Smart Wireless / Cabled Security Alarm Systems, Best Value, etc.

capd

capd

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What are you all using? What do you suggest?

I'm keen on a wireless system but I don't mind cabling either, since cable is cheap (and perhaps more reliable). Also don't mind spending.

RoboGuard? Looked into Ajax a few years ago and see they've become exorbitantly expensive? What other options are there? Xiaomi?

Used to have a cheap SecurityMate WiFi/GSM system which worked OK, but used to give a fair amount of false positives.
 
We currently have a DSC system that we inherited from the previous owners of our house, our previous house ran a Paradox system which was great except for the Insite Gold app but I had it integrated in to Home Assistant which worked a lot better.
 
We have a mixture of wired and wireless pieces connected to a Paradox system. Outdoor beams are wireless and the battery live (3 x AA Batteries) is about a year.

Our system is pretty simple and works very well. I also looked at a wireless system like Ajax and decided to go with a cheaper Paradox option.

Insight Gold app was terrible to control the alarm from my phone, have since switched to Olarm and everything works well.

We had Hikvision Cameras installed at the same time we installed the alarm and again they just work. Simple to install more via POE and thats about it.

If I ever needed to do another install I would probably look at wireless again.

I have a Mac and can’t install Babyware on it without parallels so haven’t tried configuring the Paradox system. So I generally have to get the alarm company in to connect new beams etc. Something like Ajax looks really simple to add more items to.
 
I installed a HikVision system in our last house, was relatively simple to do after doing some reading and watching tutorials, setup my own Oracle DynDNS service as well to avoid using HikVision's remote viewing option. We have a Dahua system in our new hosue which I have to get the installer out to figure out what is what and get the access codes.
 
Cool guys. Wireless is appealing... How's the Hikvision AX Pro series? Seems to tick the boxes.
 
capd said:
Cool guys. Wireless is appealing... How's the Hikvision AX Pro series? Seems to tick the boxes.
Click to expand...
I have the Hikvision AX Pro system in my house for about a year.
Bought it from various shops ( Takealot , Geewiz , CCTVDirect and WCCTV).

Pro's :
  • Relatively affordable
  • Easy to install - DIY
  • Easy to use - good app
  • Easy to upgrade - just add more units to system
  • Great app integration with my Hikvision cameras
  • Great battery life - all units still show 100% battery ( after a year)
  • Large amount of different sensors/PIR's to choose from.
  • Never had a false alarm - yet

  • No Con's I can think of atm.
 
lexor said:
I have the Hikvision AX Pro system in my house for about a year.
Bought it from various shops ( Takealot , Geewiz , CCTVDirect and WCCTV).

Pro's :
  • Relatively affordable
  • Easy to install - DIY
  • Easy to use - good app
  • Easy to upgrade - just add more units to system
  • Great app integration with my Hikvision cameras
  • Great battery life - all units still show 100% battery ( after a year)
  • Large amount of different sensors/PIR's to choose from.
  • Never had a false alarm - yet

  • No Con's I can think of atm.
Click to expand...
Much appreciated. The only downside I can see at the moment is that it's around 2 years old now, and the video quality on the products with video is very low – VGA.

My workaround would be to not get any video-based products. Just passives, door & window sensors, and Triple Signal Detectors (DS-PDTT15AM-LM-WE) for outside, which seem to be like beams. Speaking of which, the downside seems to be a relatively short 90' angle of coverage...

Your thoughts? I would love to hear more about your setup? Glad to hear you're happy with the app.
 
Another option would be to get RoboGuards for outside, and AX Pro for inside...

And standard Hikvision cameras for outside. Do they integrate with the AX Pro app, @lexor ?
 
capd said:
Another option would be to get RoboGuards for outside, and AX Pro for inside...

And standard Hikvision cameras for outside. Do they integrate with the AX Pro app, @lexor ?
Click to expand...

I have Roboguards outside and the AX Pro inside.

I do not have AX Pro cameras with my alarm system.

