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Posted: 2/14/2011 12:28:10 PM EDT
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This weekend I installed a Visonic Powermax Pro with a built-in Powerlink broadband + GSM module home security system from homesecuritystore.com. I went with this particular unit because I wanted a system that is capable of being accessed, controlled and monitored by me over an Internet connection. I also wanted something with GSM backup in case the line to my home gets cut. The Powerlink module also enables you to connect and control X10-compatible devices like lamp controllers and thermostats. I don't currently have any X10 gear but might add a thermostat at some point. Along with the Powermax Pro panel I have 3 door/window sensors, 3 motion detectors, and a fire alarm. All sensors are wireless. (I'm capable of running wire but I really don't like doing it.) I also have two Visonic CAM3100 IP cameras. One of them is connected to my home network switch via Ethernet while the other is over WiFi. The cameras have built-in IR illuminators which improve picture quality in marginal light. I haven't tested them when it's dark yet, however. Installation was pretty straightforward after I read through the directions. The installer's guide is pretty good. I did most of the configuration, i.e., enrolling keyfobs and sensors, on my dining room table before mounting the panel on the wall. One thing I made sure to do before connecting the unit to my home LAN was to statically set the IP address of the Powerlink GSM/broadband module to an unused IP on my subnet. One nice feature of the Powerlink module is that once it's connected to the Internet, it will go out to Visonic's dynamic DNS server and enroll itself, so that in the future to access it remotely in a browser you just open http://home.visonic.com/nicknameofyoursystem and you'll be redirected to your panel. If you know your IP address you can access it directly. (I have a static IP on my home cable modem so I don't need the dynamic DNS service, but most people would.) The Powerlink web page that is served off the box can be viewed on a Mac or PC, or on a mobile device. There's a mobile-optimized version which you can use and which works OK using my Droid's browser. The web page can be viewed over HTTP or HTTPS. The Powerlink module automatically takes video clips with the cameras when an alarm is triggered. I have it setup to send me email messages for events and alarms. I get these on my phone in my Gmail account. I also set it up to send an email to ([email protected]) so that in case Gmail is down I get the message as an text. The one piece of hardware I have remaining to setup is the GSM module. My plan is to go pick up a cheap prepaid T-Mobile phone and use the SIM card from it for the GSM module. I'll then be able to receive SMS updates (without going through the @vtext.com email-to-SMS gateway) and control the box via SMS messages. Once I finish with that I'll get professional monitoring setup. My first plan was to use alarmrelay.com but it turns out I have an uncle in the business who should be able to get me monitoring at his cost, with no contract. One thing did annoy me about setup: While the installer's and user's guides for the Powermax Pro are provided in hard copy and pretty good, the manual for the Powerlink module is provided as a web page on a mini-CD. It's pretty minimal and not really all that helpful, IMO. I work in IT so figuring out the networking stuff was pretty easy for me. The mini-CD is useless for people with access only to a slot-load optical drive, e.g., most Mac users. If you're in that boat you'll need to borrow a friend's PC and copy the contents of the mini-CD to either a full size CD or a USB stick. |
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Well, I got the GSM module working today. This morning I went to WalMart and bought the cheapest prepaid T-Mobile cell phone they had for $14.95. I also bought a T-Mobile prepaid SIM $100 refill card, which is good for a year. WM discounts the refill card a couple of bucks. After getting the phone home and activating it on a pay-as-you go account for $0.10/minute, I installed it on the Visonic panel. To do so you must first disconnect both AC power and the battery backup. All my settings were retained but I did have to reset the time and date. I was pleased to see that as soon as I started unscrewing the cover to the panel it started complaining about being tampered with. It also called out to my cell phone with a voice message to alert me that someone was tampering with the panel. The GSM module is working fine. I'm able to arm and disarm via SMS text message, as well as get a system status report. SMS text messaging to/from a Google Voice number works as well. This is the first time I've bought a phone with a SIM card. I've been a Verizon Wireless customer for my cell phone for going on 10 years and they don't use SIMs on their CDMA network. By moving the activated SIM card to the security panel, you're moving the phone number to the panel. So, text messages from the panel come from the phone number you get when you activate the phone. Also, before installing the SIM card you should make sure that the PIN number assigned to it during activation is not enabled (you'd have to enable it on the phone). After installing it into the panel you can enter the PIN code in case the panel needs it for some reason. The only major glitch I ran into today was that when I wanted to add the prepaid refill card to the SIM, T-Mobile's web site did not recognize the refill card's PIN as being valid. However, when I called T-Mobile's prepaid refill 800-number from the cell, and entered the refill card's PIN, it worked. The final step will be to arrange central station monitoring. |
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Anymore thoughts on the Powermax Pro system? I'm going to buy a system this week and am torn between this system and the DSC Alexor, or upgrading my Ademco Vista 20P (to wireless). I moved into a rental and need wireless capability which my current system does not have. The Powermax seems really verstatile - but I don't know much about the company or their history. I feel very comfortable w/ Ademco and DSC as I've used/programmed their units in the past.
-AA |
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Overall I'm happy with the system. I would like more granular control over the cameras, however. The system lacks the easy ability to program the cameras to take pics on specific events. They do automatically take short video clips when there is an alarm but other than that, e.g., you can't have it take a video or a still and email it to yourself if the system is disarmed and a door opens. |
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