Need to make a quick decision… thinking of either putting
Chuango G5 Wireless system (SMS notifcation on alarms)
or
Veralite with PIR and stuff
Both cost nearly the same… But Not sure how veralite will behave as an alarm system… Advantage i see is I can use vera for future automation (if i do). I understand it will require power (UPS) etc in case of faliure and 24/7 internet connection… Also read of DSC alarms integration but I am finding it tough to find a cheap one in Australia.
Veralite
Vision Z-Wave Pet aware alarm grade Motion and Temperature Sensor (2 in 1 PIR) x 4-5
Vision Z-Wave Wireless Siren and Strobe
Vision Z-Wave Tilt Garage Door Sensor
Queries are
Will it be a good alarm system with Vera or shouldn’t go with these and find DSC
Can Vera send SMS as well with some plugin?
Tough to setup??
Other things to consider??
Will Vera give low battery warning for all these PIRs?
I do need to source and setup in 2-3 days tops… so need to decide today perhaps
As we advise every time someone asks this: if you want an alarm system, buy an alarm system. Vera makes for an unreliable and expensive alarm system: it’s prone to crashes, it needs continuous power, and you’re at the mercy of MCV staying in business.
The question then becomes: do you want to interface the Vera to your real alarm system, and if so, how tightly?
With the DSC approach, you can get Vera to see the armed state of the alarm system, and to see the tripped state of the sensors that your alarm system uses as if they were native Vera sensors. Think of this not as making Vera part of the alarm system, but using the alarm system’s state to help Vera do automation.
Bonus: when you sell the house you can detach the Vera and legitimately advertise your house as having a proper alarm system.
I really can’t speak for your other candidate one way or the other.
If the DSC system is unavailable or unaffordable, another alarm system that you could consider is the Caddx alarm, marketed here in Australia as the Networx NX-8 or NX-16. This is what I use; I wrote the Vera plugin for it. As far as I know, these are the only two systems that Vera users in Australia have connected.
can you give me direct links on what all components to buy for integration…? I was not sure how good veralite is for alarm system? so was building off the component on their website
Was also looking for wireless DIY so that we could setup ourselves…
Need to build quick so was hoping to get some direct help with components and recommendations… Looking for 5-7 PIR, garage door sensor, alarm and keyfob for easy arm / disarm… still new to all this… but just on reading…
Not sure what component is needed to connect DSC to vera as well… would appreciate AU links if possible
They were advertising Vision Z-Wave Pet aware alarm grade Motion and Temperature Sensor as alarm grade sensors so was thinking of using that… This setup Veralite , 7PIR, wireless alarm, wireless garage door sensor, 2 keyfobs was just costing me a touch over $1000 AUD