Advice on alarm system...

[gus4778]

Looking at a new (wired( intruder alarm system. Currently have quotes for Texecom Prem Elite system, and Risco Lightsys 2.

Just interested in opinions on both panels, and any interesting titbits anyone can provide!

Cheers ,

Gus

 

[aptsys]

What are your requirements?

You'll probably get the best support from Texecom both direct and on the forum, but if it's a basic wired system then there won't be much to choose between any brands out there. Are you installing yourself or professional install?

 

[gus4778]

Thanks for your reply. It'll be a professional install for a domestic system, although it is a fairly big house with a large square footage. Would like to have an app to monitor/set etc, but don't need to have monitoring. Prefer to stick to wired as house undergoing renovations and have easy access to run wires, but ability to expand later if necessary would be good. Also wondering about including smoke alarms into the system... is this sensible?

Also, had different opinions on best way to cover house - couple of companies suggesting usual PIRs/contacts etc, one steering away from this and more towards perimeter shock sensors on windows instead. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? I'm not unduly concerned about intruder access while occupied which is the main advantage of the shock sensor route I guess, but the house is rural and so main issue is protection while empty. I also have CCTV covering the house...

 

[Alarm Engineer]

Aviod shock sensors, for the reason being, how much vibration will a potential intruder make? The shock sensor has to be calibrated to a set level, now if an intruder manages to force open a window with little vibration then they are in without activation! So we cablibrate it to become more sensitive then low & behold a windy day or hail storm sets them off. The only good thing is that an intruder may be picked up before entering property!

PIRs/Quad PIRs & Dual technology movement sensors are best as they provide blanket coverage with little chance of false alarms. Use these in conjuction with contacts on any perimiter doors and your have a well protected property.

Smoke detectors intergrated into the intruder alarm are a great idea as they are fully monitored & powered by the alarm panel & you never have to change a battery in them (if hardwired).

I would opt for texecom all the way, and look out for Texecom Connect which will work with your chosen variant of texecom panel once released.

Hardwired is best especially for the siren & keypads. Wireless is extreamly good these days but will never be as good as hardwired.

 

[The Pars]

I install Risco and their app/set up is much better than texe at the moment.
It's up to you and I would go with how the installer comes across.
Risco only deal with trade installers and if the system is set up right then you will have no problems.

 

[aptsys]

I would opt for texecom all the way, and look out for Texecom Connect which will work with your chosen variant of texecom panel once released if it's ever released to the public.

Hardwired is best especially for the siren & keypads. Wireless is extreamly good these days but will never be as good as hardwired.

 

[Alarm Engineer]

Due next month, but tbh its been "due next month" for over a year now! It is coming and the app is designed for the customer.

 

[Europlex]

Aviod shock sensors, for the reason being, how much vibration will a potential intruder make? The shock sensor has to be calibrated to a set level, now if an intruder manages to force open a window with little vibration then they are in without activation! So we cablibrate it to become more sensitive then low & behold a windy day or hail storm sets them off. The only good thing is that an intruder may be picked up before entering property!
.......................

Shock sensors have their place the same as any other detector, it's the job of the installing person how to do the job correctly, therefore negating to a great extent the possibility of false activations.

 

[Alarm Engineer]

Yes they do have a place, but we cannot be 100% sure that the person installing cares about the best working position as opposed to the easiest cabling location as is often the case. And we cannot predict how much vibration will be caused. If a window is left on a latch by mistake and an intruder was to open it, a vibration sensor will never trigger whereas a PIR will!

 

[mattice]

Whilst I'm looking forward to texecom connect, I have to say the App has been flawless once I got it set up. Reliable notifications so far, although I have to say my expectations were pretty low. The main challenge it has is that it can't seem to cope with more than one instantiation of the app connected to the panel, which is a bit of a bugger if my wife switches the alarm on from her phone and I then can't connect whilst she's connected.... at least that's what I think is happening.... perhaps it's not so good