supply to pilot X10 devices  ($40-$60)

Regarding the possibility of ripping off the pannel from the wall (wether a
Simon 3 or Vista 20p), I had allready planned to
- put it in a hidden place and have the siren installed in a different room.
- have a 10sec or even zero delay for the entry zone because I could
desactivate the alarm using the keychain remote control.
- leave as a decoy ; ) the old and disfunctionnal Beesafe alarm pannel that
was installed in all condos. This one is indeed installed in plain sight in
the entrance and can be neutralized/ripped off in 5 seconds...

Regards,

FG



"Frank Olson" <Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:xsZkf.52932$Eq5.19642@xxxxxxxxxxx
> FG wrote:
>
>
> Response "in line".
>
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am debating beetween getting a GE Simon 3 system or an ADT Safewatch
>> 3000 pro RF. I tried to weight the pro and cons of each system (see
>> below) and it looks like the Simon 3 is a winner.
>> Am I right?
>
> It's a good panel.  Please ensure your installer provides the remote
> wireless or two wire touchpad.  Putting the main control which
> incorporates the system touchpad next to the front door isn't a good idea.
> How long do you think it would take someone to rip the sucker off the
> wall??  Could they do it during the standard 30 second entry delay?? The
> main control should be mounted in an out-of-the-way location.
>
> Make sure someone checks on your place every few days.  If you're leaving
> for a whole year, don't forget to turn off the hot water tank (and the
> cold water supply to it).  Turn off the water to your toilet tanks as
> well.
>
>
>> Thanks in advance for any advice/comment you could give me regarding that
>> matter.
>>
>> FG
>>
>>
>> ANALYSIS of the sistuation:
>>
>>
>>
>> While they send me in Asia for 12 months, my company is going to pay for
>> the installation of an alarm and the monitoring of my condo .When I come
>> back, I do not plan to keep the proffessionnal monitoring. So I am
>> looking to have them install a system that will allow me to monitor by
>> myself my condo (it's 1300 sq ft condo, max distance between sensor and
>> alarm panel = 25ft). Once it has been installed, I want to easily be able
>> to :
>>
>> - maintain it,
>>
>> - program it to call me in case of an intrusion and be able able to reset
>> it with a touch phone,
>>
>> - schedule X10 events (switching on lights...) .
>>
>>
>>
>> So far, we are considering 2 possibilities for our basic setup (wireless
>> system, 1 keypad, 2motions, 2 remote, 1 smoke, 2 door contacts):
>>
>> -         Go with an independent installer who will install a Simon 3
>> system for around $1200 and we will then subscribe to a monitoring
>> company like nextalarm.com
>>
>> OR
>>
>> -         go with an ADT dealer and a Safewatch pro 3000 RF system $759
>> ($499 for the basic system + $95  for the extra keychain + $165 for the
>> extra motion sensor). The girl from ADT was OK to offer a one year
>> contract with ownership of the sytem instead of the usual 3 year
>>
>>
>>
>> From my "limited" point of view, it seems that the Simon 3 panel fits my
>> picture better since. It looks like it  will be easier for me to :
>>
>> -         maintain the system
>>
>> -         control it over the phone and program it to call me in case of
>> an intrusion without the need of a monitoring service,
>>
>> -         subscribe to a different monitoring company (not necessary ADT)
>>
>>
>>
>> The ADT safe watch system (ADT customized vista 20P??) seems more
>> professional and offer hardwired sensors but it also looks like :
>>
>> -         it will be a pain for me to mainatin or add new components (X10
>> switches) or choose to subscribe to another monitoring company because
>> ADT has kind of "locked the system"
>
>
> Correct.  The ADT version of the Ademco Vista 20 has some important
> differences programming wise.  It's also fairly limited with respect to
> communications format.  The upside is that the main system board is
> relatively easy to replace with your standard off-the-shelf board. Anyone
> can do that.
>
>
>>
>> -         less user friendly and more expensive to control it over the
>> phone (I believe you also have to pay ADT an extra $180 to get the remote
>> phone control) and configure it to call you in case of an intrusion
>
> I wouldn't say it was any less "user friendly" than the Simon 3.
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>> So, it seems to me that getting the Safewatch system would be overkill
>> and that the Simon 3 would be a better solution, especially if I want ot
>> have the possibility to NOT need to use a professional monitoring service
>> but just want the system to call me or other numbers in case of an
>> intrusion.
>
> I wouldn't worry about it either way.  If your company's willing to foot
> the bill, have them sign the agreement stipulating to the one year of
> monitoring and that the system will revert to your ownership/control at
> the end of the contract term.
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>> Am I right to choose the Simon 3 or am I missing something? : )
>
> Simon 3's easier to install.  I'd get a second quote from another
> independent dealer on the same equipment and service.  Don't forget to ask
> for the remote keypad.
>
>
>
>> Bonus questions :  ; )
>>
>>
>>
>> Q2:  Can the ADT dealer actually offer a 12 month monitoring service and
>> guarantee that we will own the system after those 12 months?? I thought
>> ADT dealer were only allowed to offer 3 year contracts.
>
>
> You should be dealing with ADT corporate and avoid the dealers (I've heard
> there are some very unscrupulous ones out there although I haven't
> personally encountered any).  As for the length of contract term...  as
> long as it's clearly stipulated, you shouldn't have a problem.
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>>  Q3: The dealer/installer told us that they could not install any new
>> wiring because the place we own is a condo and therefore they can only
>> offer wireless systems. Is this correct??
>
> A hard wired system in a condo is problematic, yes.  A wireless system is
> much easier.
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>> Q4:The independent installer told us that they are not allowed (in
>> Clearwater Florida) to install smoke detector in condo (but they can in
>> town homes). The ADT dealer didn't mention any restriction regarding the
>> installation of a smoke detector. Who is right??
>
> Pure hogwash.  A monitored smoke detector in addition to the unit
> originally supplied only serves to enhance your personal security.
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>> Q5: The installer told me that wireless recessed door sensors are no
>> working well with the Simon 3 system and that I should go with the
>> regular wireless door sensor. Is this correct?
>
> The installer's being "lazy".  The ITI wireless products are amoung the
> best on the market.  The recessed contacts take a bit more effort to
> install (you need a bigger drill).
>
>
>>
>> Is there also a  big difference in quality between the various sensors?
>> Any brand/model, you would recommend  for motion detector or door
>> sensors?
>
> The difference isn't worth mentioning.  You might want to stipulate to a
> "pet proof" motion though.  This would help when you're selling your condo
> (as an extra feature).
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>> Q6:Any opinion about  www.nextalarm.com
>
>
> Nextalarm doesn't do their own monitoring.  They farm it out to various
> independent stations across America.  I'd suggest investigating a *local*
> (to you) solution.