GE Simon XT Best Practices

Recently, we received the following question on our forum:

"I am about to receive my Simon XT for installation in my 2 story house with three entry doors (front, rear, through garage) and 12 windows on 1st floor.  I am thinking of installing the following:

Great room which includes the rear door and 6 windows: (a motion sensor and a glass shatter sensor)

The living room/dining room combo with 5 windows: (a motion sensor and a glass shatter sensor)

The hallway with front door, and a side hallway branch including the garage entry door and a window: (a motion sensor)

Here are my questions:

1- Should I install door and window contacts as well?

2. What are the best programming practices for Simon XT that everyone should use no matter the number or type of sensors?

3. Are there multiple GSM modules available for XT and if so, which one would you recommend?

Thanks."

Ok, lets answer these questions one by one.  

1. Should you install door and window contacts as well?  Yes!  Why?  A motion sensor is a great idea, but it should always back up existing security, not be the principle source of protection.  It will work well in conjunction with door/window contacts, not on its own.  A glass break sensor is also very helpful, but what if the thief doesn't break the window?  What if he pries it open?  Then your glass break sensor does nothing.  Because of their stated limitations, both motion sensors and glass break sensors should be used to complement door/window sensors, not to replace them.

2. What are the best programming practices for Simon XT that everyone should use no matter the number or type of sensors?  This is a difficult question, because every application is different.  So, what are the basics that everyone should do?  The best advice I can give you is to lay out your entire system and plan everything out before you begin programming.  It will save you a ton of time and frustration.

3. Are there multiple GSM modules available for XT and if so, which one would you recommend?  There are really two options available from SafeMart that will work with the XT.  The first GSM module is the GE Simon XT GSM Wireless Cellular Module, which is designed for the XT and retails at $249.00.  The second is just a generic GSM Module of which the Uplink DigiCell AnyNET GSM Cellular Communicator, is just one.  It retails for $239.11.  Ok, now which do we recommend?  For the XT, we recommend the GE Simon XT GSM Wireless Cellular Module.  Why?  Every other GSM module is only going to report that an alarm happened, not what happened.  The GE XT GSM Module has contact ID reporting, which means that it will state exactly what sensor was tripped, allowing the monitoring company or you to know if there is a fire or a burglary, or a freeze alarm.  For the money, its the only GSM module worth buying if you have the XT.

Home Security Monitoring with iControl

We are very excited here at SafeMart.  Over the next couple of months, we'll be rolling out our new interactive monitoring service, LiveWatch Broadband.  LiveWatch Broadband will be powered by iControl, an interactive self-monitoring service that gives you complete control over your home security and automation systems anywhere in the world.  To give you a teaser, your system is connected to the iControl Hub which is connected to the internet via a broadband internet connection.  You can receive emails, texts, web notifications anytime that an event happens at your home.  You can arm and disarm your system remotely, view your security cameras online, and much more.  You can even control any z-wave home automation devices you've attached.

Keep your eyes on this blog over the next few weeks as we roll out some podcasts and blog posts detailing set-up and use.  Trust me, this is going to be huge for home security.  See you soon.

Freeze Alarms

According to the farmer's almanac, and confirmed by anyone who has stepped outside in the past month (except those of you who live in San Diego), its going to be a bitterly cold winter.  You're thinking: "Thanks, genius.  We already know that."  Ok, good.  What you may not know is the importance of a freeze alarm.  Burst pipes can cause tons of damage.  If you haven't experienced this first hand, trust me, you don't want to.  So, how can you avoid this?  A freeze alarm.  Freeze alarms will notify you if the temperature dips below a certain degree, letting you assess and fix the problem before it is too late.  A freeze sensor can cost less than $40 and can save you hundreds, if not thousands in the long run.  They are easy to install and program to your existing home security system.  There's no reason you shouldn't be prepared, even if you can't control the weather.

Logitech SqueezeBox Duet

Just in time for Christmas, SafeMart is pleased to announce that is carrying the Logitech SqueezeBox Duet at incredibly low prices.  This phenomenal electronics item makes a perfect gift for the music enthusiast in your life and is available for only $339.95 from SafeMart.com.  (Do some shopping around and you'll see that the price is as low as it gets.)

So, what exactly is the SqueezeBox Duet?  First lets discuss the benefits and then we'll get into some of the nitty-gritty.  The SqueezeBox gives you the ability to tie all of your digital music into one place, blast it (or listen quietly) through your speakers, and control it all from the stylishly slim remote you see above.  Ok, thats cool, but its not all.  You can directly access the internet and listen to your favorite songs on Pandora, Rhapsody, etc.  And its all controlled from the remote.  You can create an MP3 locker and listen to all of your MP3s without ever turning on a computer.  

