Desperately need input on GE Simon XT
I'm trying to figure out what type of wireless system is best to install in my home. Would rather not have to put a phone line in if I don't have too. Is the GE Simon XT any good, and if I go with the XT GSM Wireless Cellular mode what else will I need to install with it? Very new at this game Any info will be helpful. Thanks The Simon series is long established and well tested. The transmitter design has been in use for 20+ years. It's one of the industry standard all-in-one designs. The problem I see with systems like the Simon XT is vulnerability, particularly if you put it anywhere in sight. Unless I'm missing something all a burgular has to do is put a baseball bat to it before the system can transmit an alarm. Also, the Simon XT cellular dialer isn't cheap ($200+) and I think requires you to use alarm.com for monitoring which runs $25/mo. If you have no phone line I would consider Nextalarm.com. You'll spend half as much ($100 for ABN adapter and $12/mo for monitoring assuming you already have internet service). Originally Posted by tomdav The problem I see with systems like the Simon XT is vulnerability, particularly if you put it anywhere in sight. Unless I'm missing something all a burgular has to do is put a baseball bat to it before the system can transmit an alarm. Also, the Simon XT cellular dialer isn't cheap ($200+) and I think requires you to use alarm.com for monitoring which runs $25/mo. If you have no phone line I would consider Nextalarm.com. You'll spend half as much ($100 for ABN adapter and $12/mo for monitoring assuming you already have internet service). As has been discussed before, remote wireless dialers are available for the Simon and Allegro panels. Hard to hit a wireless signal with a baseball bat. Alarm.Com runs anywhere from $4.50(just cell backup) to $15.50 (all the bells and whistles) per month (dealer cost). Does NOT require you to use Alarm.Com for monitoring (they don't monitor, they forward the call to YOUR monitoring company). Playing devil's advocate here...what happens when you lose your internet connection with Nextalarm? There are pros and cons with each service. I personally don't favor one over the other (ADC vs Nextalarm). Depends on what you want and are trying to do. I thought he was asking about the Simon XT and the XT GSM module which goes inside the Simon XT. As far as I know you have to use alarm.com with that module. Am I wrong? Regarding pricing, I'd love to hear where non-dealers can obtain alarm.com airtime + monitoring cheaper than $25/mo. Safemart.com's live watch is the cheapest I could find. I am shopping myself for monitoring so please let me know if you know of cheaper service. Regarding internet, nope, it's not any less immune. But I figure if someone is going to put a GSM module in the XT and expose themselves to the risk of a baseball bat then internet monitoring may fit their risk profile too. If done right I think you can minimize the risks but you do need to think it through (e.g. get the internet connection to the panel, backup power for the modem, etc.) just like you need to think through the cellular option (better to use a remote dialer as you noted). What about hiding the main panel with gsm upstairs in a closet and use the remote panel, with voice, downstairs where I could care less that someone hits it with a baseball bat because the call is still being made. Your line of thinking is on the right track...On the Simon line you can put the GSM about 3 feet way from the panel. Go with Concord. Same GSM service, cheaper panel, and you can remote the GSM. My Concord is in the basement, but my GSM is in an unattached garage up in the rafters.... The simon xt has Voice Event Notification which(according to safemart) can notify you of an alarm either via land-line or cell, without any additional equipment. I am also considering this system. It can only call out on a land line...unless you want to add additional equipment so it can call dial out via cellular. I just installed the Simon XT and so far so good. Any vulnerability concerns I had went away once I realized I could effectively silence it, and its range to all devices lets me install it in a hidden location. The consequence is that I need to invest in key pad and a remote siren. Which brings me to two questions for GEGUY: 1) If I have the GSM module installed with the XT will it allow me to pair with ZWAVE devices? I noticed there are ZWAVE interior alarms 2) Can I silence the status beeps from the XT touchpad. The dog goes postal when these go off during arming 1. Yes...assuming you have the Alarm.com zwave radio and the correct service package. 2. Turn the volume down in the touchpad settings.. Simon XT has been upgraded with similar looking unit. Previous was a 2007 model. Monitoring had dropped drastically with competition from more than 10 nationwide monitoring companies and a multitude of locals. 9.95 mo on the low end and average 19.95 for wireless monitoring. Remote computer access will up your bill if you feel you need it. Not only Alarm.com/ Safemart.com but many others sell the Simon and the wireless services run on anyones sim card, one is available for ATT services but note this is NOT telephone but a subsystem for alarm monitoring only. The units have a smash/crash/tampering alarm and are hard to beat. The monitoring companies now respond in 20 seconds. At my home alarm to response to police arrival is 3 minutes on the worst day. I have another system for internet video which is the cats nuts since I can watch home wherever I am on any computer. Any perpetrator cannot destroy evidence even burning the place down - its server recorded. You can even self install a Simon with ease and your monitoring company now answers technical question. The economy has caused the companies to offer more service- faster response and lower fees to get your business. Date today is 2/13/2012
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