cglaeser

Is it 8 PoE ports? What is the model number? I've been using a Netgear FS108P (4 PoE plus 4 non-PoE) for about a year. It's a 10/100. No fans. Solid performer. Best, Christopher

Does it have fans? I used a Dell switch with fans about six years ago. I considered putting wings on the rack enclosure to see if it would fly. Best, Christopher

Not certain, but I don't think so. Do you have an Ademco panel? If so, this is what you want. http://www.nutech.com/online-store/35.html It's cheap, and you are free to do whatever you want. Best, Christopher

It's probably the same equipment you install. Vista, LYNX, Simon, Visonic, etc. For a very brief period Honeywell toyed with the idea of IP monitoring by the home owner with NO need for a CS (the device was available for a brief period), but installers did not want to install that equipment because it would kill the recurring revenue, so now the IP module must connect to a CS to function. There is a USB device from a third party that connects to the panel comm port for about $100. A DIY can use this device to monitor their system without the need for a CS, and do lots of other functions too. Best, Christopher Edit: That should have been "... IP monitoring by the homeowner with NO need for a CS ..."

They never had the panel in their possession. I purchased the panel elsewhere. I did purchase the GSM from them, and they did activate the GSM before sending it, but I could have purchased the GSM module from someone else too. IP/GSM is useless without a contract, and yes, I currently have a month-to-month on trial and will switch to multi-year for cost savings. But I own all the equipment and I don't have to stay on contract if I don't want to. The GSM would no longer do anything, but the panel and the rest of the system would continue to function just fine. Nope. I'm not locked out and I can continue to make any changes I want. At this point, when I want to make changes, it's easier to tell them what I want since they have my profile on file, but I can easily change the chime list or voice enunciation or user code or whatever I want. GeoArm is different from other alarm companies. They specifically target the DIY. There is another thread about port forwarding to all cameras. Some of us think that is a bad idea. A lot of these devices have back doors, and in some cases, front doors. Some of these back doors are by design, and some are just security flaws. I don't know if they can reconfigure the GSM module remotely, but they can change anything in the panel remotely. For example, they could change the installer code and/or user code and walk right in. Best, Christopher

The camera is trying to determine the best exposure based on the lighting of the entire scene. If you change the lighting of a large area in the background, that can have significant impact on the selected exposure. If the background is darkened, it will likely compensate by increasing the exposure, thus overexposing the foreground even more. If you had done the testing with the same lighting in the background, the LED may have faired better in the comparison. That said, I agree with your decision to get a different throw. It's not the color of the light that is causing problems; it's the narrow beam vs omni. Best, Christopher

Yep, they will program the panel for you. Give them descriptions for the various zones and serial numbers of the wireless devices, and that's pretty much all they need for most installs. I needed some custom zone types and thought I would have to do it myself, but they just asked what I wanted and they did the programming for that too. I know how to program the Ademco panels, but it's a bit tedious using a keypad. I don't know the user interface they use (probably developed and licensed by Honeywell), but I'm sure it's significantly easier than using a keypad. Everything is done remotely, so if you need to add more devices or make changes, they will do that for you. Best, Christopher

Thanks for the correction. Best, Christopher

http://www.homesecuritystore.com and http://www.safemart.com have good prices and tech support is helpful. http://www.geoarm.com has excellent service. I've purchased from all three with satisfaction. I use GeoArm monitoring and they will remotely program your system for your specific configuration and needs. If you get GSM, I would recommend getting that from GeoArm so they can configure it before it ships. Best, Christopher

The first image was taken with daylight and the second images was taken at night. For a better comparison, take both images at night. Best, Christopher

Where do you go to find high-quality fast megapixel lenses? For example, suppose you use a lens calculator and determine you need a fixed lens in the range somewhere between 20mm and 24mm for a 1/3" megapixel sensor with a CS mount. You want good low-light performance and D/N, and you want 1.2 but will settle for 1.4. A varifocal is OK, but it must be fast, so a fixed is probably more cost effective. Where would you go to find such a lens for a security camera? Best, Christopher

Toys R Us? Best, Christopher

I agree. It's not the color, it's the throw. You might have better success with lights that have a large number of surface mount LEDs arranged in many directions. Best, Christopher

What are the odds that cameras have back doors by design or otherwise? Fairly high, I would guess. Best, Christopher

+1. Use a pair of Cat5 or Cat 6 cables. You could use 4 conductor alarm wire for the I/O, but no need to purchase two types of wire when one type will do. If you decide to add I/O in the future, just use the spare Cat cable. Best, Christopher

Does the ELS come with any licenses? Best, Christopher

Yes. You might save some money if you get a combo, such as the Vista 20IP with GSM. Also, IP plus GSM monitoring is typically cheaper than GSM only monitoring (the GSM is backup and only used if IP is down). So, I would recommend getting both an IP/GSM module. Best, Christopher

Is the Arecont 3135 still considered one of the top performers in the low-light IP category? In addition to the Mobotix, is there anything else the belongs in that class? Best, Christopher

If you still experience WiFi strength issues, check out the Netgear Dual Band routers. I have a large two story house and could never get good signal strength throughout the house until I acquired one of these about a year ago. I also picked up some of the Netgear bridges for cheap at Fry's. Exceptional signal strength and speed. Best, Christopher

+1. I run Exacq on Ubuntu. Easy to install, and a solid performer. And the iPhone app never fails to impress. Best, Christopher

Regarding power, is the 247S PoE only? Best, Christopher

Yes, you can figure it out. The programming is a bit tedious and some of the sections are a bit cryptic, but it's all there in the manual. Also, if you plan to use a monitoring service, check out GeoArm. They monitor DIY alarm installs. Customer assistance is excellent. I installed a Vista 20P and my system is a bit out of the ordinary, and they are very eager to provide any assistance I need, including things like custom zone type programming, which you probably won't need, but they will do it if you need it. I use Honeywell Total Connect to monitor the alarm system and Exacq to monitor the cameras in my iPhone. TC for the iPhone is basic and does what it needs, and Exacq for the iPhone is amazingly responsive. A nice combo. Best, Christopher

The specifications for the Extreme UF500103 IR Illuminator includes the following sentence: "The unique cosec2 lens reverses the inverse square law to provide evenly distributed illumination from the foreground to background for the entire scene." Wow, that's a spectacular marketing claim. Best, Christopher

The photo industry solved this mix and match problem many decades ago. Photographers could select a camera, lens, flash, and film and get perfect exposure. In the security camera industry, it's trial 'n error and hit 'n miss. Consider the discussions on this forum. Has anyone tested the output of this IR Illuminator? Has anyone tested the low-light performance of that camera? The specifications should address these questions, but they typically don't. Best, Christopher

With all due respect, if you understood how to use a guide number, you would know this is BS. Best, Christopher