You can create playlists for any number of occasions, or scroll back and forth between songs easily.  And since the remote is WiFi, you can control your music from anywhere in the house, even if you're not close to the receiver.

Now to the nitty-gritty.  The Squeezebox Duet does not need a computer to work.  It has its own free Internet-based service called the SqueezeNetwork, which mean you can connect without turning on your computer.  The setup is simple since a wizard walks you through the entire process.  And using the remote is incredibly intuitive.

Listen, this is not an item you want to miss this Christmas.  And at SafeMart's low price, there's no reason to shop elsewhere.  Trust us.  We're sure you'll love it.

Emergency Preparedness Equipment

Emergency Preparedness Equipment??  What in the world does that have to do with home security?  Well, it has nothing (ok, almost nothing) to do with home security.  However, it fits into the overall security genre, and that all important category: your personal safety.  So, I want to talk about it.

Emergency Preparedness is all about...well, just that.  Being prepared in the event of an emergency.  So, what sort of items are we carrying in this category?

The main items are survival kits.  We have one or two person survival kits that will provide you with enough food (for two people) for three days.  It also has water, first aid items, a flashlight, a sleeping bag, waterproof matches, a lighter, tools (knife, gloves, rope, dust masks), and basic hygiene items.  Essentially, everything you would need to survive for a few days in the event of an emergency.  And it comes in  a sturdy, stylish backpack.

Now, you may be thinking, "That's great.  If I frequently went off in the woods by myself without anyone knowing where I was, I would love this.  It would be perfect for me.  But I'm not that type of guy (or gal).  I would never be in a position to need this.  Right?"  Wrong.  

First of all, there are situations that we can't plan for.  You may be driving, hit a snowstorm and get stuck, with no one around.  It happens.  This would give you the time and equipment you needed to stay safe.  Second of all, in certain areas, natural disaster may force you into a position of necessity that you never imagined.  It is far better to be prepared in advance.  And heck, most of these items would be useful in your own home if the power went out for a few days.

We think and plan for our home security or our car safety.  We take the necessary precuations to protect  ourselves and our children if we are travelling, or merely staying at home.  That is what emergency preparedness is all about.  And that is why it is so important.

Homeowners Insurance Discount

Receiving a discount on your homeowners insurance policy is actually easier than you think.  And you can protect your home and family in the process.  How?  By purchasing UL listed central station alarm monitoring.  Having alarm monitoring for your home security system is a simple way to get a discount on your monthly insurance premiums.

Insurance companies "reward" their customers when the policy is covering less risk.  So, people in better health may pay less for their life insurance policy because they aren't as much of a risk to the insurance company.  The same idea applies to your homeowners insurance.  Companies are willing and eager to give you a discount if your home is at less risk.  Alarm monitoring takes care of that for you.  It gives confidence that in the event of a fire or other event, emergency personnel will be dispatched to your home, increasing the likelihood that less damage will ensue.

So how much of a discount can you receive on your homeowners insurance?  Well, it all depends on the insurance company, but it can be up to 20%!  And considering that UL listed alarm monitoring costs as little as $9 a month, its a no-brainer to secure your home with central station monitoring.

If you don't already have alarm monitoring, then your system isn't working to its fullest capabilities; and you're not getting a homeowners insurance discount.  Purchase UL listed alarm monitoring today.  Your wallet will thank you.

Key Digital Home Theater

For a while now, SafeMart has expanded its market into different low-voltage home applications.  We've always kept our central focus on home safety and security, but with so many customers wanting other low voltage systems, like home automation or intercom systems, we've continued to expand into those markets.

In this light, SafeMart has, for a while, carried home theater components, such as JBL in-wall speakers.  We've now decided to take that to the next level.  As of last week, SafeMart is an official reseller of Key Digital's full product line.  Key Digital is a leader in creating the video and audio solutions needed for high quality home theater and audio.  

Their product line is not comprised of tv screens, projectors or speakers.  They supply all of the unseen items that you need to operate these.  Key Digital has a full product line in the following categories:

- Digital Video Processors

- Cat 5 Balun Devices

- Video Audio Switchers

- Video and Control Adapters

- Video/Audio Distribution Amplifiers

- HDMI Cables

- Home Theater Accessories

These are truly top of the line products that will give your home theater system value for years to come.  Stop by and see what we can do for you.