Who's blog is this ?? --- Security related

[G. Morgan]

http://homesecurityalarminfo.blogspot.com/2011/01/2gig-technologies-go-control-wireless.html

Wednesday, January 5, 2011
2GIG Technologies Go Control Wireless tries to look high tech
I just stumbled across an article about someone (Who will remain
unnamed) within the security alarm industry and his move over to 2gig
technologies. This prompted me to do a little research on the company.
It seems the gang over at APX are using it so it must be crap... or at
least cheap.

Cheap does not always mean bad so I looked a little further. Well, first
of all, the security alarm portion of the 2Gig Go Control system is
completely wireless. Not good touchscreen or not.

Looking a little further, 2Gig is touting the 2 gig technologies Go
Control as a complete home automation system stating "Make any home a
smart home." I will be the first to admit smart home technology is
highly overpriced for what it is. The thing is, cheap Home Automation
"Solutions" such as the 2Gig Go Control bring back nightmares of X-10
and what they were trying to do.

So what is the 2Gig Go Control you ask. Well, from initial review, I see
it as nothing more than a souped up DSC Alexor, GE Simon, Paradox
Magellan, Alarmforce, Honeywell Lynx, Snif or any of the other wireless
wannabe security alarm system pieces of trash. I really wish the alarm
manufacturers would get a grip on reality and realise security alarms
are serious business. Security alarm systems are not toys, security
alarm systems need to be able to withstand the attack of a potential
intruder. A transistor radio sized box mounted on the wall by the front
door and containing the entire 'Brains' of your security system is not
real security. I don't care how fancy you make it and how many functions
it can do, this type of wireless 'security alarm system' is just a
fancier toilet alarm. It just looks a little nicer before the would be
intruder steps on it, rendering the 2gig technologies Go Control home
automation security alarm control panel totally useless when compared to
its' hardwired counterpart.

Sorry guys, I did take an honest look at the 2gig Go Control security
alarm system and just do not like it, even with the cheesy little
touchscreen and online demo. I will continue to stick to hardwired
security alarm systems as well as automation systems. When it comes to
wireless and security alarm systems, I firmly believe it should only be
used for systems which much be portable as well as cellular
communications to the monitoring station. Of course, cellular
communications uses a completely different type of wireless. If this
technology was deployed in security alarm system sensors, they would be
financially out of reach for consumers. So to those mooks and boneheads
who like to use cellular phones as a defence for wireless security
systems... get a grip.

Controlling lighting via wireless is not as bad, but that is only
because lighting does not tend to be mission critical. So what if a
little interference stops your lights from being able to be remotely
turned on. It is not as if you are relying on this function to contact
the fire department if your house catches on fire, or notify the police
if you are being broken into.

 

[G. Morgan]

http://homesecurityalarminfo.blogspot.com/2011/01/2gig-technologies-go-control-wireless.html

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

2GIG Technologies Go Control Wireless tries to look high tech
I just stumbled across an article about someone (Who will remain
unnamed) within the security alarm industry and his move over to 2gig
technologies.

Personal attack.

This prompted me to do a little research on the company.
It seems the gang over at APX are using it so it must be crap... or at
least cheap.

Company attack.

Cheap does not always mean bad so I looked a little further. Well, first
of all, the security alarm portion of the 2Gig Go Control system is
completely wireless.

Yes, but there's more to the story. Hardwired zone modules can be
incorporated then re-sent over a wireless transceiver. The modules have
8 zones a piece.

Not good touchscreen or not.
What?

Looking a little further, 2Gig is touting the 2 gig technologies Go
Control as a complete home automation system stating "Make any home a
smart home." I will be the first to admit smart home technology is
highly overpriced for what it is. The thing is, cheap Home Automation
"Solutions" such as the 2Gig Go Control bring back nightmares of X-10
and what they were trying to do.

It uses Z-Wave, not X-10, for automation devices.

So what is the 2Gig Go Control you ask. Well, from initial review, I see
it as nothing more than a souped up DSC Alexor, GE Simon, Paradox
Magellan, Alarmforce, Honeywell Lynx, Snif or any of the other wireless
wannabe security alarm system pieces of trash.

This is the entire technical review of the system?

I really wish the alarm
manufacturers would get a grip on reality and realise security alarms
are serious business. Security alarm systems are not toys, security
alarm systems need to be able to withstand the attack of a potential
intruder. A transistor radio sized box mounted on the wall by the front
door and containing the entire 'Brains' of your security system is not
real security. I don't care how fancy you make it and how many functions
it can do, this type of wireless 'security alarm system' is just a
fancier toilet alarm. It just looks a little nicer before the would be
intruder steps on it, rendering the 2gig technologies Go Control home
automation security alarm control panel totally useless when compared to
its' hardwired counterpart.

