Some More DIY'er Questions

[[email protected]]

I plan on installing either a Vista 10 or Vista 15 very shortly. The
house is rather small and I won't be using very many sensors so it
appears the Vista 10 may be all I need. Can anyone talk me out of it
and into either the 15 or 20? Are there any reasons not to go with the
10? Also can anyone break down for me the differnces between the
models that end in SE, P or PS?

On a different subject what are my options on installing keypads? Are
all Ademco keypads compatible with all panels? Ideally I want a wired
keypad on the first floor and I think I want it to be the 6160V. I
would then want another keypad in my bedroom on the second floor and if
I understand correctly I can put a wireless keypad there. Some of the
keypads however advertise having a wireless receiver built in. Would
this keypad also need a wireless receiver to work? As you can tell I
am confused by this point. And how about a recommendation on a second
keypad.

Also when it comes to wireless door and window sensors other than
aesthetics are there any drawbacks to using those really small recessed
transmitters versus the larger external ones (or vice versa.)

Lastly I recall there being a post regarding Ademco (not sure if it was
just the wireless ones) glassbreak sensors not being all that great and
I believe the poster had recommended a better alternative (I believe it
was Intellisense or Visonic.) If one of these do they make one which
is compatible with Ademco wireless?


I appreciate your professional opinions as always.

Thanks in advance!

-Steve

 

[Crash Gordon®]

| I plan on installing either a Vista 10 or Vista 15 very shortly. The
| house is rather small and I won't be using very many sensors so it
| appears the Vista 10 may be all I need. Can anyone talk me out of it
| and into either the 15 or 20? Are there any reasons not to go with the
| 10? Also can anyone break down for me the differnces between the
| models that end in SE, P or PS?

The SE is at the end of it's life cycle. You'd want the 10P unless you need more than 6 hw zones.
|
| On a different subject what are my options on installing keypads? Are
| all Ademco keypads compatible with all panels? Ideally I want a wired
| keypad on the first floor and I think I want it to be the 6160V. I
| would then want another keypad in my bedroom on the second floor and if
| I understand correctly I can put a wireless keypad there. Some of the
| keypads however advertise having a wireless receiver built in. Would
| this keypad also need a wireless receiver to work? As you can tell I
| am confused by this point. And how about a recommendation on a second
| keypad.

You need at least one programming keypad 6160 or the V will be fine. Although I'm not 100% sure the V works on the Vista 10P..you'd have to check on that.

The RF keypads are not wireless, you're getting confused. The 6128RF 6150RF etc are keypads with recievers for wireless built into them you still need to run wire from the panel to the keypad. There is a wireless keypad (no wires) but it has very limited ranges (I cant remember the model number). You can use a wireless keyfob kinda thing to arm/disarm/panic button thing from in the house and they have decent range. You'd need a reciever though.


|
| Also when it comes to wireless door and window sensors other than
| aesthetics are there any drawbacks to using those really small recessed
| transmitters versus the larger external ones (or vice versa.)
Yes, they have less range. What I have done in the past for people that objected to seeing the transmitters (but they really can be hidden pretty well) is install them in single gang electrical old-work cut in boxes below the window at outlet height and then blank plate them.


|
| Lastly I recall there being a post regarding Ademco (not sure if it was
| just the wireless ones) glassbreak sensors not being all that great and
| I believe the poster had recommended a better alternative (I believe it
| was Intellisense or Visonic.) If one of these do they make one which
| is compatible with Ademco wireless?

I've not had trouble with any gbs that you mention, including the Ademco wireless ones.


|
|
| I appreciate your professional opinions as always.
|
| Thanks in advance!
|
| -Steve
|
|

 

[[email protected]]

I've not had trouble with any gbs that you mention, including the Ademco wireless ones.

I have 3 Ademco wireless glass breaks turned up to max sensitivity and
haven't had any issues in terms of false alarms or other malfunctions.
Of course, I haven't broken any glass to see if they actually work
either. There's a tester you can get to simulate the glass break
frequency, but it was pretty expensive. And since I'm not relying on
the glass breaks as primary security, I wasn't too worried about it.

 

[Warren]

I had problems with GBS in my laundry room and kitchen.
Slamming the dryer door would often set off the alarm and dropping keys
on the ceramic floor in the main entry would trip that sensor.
Sensitivity had little effect. These are C&K Systems FC730 dual tech
sensors. Wouldn't waste time with them again, but would like to find
something more reliable to put in their place.

 

[Crash Gordon®]

You will probably always have problems like that...shower doors, sqeeky clothes dryers, keys falling in a stainless-steel kitchen sink etc. I had one lady who could sneeze at the right frequency. I don't consider these problems with the detector, since I've had things like that happen with many different brands and models...you have to consider placement and appropriate use...and get rid of screaming kids.


| I had problems with GBS in my laundry room and kitchen.
| Slamming the dryer door would often set off the alarm and dropping keys
| on the ceramic floor in the main entry would trip that sensor.
| Sensitivity had little effect. These are C&K Systems FC730 dual tech
| sensors. Wouldn't waste time with them again, but would like to find
| something more reliable to put in their place.
|
| [email protected] wrote:
| >
| > Crash Gordon® wrote:
| >
| >>I've not had trouble with any gbs that you mention, including the Ademco wireless ones.
| >>
| >
| >
| >
| > I have 3 Ademco wireless glass breaks turned up to max sensitivity and
| > haven't had any issues in terms of false alarms or other malfunctions.
| > Of course, I haven't broken any glass to see if they actually work
| > either. There's a tester you can get to simulate the glass break
| > frequency, but it was pretty expensive. And since I'm not relying on
| > the glass breaks as primary security, I wasn't too worried about it.
| >
|
|

 

[Mark Leuck]

I've not had trouble with any gbs that you mention, including the Ademco wireless ones.

