Who likes silent knight, dsc, honeywell, ect.. whats the easiest to upgrade, install, integrate? need a versatile panel for commercial and high end residential applications, cant find the cons in the manufacturers product descriptions. who has first hand experience with these types of systems?
Where do I start!!!!!!!!!
I deal with all these brands everyday. Its a comfort level and cost issue. For insantance: Silent Knight, Firelite, Notifier, all use the IDP (Intelligent Device Protocol) for their data loops, but, they all have their own quirks .
Exactly what are you doing we need a lot more info.
Is this a combo fire/burg resi install?
Does the AHJ require a standalone FACP?
Do you want the lowest price as long as its listed?
Do you have a laptop, are you computer savvy?
What about available power on site?
Is this retro or new work?
I could go on with the questions, but I digress. I prefer silent knight for stand alone fire because that is what I know. I can program a 500 point system from the keypad, because I know the whole shooting match. (I wouldn't though)
For high end resi it is going to depend on whether there is an ADI within driving distance, because you can only get Ademco from them, because Honeywell owns it! Technically you are supposed to use twisted pair on their Data bus DSC and Napco not. Of course it will work without it, but then the question of the what if's arise. If you go with ELK their data bus must be CAT 5 or better.
DSC is a great product, if you are used to it, Napco with fire is not up to my tastes, but, I am sure there are those that feel the opposite.
If I was not already affiliated with a Silent Knight dealer, and I am doing a commercial fire and its going to be a bidding war, I will go with whichever brand I trust that is on sale that week. Of course if you go with Silent Knight or Notifier, or Mircom , or Fike, or ... Most of them offer dealerships with Awesome pricing. However most have minimum purchasing requirements and you get a territory.
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