Home Alarm system

[The Ouzo]

I've got an old system in my place, DCS I think it is. 6 zone system with no room for expansion.

I've always wanted to upgrade but today has prompted me to look into the costs and get some quotes etc.

 

So what I need

minimum 6 passives. If 3 of those are linked into 1 zone its ok.

3 door sensors

2 garage door sensors (can also be linked to 1 zone)

3 maybe 4 outdoor sensors

fixed panic buttons (i.e. buttons permanently mounted)

I currently have remote panic buttons but I'm not even sure where they are so maybe not that important

ability to link to security company

 

 

Nice to have in order of importance

Remote activation - I'm talking physical remote

Internet connectivity - monitor/activate etc. with an app

future expansion

 

 

So wise ones, point me in the right direction. Budget is non existent for this, so dont go spec me a Pinarello as I can probably only afford a Ralliegh

[Eddy Gordo]

Check with communica, they sell all the alarm stuff as well. Then you can either DIY or get someone

[Let's Ride]

Paradox. What is most popular. I would get it installed by somebody. 

 

Location? 

[The Ouzo]

Check with communica, they sell all the alarm stuff as well. Then you can either DIY or get someone

Although I can DIY I just dont have the time, so would prefer someone to install for me

[The Ouzo]

Paradox. What is most popular. I would get it installed by somebody. 

 

Location? 

Boksburg

[Long Wheel Base]

I just had my new alarm installed yesterday. I chose a panel that can be partitioned into 8 zones expandable to 64 zones(That doesn't mean much to me but the guy says it's a lot). I got two 4 button remotes. Currently 1 button is the panic and the other is arm/disarm. I got beams around my garden. I only have 3 beams for now as my budget was R15k initially and I can add on at any time. The security company(SOS 24/7) installed it and they do the monitoring for an additional monthly fee.

So in the next few months I will add a few more beams outside an then some door sensors. I don't think I will bother with passives as all my windows will be covered by the outside beams and all doors will have sensors. Once they pass that then what good will the passive be?

The Total installation cost me R15 402.61

DSC Alarm Panel R1805.50

DSC keypad R1098.25

12V battery R510.60

Transformer R325.45

Siren R67.85

Sherlo 4 button remotes(x2) R312.80

Sherlo 2 channel receiver R266.80

Cable 6 core R575.00

Takex 90deg 12M beam (x3) R5012.85

The rest was labour, link up and first months fee.

EDIT: labour was 7 hours R4427.50

Edited September 4, 2019 by Long Wheel Base

[Long Wheel Base]

If you have beams outside then I think you have to use remote buttons for when you drive in and out to arm disarm. Well that's what I have to do now. I arm the beams when I leave with my family inside the house.

[428 others]

Paradox. What is most popular. I would get it installed by somebody. 

 

Location? 

 

Agreed, although he said Raleigh not Pinarello...

 

alarmtec.co.za

geewiz.co.za

[The Ouzo]

I just had my new alarm installed yesterday. I chose a panel that can be partitioned into 8 zones expandable to 64 zones(That doesn't mean much to me but the guy says it's a lot). I got two 4 button remotes. Currently 1 button is the panic and the other is arm/disarm. I got beams around my garden. I only have 3 beams for now as my budget was R15k initially and I can add on at any time. The security company(SOS 24/7) installed it and they do the monitoring for an additional monthly fee.

So in the next few months I will add a few more beams outside an then some door sensors. I don't think I will bother with passives as all my windows will be covered by the outside beams and all doors will have sensors. Once they pass that then what good will the passive be?

The Total installation cost me R15 402.61

DSC Alarm Panel R1805.50

DSC keypad R1098.25

12V battery R510.60

Transformer R325.45

Siren R67.85

Sherlo 4 button remotes(x2) R312.80

Sherlo 2 channel receiver R266.80

Cable 6 core R575.00

Takex 90deg 12M beam (x3) R5012.85

The rest was labour, link up and first months fee.

