Home Security Alarm

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Home Security Alarm - New Build

uppynz

51 posts

Master Geek

#289534 11-Sep-2021 17:55

So we are in the process of building, and have been recommended two brands of home security systems. 1) Arrowhead & 2) Paradox.

I'm hoping there is some experience here with them both, preferably later models. Ideally I'm wanting to integrate what ever one we pick with Home Assistant and it needs to have some app functionality/notifications. I've read some reviews on the Arrowhead app on the playstore and they were pretty underwhelming.

Aside from the basic things like wired sensors and external/internal siren I like the look of the touch screen controllers, otherwise not sure what else to consider. I don't really know what they cost.

Is there any other brands to consider?

Thanks!

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115 posts

Master Geek

#2776486 11-Sep-2021 18:22

You might like to consider how you might remotely monitor the system. The systems you mention might have apps which allow you to monitor and control them. If not you might like to look into Konnected.io they have an interface system or you can install their panel then look at Home Assistant to monitor. When we built we installed a basic Bosh system and used Konnect.io to make it smart.

Also are you looking into CCTV/IP cameras?

Cheers

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2776491 11-Sep-2021 18:43

If the goal is HA integration, Konnected is really hard to go past.

So if it was me, I'd get whatever brand is cheapest, and then bolt on the Konnected interface module. Let's you use the alarm as intended (and the keypad), but then feeds zone data back in to HA so you can do whatever you want with it there.

davidcole

6029 posts

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Trusted

#2776492 11-Sep-2021 18:44

For paradox look at the paradox alarm interface project. It will talk to home assistant (I use it to openHAB and homekit for monitor mine). And paradox does have the insite gold app. But unsure how good that is or how much. I believe it’s subscription based.

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Jase2985

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#2776493 11-Sep-2021 18:47

Arrowhead are apparently coming out with a new app soon.

All my new stuff is arrowhead and its been good. i did consider connected.io and might go that way eventually when i setup HA

uppynz

51 posts

Master Geek

#2776495 11-Sep-2021 18:54

Ahh good point, I'd totally forgotten about konnected. I've got a few months to decide so there's time to weigh up the pros and cons. We do plan to include cctv, again which I would probably look at doing something with HA.

I'm assuming it's possible to have more than one keypad/panel on most systems?

MarkM536

309 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2776557 11-Sep-2021 19:42

Had a Paradox system for over 20 years. Only got upgraded to a touch panel and new mother board a few years ago to add functionality.

The original Paradox PIRs are still working in the new system.

That's my limited experience of reliability and longevity. I haven't tried Arrowhead.

Jase2985

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#2776560 11-Sep-2021 19:56

uppynz: Ahh good point, I'd totally forgotten about konnected. I've got a few months to decide so there's time to weigh up the pros and cons. We do plan to include cctv, again which I would probably look at doing something with HA.

I'm assuming it's possible to have more than one keypad/panel on most systems?

yes but there are some considerations for this.

My current system uses the original house alarm system (was stand alone) and i added a second standalone system in the garage and connected them with a cat5 cable. the house alarm is acting as a extension of the garage one now.

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technician14

122 posts

Master Geek

#2776586 11-Sep-2021 21:47

Both are good systems another good system is dsc, all systems have app, multiple KP and touch screen capabilities, etc

dsc app is free, arrowhead is about $16 one time price and paradox is $12 I think but yearly subscriptions

All have phone notifications, arm/disarm, pgm controls etc

rogercruse

644 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2776659 12-Sep-2021 07:42

For our home automation we wanted:

Single system that could monitor and control - lighting, heating, cooling, hot water, ventilation, security, smoke alarms, etc
Allow add-on products such as video doorbell (e.g. Ring), security cameras, additional mood lighting (e.g. Philips Hue)
Integration with Amazon Alexa / Google Home to providing voice control
Future proof to accommodate the 'next big thing' in home automation

When we were trying to decide on a home automation system the choice is something bespoke and works straight out of the box but so expensive that you daren't ask the price or something that is barely works and requires hours of tweaking for a basic setup and is no longer cheap once you add-in all the extra pieces you need to buy.

We decided on www.atatouch.co.nz as they are a New Zealand company based in Hamilton. While is doesn't allow add-on products or integrate with Amazon Alexa / Google Home yet. I want to believe that these capabilities will be added in the foreseeable future.

uppynz

51 posts

Master Geek

#2776675 12-Sep-2021 08:46

Thanks all, its certainly tricky to balance the needs vs wants. The biggest thing I want to try and achieve is at least try to future proof like you say. It will give me some leads to follow up on. I like the idea of not being tied into a dedicated security alarm app and having flexibility of Konnected for example. Connecting several different systems into one is the other issue, but I think HA should be up to the task. Thanks!

Daynger

435 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2776747 12-Sep-2021 10:52

Based purely on the app i chose DSC, it is leaps and bounds ahead of all of the others, they are also very solid reliability wise.

If the konnect io works with DSC thats the way i would go.

Im an installer, i use Bosch Solution for usual home installs (the app is terrible to setup and use),DSC for self monitoring home installs (app is ok to setup and easy to use(chose this for my workshop after looking at all apps offered apart from AAP)), Paradox EVO for larger more commercial installs for the bus expand ability (havnt used their app as it looked shit.).

I havnt done any integration into HA though.

davidcole

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#2776798 12-Sep-2021 11:40

My biggest thing with a house alarm is that it should be completely independent of home automation. Ie can be operated by keypad and remote. But then the home automation can add the alertin g and yet another control of it (also the home automation can utilise any pirs).

I never wanted my home automation to be part of the alarm.

uppynz

51 posts

Master Geek

#2776832 12-Sep-2021 12:12

Agree, I see Konnected allows you to run their board In-Parallel with existing alarm which means essentially you still maintain all the same alarm functionality, keypads etc but get the added automation and control

davidcole

6029 posts

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#2776853 12-Sep-2021 13:19

uppynz:
Agree, I see Konnected allows you to run their board In-Parallel with existing alarm which means essentially you still maintain all the same alarm functionality, keypads etc but get the added automation and control

I believe that’s the konnected interface board rather than the original konnected which was a mainboard replacement .

neb

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#2777148 12-Sep-2021 20:58

Jase2985:
Arrowhead are apparently coming out with a new app soon.

Any more info on this? Their existing app looks like it was built in a couple of days using an RMAD toolkit.

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