Re: have not idea whatRe: is wireless mature yet

[Robert L Bass <sales@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>> For the DIYer hard-wiring the alarm system presents several
>> advantages.  First, it's less expensive since he doesn't have to
>> buy transmitters and a receiver.
>
> Providing his time is worth next to nothing.

Many DIYers do the job themselves because they enjoy the
challenge.  Others do it because the alarm companies that bid the
job either didn't offer adequate protection or they wanted too
much money for the job.  Still others have already had the
misfortune to hire people like you to install a system and have
since decided to do their own work.

>> Second, it's often more reliable in the long run.
>
> Horse-shit.  Never seen a wireless sensor "freeze"
> in a state that allows the home-owner to arm the
> system, never knowing the sensor is INOP.

The fact that you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
The fact is wireless systems simply have more components which
can fail and are therefore that much more likely to do so than a
comparably designed hard-wired system.

With advances over the past few years wireless has become more
reliable than the junk that was available before.  However, it
can never become more reliable than hard-wired or even as
reliable as hard-wired.

> Never seen lightning fuse multiple reed switches together
>on a wireless system.

I've seen lightning completely destroy the master controls of
numerous wireless AND hard-wired systems, many of them older
models which were no longer being manufactured.  The difference
is that an obsolete wired control can be swapped along with the
keypads and almost everything else will work fine.  With a
wireless system, once the line is dropped (sooner or later all of
them are) the entire system is obsolete.  If a major component
fails everything else has to be replaced.

Replacing a wired controller and keypad typically costs less than
$200, even with many top-of-the-line keypads.  Replacing a
complete wireless system can cost thousands of dollars.

Of course, if charging your clients as much as you can get away
with while providing subminimal protection is your goal, I can
understand why you do what you do.  I can't condone it, mind you,
but I understand what you're up to.

>> Third, it's nowhere near as likely to become
>> obsolete and unserviceable like the DSC
>> you push.
>
> Horse shit.  If it works, it's not "obsolete"...

Until the day comes (and it most assuredly will) when any major
component like a panel, zone expander or keypad fails in service.
Then the out-of-production wireless system must be completely
scrapped.

> plus, with ebay and other online vendors,
> you can get anything.

Are you saying that you resell systems to your victims which you
purchase on eBay.  That's atrocious!

>> Fourth, there are not a lot of batteries to
> replace every so often.
>
> Eh, once every 10 years is not a big deal.
> Or once every 5 - 8 years depending on
> the transmitter used.

Or once every other year... also depending on how often the
door/window/motion detector is tripped.

>> Fifth, there are not a lot of funky looking
>> plastic boxes at every window and door.
>
> What are you that behind the times? RECESSED
> my man, RECESSED!

I've seen lots of systems installed (if you can call it that) by
some of these so-called "authorized dealers" put in.  Virtually
none of them used recessed transmitters, apparently because those
cost a couple of dollars more than the clunky box style units.
Also, it appears that these nimrods rarely know how to use a
drill.

>> An average run of 50 feet of cable costs about $2-3.
>
> And time.....but we have established that you
> think someones time is worthless.

Perhaps your time is worthless.  My clients often decide that
they will take the time to do the job right after learning what
junk the local "authorized dealers" are pushing.  Only the
customer can decide the value of his time.

>> A zone expander will cost ~$7-9 per zone, depending on the model.
>
> Can you get a 1-zone expander?

Planning to install a 1-zone system, are you?

>>> and abused drill bits while you're at it.
>>
>> You abuse drill bits?
>>
>>> Wireless is actually more cost effective for the installing
>>> company because they can install three to four times
>>> the amount of systems than if they used hardwire...
>>
>> Not only that but they don't even need any
>> training or skill to do it.  :^)
>
> No training eh?

Judging from some of the work I've seen done by companies like
yours, none at all.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

Bass Burglar Alarms
The Online DIY Store
http://www.BassBurglarAlarms.com