Alarm Systems Pro

Honeywell Lynx Touch L5000

The Honeywell Lynx Touch L5000 is here!!! If you were a fan of the Lynx Plus then you’ll will love the new version of the Lynx alarm panel. This touch screen panel is so user friendly that it might put some installers out of business!

This has a lot of the same features of the Lynx Plus but a whole lot more! The number of zones in this model has been expanded to 64 over the Lynx Plus’ 40 zone capacity.

As well as having more zones than the Lynx Plus; the L5000 has 2 numbers that can be called out to for self-monitoring.  A lot of people wanted more than one number being called out if they were not using a monitoring service. With the new Lynx Touch users get to have a two number dial out. If you alarm went off then it could call your cellphone and office.

The Lynx Touch still has the same voice annunciation but the voice is a little different and the speaker is louder. You can easily change the volume by touching and dragging the volume slider up or down.

Another thing that is different in this newer model is that with the Lynx Plus you had to learn in every button on a keychain remote. With the Lynx Touch you go into programming and choose the ‘Keys’ programming option. When you’re in this mode all you have to do is choose how many buttons the remote has and then press one button. The entire set of buttons gets learned in with the press of one button!

Another feature of the new Lynx Touch is the ease of use when it comes to home automation. The Lynx Plus could perform some home automation through the use of X-10 devices. The problem with X-10 devices is that the use your house’s wiring to send the signal from the alarm panel. Most homes have circuit branches from there breaker box. If the device you want to trigger is on one branch and the transmitter is on the other; this could cause intermittent operation. The new Lynx Touch, with the addition of the Z-Bridge module, can operate through wi-fi to operate devices. This is way more reliable than conventional X-10 operation. If you would like to know more about Z-Wave technology then you can visit Z-Wave.com to learn more about this advancement in home automation.

I have had a lot of fun learning about this new system. Like I said, it is so easy to use that anyone with a little patience who thoroughly reads their manuals could set this up in no time. Honeywell products just keep getting better and easier to use every time they come out with new things.

Honeywell Lynx Touch Video

Optex BX80NR Outdoor PIR Perimeter Detector

The Optex BX80NR Outdoor PIR Perimeter Detector is a very handy unit that can be used with any alarm system that features wireless transmitters that have outputs for wired normally closed devices. This also may be hardwired to the alarm panel by a home-run wire run if that is an option

The Optex BX80NR is an outdoor perimeter motion detection system that mounts on the side of your home. It is used to detect when anyone comes near your windows or any opening leading into your home.

The back box has a place to put the wireless transmitter if that’s how you choose to set it up.  If you are operating this via battery power then the BX80NR has a power-saving mode that will extend the life of your batteries. This perimeter detector also can be set for different sensitivity settings so that unwanted objects won’t be picked up.  also false alarms caused by small animals is almost impossible by it’s built in size judging function.

The level and vertical angle of recognition are autonomously alterable on both the right and other side sides of the indicator. This item catches temperature distinctions between  the moving target and the underpinning level temperature of the location zone. Thus, if the target tries not to move, the finder can not identify it. Furthermore, the temperature of the target might affect the detector’s maximum detection range.

If you are looking for an outdoor motion sensor then you might want to look into picking this up for your home or business alarm system! If you would like to read up on PIR motion detectors you can go to Wikipedia for some great information on them.

Honeywell 5883H Wireless Tranceiver

The Honeywell 5883H Wireless Tranceiver is for those who have alarm systems and have areas in their location that can’t be easily wired. If you have a wired system and a finished home then this add-on can help you expand your systems capability greatly.

The Ademco 5883H is a receiver and transmitter combined into one unit. Honeywell claims that this is a combination of the 5881ENH receiver and a 5800TM transmitter module. In a manner it is but there is a difference. The 5883H not only can handle the wireless transmitters in the 5800 series but it also can handle the 5839 keypads and any other Honeywell wireless device that accepts a site ID from the 5883H. Most wireless devices work on an RF House Code from the Vista panels, but some require retrieving a site ID from the receiver.

Honeywell’s website site states the a 5883H is nothing more than the combination of a 5881ENH and a 5800TM. This is not the case however because using a 5881ENH and a 5800TM together is not enough for devices that require a site ID. The duo of the receiver and the transmitter will not provide devices with a site ID. The 5883H is the only one that can. Also the 6160RF keypad, which Honeywell claims contains the same thing as a 5883H,  will only work with those devices that operate on RF house code and not with devices that accept a site ID.

If you are looking for an all-in-one transceiver then the 5883H is for you!

GE Simon XT 2-Way Wireless Talking Touch Screen Keypad

The GE Simon XT 2-Way Wireless Talking Touch Screen Keypad is a great addition to your Simon XT version 2 alarm panel. This touchscreen will make a beautiful secondary keypad so that you can place the panel away in a safe location.

Most people don’t understand that if an intruder breaks into your home and you have you Simon panel/keypad combo sitting right next to your front door they could rip it off of the wall and smash it to bits, therefore disabling your alarm system.

GE Simon XT Version 2

With the 2-Way Wireless Talking Touch Screen Keypad; this becomes a worry of the past. You can put the main Simon panel in a centralized location away from the prying eyes of an intruder and use the touch screen as an entryway keypad so that you may disarm the system when you get inside the house.

