Specification Advice Please

[Bingo]

I would like some assistance in specifying an intruder alarm. I am considering a DIY install, but if your advice suggests this may be too complicated then I would like to be able to specify the equipment to a contractor to ensure that I get the best system for my needs.

I would like a 10 zone system to protect house, garage, workshop, summer house. A speech or text notification of an alarm to my mobile phone. Is it possible to arm/ disarm or reset the system via a mobile phone or even a windows based PDA?

I would like to be able to arm/disarm the house & garage as one area, using a keypad with prox reader inside the front door. I would like the workshop and summer house to be a different area that can be armed/ disarmed from either the workshop or summer house depending which building I am using, I would like a keypad with prox reader inside each building.

Will I be able to have the prox readers just arm/disarm their respective areas?

If I put an electric garage door in, can I put a prox reader outside that will disarm/ arm just the house & garage, so I can drive in out and use the alarm by just hanging out of the window?

I have been looking at Scantronic, Gardtec, Texecom and Menvier, but it seems difficult to establish if their equipment will do what I want. Would you be able to help me with specifying the equipment for either a DIY install, or for me to request from a contractor?

[barooga]

I would like some assistance in specifying an intruder alarm. I am considering a DIY install, but if your advice suggests this may be too complicated then I would like to be able to specify the equipment to a contractor to ensure that I get the best system for my needs.

Just get the man in.

[Guest anguscanplay]

I would like some assistance in specifying an intruder alarm. I am considering a DIY install, but if your advice suggests this may be too complicated then I would like to be able to specify the equipment to a contractor to ensure that I get the best system for my needs.

I would like a 10 zone system to protect house, garage, workshop, summer house. A speech or text notification of an alarm to my mobile phone. Is it possible to arm/ disarm or reset the system via a mobile phone or even a windows based PDA?

I would like to be able to arm/disarm the house & garage as one area, using a keypad with prox reader inside the front door. I would like the workshop and summer house to be a different area that can be armed/ disarmed from either the workshop or summer house depending which building I am using, I would like a keypad with prox reader inside each building.

Will I be able to have the prox readers just arm/disarm their respective areas?

If I put an electric garage door in, can I put a prox reader outside that will disarm/ arm just the house & garage, so I can drive in out and use the alarm by just hanging out of the window?

I have been looking at Scantronic, Gardtec, Texecom and Menvier, but it seems difficult to establish if their equipment will do what I want. Would you be able to help me with specifying the equipment for either a DIY install, or for me to request from a contractor?

Hello bingo

your going to get a lot of advice from members here but you really need a site visit as your asking a lot from a system - post any advice you get and we`ll rip it to bits without prejudice

Angus

[arfur mo]

Hi Bingo,

I would like some assistance in specifying an intruder alarm. I am considering a DIY install, but if your advice suggests this may be too complicated

we will always advise a professional installation

then I would like to be able to specify the equipment to a contractor to ensure that I get the best system for my needs.

Why, how will you ever pick the best one unless you know intimately al the features?

I would like a 10 zone system to protect house, garage, workshop, summer house.

this is a bigger and more complex system than a simple terraced house, no one is likely to help with the exact specification as dozens of factors have to be considered.

A speech or text notification of an alarm to my mobile phone.

this requirement is not hard to achieve

Is it possible to arm/ disarm or reset the system via a mobile phone or even a windows based PDA?

some panels do allow this but not in the DIY installers remit of ability to install. the problem you have to consider should the alarm activate would you be comfortable resetting it without investigation? could be the cat is still in the house or a window has been left open creating a draft, all you will likely do is annoy the neighbours with your perceived laziness in not atending and taking proper care.

I would like to be able to arm/disarm the house & garage as one area, using a keypad with prox reader inside the front door. I would like the workshop and summer house to be a different area that can be armed/ disarmed from either the workshop or summer house depending which building I am using, I would like a keypad with prox reader inside each building.

again, many panels do allow this, Gardtec G595 for one, but not in the DIY installers remit of ability to install to this complexity

Will I be able to have the prox readers just arm/disarm their respective areas?

Yes, the prox depending on the panel used, is attached to a keypad, that keypad can be designated to control all or just certain area's, or the prox keys are given 'authority' in only certain area's. but getting it to do so can be very confusing especially for the 'non-combatant' diy'er.

If I put an electric garage door in, can I put a prox reader outside that will disarm/ arm just the house & garage, so I can drive in out and use the alarm by just hanging out of the window?

well depending on your budget, with the gartec range (and others) you can arm/disarm with a 4 button radio dongle which can also operate the garage door, given there is main voltage avaialable your best bet is an engineer, we don't like potential customers being electrocuted or losing fingers (that's our job).

I have been looking at Scantronic, Gardtec, Texecom and Menvier, but it seems difficult to establish if their equipment will do what I want. Would you be able to help me with specifying the equipment for either a DIY install,

this is where the pro earns some of his corn so to speak, he should listen to your outlined request, assess where the problems in operation and security and discuss and advise fully with you based on his knowledge, this is why i say get at least 3 quotes, but never reveal what any has said to the competitors, it is unfair to the early engineers and you can best asses who really is on the sharpest knife in the draw.

or for me to request from a contractor?

thats where i came in i think so YES!

you possibly could install a simpler system or perhaps a couple of independent systems successfully to do overall as you wish, but if you seriously want the 'best bang for you buck' your wish list is really for a competent pro installer to do the both the design and installation.

if you still want to get you 'hands dirty' and be involved, you could suggest you will run some of the cables in for them, but not installers will entertain this idea, and don't expect them to show you any of the programming, they simply don't have time to train you as a sudo engineer while keeping within a reasonable price.

regs

alan