New X10 alarm panel!

[mike]

thank you for report on range bigjohn!  helpful for it.

[Knightrider]

Ditto on Mike's post.

Sometimes I forget to show gratitude for the hard work of other here, so here's a +1 from me as well.

[Brian H]

Helpful from me also. 
Thanks for doing the tests.
Comparing the DS7000 kit to the new SC1200 isn't' something many could do.

[paizano1]

if anyone could compare the size of the door sensors compared to size of the old door sensors.  By looking at the advertisement it looks smaller than the original ones, but if you look at the measurements they seem to be actually be bigger.  I dont want to say trick photography, but might just be. Also thank you to everyone else who has been doing testing on the new equipment and helping us with the purchasing decision.

[Brian H]

Specifications for the older DS10A.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Image:Ds10a.jpg

Remember one difference. The new DS12A uses the sensor itself mounted on the window or door frame so the magnet aligns with it when closed.
No extended wire from the sensor to the switch like the older DS10A.
wiki for the DS12A says it is slimmer.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/DS12A

[paizano1]

thanks for the measurements and that is the problem. it seems the new sensors are actually wider than the old ones. I already felt that the old sensors were to wide, now they are wider still.  but if you look at the pictures in the advertisement they appear to be narrower. and sleeker looking.

[bigjohn9944]

The new DS12A's are 1 1/2" W. The DS10A's are 2 1/8" W

Both are same length

[Brian H]

I have the Radio Shack 49-1000 Kit that has their 41-1001 Door/Window sensor in it. FCC B4SDS11A. Yes X10 OEM for them. B4S is the giveaway as it is the X10 FCC ID Prefix.

It measures 3 1/8" Tall and 1 5/8" wide. Not counting the external magnet.

bigjohn9944 just verified we have found another typo in the sales literature. 

[paizano1]

thanks for the measurements, i was going off of the sales literature and it gave measurements that made the new sensors bigger than the old ones.  Thank you for taking the time to measure for me and many others.

[tom j]

thanks for the measurements and that is the problem. it seems the new sensors are actually wider than the old ones. I already felt that the old sensors were to wide, now they are wider still.  but if you look at the pictures in the advertisement they appear to be narrower. and sleeker looking.

Yeah they really do I'm thinking that's on purpose and they are like two or three times more expensive. Anyone know if they will still be making the older window door sensors and motion detectors. Actually only had one window door sensor go out in ten years!!


Tom j.

[Brian H]

tom j;

Well right now the DS10A Door Window Sensors are available.
Maybe they are clearing them out. As the special is three for $12.99
Price is even lower per sensor with a larger quantity.
http://www.x10.com/promotions/ds10a_ed_pk_1m_promo.html

[tom j]

tom j;

Well right now the DS10A Door Window Sensors are available.
Maybe they are clearing them out. As the special is three for $12.99
Price is even lower per sensor with a larger quantity.
http://www.x10.com/promotions/ds10a_ed_pk_1m_promo.html

Thaks Brian! think I'll pick up a few just in case. Thanks for the link!!

Tom j.

[tom j]

Say well I asked x10 about the flashing all the lights on a given housecode and this is what they said I believe they are mistaken though. Going to call tech support, and I'll report back.


Tom j.




( Vanessa ) The power horn will work the last few pages of the product manual will have some troubleshooting instructions for using the power horn with the console.

( tom )what about the lights are you sure it will flash all the lights on a given housecode and what time does tech support close during the week


( Vanessa ) Yes, I just double check and the console will be able to flash the lights that are setup to same house code as the console.

[Brian H]

Well lets see.
The manual says for a Powerhorn to work. Set it to one of the two security light codes.
If the console sent the All Lights On and All Units Off command to the House Code. Like the DS7000 did. You should be able to pick any Unit Code for the set House Code. Not just the two preset codes.
Bigjohn also verified the only lights flashing where the ones set to the two security codes.

I think Vanessa is misinformed. She should look at page 34 of the manual. It says during an alarm. The lights on the two security addresses flash.

[Waynemor]

Ok,
here is my review of the SC1200 unit. i got mine last week and set it up over the weekend. (in my part of the world this was a long weekend so I had lots of time). I believe that for the most part this one is a great improvement over the 7000.
First, the power sirens (both old and new) do work if they are on the same housecode (do not have to be on the unit code) BUT there is about a 15 -20 second delay before they start. If they are on the same housecode they will work as they would when triggered from any device on their code.
Second, it does turn on only 2 unit codes when the alarm is triggered and they cycle on and off at about 3 second intervals. Personally I have no problem with this as now I can specifically set up a macro in Activehome Pro for only the units I want on during an alarm. (Having the furnace room lit proves nothing).
Third, (this I really like) when you activate the alarm the housecode comes on to let you know that it has been armed. I have one housecode set to my front porchlight and when we use the remote from the driveway we get a flash to acknowledge our triggering of the alarm.
The type of activation varies with how you set the alarm. If you do it from a keychain remote you get a 1 second flash. If you arm it from the home button on the console you also get a 1 second flash. If you arm it for away from the console you get a 60 second countdown to allow you to exit before it arms itself.
The range is at least as good as the 7000 since I was able to put it in place and had no trouble with any of my existing sensors.
I hope this helps,
Wayne