A
alarman
Well, I'm going to try some other controls. I've been a faithful DSC user
since the inception of the 832 system, but it's time to look around. They
work great when they work, but lately, well...
I fired up a new NX8E last night, along with the NX408E 8-point wireless
receiver. Programming was pretty straightforward, downloading worked the
first time, (imagine that) and the wireless seems to work well. I really
like the selection of door/window transmitters, especially the micro unit
and the flush-mount unit. Slick! Thanks to VSS Doug for his guidance in
getting the hang of the learn mode programming.
I like the NX148E keypad a lot, but the Stay, Chime, Exit, and Bypass led's
are hard to see unless the keypad is mounted at eye level. The display is
larger than DSC, with more room for text,and the keys easier for my big ol'
fingers to navigate.
I like the DSC software better than Caddx, but maybe because it's more
familiar. The global upload was slooooooowwwwwwww. Kind of like a MaxSys,
not quick like the 832. I notice there is an option to delete the event log,
weird. I do not like the fact that the double-call timer is set at 45
seconds. I'd like to shorten that, but at least there is the sniffer mode if
I can find a Hayes 1200 smartmodem. (sigh), another modem? Seems I saw Caddx
has a module to make the sniffer mode work without the Hayes, so I'll be
looking at that. I kind of like my PM1200SA. (Thanks, Mark)
I don't necessarily want to mount the wireless receiver in the control can,
I usually remote it to a better location. Maybe there is a small can
designed for this purpose. Also, there doesn't seem to be a signal strength
test as with DSC, unless I'm missing something. Although, the DSC test is
not always a reliable indicator.
Many of my installs are in large custom homes, and the security control goes
in a flush enclosure. Not sure how the NX8E vertical slide-in board will
work in a flush enclosure. GE probably has this nailed, but I haven't seen
it yet.
I like the 2 amp power supply compared to the 500ma DSC offering, and the
Caddx can is more sturdy, and comes with a cam lock. Also, the large screw
terminals for terminating wires are a welcome change from the DSC micro
terminals. I know there must be a cable to connect the control to my laptop
for downloading, but it's not listed in the manual. And the NX8E board has a
header for a box tamper, but no cable is included to plug onto it. I do like
the built-in siren driver feature, though I haven't heard it yet. Hope it's
better that the old Ranger series drivers. (yech!)
I didn't see a CFM approval either, though they had that now. Looks like
there are lots of auxiliary output options and zone types, and I like the
auto CID and SIA reporting.
So far, I like the control overall, and it kind of reminds me of the old
9000E but with a smaller can, and a nicer keypad selection.
Looking forward to playing with this some more, and I'm interested in
thoughts and suggestions from experienced Caddx users.
js
since the inception of the 832 system, but it's time to look around. They
work great when they work, but lately, well...
I fired up a new NX8E last night, along with the NX408E 8-point wireless
receiver. Programming was pretty straightforward, downloading worked the
first time, (imagine that) and the wireless seems to work well. I really
like the selection of door/window transmitters, especially the micro unit
and the flush-mount unit. Slick! Thanks to VSS Doug for his guidance in
getting the hang of the learn mode programming.
I like the NX148E keypad a lot, but the Stay, Chime, Exit, and Bypass led's
are hard to see unless the keypad is mounted at eye level. The display is
larger than DSC, with more room for text,and the keys easier for my big ol'
fingers to navigate.
I like the DSC software better than Caddx, but maybe because it's more
familiar. The global upload was slooooooowwwwwwww. Kind of like a MaxSys,
not quick like the 832. I notice there is an option to delete the event log,
weird. I do not like the fact that the double-call timer is set at 45
seconds. I'd like to shorten that, but at least there is the sniffer mode if
I can find a Hayes 1200 smartmodem. (sigh), another modem? Seems I saw Caddx
has a module to make the sniffer mode work without the Hayes, so I'll be
looking at that. I kind of like my PM1200SA. (Thanks, Mark)
I don't necessarily want to mount the wireless receiver in the control can,
I usually remote it to a better location. Maybe there is a small can
designed for this purpose. Also, there doesn't seem to be a signal strength
test as with DSC, unless I'm missing something. Although, the DSC test is
not always a reliable indicator.
Many of my installs are in large custom homes, and the security control goes
in a flush enclosure. Not sure how the NX8E vertical slide-in board will
work in a flush enclosure. GE probably has this nailed, but I haven't seen
it yet.
I like the 2 amp power supply compared to the 500ma DSC offering, and the
Caddx can is more sturdy, and comes with a cam lock. Also, the large screw
terminals for terminating wires are a welcome change from the DSC micro
terminals. I know there must be a cable to connect the control to my laptop
for downloading, but it's not listed in the manual. And the NX8E board has a
header for a box tamper, but no cable is included to plug onto it. I do like
the built-in siren driver feature, though I haven't heard it yet. Hope it's
better that the old Ranger series drivers. (yech!)
I didn't see a CFM approval either, though they had that now. Looks like
there are lots of auxiliary output options and zone types, and I like the
auto CID and SIA reporting.
So far, I like the control overall, and it kind of reminds me of the old
9000E but with a smaller can, and a nicer keypad selection.
Looking forward to playing with this some more, and I'm interested in
thoughts and suggestions from experienced Caddx users.
js