[Jeffrey J. Kosowsky]

We got a quote for the following choice of alarm components:

Main panel: DMP XR200L 10-242 Zone Control
Keypad: DMP White LCD Keypad XR200
Horn: ADEMCO 15 Watt Siren
Motion: Sentrol Designline motion detector
Door contacts: GRI White 3/8 Recess Door SW
Window contacts: GRI White 3/8 Recess Wndow SW
Basement windows: Sentrol Barrier Bar Pressure SW
Smokes: ESL 12-24V 4W Smoke Detector

- What are your thoughts on the quality of the above components?
- Are we at the low, medium, or high end in terms of quality and
functionality?
- Where would you consider upgrading (or downgrading)?

Thanks

 

[jackcsg]

We got a quote for the following choice of alarm components:

Main panel: DMP XR200L 10-242 Zone Control
Keypad: DMP White LCD Keypad XR200
Horn: ADEMCO 15 Watt Siren
Motion: Sentrol Designline motion detector
Door contacts: GRI White 3/8 Recess Door SW
Window contacts: GRI White 3/8 Recess Wndow SW
Basement windows: Sentrol Barrier Bar Pressure SW
Smokes: ESL 12-24V 4W Smoke Detector

- What are your thoughts on the quality of the above components?
- Are we at the low, medium, or high end in terms of quality and
functionality?
- Where would you consider upgrading (or downgrading)?

Thanks

Jeff, I am a DMP dealer. Your at the high end of the quality envelope. My
only question would be the reasoning for the XR200. Are you anticipating
adding a lot of features to the system? I'll also assume that the ESL smokes
are DMP's version of them, the 521's. They offer "clean me" technology which
is a great little feature. Are you familiar with what can be added to the
XR200? There are several smaller panels in DMP's inventory, depending on
what you're looking at down the road. No other panel on the market is as
versatile as the 200, with backward, forward compatibility, and the ability
to talk to other manufacturers devices, do access control, schedules, and
outputs.

Jack

 

[Jeffrey J. Kosowsky]

Jeff, I am a DMP dealer. Your at the high end of the quality envelope

Thanks for the great info.
Actually, the system was speced and quoted by the alarm company, which
is why I was asking about quality.

My thought though is that since equipment is only about 25% of the
total installation cost, it is better to err on the side of getting
higher quality equipment than getting something underpowered that you
may later regret.

Given that, is there anything on the list that seems to be more on the
underpowered end?

My only question would be the reasoning for the XR200. Are you anticipating
adding a lot of features to the system?
I'll also assume that the ESL smokes
are DMP's version of them, the 521's. They offer "clean me" technology which
is a great little feature. Are you familiar with what can be added to the
XR200? There are several smaller panels in DMP's inventory, depending on
what you're looking at down the road. No other panel on the market is as
versatile as the 200, with backward, forward compatibility, and the ability
to talk to other manufacturers devices, do access control, schedules, and
outputs.

Not sure. What are the other capabilities of the XR200?
Are these other capabilities accessible to the homeowner or only to
the alarm company monitoring and installation company?

Also, what does "clean me" technology mean? (Does it signal when it
needs cleaning or is it self-cleaning or does it mean something
different?)

Any other advice on this selection of components?

 

[jackcsg]

Thanks for the great info.
Actually, the system was speced and quoted by the alarm company, which
is why I was asking about quality.

DMP has been around for over 25 years, and Manufactured in the US. They have
a strong commitment to backward/forward compatability. It's a nice feeling
knowing what you buy today, will still be supported 10 years from now, and
vice versa.

My thought though is that since equipment is only about 25% of the
total installation cost, it is better to err on the side of getting
higher quality equipment than getting something underpowered that you
may later regret.

This is true. Panel expandability has become a competitive feature.

Given that, is there anything on the list that seems to be more on the
underpowered end?

I wouldn't say anything is under-powered, but you might also consider the
possibility of placing glass break detectors in the system. You have to keep
in mind, Motion Detection is a second line of defense item. I always point
out to a customer where the feet of the perp are located when the device
does its detection...Motion...they're in....Glass breakage they're not
(typically).
And they provide better perimeter detection while you're sleeping.

Not sure. What are the other capabilities of the XR200?
Are these other capabilities accessible to the homeowner or only to
the alarm company monitoring and installation company?

Well, you already know it will do up to 242 points of protection. It will do
205 relay outputs in a combination of X-10 and or hardwired external relays.
It can be expanded to provide up to 16 doors of access control ( or Easy
Entry (Keyless entry)), it can have expanded schedules to allow for relays
to be activated automatically (by schedule) or manually through the keypad.
The panel can interface with DMP's ePAD - a Web Browser based keypad
interface which allows you to control the system via a PC, both locally, or
remotely accross the www. It can also have an iCOM Internet Alarm Router
installed to provide line security, and routing of alarm signals accross the
Internet. Wireless devices can be added from several other manufacturers
(typically for existing system changeovers). These are accessable to the end
user, but a dealer must configure the setup parameters.

Also, what does "clean me" technology mean? (Does it signal when it
needs cleaning or is it self-cleaning or does it mean something
different?)

Exactly. There are five states to clean me technology with in conjunction of
a DMP control panel. (1) Normal (2) Trouble - missing or defective (3)
Alarm - detection of smoke (4) Clean Me - dirty (still functional) (5)
Open - Service (Means the unit is NOT capable of detecting smoke. Cleaning
smoke detectors (NOT), and replacing them past the effective life-span, are
the leading causes of false alarms in the industry. There are few to many
panels (Manufacturers) with this technology capability.

Any other advice on this selection of components?

Make sure that just as vigurisly you determine the electronic pieces of the
protection, that you also take a look around at the physical components and
pay them as much attention...locks, shrubs, lights, etc. I've found that
lights are just as big a deterant as the alarm system when used correctly.
Good luck

Jack