Question:
(2nd posting because I put the wrong e-mail address at the bottom, sorry.)
I apologize if this topic has been covered recently. I'm a newbie so be
kind.
Does any have any experience on the Gemini Security System from Napco?
(See them at: http://www.napcosecurity.com/)
They are not X10 but does support an X10 interface module.
I'm considering using it in my home. Do you have any idea on cost? I have
the Napco catalog but not a price sheet.
I want a monitored security system but I still want it to have dial-out
capability if I decide to stop the monitoring service.
What other home security systems are recommended? How about the X10
security systems from Home Automation Systems (HAS): Monitor Plus
Supervised Wireless X10 Security System (Model: HAS-7302A; page 47 of their
catalog)? That unit will not dial-out if you don't pay for monitoring.
The main feature must be easy usage from a keypad and keychain remote.
Answer:I am using the Napco Gemini Panel, together with a PC home automation
program called Cyberhouse. Everything is integrated, including security,
lights, HVAC and whole house IR/video/audio. The Napco panel has all the
features you want and more. The combination of Cyberhouse and Napco is
more than the sum of the parts. All the sensor events from the panel can
be viewed on your PC and can be used, as well, to initiate complex
automation rules. Rules like dialing certain numbers or paging someone,
for example. As far as I know, the Napco Gemini is the only panel out
there, that communicates evrything, all the time to the PC controller.
One nice side benefit of this is that you can actually sit at your PC
and "see" all the activity in the house. You can do this, as well, from
a PC anywhere in the world via modem/lan connection(with password
authorization)
Cross domain stuff is easy with this panel and Cyberhouse. I have
serveillance cameras set up, for example, with Napco motion detectors
nearby(can be wired or wireless). When the motion detector fires, a
Cyberhouse rule is automatically implemented which tunes TV's to the
appropriate channel for monitoring and simultaneously begins a VCR
recording of the event. These are just a small sampling of the powerful
capabilities afforded these products are used together.
BTW, you should also post your query to:
alt.security.alarms
There, you'll find many experts on the Napco product line.