I have standard Hikvision cameras inside and outside.
It uses the same App as the AX Pro.
One can link the AX Pro to the standard Hikvision cameras ( example : if the alarm goes off in an area where there is a linked camera ,you press play and can immediately see what is happening.
The standard Hikvision cameras that I use also have blue/red lights and a built in siren. When this is triggered one simply click on a "replay button" and can see what made the camera trigger.
 
lexor said:
I have Roboguards outside and the AX Pro inside.

I do not have AX Pro cameras with my alarm system.

I have standard Hikvision cameras inside and outside.
It uses the same App as the AX Pro.
One can link the AX Pro to the standard Hikvision cameras ( example : if the alarm goes off in an area where there is a linked camera ,you press play and can immediately see what is happening.
The standard Hikvision cameras that I use also have blue/red lights and a built in siren. When this is triggered one simply click on a "replay button" and can see what made the camera trigger.
Click to expand...
Excellent, thank you! Could I be a pest and ask you to please link to all the products you use?

Take it you aren’t using the Triple Signal Detectors.

Is the AX Pro compatible with armed response companies?
 
capd said:
Excellent, thank you! Could I be a pest and ask you to please link to all the products you use? See below

Take it you aren’t using the Triple Signal Detectors. - no - already have Robo-Guards outside

Is the AX Pro compatible with armed response companies? Yes - but check 1st with your security company .
Click to expand...

PIR's - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-pir-detector-indoor/

Dual PIR - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-dual-tech-pir-detector-indoor/

smoke detector - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-smoke-detector-indoor/

remote control - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-keyfob/

door/window opening sensors - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-door-contact-indoor/

Alarm siren - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-internal-sounder/

Control unit - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-control-panel-96-zones/

Above are just links to the items I use.
But shop around.
Best/cheapest might be to buy a suitable "combo" :

- https://www.securityking.co.za/products/hikvision-wireless-control-panel-kit-ds-pwa64-kit-we

- https://cctv-direct.co.za/products/hikvision-ax-pro-64-zone-wireless-alarm-kit-1

- https://stemarshop.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-96-zone-wireless-alarm-kit/

- https://acdirect.co.za/product-category/alarm-systems/hikvision-ax-pro-alarm-systems/page/3/
 
lexor said:
PIR's - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-pir-detector-indoor/

Dual PIR - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-dual-tech-pir-detector-indoor/

smoke detector - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-smoke-detector-indoor/

remote control - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-keyfob/

door/window opening sensors - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-door-contact-indoor/

Alarm siren - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-wireless-internal-sounder/

Control unit - https://acdirect.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-control-panel-96-zones/

Above are just links to the items I use.
But shop around.
Best/cheapest might be to buy a suitable "combo" :

- https://www.securityking.co.za/products/hikvision-wireless-control-panel-kit-ds-pwa64-kit-we

- https://cctv-direct.co.za/products/hikvision-ax-pro-64-zone-wireless-alarm-kit-1

- https://stemarshop.co.za/product/hikvision-ax-pro-96-zone-wireless-alarm-kit/

- https://acdirect.co.za/product-category/alarm-systems/hikvision-ax-pro-alarm-systems/page/3/
Click to expand...
Legend. Thank you. Could you please tell me more about your cameras with links, and are you able to please upload (or PM) pics of the quality?
 
Hi all sorry to hijacker’s this thread couldn’t find another thread for this.

I just installed AX Pro alarm system, it’s really great.

Has anyone had any experience or knowledge on using a 3rd party wireless sensor integrating it with ax pro.

Something like a wireless paradox outdoor sensor.
 
Looking through this thread and noticed a few recommendations for Hikvision AX Pro system
is this the best choice to go for in terms of budget/functionality?
have a 3 bed house and ideally looking for outdoor coverage
are there other options like the Ajax system or is Paradox still a viable option.

as for places to buy, anywhere in CT?
 
Peanut butter1 said:
Hi all sorry to hijacker’s this thread couldn’t find another thread for this.

I just installed AX Pro alarm system, it’s really great.

Has anyone had any experience or knowledge on using a 3rd party wireless sensor integrating it with ax pro.

Something like a wireless paradox outdoor sensor.
Click to expand...
@Peanut butter1, did you manage to find an answer to linking 3rd party Paradox sensor to AX Pro? I'm looking at the same setup.
 
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