Re: Ademco wireless system

[tourman <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Sep 15, 10:26 am, "SlimJim" <n...@xxxxx> wrote:
> "tourman" <robercampb...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>
> news:1189861115.201209.297360@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> > To be clear on your definition of "lock down", changing the installer
> > code to their own is more than sufficient to protect the integrity of
> > the panel and it's communication  data. This is always done by every
> > company and any company that doesn't would be very foolish. Nothing
> > more should ever be acceptable to you as a consumer. This allows only
> > them in to make low level changes which affect the panel's ability to
> > call the station.
>
> > However, there is another additional lockout feature which prevents
> > the panel from EVER being returned to factory default, and which makes
> > the panel useless to any other company after the first company has
> > left.
>
> what panel has that? not most I know of.

RHC: Both DSC and Paradox have that board lock feature. Ademco has it
but only by download software. Other makes I am less clear about, but
I believe Napco and Caddyx both have it. Perhaps you could enlighten
us on which panel DON'T have this feature...
>
> > No company has the right to use this feature on a panel which is
> > fully paid for, and which belongs fully to you, and on which there are
> > no contractual obligations outstanding.
>
> then why is it there?

RHC: It is there for quite legitimate reasons. If an alarmco puts in a
leased system, the equipment belongs to the alarmco. They have every
right to lock THEIR board to protect themselves against clients who
default and simply leave the premises, against clients who go price
shopping for a lower monthly rate, and against other unethical alarm
companies who raid the accounts of others to steal business away.
Until the contract is finished, they have not been fully paid for the
system. This is the realm of the phony "free system" , where the
client is sold a minimalistic system at a high monthly, contractual
rate. Very common in this industry, since not everyone can afford the
price of an alarm system upfront (not much different than paying for
an automobile over time...). In those cases, I would expect the
alarmco to lock the board for their protection.

Frankly, I wouldn't use a panel that DIDN'T have this feature built
in. But at the same time, it should be used properly, and often the
arguments on this newsgroup about locking boards revolve around the
definition of what is proper use of the feature.
>
> and if it is so bad why do you even use those panels?  seems to me you are
> promoting this 'extra lockout code' by using equipment sold by those
> companies.....  and at the same time critisizing them.  what's that all
> aboot?

RHC: If you don't know of existenc of this feature then clearly you
are not actually in the industry. My response above is the answer to
your question.