Re: Area Code Change: Ademco Vista 50

[David Bahde <DBahde at comcast net>]

Frank Olson <use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Roland Moore wrote:
>> Ask your service provider if he or she has a copy of Compass for Windows. If
>> they don't, or don't know what you're talking about, it would be a good
>> indication it's time to switch providers. What the company might want to do
>> is upgrade the chip inside your Vista 50 panel, especially if it is a really
>> old version. Newer keypads like the 6160 reportedly have trouble with early
>> version of the Vista 50 without the chip upgrade. That means the whole
>> program has to be rewritten within Compass for the upgrade.
>> That would be the only reason to have to send a technician to the site.
>> However simply making a change in the dialer and not testing the system
>> thoroughly afterwards is certainly not a good idea.
>>
>
>
>His comments about his provider's "excessive" fee makes me wonder just
>how "excessive" it is.  And further...  if the area code change involves
>his provider (and nothing the OP instigated), I'd think that would be a
>"freebie".  He should really have a look at the wording in his contract.

The cost is quoted as  "a $150 minimum charge for this service."  This
is in Chicagoland.  I think it is a large provider here in
Chicagoland.

The system was installed 10 years ago; the person I purchased the
system from 'merged' with the existing company.

My issue is the three weeks it took to notify me when I pay for a
monitored service, and what seems to me to be taking advantage of a
situation that I believe could be easily rectified.

I have no alarm security experience beyond adding / deleting users,
but do have experience in computer programming, so I anticipated being
able to follow a set of instructions to change the phone number.

Am I off base here?

Thanks.