This keypad features a bright graphical display that makes arming your system attractive and easy! It has one-button arming and disarming so that you may easily set the alarm. It also features a settings configuration menu which allows you to adjust the volume and appearance. It also always the user to see the event log of the main panel and hear the system status. Other setting options include a calibration screen which allows you to set the touch screen up for use.

All-in-all a nice addition to your Simon XT system that won’t kill your wallet. This unit will cost you around the same price as a wired keypad.

Elk-M1XEP Ethernet Interface

The ELK-M1XEP is a great add-on for any tech geek who has an ELK M1 panel. This will allow you to remotely control and monitor the ELK panel via the internet. The M1XEP has a built-in web server and a Java applet interface which makes this a very user friendly means of controlling anything from the arming state of the system to controlling lights, temperature, etc.

This also features a built-in software setup utility to help you configuring the connection setup, network password, etc. The M1XEP can also use a dynamic IP address or can be set up to use a static IP address as well.

ELK has an online demo of this add-on at http://www.elkproducts.com/m1_live_demo.html. You can view all of the myriad of features that this module has to offer.

N7703 Power Pack For Ademco 5839 Wireless Alpha Keypad

The N7703 Power Pack is for use with the Ademco 5839 wireless alpha keypad.  The 5839 keypad is usually powered by a nine volt lithium battery. When the keypad is powered in this manner it will go into power saving mode and will only display when an activating key is pressed.

With the N7703 this is not the case. Your 5839 keypad will stay in ‘Always On’ mode which means your keypad will constantly display all states that your alarm system is in.

This can also function as a charger for those nine volt lithium batteries as well making it dual purpose.

So if you’re in the market for a wireless keypad for your Vista alarm panel then you might want to consider picking this up as well.

Ademco 5839 Wireless Alpha Keypad

The Ademco 5839 Wireless Alpha Keypad is great for people who want additional keypads for their Vista series panels but don’t want to or can’t run the wire for a traditional wired keypad. This will only work with a 5883 receiver and will not work with the RF receiver keypads.

The 5839 is a full alpha display keypad  that compares to the Ademco 6160 wired keypad. It reads out all alarm events in plain English text. It also, if programmed, will read out descriptors for your zones.  It features function keys just like the 6160 as well.

This keypad is powered by a 9 volt lithium battery and will shut off when not in use to conserve battery power. It comes back to life when you hit the asterisk key.

You can, however, get a power pack for this unit that will keep the keypad in ‘always on’ mode. The Ademco N7703 is a transformer for the 5839 and connects with a piece that you can find in any electronics store.

A very nice buy if you want a wireless keypad!

Alexor IP BAT Broadband Alarm Transmitter Communicator

IT’S FINALLY HERE!!! A lot of folks have found great satifaction using IPDatatel’s Broadband Alarm Transmitter for the Honeywel Vista, DSC Power, & GE Caddx series of alarm panels, but a group of Alexor users wanted to have the functionality of using a broadband transmitter as well.

Well now folks who have the DSC Alexor line of panels can have the option of remotely monitoring their panels with the new release from IPDatatel, the IP BAT for Alexor.

The IP BAT for DSC Alexor panels gives Alexor users the ability to have a total self-monitoring solution. It can also be used for transmitting signals to a central station montioring service.

This module will allow Alexor users the ability to check their systems remotely via a web portal or through either an IPhone or Android app. You get the convenience of setting up your own contact list. You can have this contact list contacted by automated phone call, email, or text message with the exact alarm condition. It also gives the user the ability to remotely check their event log.  This way, you don’t even have to be on site to know who’s been in or out or what alarm’s gone off.

This module, unlike the IP BAT for wired systems, however, does not offer the virtual keypad in the web portal. So you can not remotely arm or disarm your system or do any remote programming. IPDatatel has made statements that they are going to try to give this functionality to future revisions.

They charge a $5.95/month server fee for the usage, but it is well worth it to have your own little central station. A great add-on for a great system!

DSC PC5320 Multiple Wireless Receiver Input Module

The DSC PC5320 is a module that allows you to combine up to four DSC RF5132 wireless receivers. This comes in handy for big jobs such as a warehouse or a multi floor building.

The PC5320 should be used when the wireless transmitter is too far away from the receiver. Ideally, a PC5320 would be in the center location of a structure and as many as four wireless receiver’s going out from there in all directions.
DSC Power Series have some of the best wireless range at 1000 feet (open air) but, sometimes an area is just too big.

Elk-M1XRF2H M1 Wireless Receiver For Honeywell 5800 Transmitters

The Elk-M1XRF2H M1 Wireless Receiver For Honeywell 5800 Transmitters is another reason why ELK brand panels are a great choice for those who like a technologically robust alarm system!

The M1XRF2H M1 is a wireless receiver that wires into any ELK M1 series panel to pick up wireless signals from Honeywell’s 5800 line of wireless transmitters and sensors. It connects into the data bus terminals on any M1 panel and will add 144 zones to your existing wireless capabilities.  So this in all reality is two components in one. It acts as a wireless receiver and also a wireless zone expander.

Not only can you use one of these to give you more wireless zones, but you can use multiple units placed strategically around your location to extend your wireless range.

ELK makes top-notch systems and most of them are cross-compatible with other industry standard systems. The ELK-M1XRF2H is a must for those Honeywell owners who are switching out their Honeywell panel for an ELK and don’t want to go through the hassle of buying all new wireless transmitters.