I have 3 Ademco wireless glass breaks turned up to max sensitivity and
haven't had any issues in terms of false alarms or other malfunctions.
Of course, I haven't broken any glass to see if they actually work
either. There's a tester you can get to simulate the glass break
frequency, but it was pretty expensive. And since I'm not relying on
the glass breaks as primary security, I wasn't too worried about it.

You WILL however have greatly reduced battery life if those are 5849's

 

[Joe]

I plan on installing either a Vista 10 or Vista 15 very shortly. The
house is rather small and I won't be using very many sensors so it
appears the Vista 10 may be all I need. Can anyone talk me out of it
and into either the 15 or 20? Are there any reasons not to go with the
10? Also can anyone break down for me the differnces between the
models that end in SE, P or PS?

On a different subject what are my options on installing keypads? Are
all Ademco keypads compatible with all panels? Ideally I want a wired
keypad on the first floor and I think I want it to be the 6160V. I
would then want another keypad in my bedroom on the second floor and if
I understand correctly I can put a wireless keypad there. Some of the
keypads however advertise having a wireless receiver built in. Would
this keypad also need a wireless receiver to work? As you can tell I
am confused by this point. And how about a recommendation on a second
keypad.

As mentioned before, the RF keypads need a wire but can receive
transmissions from wireless devices.

The wireless keypad (5839?) needs an Ademco 5883 transceiver - sort of
pricey. Your better option would be an rf keypad as a secondary and use
keyfobs. If you can get into your attic above the master bedroom it may
be worth seeing if you can get from the attic to the area you are puting
your panel.

Also when it comes to wireless door and window sensors other than
aesthetics are there any drawbacks to using those really small recessed
transmitters versus the larger external ones (or vice versa.)

You can also hide the transmitters behind the window trim. If you can
figure a way to hide the transmitter you may want to consider going this
route as with the 5816's you can use a smaller mer aesthetic contact
and just run the wire to the transmitter. Everything is a decoration....

Lastly I recall there being a post regarding Ademco (not sure if it was
just the wireless ones) glassbreak sensors not being all that great and
I believe the poster had recommended a better alternative (I believe it
was Intellisense or Visonic.) If one of these do they make one which
is compatible with Ademco wireless?

We install the ademco's and I haven't had many problems. Ones that are
in problem areas, kitchens, mudrooms places like that, I will discuss
with the customer programming them as interior zones and making them
active on night-stay. That way, if the alarm is armed while they are up
and moving about the GB's don't false and they can arm them when they go
to bed. Alleviates quite a few problems.

 

[Crash Gordon®]

The sensitivity setting will effect battery life? Kinda sorta maybe makes sense.
I always start out with them set to max, not sure I've noticed diminished battery life though...but then again I only have abt 50 of them out there, not really enough to see a pattern.


|
| |
|
| Crash Gordon® wrote:
| > I've not had trouble with any gbs that you mention, including the Ademco
| wireless ones.
| >
|
|
| I have 3 Ademco wireless glass breaks turned up to max sensitivity and
| haven't had any issues in terms of false alarms or other malfunctions.
| Of course, I haven't broken any glass to see if they actually work
| either. There's a tester you can get to simulate the glass break
| frequency, but it was pretty expensive. And since I'm not relying on
| the glass breaks as primary security, I wasn't too worried about it.
|
| You WILL however have greatly reduced battery life if those are 5849's
|
|

 

[Mark Leuck]

On those it does, check the install manual

The sensitivity setting will effect battery life? Kinda sorta maybe makes
sense.
I always start out with them set to max, not sure I've noticed diminished
battery life though...but then again I only have abt 50 of them out there,
not really enough to see a pattern.


|
| |
|
| Crash Gordon® wrote:
| > I've not had trouble with any gbs that you mention, including the Ademco
| wireless ones.
| >
|
|
| I have 3 Ademco wireless glass breaks turned up to max sensitivity and
| haven't had any issues in terms of false alarms or other malfunctions.
| Of course, I haven't broken any glass to see if they actually work
| either. There's a tester you can get to simulate the glass break
| frequency, but it was pretty expensive. And since I'm not relying on
| the glass breaks as primary security, I wasn't too worried about it.
|
| You WILL however have greatly reduced battery life if those are 5849's
|
|

 

[Jim]

The sensitivity setting will effect battery life? Kinda sorta maybe makessense.

Why should it take more current?

Is it like ........... listening HARDER?

You'd think the adjustment would be like a volume control/variable
resistor. It should simply attenuate/divide the incomming signal.

 

[Crash Gordon®]

Unless it increases a timed sampling window?..that would make sense. Haven't had time to check da sheet on it. It makes sense that pirs eat batteries and doors that are opened 100 times a day. If the gb's sensitivity increases somekind of timed sampling rate..makes sense.

The sensitivity setting will effect battery life? Kinda sorta maybe makes sense.

Why should it take more current?

Is it like ........... listening HARDER?

You'd think the adjustment would be like a volume control/variable
resistor. It should simply attenuate/divide the incomming signal.

 

[Jim]

Unless it increases a timed sampling window?..that would make sense. Haven't had time to check da sheet on it. It makes sense that pirs eat batteries and doors that are opened 100 times a day. If the gb's sensitivity increases somekind of timed sampling rate..makes sense.

Hmmm, yeah, .............maybe that's it.

 

[[email protected]]

You answered your own question in the last two sentences.