Wireless Security System Range

[Michael Adams]

Anyone have any information as to what range one can expect of the wireless
security systems on the market.

Which systems provide the best range?
How many walls can they penetrate?
Are repeaters available?

I work with wireless networking, which does not have much range beyond a two
walls, so it occurred to me to check on this for security systems before
installing one. I need a system to cover two detached buildings, and guest
apartment, all with separate arming, but tied into the main security system.
Running wires is not practical.

Also I am aware of (dare I say the word) jamming, etc., so if we could
please just ignore the flamers (or "Usenet jammers") so I can get some
useful information out of this thread, it would be appreciated.

Michael Adams

 

[Trublechuter]

One word "Inovonics" Is by far the best, anyone argues with that just smile
and say ok!! For more complete info on them go to there website.

 

[Trublechuter]

http://www.inovonics.com/

One word "Inovonics" Is by far the best, anyone argues with that just smile
and say ok!! For more complete info on them go to there website.

 

[David Kratz]

The ITI stuff is very good also, and has repeaters to extend range.

 

[Paul]

Beside your nasty remark at end, i don't see how anybody can give you
an advice on the range.. or brand.

It depend on:
- the type of walls (wood , stones, RF conducive or not);
- variable conditions (humidity);
- receiver sensitivity (manufacturer spec );
- on the transmission safety range you require;
and more...

Al recommendations on a brand is a pure wet finger guess.

Paul

 

[Lance T.]

Use the Inovonics -

Real world scenerio, I worked in an office that used to be a bank.
I put the receiver in the vault with the door closed, walked outside
of the concrete and brick building at a distance of more than a hundred
feet as a crow flies and repeatedly had the receiver receive each signal
without ever missing one. The company I worked for has sinced used
them in banks where the receivers are mounted in the vaults with no
trouble.

 

[Paul]

Well, if the signal capture distance of one system is better than an
other:
- to what item / feature do you assign that difference;
because
- all sensor have the same maximum RF power limit (limited by law).

Paul

 

[David Kratz]

Well, if the signal capture distance of one system is better than an
other:
- to what item / feature do you assign that difference;
because
- all sensor have the same maximum RF power limit (limited by law).

Paul

Hmm...

How about, Receiver sensitivity, filtering, narrowband VS wideband......
also, if the receiving antennas are "isolated" from the CPU, this can also
increase range (increase sensitivity)

 

[Paul]

Hmm...

How about, Receiver sensitivity, filtering, narrowband VS wideband......
also, if the receiving antennas are "isolated" from the CPU, this can also
increase range (increase sensitivity)

One point you overlooked; frequency stability of the receiver when it
is narrow banded (less when not)..

Beside that your answer is exactly the answer i expected.
Now remain, HOW do you or somebody else know the receiver quality
characteristics? To my knowledge this manufacturer data is missing.

Paul

 

[Michael Adams]

Use the Inovonics -

Real world scenerio, I worked in an office that used to be a bank.
I put the receiver in the vault with the door closed, walked outside
of the concrete and brick building at a distance of more than a hundred
feet as a crow flies and repeatedly had the receiver receive each signal
without ever missing one. The company I worked for has sinced used
them in banks where the receivers are mounted in the vaults with no
trouble.

This is amazing - a bank vault! If we could only get computer wireless
networking to work so well.

I know the Inovonics stuff is higher priced (quality usually does cost).
Anyone have any good sources for it with decent prices?

 

[Trublechuter]

Let me restate my earlier comments Inovonics is the best, you can buy
anything you want but if you want the best then purchase Inovonics.

 

[David Kratz]

ITI is the best.
So there!

Let me restate my earlier comments Inovonics is the best, you can buy
anything you want but if you want the best then purchase Inovonics.

 

[Michael Adams]

Thank you for you comments. I just wanted to be sure I was covering all
options, including any new ones that may have popped up.

Michael

Let me restate my earlier comments Inovonics is the best, you can buy
anything you want but if you want the best then purchase Inovonics.

Inovonics?

