Smart Home - Simonds Options

Brainwhacker on 17/07/2017 - 11:56
Last edited 17/07/2017 - 11:56

Hi All

We are going with Simonds for our home construction and were wondering whether members can comment on the Smart Home solution that is provided as part of the package. There are standard packages listed on the website below: for eg. Security Pack is $2,100 with the following features,
Nexus Secure alarm panel and communication interface board
Secure metal enclosure with tamper alarm
External tear drop siren and strobe
Internal Siren and 4 internal sensors
Battery back up for power failure
Smart app the

Sounds expensive to me as an ozbargainer, but very keen to hear what members think of this and recommendations especially given that there is a near influx of new products coming out however I am clueless as to whether these will integrate with the in built system. The objective is to consider options while building to futureproof.

https://www.simondsnsw.com.au/smartpacks

Thanks in advance

Home & Garden

Comments

  • sane on 17/07/2017 - 12:22
    +1

    If you want futureproof, you want open and not proprietary. Australia has a terrible reputation for closed systems that basically dead ends.

    So focus on finding a system that can be connected to other things without some kind of proprietary interface, and in particular make sure your wiring for the house is flexible and can be changed easily. Proper structured wiring, with wires of high quality going back to patch panels and with plenty of scope to expand.

    Looks to be a very expensive alarm, and I'd guess most of it is profit for Simonds.

  • Ocker on 17/07/2017 - 12:45
    +1

    Depending on the size of the house, 4 sensors seems on the low side?

  • vinni9284 on 17/07/2017 - 13:06
    +2

    You might as well get CCTV system for that kind of money.
    How many times have we heard Alarms blaring and just walked past?

    Just get Simmonds to pre-wire the Ethernet (PoE) around where you want to mount the cameras & install the NVR.

    The only good thing about Simmonds doing the Alarm work is that there will be no finger-pointing if something gets damaged or goes wrong.

    On a slight different topic:
    IMO, I would also opt for an external Building Inspector throughout the complete building process.
    Even after the 3 months maintenance.

    I will never trust these builders. Simmonds has a very poor reputation of building quality. Esp. in Vic. Not sure in NSW. I have a friend that built with Simmonds & the slab was wrong(not H2)and still has not settled after 3 years … going through deliberations etc.

    Good luck.

    Cheers

  • ShipShapeRC on 17/07/2017 - 13:52
    +1

    I used to work for them and a lot of the add-ons for their own brand of stuff were not that flash and you often paid top dollar. I agree with vinni, get plety of ethernet laid in the walls during construction. Makes for lots of option later.

    I suggest contacting 3 security alarm businesses and compare what their pricing is. They may even plan it, get simonds to cable it, and they install afterwards.

    Simonds, like any volume builder does it cheap by doing lots, buying cheap and hiring cheap to maintain a low price point. It's like getting a cheap brand car, it can be great or not. An independant building inspector might be worth the extra $$ for peace of mind. Also, check onsite yourself frequently. They build so many and everyone is different it can be easy for a minor detail to get missed. So become good friends with your building supervisor, but check at every step. You are paying for it so get what you expect.

  • Brainwhacker on 18/07/2017 - 13:59

    Great advice and Tips - thank you all, I will go with the CAT 6 POE option

  • jerjergege on 24/07/2017 - 13:33
    +1

    I work in the building automation field, as ShipShapeRC says, they are using their own products, I myself would get third party as they have better connectivity options and other functions, you'd be kinda locked down to their proprietary hardware and software.

    It also depends if you want the stuff to be removable or tied to the house.

    For example if you want it to be tied to the house and non movable for the future, there are good options like KNX, or Philips Dyynalite, or Schnieder Clipsal CBUS.

    For myself, I have gone with smaller options as I can move them about as I'm still renting while my house is being built.

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