Pure opinion and ranting. This has nothing to do with a "review".

Sorry guys, I did take an honest look at the 2gig Go Control security
alarm system and just do not like it, even with the cheesy little
touchscreen and online demo.

I doubt you did. You don't seem to know anything about it.

I will continue to stick to hardwired
security alarm systems as well as automation systems. When it comes to
wireless and security alarm systems, I firmly believe it should only be
used for systems which much be portable as well as cellular
communications to the monitoring station. Of course, cellular
communications uses a completely different type of wireless. If this
technology was deployed in security alarm system sensors, they would be
financially out of reach for consumers. So to those mooks and boneheads
who like to use cellular phones as a defence for wireless security
systems... get a grip.

"mooks and boneheads"?? Tom?

Controlling lighting via wireless is not as bad, but that is only
because lighting does not tend to be mission critical. So what if a
little interference stops your lights from being able to be remotely
turned on. It is not as if you are relying on this function to contact
the fire department if your house catches on fire, or notify the police
if you are being broken into.

Again, opinion not related to the product "review".

 

[G. Morgan]

RHC: Graham, I agree that this is clearly not an objective " review"';
however, if you poke around on his blog a bit, you'll see his heart is
in the right place ! He outlines some of the scummy tactics used by
APX Alarms to sell, as well as some of the other more objectionable
tactics used in our industry (such as selling using the "fear
factor")

Yeah, his heart is in the right place maybe. I was just looking for
product reviews for the 2Gig systems, didn't expect a non-review.

I'm tempted to use them or the new Lynx Touch for renters. The 2Gig has
a GSM communicator built-in, so even if it's knocked off the wall it's
still communicating (hopefully).

Dunno who he is, but he sounds like a small alarm dealer who has had a
gut full of the shady side of our business and has just gone on a
rant.....

I thought it was someone here at first, but that one does not share the
same opinion on "all-in-ones".

 

[G. Morgan]

RHC: Even though they don't fit in my "target market", I have heard
some good things about the 2Gig panel. One large national company up
here (Protectron) has taken them on as a line and they sell very well
apparently.

Thanks, that's more helpful than the 'review' !

However, they are still another totally wireless option
with emphasis on neither home automation or security, so I would be
naturally suspicious (or at least very cautious)

They also have a hardwired transceiver to grab 8 zones from the original
panel (on a takeover).

I had planned a meeting with their Product Manager up here, but it got
cancelled due to my trip south. I just never followed up with him. A
third line of panels is just one more I have to support in my
business, and my gut tells me that is one too many...

I emailed them and a rep said they would be in touch shortly. That was
about a month ago.

 

[G. Morgan]

For years I have heard the stories about how someone can rip it off
the wall and kill it but have NEVER actually run across such an
incident.

I have not either, but I didn't come across that many units. Every
break-in I had to write reports on was a hardwired panel.

The Z-wave stuff is nice to have, but I doubt I'll delve into home
automation until I test it myself for a long time.

 

[G. Morgan]

As far as I can
see, these are largely the domain of the "contract monkeys", and
clients like this I am not targeted towards

That's exactly the reason I want to use them for renters. It's a good
way to generate cash, and you're off the hook if the payments are not
made (for O.A.Q. dealers http://www.securitydealersupport.com/).

None of the big 3 (or is it down to 2 now?) will touch renters,
especially with poor credit. It's an untapped market, and I think they
deserve an alarm system just like a homeowner if they pay for it.

Plus, the renter can take the system with them if they move. A
demo/re-install is gravy $$.

 

[G. Morgan]

RHC: Just watch your back Graham ! If they default, someone has to
pay....there ain't no free lunch....

According to Tom, there is!

 

[G. Morgan]

Sticking with a standard hardwired system is fine and I agree with
them for many installations but find me an inexpensive hardwired
system from any major manufacturer with a touch-screen. I wish someone
did.

Yeah, paying $300 for a touch screen is way overpriced. Considering the
technology can be had on the cheap on other (non alarm) devices. I have
a Galaxy Tab 7" touch screen with more processing power than any alarm
system, with built in GSM, 2-Way voice and video, WLAN, and storage.

All I need is wireless IP based sensors and a little software...

So what company is secretly making IP wireless devices? I think that's
the future of wireless.

And if I'm the first one who thought of that, I want a cut from whoever
steals my idea.