What would you recommend(alarm system)

MarmiteMonster

MarmiteMonster

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I will be needing a new alarm system soon and can't decide which one I want.
I will probably go with a Paradox system??
Which Paradox system is the best??
Requirements:Wired system, atleast 20 zones
 
I've got a Paradox system (M5050+ panel) it works fine.

I have a mix of wired and wireless PIR sensors and beams. I would like to get rid of the wireless ones as they're a pain but couldn't get wires run to those places easily.

Also have mine connected up to my smart home using Home Assistant but also have it connected to Olarm which is convenient.
 
my 2c is that I've had two paradox systems and when I bought my current house it has one, and my folks had one for a while.
Personally paradox are a pain in the rear, wouldn't go for one again, Olarm has made it a bit more bearable but still not great. Waiting for it to pack up and will replace
I would rather look at something like IDS or AJAX
 
Paradox has the best security support. It's an old fashioned stupid smart alarm. I won't pay for Olarm.

If you want the Apple of alarms and pay a subscription go with AJAX.


Personally I will go with whatever the local security company support the best , which is probably Paradox or IDS. There is little support for AJAX here.
 
None

I havent had an alarm system for 12 years. Cancelled the contract. Unplugged it, and had to return an antenna. The only thing that happened, a rubbish bin scratcher was ripping off hubcaps and put it in his trolley, but was caught by the end of the road. He now sits in jail for 15 years, as each car was an individual crime.

I installed CCTV that triggers me with notifications.

Paying R600pm for someone to come 10-15 minutes late makes no sense. My entire neighbourhood went cctv so some grandpas that has nothing to do, will call the cops if something suspicious. We use EZVIZ cameras in more open spaces with wifi.
 
rh1 said:
What do I need for this, dont have Home Assitant, but have an old PC which I could repurpose.
Click to expand...
PAI: https://github.com/ParadoxAlarmInterface/pai/tree/3.4.1

You either need an IP50 module connected (the easier way) or connect via the serial port (requires some tinkering).

I've got an ESP32 board which is connected via serial then it communicates via MQTT to my Home Assistant instance. This is the most tinker-y option as it requires soldering and flashing firmware to the ESP32, etc.
 
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Corelli said:
None

I havent had an alarm system for 12 years. Cancelled the contract. Unplugged it, and had to return an antenna. The only thing that happened, a rubbish bin scratcher was ripping off hubcaps and put it in his trolley, but was caught by the end of the road. He now sits in jail for 15 years, as each car was an individual crime.

I installed CCTV that triggers me with notifications.

Paying R600pm for someone to come 10-15 minutes late makes no sense. My entire neighbourhood went cctv so some grandpas that has nothing to do, will call the cops if something suspicious. We use EZVIZ cameras in more open spaces with wifi.
Click to expand...
Never thought of only having cameras I might go this route.
 
DStvNothingOn said:
my 2c is that I've had two paradox systems and when I bought my current house it has one, and my folks had one for a while.
Personally paradox are a pain in the rear, wouldn't go for one again, Olarm has made it a bit more bearable but still not great. Waiting for it to pack up and will replace
I would rather look at something like IDS or AJAX
Click to expand...
If i could get a DSC Powerseries 1864 i would go with it...but it's sadly discontinued.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
I've got a Paradox system (M5050+ panel) it works fine.

I have a mix of wired and wireless PIR sensors and beams. I would like to get rid of the wireless ones as they're a pain but couldn't get wires run to those places easily.

Also have mine connected up to my smart home using Home Assistant but also have it connected to Olarm which is convenient.
Click to expand...
RedViking said:
Paradox has the best security support. It's an old fashioned stupid smart alarm. I won't pay for Olarm.

If you want the Apple of alarms and pay a subscription go with AJAX.


Personally I will go with whatever the local security company support the best , which is probably Paradox or IDS. There is little support for AJAX here.
Click to expand...
Does anyone have experience with a Paradox Evo192 ??
 
MarmiteMonster said:
The system is probably wireless.
Click to expand...
The wireless components are a pain.

For the PIRs I have no way to tell when the batteries are low, so my alarm company has to phone me (sometimes at some stupid time of the morning) to tell me I have a low battery alert.

For the wireless door beam I had installed it takes two sets of batteries, one for the sensor and another for the wireless transceiver. When its batteries die the alarm just goes off :( I asked the technicians when this happened if there was someway to monitor the battery level and nope, you just have to hope the battery doesn't die at like 3am (which it did for me).

So ye, try and avoid wireless stuff if you can. If you need it in a pinch it does work though but you should try and limit how many wireless things you implement.
 
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