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

[JoeRaisin <joeraisin@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Crash Gordon wrote:

> 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.

Actually just away and stay...

Sorta dumb if you think about it....


>
>
> "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.
> |
> |
>
>