Keytags with new smart alarm upgrade

[JohnD]

I currently have a Galaxy 24 (IIRC) with keypads, telephone digital communicator, and monitoring. The maintainer tells me it is obsolete and I should upgrade to a Smart Panel with remote access, keytags and new keypads. Apparently every keyholder needs their own tag to maintain police response. This seems a bit of a nuisance and I expect they will sometimes get lost.

There is an option called Digi Air Monitoring. Is it worth having this if I already have a hard-wired dedicated phone line? or is it the same thing? It increases the maintenance charge.

They offer a wifi module for an extra £150 if I want to access it remotely with my smartphone (I don't think I do).

Any comments?

 

[bernardgreen]

You have a Galaxy alarm , surely you would have fitted your favourite brand of alarm.

 

[JohnD]

Your reply is of no help, but I am willing to educate you.

I'm a great believer in buying things that meet the requirement.

in this house, the mandatory requirements were:

• telecomms communication
• monitoring station
  
• police response
  
• insurance approval

The requirements for my commercial premises were not the same, but a Galaxy product also met them.

In another house, where the mandatory requirements were:

• Low cost
• Can DIY install it in half a day
• Phone alerts to keyholders
• Remote access to disable or set
  
• No structural effort to run cables
• Can be removed in half a day when no longer required

I obviously chose a different one.

Why would anybody buy a product that didn't meet the requirements?

 

[sparkymarka]

What ....no Yale ...lol

Galaxy 24 ....no such panel 8,16,48,60,96, ect

 

[sparkymarka]

digi air is not much more per year than a standard PSTN connection BUT you should make this back as there are no call charges ...eg ....panel is set on open and close that’s 10-15p every time you set/unset the system or if it’s programmed for test once a day that’s 365 x 15 p on your phone bill

 

[bernardgreen]

In another house, where the mandatory requirements were:

• Low cost
• Can DIY install it in half a day
• Phone alerts to keyholders
• Remote access to disable or set
  
• No structural effort to run cables
• Can be removed in half a day when no longer required

You ommitted one vital and mandatory requirement.

Must detect intruders when ever there is an attempted break in.

 

[JohnD]

Galaxy 24 ....no such panel 8,16,48,60,96, ect

might be a 16 then. I have about 13 devices. Started out with about 10. I had an idea it was more than the smallest one.

 

[secureiam]

behave.

 

[JohnD]

digi air is not much more per year than a standard PSTN connection BUT you should make this back as there are no call charges ...eg ....panel is set on open and close that’s 10-15p every time you set/unset the system or if it’s programmed for test once a day that’s 365 x 15 p on your phone bill

Thanks. What is it?

 

[sparkymarka]

Digital communicator with a SIM card done over the mobile network...no phone line to cut ...

 

[GalaxyGuy]

Just get a new galaxy panel, then all the other parts will be compatible. For grade 2 'response' you may need a prox keypad if your current is a non prox.

 

[JohnD]

does "prox" mean the keytags?

 

[bernardgreen]

Prox , abreviation of proximity, key tags have to be in close proximity to the panel which has a proximity tag reader for the tag to be detected.

 

[scott1980]

Doesn't sound like there is any need to upgrade the panel if you haven't lost police response. The proximity tag (PACE) requirement is not retrospective and only applies to new systems and those re-applying for a withdrawn URN (police response)

I would certainly advise looking into upgrading your current PSTN signalling device to the Digi-air for the benefits already mentioned.

 

[JohnD]

it is a 20-year old Galaxy so presumably obsolete. They say the sensors will remain compatible, but not the panel and keypadS. the suppliers say that parts are obsolete so they will reduce warranty cover (parts and labour contract) if I don't upgrade it.

So they offered me a panel-and-keypads upgrade to retain cover.

The upgrade quote says "if your system is on police response it is a requirement by the constabulary that all users must have their own keytag"*

my retired neighbour who was formerly a keyholder has died, and my family member nearby has become infirm, so I now rely on a local security guard company as keyholder.


*I've heard it rumoured that, with Theresa May's budget cuts, police response is now only if they happen to have someone in the area with nothing better to do.