Originally Posted by MickP

I see.I was under the impression that its best to use one device per zone with the exception of smoke alarms?

If an expansion board was available for the bosch unit recommended I would prefer to go that way.Or perhaps even cut the PIR's to 7 and maybe wire 3 smoke detectors N/C in parallell if that would be an acceptable method of course.

Originally Posted by manicretep

Why not look at the MCM range of panels (a darn site cheaper then the others and comes with a 5 yr warranty, ONLY ever had 1 panel faulty in 14 yrs), it may be old hat, not much has changed in 20 yrs, but well you don't need to say more en that.

Paradox proxpro pirs are the go, just open the metal cover inside and change the jumper from 1 to 2 pulse's, other then that we have a shed load out there on 1 pulse, you CANT do that with many pirs,

Also if you need to go with Duals, try the Intellisense (ADI, aka Ademco aka Honeywell) DT7435, you will NOT find a better detector for false alarm immunity, or better catch performance, just remb to change the freshnel (as it comes in pet friendly mode) and turn the microwave down to 40-60% depending on your required coverage...
Or for a bit less the FX40 are ROCK solid, but expensive for a PIR, the alarmcom ir150 range were good and like the blue line range from bosch, they have removable front cover making it easy to replace, I hate the stoopid screw lock though, I haven't used enuf of the blue line range to comment, but we just put 12 in a skool block the other day, so time will tell.

I prefer the Pulnix (Takex) 6810/12 range, we use them on all commercial jobs, never miss a beat and superior coverage for a pir with Minimal false alarms, but 3 times the price of a pir and double that of a Dual...
same with their ext pirs and beams.
Because I live out of town, I don't like false alarms, cost me for armed patrol response every time.

MCM panels rock, but the only issue is they don't offer a genuine wireless interface, they use the rhino 3rd party crap, which is a real shame.
I'd love to see a inovonics interface!




Do it Once and that's it.



Hint:
Make sure your cable entries are sealed (less you got a detector with sealed optics)
If your a noob, read the instructions in the box, it will help,

Originally Posted by manicretep

What is it with you and your INBUILT wireless interface's keef,
I suggest you go have a look out there, check out whats around, not just what your boss sells and then comment. Oh no I don't get low batt from the fobs, maybe when the led goes dim and then your fob don't work or range is decreased, ITS time to change the batteries.

Wow, take a chill pill dude, just commenting that YES they are good panels, but this user wants remotes e.t.c., this is the year 2008, who the hell wants to be wiring in relays to 24 hour zones for wirless pir's, receivers into keyswitch inputs for arming, not to mention no audible / visual of system arming e.t.c

ANY universal wireless kit will work, I have managed to "interface" a few from different suppliers to this and many panels that don't have wireless built in,

Yep, but if you are specing a panel from scratch, and you know you need wireless, then get a panel that has the ability for a combination of wired / wireless

ie go checkout the cheap wireless kits around, there's a shed load available,

Or have a look at the Paradox panels, they have everything you need inc wireless receiver onboard on some models, keyfobs, panic dah dah,

Obviously the guy wants something cheap and DIY, otherwise he wouldn't be asking here........

Originally Posted by MickP

Thanks everyone for taking the time to educate me on this stuff.Its much appreciated.

Yes I would like to save some money with DIY but this is not the main criteria.At the end of the day I am after something that is as rock solid as possible.One of the main reasons I want to DIY is that if I get a pro in to do it the system recommended would be one of the ones that they carry and not necessarily the best brand.

Reason I asked here is that I am after unbiased advice.I once installed a jaycar unit (melcom I think it was) which was basically useless.Used to always false alarm and the keypad lcd packed it in after 6 months or so.

Anyway thanks again

Originally Posted by keef82

Its quite possible he wants to ask us our opinions before he calls a security company in

Relax, i know mcm panels are great, so are paradox, the mighty magellan is fantastic

Originally Posted by Security-Tech

Stop your whining the BOTH of you LOL


Well Keef, you can get visual notification on an mcm with wireless have done this a million times, wire a (hi bright) 5 or 10mm led into an output and drill that into siren box and silicon it in, wallah
I also don't think its that hard to "wire" in wireless as most cheapie kits wire into the bus, or simply + - and PGM,

Originally Posted by keef82

Yeah, i have no doubt about that, done it myself a few times
They are great panels, but when you want wireless from word "go" its far more economical to get a "wireless kit" from a supplier, aka bosch

Originally Posted by MickP

After much deliberation regarding the use of PIRs I am now wondering if reeds on all the external doors and windows would be a more reliable/stable solution.I realise instalation would be a total pain compared to PIRs and also a panel with more zones would be needed, 21 entry points.

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by keef82

If you can do it, go for it.. BUT if you have dead locks & window locks, reed switches are useless. They will only activate when the contact is broken, if the window is locked shut, the contact wont break, alarm wont sound.

You could consider a Vibration Detector if you are concerned, but i would not bother really.

Recently did an install for a friend, in a brand new house, pre cabled it with over 32 reed switches and 10 detectors, but remember this place was being built so it really was a breeze, if the house is already built, with deadlocked windows and doors, i wouldn't waste my time mate

Originally Posted by MickP

Good point keef I hadn't considered the deadlock/window lock issue.

So its going to be a bosch panel and PIRs.
Two more questions, is there a bosch panel that has more zones than the solution 16 or are expansion boards available and more cost effective? Would rather have the ability to expand the system if needed.

Am after a reputable supplier of bosch gear at a competative price,preferably in Sydney.

Originally Posted by keef82

The solution 16 is just that, 16 zones only.
There are other models that cost more, that will allow more zones and functionality.

Are you going to install this yourself ?

Originally Posted by Keystone

Not true, can be expanded to 64 zones wired or wireless.