Evolv-ing Thread

[awsum140]

Tibs, I did look around on the web, at my usual source anyway, but without knowing all the specifics of your alarm system and cell provider, it's a little tough to say "this will do the trick". But I think this one would probably do the trick IF you're monitoring services uses Ademco format for reporting. They also have a range of other styles depending on carrier and reporting format requirements. You can even get them with voice so it calls you to tell you the alarm went off.

3G/4G Universal GSM Terminal

The first set of results I got, when I did a general search, had price tags in the $1000 range which seemed a tad on the high side. Assuming your system is monitored by a company you can ask them what reporting format is used to be sure.

 

[mikepetro]

 

[tiburonfirst]

Tibs, I did look around on the web, at my usual source anyway, but without knowing all the specifics of your alarm system and cell provider, it's a little tough to say "this will do the trick". But I think this one would probably do the trick IF you're monitoring services uses Ademco format for reporting. They also have a range of other styles depending on carrier and reporting format requirements. You can even get them with voice so it calls you to tell you the alarm went off.

3G/4G Universal GSM Terminal

The first set of results I got, when I did a general search, had price tags in the $1000 range which seemed a tad on the high side. Assuming your system is monitored by a company you can ask them what reporting format is used to be sure.

thanks! i'll call my alarm company on monday and see what they say

 

[sabre66]

@tibs
What kind of alarm system to you have IE. make,model? There are a few cellular monitoring options for you.

 

[tiburonfirst]

@tibs
What kind of alarm system to you have IE. make,model? There are a few cellular monitoring options for you.

it's a honeywell - just checked the control pad and see no further info. probably 4 or 5 years old

 

[tiburonfirst]

lol! sometimes i surprise myself! found the user guide it's a lynx touch l5100

 

[mikepetro]

lol! sometimes i surprise myself! found the user guide it's a lynx touch l5100

Something like this would work for you, best to check with your alarm monitoring company though.

Honeywell GSMVLP5-4G - AlarmNet LYNX Touch Cellular Alarm Monitoring Communicator

 

[tiburonfirst]

thanks, mike! i was hoping to find something that does not generate another monthly charge but i might be dreaming

 

[mikepetro]

thanks, mike! i was hoping to find something that does not generate another monthly charge but i might be dreaming

I doubt anyone is going to give you a cell # for free. If they do, the cost is actually buried into their bundle pricing.

 

[kiba]

Tibs, you can definitely do this without generating a monthly charge if you use a wifi one. Keep in mind I know very little about paid security systems besides from the standpoint of putting together my own one, & the wiring of the old one that I kept & used for mine when I pulled the ADT stuff out, but I do know most of these units have wifi or a wifi module available, (these can use voip to place calls), and a cellular module that, basically does the same thing but isn't free, & is another option. Most people these days do not have a land line so most of these systems & the one I pulled off my wall have(had) both options or the option to add an extra module for it.

If you're pay monthly fee, this is one of those "get your moneys worth" times, they can be pretty desperate these days not to lose the few customers they have left & a lot of times they'll replace the part you need vs losing you... I know mine (adt) offered repeatedly to update my entire system for free even though it looked basically new to me, when I was in the process of dumping them as a service.

 

[kiba]

When you speak to them, make it seem like you have your own system in mind, or possibly you're switching to one of the new $10/mo flat rate ones, bc this one does not have what you need.

 

[tiburonfirst]

Most people these days do not have a land line so these systems & the one I pulled off my wall have(had) both options.

the user guide tells me there is a wifi module available which i did not take at the time because i had no reliable internet

When you speak to them, make it seem like you have your own system in mind, or possibly you're switching to one of the new $10/mo flat rate ones, bc this one does not have what you need.

i don't have much leverage there i prefer dealing with local businesses so i chose a local monitoring company. their rates are way below adt's

 

[CMD-Ky]

...

but the average grandma down the street probably doesnt feel as comfortable with the notion.

Took this ole guy a while to start mixing. If I would have had to DIY from the start, I probably wouldn't have.

 

[CMD-Ky]

Yep! One of the reasons I stay the heck away from Farcebook is because I don't wish to be Zuckerberg's product.

I use an add-on called Privacy Badger and with it I block all FaceBook trackers and most Google trackers. When Zuck elects pay me for my surfing the I might consider it. I just considered it and my answer is "No".

Edit: It can mess some sites up but it is easily turned on and off for selected sites.

 

[Steamer861]

Tibs
So you need a phone line for your alarm to dial out? Can't you just use a VOIP?
Like Skype?

 

[tiburonfirst]

When you speak to them, make it seem like you have your own system in mind, or possibly you're switching to one of the new $10/mo flat rate ones, bc this one does not have what you need.

i think i found a possible solution - the att home base has an ethernet port
AT&T Home Base
and the lynx must have a module because i found this post on amazon: Overall, I would strongly suggest you use the WIRED ethernet board (ILP5) instead of this wireless board unless you are in an area where there is very minimal chance of WiFi signal interference or disruption (ie; you are on a farm in the middle of a rural area and have everything on a UPS and standby generator).

 

[tiburonfirst]

Tibs
So you need a phone line for your alarm to dial out? Can't you just use a VOIP?
Like Skype?

i have no idea, steamer atm it dials out through the landline

 

[mikepetro]

i think i found a possible solution - the att home base has an ethernet port
AT&T Home Base
and the lynx must have a module because i found this post on amazon: Overall, I would strongly suggest you use the WIRED ethernet board (ILP5) instead of this wireless board unless you are in an area where there is very minimal chance of WiFi signal interference or disruption (ie; you are on a farm in the middle of a rural area and have everything on a UPS and standby generator).

I dont think you need that.

"Your system may also have
been programmed to automatically send alarm or status messages over the phone lines or via
the cellular/GSM network or the internet to a central alarm monitoring station"

If you have an ethernet port on it you could hardwire it to your router, otherwise just get the wifi module for it. Make sure your monitoring solution is capable of internet notifications.

 

[Steamer861]

i have no idea, steamer atm it dials out through the landline

Maybe you can contact the Alarm provider? Ask them if you can use a VOIP call out

 

[mikepetro]

The Wifi module is only $50, and if yiour Monitoring company supports internet notification it shouldnt change your monthly bill.

Amazon.com: Honeywell L5100-WIFI - L5100 Wifi Module for Lynx Touch 5100: Computers & Accessories

The hardwired ILP5 module is about $90. I agree, hardwired is a lot more reliable. This is assuming running an ethernet cable from your Alarm Panel to your Router is not difficult.