Advice On Burglar Alarm Please

[GalaxyGuy]

I take it you have a minimum term, as the webway with IP+GSM must cost more than £40?  If not, I may re-write the Webway firmware and buy the hardware from you

[matthew.brough]

It does, alot more and yes it is a 24 month minimum whereas the beauty of your system is it is 30 day rolling contract?

[james.wilson]

re supply. I cant get them or that from honeywell direct, but id guess these panels have adt product codes

[GalaxyGuy]

It does, alot more and yes it is a 24 month minimum whereas the beauty of your system is it is 30 day rolling contract?

 

Yes, monthly PAYG with £1 min allowance.

 

re supply. I cant get them or that from honeywell direct, but id guess these panels have adt product codes

 

No, they are not ADT panels. Brand new with pretty recent stock firmware and docs. At first I thought they were being offloaded by Honeywell in order to switch to the Flex, but that was over two years ago now. Almost 1000 panels later. The price includes next day postage too.  From my own experience, the service has been excellent. It's a pity they don't branch out to other items.

[Paul Lewinski]

Thank you very much for your help.   

 

I notice that there is the G2-20 and G2-44.  Is there a reason why you steered me toward the G2 rather than the Flex that I was originally looking at? The Flex doesn't seem to cost that much more. Also I am presuming that the G2-20 would be sufficient for a 3 bed semi and G2-40 would be more suitable to bigger properties?

 

I have been looking at Honeywells 'G2 chart' and I have some further questions if you would be so kind to oblige:

 

- What are the dimensions of each box stated above? I was thinking to install it above my front door next to the consumer unit so am wondering if any of the above would fit in the space available.  Is it wise to install the panel there or should I be looking to 'hide' in an obscure place?

 

- I see there are two connector methods to the panel RS485 Bus and ECP Bus. Is this something I need to bear in mind before I buy? I believe this is something to do with the type of cabling used (or wiring at the main panel) . I presume you can have both connections to the main panel if needed?

 

- If I would like to monitor the system over a laptop in the kitchen (this was actually the type of self-sufficient monitoring I was hoping to have), which modules would I need to get? I see there is Ethernet module, GPRS, RF Portal, ECP expander - Im not really sure what any of these do. Please could you explain the basic function of each?

 

- I have noticed that there are systems being sold with 'ASK proximity reader'- Again, please could you explain what this does?

 

- The sites state 'The G2 panel can be set with/unset with a two-way keyfob'. Does this mean that to switch the alarm on and off you just swipe the keyfob against the keyprox? (or does this refer to access as in the door unlocks and locks when you swipe like in a modern office)

 

Thanks so much, these websites state what these accessories are but don't really state what these do, thank goodness you helpful advisers are here to help.

 

Paul 

[matthew.brough]

Main difference between g2-20 and 44 is number of available zones. The flex is more like the grown up dimension but I've heard woes with it. Ignore connector methods, rs485 is what you'll be using,

2 way key fob is the radio fob, not to be confused with a normal fob you hold to the keypad prox. Swipe card idea is correct for this method.

ASK proximity reader is the fob reader. There are 2 types but ASK is fine.

Ethernet module lets you communicate to an arc or run the downloader software via IP

GPRS module does the same but via mobile.

RF portal is a wireless zone expander for cordless devices.

In fairness to Honeywell galaxy is a pro product so what you see on their website is geared at selling the solution to us rather than and end user.

As for monitoring on a laptop in the kitchen, why? The downloader software isn't really so end user friendly and if the alarm triggered they keypad would be near by? If you can let me know what you want to achieve I can maybe advise you better.

.

ECP expander looks like a rio but sits in the ecp bus rather than the 485 one. Same function as a rio.

As for size g2 is a small panel. Sticks out off the wall a fair way compared to some but it is a baby panel.

[Paul Lewinski]

I would like to control the alarm settings from a computer if possible, but be able to monitor activity from work or from abroad on holiday for example - to check up that things are ok a home. Sorry was using your example from earlier but I shouldn't have as I have misled you by doing that.

 

Can you explain what a radio phob is and what a normal phob you hold to the keypad is please? in basic terms again is fine just so I can understand the basic functionality.

 

Thanks

[matthew.brough]

Radio fob is just like what you have to get into your car. Cordless, one button to set, one button to part set and one button to unset,

Normal fob is a little black thing, hold it to the keypad to set, swipe it last the keypad to unset

If you want to do checking up this would be far far easier with the app rather than the rss software. It's new, never tested it but doesn't work with a g2 so you'd need a flex or a dimension.

[GalaxyGuy]

G2 metal case dimensions are 300x255x115  (excludes G2-44+ which is slightly bigger).   I'm assuming electrics are in some sort of cupboard above the door out of sight. If so, then probably okay if it can be fitted neatly.

 

Ethernet enables IP based communications over your broadband connection (Android IP keypad app and browser based keypad software is only available with the LCE module on the G2. You'll can google this).

GPRS - These are only compatible with the G2-44+ panel on the G2 range. Providing programming and SMS over mobile network.  Note they cost £200+ for the modules alone, then you need to maintain a SIM card.

RF Portal - Enables wireless detectors on zones and radio keyfobs for setting/unsetting without going to the keypad (you still need a keypad though).

 

ECP bus expander will not be used.

 

The Flex case is plastic and a bigger footprint than the G2.  The Dimension case is about twice the size of the G2.

 

I suggested the G2, as you can get them new on Ebay for half the price of the Flex.  You'll need to go to an on-line retailer for the Flex. The Flex is most recent and has more firmware issues than its elder brothers.

[matthew.brough]

But the g2 doesn't support Honeywells official app . . .