New Install, What Panel!

[DaleR]

I'm going to fit a new alarm system to my new place this week, I just put a ADE/Honeywell G4 Accenta (LCD RKP) in but I took it all back out this evening as it is a bit basic for my needs so fitting it for a relative instead.

The shortlist for the panels so far are.

Texecom Premier 24 with com2400

Castle care-tech euro one

Honeywell Galaxy 2-20 & prox key rkp

Risco/Gardtec 490x

I like the idea of them having a modem, most of the above are can send sms as most of you reading this will probably know, 490x is speech iirc, sms would be the initial preferred method of notification but I can always add a voice dialler at a later date, sms would be really useful as i'm often away from home and would like to know if a zone or fire zone has been activated.

The ability to configure the panel through software or a terminal via the modem or even if i build a serial interface to talk to it via an rs232 line would be nice.

Bell wise I quite like the Texecom Oddessy3, Eurosec XS3D and Risco Novaguard 6. though I have a feeling I wont be happy with the brightness of the LED's on the Oddessy.

PIR's wise, there are so many to choose from these days!

The purpose of this thread is to get a rough opinion on the panels etc, I do hope this doesn't turn into a thread questioning one's competency, this isn't something I do for a living but i've fitted quite a few panels over the years at many properties i've lived at, I currently work as a field service engineer and used to work as a qualified CAT 1/2 alarm, Tracker, RAC trackstar etc installer (Granted it's a different kettle of fish), I am clued up on the different types of wiring used in zone's e.g EOL, Closed, , manufacturers abbreviations and programming the devices.

P.S. I'd preferably like the LCD/Keypad to stay illuminated at all times if any of the above do so or have that as a selectable feature.

Many thanks.

Dale

[james.wilson]

Dale

Different installers will prefer and recommend the kit they are comfortable with ad have success with etc.

I myself am a galaxy man, and think you should ignore all of em except the Galaxy. As you know it has a built in digi modem, so will text out of the box. It will also do proper digital signalling later if required. It will also allow remote comms via software but you wont i expect be able to get hold of this.

The euro one is too basic, the bigger euros are quite powerful, and the premier 48 up are great (the 24 is alittle basic)

The galaxy will stay illuninated while the power is on.

James

[DaleR]

Thanks for the prompt reply!

The euro is in the list as I feel it's got the nicest looking rkp, but tbh I don't think the build quality of lower end castle products have been that good from what I have seen and doing a quick search on here returns very little in the way of their products.

Galaxy is currently one i'm really swaying to, I know for a fact that a lot of galaxy kit is re-branded by a few national installers which indicates it's good kit.

I'm going to loose the risco 420x off the list I think, although it might be a great panel, the lack of sms and voice only is putting me off a bit.

ps.

(not sure how to say this here, but software wise to communicate with the galaxy i've already got it, if it's the one with a name of a certain yellow metal then yes)

[james.wilson]

to be fair the 490x is a fine panel but not in the same leauge IMO as the premier or the galaxy

[DaleR]

Just in the process of ordering a 2-20, won a prox RKP on a famous auction site, was branded AD* but i'm assuming it will work ok and the standard prox keys will work ok with it?.

Next I've gotta choose a bell and PIR's

[james.wilson]

should do.

If you stick to the proper brands then choose by look and features.

PIR's id say Optex and honeywell

[DaleR]

XS3D or Oddessy3e hmmm..

[james.wilson]

oddy3, not the e

[DaleR]

Yeah the economy is only one piezo, but the full version's not listed on the site im getting the panel, I Want the free delivery so getting everything from them .

[james.wilson]

i would think with what your spending free delivery is available from all the big guys