EDIT: labour was 7 hours R4427.50

thanks, this helps me alot.

[Long Wheel Base]

thanks, this helps me alot.

No problem,

One of the quotes the same company gave me for another system was this:

OrC20Zone - Orisec 20 zone kit R 3,835.25

1x Panel

1x Keypad

1x transformer

1x battery

2x passives

2x fixed passives

2x door contacts

 

So this was a pre packed kit and not customisable at all, hence the reason I went with the other one. Labour was a little bit more for this one as well(8 hours)

[Long Wheel Base]

thanks, this helps me alot.

I do have some quotes from another security company that operates  in my area(mamba), I can mail you the quotes if you want. Send me a pm if you want them.

[V12man]

If you have beams outside then I think you have to use remote buttons for when you drive in and out to arm disarm. Well that's what I have to do now. I arm the beams when I leave with my family inside the house.

You have options:

 

1 - set that outside beam to a delay zone, but make it audiable on the keypads - with dsc there are several variants you could try to see what works for you - including a delay on exit but instant on return

2 - arm the system to stay mode once you are outside of the property - assuming that your remote/receiver system is capable of this (it should be)

3 - stay as you are

 

I look after my own alarm configuration and install wise - started doing my own alarm because of no budget 25 years ago, and I given up on installers capabilities to read manuals and translate them into practice - doing the config with dsc is easy enough using either a full lcd keypad or connecting a cable to it and using their software.

[Long Wheel Base]

You have options:

 

1 - set that outside beam to a delay zone, but make it audiable on the keypads - with dsc there are several variants you could try to see what works for you - including a delay on exit but instant on return

2 - arm the system to stay mode once you are outside of the property - assuming that your remote/receiver system is capable of this (it should be)

3 - stay as you are

 

I look after my own alarm configuration and install wise - started doing my own alarm because of no budget 25 years ago, and I given up on installers capabilities to read manuals and translate them into practice - doing the config with dsc is easy enough using either a full lcd keypad or connecting a cable to it and using their software.

This is good to know. Once I am a bit better with the basics then I will play around. One of the beams is a bit sensitive and it went off twice last night and luckily I was able to bypass just that beam but other than that I am not so clued up yet.

[V12man]

This is good to know. Once I am a bit better with the basics then I will play around. One of the beams is a bit sensitive and it went off twice last night and luckily I was able to bypass just that beam but other than that I am not so clued up yet.

You can drop the sensitivity on the newer optrex passives - not sure if I have found your model - but... http://navi.optex.net/manual/50105/en/DNTXSYnwcvgaqt.html

 

and for the PIR - http://navi.optex.net/manual/50105/en/OKNRSYrgaqykex.html

Edited September 4, 2019 by V12man

[Long Wheel Base]

You can drop the sensitivity on the newer optrex passives - not sure if I have found your model - but... http://navi.optex.net/manual/50105/en/DNTXSYnwcvgaqt.html

 

and for the PIR - http://navi.optex.net/manual/50105/en/OKNRSYrgaqykex.html

Thanks Doc, This is good gen. I have informed the security company and they said they want to come set it but after sunset so I will take them up on that this time. As I was on a 15k budget this time I was only able to get 3 beams. BUT in November I will be adding the rest so I am sure there will be more settings to be changed so I will give it a go myself. Only thing I will have to do is call the control room and tell them not to come in all guns blazing for the next few min while I test the system.

[V12man]

Thanks Doc, This is good gen. I have informed the security company and they said they want to come set it but after sunset so I will take them up on that this time. As I was on a 15k budget this time I was only able to get 3 beams. BUT in November I will be adding the rest so I am sure there will be more settings to be changed so I will give it a go myself. Only thing I will have to do is call the control room and tell them not to come in all guns blazing for the next few min while I test the system.

Just make sure your installer gives you the installer code and the master user code - then you can diy it pretty easily - but without the installer code you have to set the panel back to defaults and repeat the install - which is more a pain than a problem - although the monitoring company would need to repeat their radio installation as well.