sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Security, Alarms and Paging Card Access Systems

Any recommendations?

Experiences?

I like to stick with the brand of the security system in the place. That way they can interface together.

If it's stand alone, Corby all the way.

I usually call the systems guys at Ademco and give them every detail about the job and what the customer wants. I don't have to worry about leaving anything out such as a relay or something I was not aware I needed.

They email a quote to me and all I have to do is sort through it, and add my cost to it, type it up and give it to the customer.

Like Tp said, it's best to stay with the brand that's already there if there is one.

well, i think it depends on what the customer wants. each brand can offer different things to the customer. as far as brands, alarmlock makes good stuff, securakey, cyberlock, locknetics. i have never used ademco stuff, or corby, but they are good brands i know.


sam

I'm a big fan of Hirsch myself, but I will also grant that most of their stuff is gross overkill for a typical homeowner. I'm only using them because I got an M8 controller from a demolished building in trade for some older computer gear.

Nice thing about Hirsch is their MATCH interface modules. They can take just about any kind of access card reader (prox, smart, magstripe, barcode, whatever), and interface it to a DigiTrac controller. Doesn't matter who made the reader -- If it can be configured to output Wiegand, the MATCH module can deal with it.

If I were spec'ing out a commercial system, or any sort of thing where a high degree of security is desired, I'd go with Hirsch in a heartbeat. Their tech support is outstanding, no matter if you have two doors or two thousand.

Keep the peace(es).

I will second the recommendation for using HIRSCH. I am Hirsch certified and have been working with their products for almost 15 years. If you have an installation that requires any amount of security and audit trail, you will not beat them. They have spent the R&D time and money to ensure that their hardware will not be obsolete in 3-5 years. I currently support a system that runsin excess of 40 panels, all linked together and distributed processing. This means that if the computer that supports it dies, the panels keep on running making the decisions.

I am a big fan of Corby for standalone stuff...works great, amd never had a problem.

I've had some experience with the Hirsch product. I have to agree it's nice but it's also Cadillac pricing. It's way too much of a system for the average user.

The provincial police departments here use the "scramble pads" for their rear entry doors. I have repaired a few of them and yes, tech help is great.

I am a huge fan of Continental card access (https://www.cicaccess.com)

They have panels from 2 to 8 doors, all of which keep a local copy of the database in case communication to the host is cut off. I have done installations with 1 door and 15 cardholders, all the way up to about 150 doors, 50 panels, 3500+ cardholders, 10 workstations off the host, across NY & NJ and it has been rock solid. It also has software interfaces for Napco burg alarms and camera control for a few DVR's. It can disarm the alarm when somebody with a card comes in, or move a camera to a preposition and trigger alarm recording on a dvr when a door is forced open.

Just as most phone systems go, you get what you pay for, and a system is only as good as the installer who put it in.