 

[J. Stevens]

I think DSC has switched to 433MHz. The 900 stuff was discontinued, wasn't
it? Inovonics does make some good wireless, but the programming was a real
pain. Do you still have to bring the transmitters to the control and plug
them in?
js

 

[Paul]

I know the Inovonics stuff is higher priced (quality usually does cost).
Anyone have any good sources for it with decent prices?

An other brand should sell even more expensive, without any justified
reason, that should be the best, isn't it Michael?

How is it possible that you rely on the wet finger (no specification
of quality) sales talk..
OR i it just to mention a wireless alarm systems brand without having
any need for it..
Is it indirect advertising with a colleague in connivance with you in
order to have no one of this NG opposing against this advertising
because its a well masked undercover?

Paul

 

[Paul]

Let me restate my earlier comments Inovonics is the best, you can buy
anything you want but if you want the best then purchase Inovonics.

How can somebody believe that the system from Inovonics is the best
without any specification of why it is.
OR
Is it indirect advertising with a colleague in connivance with you in
order to have no one of this NG opposing against this advertising
because its a well masked undercover?

Paul

 

[Trublechuter]

Ok I will rephrase my answer In my 15 years of alarm work I have come to
find that Inovonics is the best quality. For reasons I will list,
reliablilty, ease of programming, and distance My experience is in the
commercial end mostly banking. So I have tested in basements, vaults and
high rise buildings. If some think I am and undercover manufactures rep,
here is my alarm company website. Http://www.alarmzone.us I am just a guy
answering a specific question in the best way I know how. Thru experince of
product use, I have used all the others and was just giving my 2 cents. For
specific product knowledge I would suggest going to each of the wireless
manufacturers websites and look at specs and make a wise business decision.

 

[Frank Olson]

He's a USENET troll. He's
not who he claims to be and he doesn't care a whit about wireless alarms.
His *only* purpose in posting is to get people to argue with him.

No that's the best description of Robert L. Bass I've seen for a long
time... And straight from the horse's ass himself... Life doesn't get much
better...

 

[Paul]

The practical experience you mention John has value, however telling
why one system is better than an other based on manufacturer valid
comparisons data as a proof is better.

ALL manufacturers have to undergo the same FCC (or alike) regulations,
and you realize certainly that better performance is only attainable
and possible when its designed in by the manufacturer during his
design phase.

What can influence distance range?

The TRANSMITTER, all sensor have the same maximum RF transmission
power limit (limited by law). Knowing that to obtain this
low RF power limit nothing fancy has to be designed in by any
manufacturer, all operate at that max. power.

The RECEIVER is the other side of the wireless data loop.
I can't believe that one manufacturer, and only one, has the best
design. If it is the case that he put it in hiss specifications and
make it believable.

Why am i septic about wet finger advises (without measuring tools)?
You are unable to compare real performance without using a anechoic
chamber, this last is $$$ wise out of reach of an individual.
When you compare on site one system with an other, each situation is
different and not steady and really reliable.
Tricks can be build in to confuse you and let you believe that the
range is greater, frequency hopping for instance is one way to ease
the installation impression that its range is increased but in fact
its only a manner to avoid sensor position influences and as such
really increase in some kind the impression that range is wider. This
feather has a drawback, it decreased outside influence performance due
to the fact that the receiver need with a wider bandpass.

Where is the tradeoff?
What have you done to measure distance range, did you use a anechoic
RF chamber?
Is it just a invalid wet finger approach?

That's what make its difficult to claim (location influences; wet
wall, ++ mentioned before) an state a distance range who allow to say
that one system is better than an other.
Your 2 cent evaluation is not valid, consistent and can only mislead
someone.

Paul

 

[Bryan Griffith]

With over 10,000 Inovonics transmitters in the field nationwide I know they
outperform any wireless available. They are tough to do business with, but
their pricing is not at all unreasonable. They hold up well in all
environments and have excellent battery life.

Except for small homes I would never use anything else. If you have any
questions about Inovonics stuff let me know, I'd be happy to help you with
their stuff.

Best regards,
Bryan Griffith
http://www.tattletalealarm.com