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

["Crash Gordon" <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

dont disable the entry delay on that door...one day your keyfob battery may
die...just have one fob button programmed for instant away (maximum) - i
think you can do that if i remember.

the ADT 20P is very very similar to the regular 20P only a couple of
different programming fields.


"FG" <newsgroup@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:43957c21$0$20171$8fcfb975@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
| 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.
|
|