Help choosing an alarm system

Help choosing an alarm system

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Discussion

voicey

Original Poster:

2,453 posts

187 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
I'm planning to upgrade the house alarm and was hoping I could get some recommendations. At the moment we have an ADT installed system that was bought by the previous owners. I didn't keep the contract but managed to default the panel and sort the codes out. I've replaced many of the sensors already (when decorating) and added a second bell box to the rear of the house. I'd like to think I have a good idea on how to wire an alarm system in.

At the moment we have four zones but I'd like to add two more (the wiring is already in place). I'd like the ability to add a couple more zones in the future (when I decorate upstairs). I think my shopping list is as follows...

1) Control Panel (needs to be able to drive the internal sounder which I think is just an 8 ohm speaker)
2) Keypad
3) Contact switch for an up-and-over garage door (to be mounted internally)
4) Surface mount contact switch for patio doors

Can anyone make a recommendation? Cost isn't a priority, I'd be willing to pay more for quality and ease of programming. A plus would be a modern looking keypad.

Cheers!

DSLiverpool

14,742 posts

202 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
I need to update our 10 year old Karizma system fitted in the house when I arrived, I have had a look round and I'm going for the RISCO Lightsys system it's wired/ radio and has smokes as well. I have asked RISCO to name a good local installer and it wil be going in soon.

Fwiw I worked in alarms for 19 years and whilst out of it for 10 years speaking to people I trust from back then the RISCO is one of the better real life systems in that it adapts to you and you don't have to live your life around the alarm. Example is I want to set the alarm, then open the garage door to get the car and close it again without fannying about with remotes, I can choose to open the garage door when I set the alarm abd for a preset time after which it closes and that zone goes live - impressed with that plus it's controllable via your smartphone.

SVS

3,824 posts

271 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
If a 10 year-old system's still working, why bother updating it? confused

DSLiverpool said:
I worked in alarms for 19 years and whilst out of it for 10 years ...
I'm curious to know how much has changed. How different are alarm systems from 10 years ago vs. now?

DSLiverpool

14,742 posts

202 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
Integration really and control, using smartphones to monitor and set the alarm, getting texts for set and unset for domestic systems plus the vastly increased reliability of radio systems.
I'm upgrading because I want better smoke and heat detectors and the new system can make use of the id wiring I have, were going to link in the ip CCTV and I may splash out on a ip video entry if any cash is left over.

LordFlathead

9,641 posts

258 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
DSLiverpool said:
Integration really and control, using smartphones to monitor and set the alarm, getting texts for set and unset for domestic systems plus the vastly increased reliability of radio systems.
I'm upgrading because I want better smoke and heat detectors and the new system can make use of the id wiring I have, were going to link in the ip CCTV and I may splash out on a ip video entry if any cash is left over.
I have spares for Karizma + ID, including biscuits and RKP's if you need any. I use to fit only ADE Karizma Plus systems back in the day.. mine is still going strong with 24 zones on Line ID. I had over a thousand out in the field during my alarm install times, but they are dated now!

You can still buy Castle Caretech 76 Zone panels which will make use of your ID wiring if you so chose to do so.

Details are here if you are interested:

http://www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/catalog/index.p...

FerdiZ28

1,355 posts

134 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Hi there

I'm a sales manager and consultant for Chubb, if you like PM me some details and a geographical area and I can arrange a survey and some recommendations.

Cheers

DSLiverpool

14,742 posts

202 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
LordFlathead said:
I have spares for Karizma + ID, including biscuits and RKP's if you need any. I use to fit only ADE Karizma Plus systems back in the day.. mine is still going strong with 24 zones on Line ID. I had over a thousand out in the field during my alarm install times, but they are dated now!

You can still buy Castle Caretech 76 Zone panels which will make use of your ID wiring if you so chose to do so.

Details are here if you are interested:

http://www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/catalog/index.p...
Cheers appreciated, the RISCO system will use the ID wiring that's one if the reasons I chose it, I worked at ADE from just before the Novar take over for two years previous to that I was at CQR for a long time - it was a good industry and I have fond memories.

LordFlathead

9,641 posts

258 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
How about that? Small world! I loved the simplicity of running one cable and daisy-chaining the zones via biscuits. I'm considering my next move alarm wise (still working without fault) as I would like to integrate the alarm with my automation systems.

Lots of choices! smile