Well I did it; I took the plunge and bought the VeraLite. It came today around noon and I had it set up to work with my Kwikset lock via local and iPhone app control within about 20 minutes. So far, I couldn’t be happier. I originally was going to get the Iris system from Lowes, but their lack of compatibility with certain z-wave accessories left me feeling like if I wanted the flexibility, it’d be worth spending a little more for the Vera.
This is only the start for me though, so now I need to start thinking about my next devices. I’d like to add an alarm system, on the cheap if possible. The Iris system came with two window/door sensors and a motion detector, as well as an alarm keypad (with siren), which was really just what I needed since I have just three points I’d like to be able to track; apartment door, bedroom window and roof access door (I live in an apartment building with a roofdeck accessible by others). I’d like to be able to set up a system whereby a siren goes off if the windows/doors are opened when the system is armed, and also set up notifications if they get opened when the system is not armed. I’m not convinced that I need a keypad to arm/disarm the system, but it would be nice I guess as long as it’s not too expensive.
What accessories do people recommend that I get for that kind of setup?
Although posters here on the boards recommended against it, mostly because of the expense, I’ve basically set up an entire z-wave-based security system for my home. I purchased a bunch of Aeon Labs Door/Window sensors for my doors and windows, 2 Foscam cameras, a Yale Real Living Deadbolt and several GE on/off switches for exterior lighting.
I have all the window/door sensors and motion sensors tied to the Vera Virtual Switch plugin which I used to set up a scene for “Armed - Away”, “Armed - Home” and “Home - Bypassed”. Now from my iPhone when I’m leaving the house I can set my Away scene which is set for a one minute delay; after one minute all the sensors arm. If a window or door is opened, I get a text alert. If the cameras detect motion a photo is archived and I get a text alert. I’m also planning on finishing off the system with an Aeon Labs Indoor Z-Wave Siren which I can use to sound if an armed sensor is tripped.
Likewise when I’m back home, setting the scene for bypass deactivates all the sensors. At one of the latest product expo’s, Evole demo’ed a LCD programmable 5-button controller that I will probably use as an alarm keypad for these scenes so an iPhone wouldn’t even be necessary to arm/disarm them once I set the delays properly. The link is here [url=http://www.cepro.com/article/evolve_shows_flexible_z-wave_5-button_controller_at_cedia/K309]http://www.cepro.com/article/evolve_shows_flexible_z-wave_5-button_controller_at_cedia/K309[/url]
This is by no means the cheapest option for a security system as z-wave components are expensive but I love the ability to monitor my whole home remotely, the way I want, with no monitoring fees. Of course I am wishing they would come out with a few more products to round out the security aspect such as glass break alarms and Smoke/CO/Fire alarms, but this is certainly a good start. Eventually the z-wave products I purchased will pay for themselves with the lack of any monitoring fees and peace of mind is priceless. When you show this technology off to people it also blows their mind which is an added bonus 
Using eBay and other places, you can get some great deals on an actual security system that will integrate with Vera, and depending on how many areas you want to monitor, its generally cheaper, more reliable, better battery life (in the order of 5 years, versus 6 months) and have an advantage with type/size, some are even concealable in windows and doors, so as to be invisible!
Once an alarm is integrated, its sensors are seen to Vera exactly as their Zwave counterparts would be.
I wouldn’t mind getting one that is integrated provided that I’d still be able to use the sensors to trigger scenes etc. My first thought is that I would want to set it up so that when the front door is locked, the alarm is automatically armed for “night mode” (not really planning to have motion sensors anyway), and when it is unlocked from the inside, it is turned off. Other than that, I suppose I just want to have notifications when windows or doors are opened or closed and to be able to check status remotely.
Are you saying “integrated” systems would allow tat kind of relationship? Which brands/models work this way? It seems from reading other threads that DSC is a popular one?
I do not we do not recommend using Z-wave as security but rather if the primary purpose is security, a dedicated system designed for that provides the best option. There also was another poster a while page that went with a ZWave siren and the first time it went of, he encountered issues turning it off. It was rather funny reading it… So, having a dedicated keypad is really the best option. Last point I say about Z-wave option is there have been firmware updates which have effectively rendered devices unreliable.
The reason, I recommend a dedicated system is primarily reliability and options available as compared to z-wave. Another major advantage is wireless range and @strangley states, battery life. They just do not compare. There are numerous post on consideration when planning your security and including it into your HA system. Think of them separately and then look for the best fit. Of course, I can not exclude price because my wife would just get annoyed at me and they are some significant difference especially over the life.
Yes, you can integrate the DSC with your Vera and utilize the zones to trigger scene. There are other systems as well.
DSC seems to be about the most popular.
I’m biased cos I own one, but for the price of the equipment, they are hard to beat. You can get a starter system for about $200 plus the interface (IT100 or Eyes-on EVL3) for about a $100.
If you can hard wire the sensors, its really cheap! Otherwise you can add Wireless Window and Door sensors for about $20 a piece.