Has anyone used the X-10 Monitor Plus Security System? Is it any good? Are there any alternatives to this system? I would appreciate any advice.

Hi.

The Monitor Plus and Protector Plus security systems are excellent value for the price (at x10.com).

Three people I know plus myself use the Protector Plus systems in our homes/apartments. They work well.

The price is often so good at x10.com (especially at the end of the month when they offer rebates on everything plus free gifts) that it is cheaper to buy a couple of kits if you require 2 motion sensors and keychain remotes... than to buy the additional parts seperately.

As for the Monitor Plus system, only buy it if you truly intend to use the X-10 professional monitoring service (you must pay a monthly monitoring fee).

Otherwise you are much better off with the Protector Plus as it lets you record your own message and telephone your choice of phone numbers (neighbour, family, etc.)

Also, both systems double as an X-10 transceiver that receives RF signals from X-10 wireless remotes, palm pad, slim controllers, etc. and sends the signal through the house wiring. Works better than the regular transceiver modules.

-CL

Thanks for the info, Chris. How does the Monitor/Protecor Plus compare to the PRO2000 system? Can I control the Monitor or Protector system with my computer?

Excellent information! I am currently in the market for a security system and have had my eye on the Monitor Plus/Protector Plus units. I'm still unsure if I'd use it as a monitored system or not.

Does anyone know if the remotes for these systems are compatible with a Homelink transmitter?

How about smoke/fire detectors? Are there any for these systems??

Thanks in advance!

OK, I have some more questions too:

Is it possible to program the system to disable individual sensors based on state? What I'd like to do is have 2 motion detectors. One inside, one in the garage. While sleeping, I'd like to arm the system with the inside motion detector disabled, but keep the garage md enabled.

How about pets? If my pet is roaming around while the system is enabled (all motion detectors on), will he trigger an alarm?

Can the Monitor Plus do the same functions as the Protector Plus regarding dialing out to particular numbers? Say I change my mind after a few months of using the monitoring service and want to have it call me instead, is this possible?

The first scenario you describe is possible, but the second one is not. The Monitor Plus has no dialing features.

Well guys, I just wrote a lengthy reply addressing All the questions, and the post Failed. I lost all my response.

I'll re-write it in Word soon, when I have time, then cut and paste it here.

Very aggrivated at the moment!!!

-CL

Here goes:

Protector Plus: No PC interface. 16 Zones. Can be armed in “Home mode” which will ignore signals sent by the Motion sensors (PIR) (only “listens" to the Door/Window sensors, DWS), or “Away Mode” which responds to all signals. Allows you to record a telephone message. When the alarm is triggered it will call up to 4 numbers that you have programmed and play your recording.

Monitor Plus: Same as Protector Plus but will only call the monitoring service and report to them. The monitoring service can program the unit through the telephone line. Only buy this model if you intend to pay for regular monitoring. You can not later program it to perform as the Protector model does such as recording your message and calling your own choice of tel numbers.

Pro2000: This system is basically the Protector Plus (and Monitor Plus) with the addition of a computer interface that allows you to further program options.

I suggest checking out the Honeywell system at www.smarthomeUSA.com if you want a system that can be programmed by PC and is not too costly. It is also compatible with X-10 modules but not X-10 security remotes (from what I’ve been told).

Homelink: I suggest writing to smarthome.com and smarthomeUSA.com to get this info.

Smoke, water, glass breakage, etc. detectors that are X-10 compatible will work with these systems. See the above sites for a selection. Also, the DWS is a great device to use in conjunction with non-x-10 devices. You simply wire it to the particular sensor’s normally closed contact (NC) (in place of the included magnetic contact) and when the sensor responds to a condition it will open the contact and the DWS will send an RF signal.

As for Jeff’s garage scenario: buy a regular PIR and power it with an ordinary ac/dc adaptor of the correct voltage. Connect a DWS to its NC contact and the DWS will send an RF signal whenever movement is detected, whether the system is in armed away or armed home mode.

For animals X-10 suggests making a “pet corridor” by placing a piece of electrical tape on the bottom of the lense. Use white tape and you will not even notice it.

OK, I think I’ve covered it all (once again).

By the way x10 is having a great sale for the next 3 days. Check it out and you'll save big on the system and components and also get freebees!


-CL

Well, I just got through to the X-10 sales line and asked a few of my questions:

Q: Are the motion detectors pet friendly?
A: Dogs are OK, but cats that can get up high will trigger them.

Q: Can you arm/disarm the alarm without the remote controls, i.e., through the keypad?
A: No, you must use the remote.

Q: Are there any smoke detectors available?
A: We don't sell any, but Smarthome.com has a sound detector that can be used to "listen" for a smoke detector.

Q: Are the remotes compatible with Homelink or Pronto/learning remotes?
A: I don't believe they are.

At that point I gave up and decided these systems won't work well for me. I look forward to your answers Chris. Some questions I didn't ask, but may be of interest to others:

Q: Can these systems distinguish between different types of alarms? For instance, if I had the smoke detector option and it detected a fire, would I/ORCA know it was a fire as opposed to a break-in?

Q: Can the Monitor Plus be upgraded/enhanced to do the voice dialing like the Protector Plus?

Jeff

What about other security systems such as Magnavox or the Smarthome Securelinc? They cost a bit more but seem to have more features such as being able to disarm the system with a keypad. Has anyone used these or other systems or have any information about them?

The Protector Plus does not distinguish what type of alarm condition has been detected.

As for the other two, I'm not sure as they have some PC programmed capabilities so perhaps, for example, they can recognize that zone 4 is the smoke detector and include this in the message. Not sure.

As for the Monitor Plus, it is really designed for the person that wants to install an alarm system himself and have professional security monitoring. If this is not your goal, then do not look at it. My understanding is that they will not supply you with any do-it-yourself programming info.

If you want a simple to install security system that is very cost effective, then the Protector Plus is for you. and as previously mentioned, the door/window sensors can serve other purposes as well, and buying a couple of kits will get you an additional PIR, keychain remote, etc at a great price.

If you are looking for a multizone system that permits you to name each zone and have a different alarm condition/ alarm sound/telephone message for each... then this is not the right system. You will be looking at something typically in the $300++ range.

It all depends on what you want.

If you are creative, the Protector Plus can give you many options. Remember that this Kit sells for $99, and with the present rebates the price is even better.

There is no Numeric Kekpad for it or many of the other RF do it yourself kits. I have looked into this in the past. you must use either the keychain remote that arms the system instantly, or the security pad (handheld wireless RF) that lets you arm the system with an exit entry delay, and home or away modes.

-CL