Texecom vs Pyronix vs Others for Apps

[Gadget34]

I have been reading reviews on the App Store for Texecom’s connect app and they all seem to say it’s dated and rarely gets updated. I have read a few posts on here about companies who don’t change are bound to not develop the app.

Would it be better to go with something like a Pyronix and pay a yearly subscription?

I am basically looking to upgrade a current wired alarm to allow notifications. App control and possible add a wireless door sensor.

I am tempted to try and DIY install the Pyronix Euro 46 as this seems to have better app reviews and seems to get mentioned a lot on the forums.

I would consider a professional install but don’t want to spend a fortune. 
Any other brand recommendations also welcome 
 

Thanks

[sixwheeledbeast]

Well reviews on App stores I would always take with a pinch of salt, there's more to an alarm system than it's app. There are also 3 versions of Texecom apps now and latest having subscription features only via an installer.

Shiny app but unreliable system would be pointless, so buying a system based on it's app is a bad idea IMO. Still of the opinion all apps are a false sense of security and offer very little, it's just the thing to have an app for everything.

Either way you'll need a hybrid system if you want wireless devices, you can easily spend a fortune getting it wrong DIY. Had to fix plenty of jobs like that in my time.

[MrHappy]

57 minutes ago, Gadget34 said:

I have been reading reviews on the App Store

 

People expect a set up to rival Tony Stark's gaff for pennies.

 

Apps which improve & continue to support the latest OS version need a team of developers, this requires an income stream... 

 

 

[Gadget34]

Any recommendations? Are we saying Texecom’s App isn’t as good as others due to no subscription? I don’t want to pay to upgrade the alarm and have a useless app as otherwise I haven’t gained much functionality. I get the point not to choose the alarm based on the app but the main reason I am looking to update is to be able to get notifications and set/unset from an app.

[Gadget34]

Just done a bit more research and Texecom are in the process of releasing a v2 app so it looks like they do development. I haven’t found the subscription version yet though?

Another forum also suggests they may start charging for certain features in the future to help improve the features offered. This is referenced by in the first post above.

I may stick with getting an installer to fit the Texecom model as these seem to be decent alarms.

[james.wilson]

As others have said how much would you prioritise something that you do for free. 

Texecom is not a bad system but they make a huge range of equipment at various levels. 

Its not my brand of choice but many installers do like the texecom. I do think the premier is a powerful and flexible panel though.

[james.wilson]

Id also add bear in mind you want to look at dual path app (and polling rates) as wifi only makes you totally dependant upon the router and isp. (ie mains fail or mains fail caused by intruders)

This mains fail thing will become more common as many are using low end ring etc devices that need the 'cloud' to function. At least an intruder alarm will still work even if your broadband isnt available for whatever reason.

 

ANd apps and notificaitions are great for upgrading diallers but not a replacement for 'monitoring'

Check the app can wake you and others and has other options like sms for non app users. If your the only one and your phones on silent, in the car etc.

 

[sixwheeledbeast]

3 hours ago, Gadget34 said:

 I am looking to update is to be able to get notifications and set/unset from an app.

 

This is my point apps have a limited feature set for an alarm. Maintaining reliability of the system should be priority, upgrade for a better quality of system not the app.

Push notifications are not guaranteed to get to you, they are not polled, dual path is better but still no guarantee without polling and can be defeated. They will get there most of the time but is that useful or a false sense of security?

I would argue that push apps have more to go wrong than with a dialler, more components that could have downtime or connection issues on the way, send push and hope. Dialler would contact directly from site and keep trying until it gets through.

Not recommending investing in a dialler either with ongoing changes to the phone networks but just pointing out all these devices have limitations when you are looking for alternatives to signalling via an installer.

 

As for arming and disarming remotely, you would generally control the alarm when leaving or returning to the premises. Keypad should be on the entry route and are much more convenient than an app.

 

Texecom app is developed, Connectv2 is released as I said there are now 3 versions out there, so no idea what reviews are talking about. Subscription stuff is only available on v2 to installers, basic functionality is available currently with free subscription.

[james.wilson]

6wb some apps do push only but some manufacturers do apps that call from the cloud. Some are polled (upto DP2). Depends on the features paid for. I have dual path monitoring via my app via the ARC. Agreed that relying on push only isnt best for anything

[sixwheeledbeast]

Features wouldn't be available to DIY tho.