Speak to an Expert (03) 9005-0174 Monday & Thursdays ONLY

Email:Steve @MelbourneAlarms.com

Last updated: 1 October, 2023

old-alarm-panel

3 reasons why you should upgrade to a smart security system

If your home security system is more than 15 years old, it might be time to consider an upgrade.

There are three reasons why you’d want to upgrade your alarm system:

  1. Your system is old (more than 12 years) and is starting to ‘misbehave’
  2. You’d like to freshen up your alarm and take advantage of new technology
  3. You want to cancel your $7.00-$10.00 per week professional ‘back-to-base’ alarm monitoring and switch to self-monitoring.


The good news is you have a couple of options. And with the huge changes that have happened with alarm technology, it’s never been easier.

With an upgraded security alarm system, you get an app to control and monitor the system – for free!

You can also control other systems like gates and doors.

You can even integrate security cameras for even greater peace of mind.

How Can I Update My Old Alarm System?

Don’t worry, upgrading does not necessarily mean completely stripping out your existing alarm system and starting again from scratch. If you’ve already spent a significant amount of money installing a system, it would be a shame to waste that investment.

There’s a way to reuse the parts of your alarm system that are still working perfectly while changing some of the tired, worn-out components. and gain some handy new features.

Here are the two most popular options that we implement every day for our customers. Both options are suitable for business or home security systems.

Upgrade Option 1 – Replace the alarm panel. Reuse everything else

The alarm panel is the heart of your alarm system. It is the part that determines the features and options that your system has. A popular upgrade path is:

1 – Replace your old control panel with a Bosch Solution 3000.

2 – Replace your code pad with a Bosch Solution 3000 code pad (there a three to choose from depending on your taste and budget

3 – Reuse all your existing wiring, sensors and sirens

4 – Add the Bosch ethernet module to get access to the free Bosch RSC Plus app

5 – Add an ‘Output Module’ if you want to control gates, lights or sprinklers from the app.

A control panel upgrade is a great option if your sensors are still working well.

By ‘working well’ I mean you don’t get false alarms when the alarm system is armed.

It’s important that the range and sensitivity of the sensors is still good as well. (These can degrade as the sensors get older so It’s important to perform a walk-test at least once a month.)

A Control panel upgrade with the app interface will set you back around $900.00.

You’ll end up with a rejuvenated system with more handy features than your older wired alarm system. You can expect at least another 12 years from the new control panel. If you re-use your existing motion sensors, they can be progressively replaced as they become old, unresponsive or problematic.

Bosch_rsc_+_app

Features of The Free Bosch RSC Plus App:

  • Arm and disarm your alarm from anywhere. With a smart security system, you don’t need to be standing in front of the code pad to turn it on or off. You can do it from anywhere.
  • Receive notifications on your phone if your system is triggered
  • Get a full event log – see when your system was armed and by who
  • Monitor your alarm system yourself – no monthly monitoring fee
  • Share the app with friends and family to create your own ‘security circle’

Control Other Devices From Your Bosch App

Adding a Bosch output module  to your Bosch Solution 3000 can really enhance the functionality of your home security system

  • Automatically arm and disarm the alarm at pre-set times
  • Control the garage door and gates
  • Receive an alert if you’ve accidentally left the door or gate open
  • Control sprinklers, lights, almost anything that can be turned on and off with a switch

Upgrade Option 2: Upgrade To A Smart System

If you need a bit more from your alarm you can upgrade your alarm system with a new ‘smart’ system.

This involves removing the old system completely and replacing it with the best all-round wireless security system currently available….

….the Hikvision Ax-Pro Wireless Alarm

The upgrade kit includes:

  • The Hikvision Hub – the brains of the system.
  • Wireless motion sensors that use the latest 2-way technology.
  • Remote controls with arm, disarm and panic buttons
  • The best free security alarm app currently available
  • Wireless sirens(internal and external) so there is no limitation on where they can be installed
  • You can add two high definition CCTV cameras to the system that provide visual verification of alarm events
hikvision-ax-pro-app

The app is even more useful because all the other Hikvision security devices work with it.

Devices include security cameras, video intercoms, a network video recorder and the Axiom alarm system.

Better still, the app can link all these devices together so they work as a single system.

For example, let’s say you had a motion sensor and a camera in the living room.

If the sensor is triggered while you’re away, the camera will send you a high definition video clip showing you exactly what caused the alarm.

And it all happens in the same app.

With less intelligent systems, you need to open the app for the alarm system to check which sensor was triggered, close the app, open the CCTV app and find the relevant footage!

It’s frustrating and time-consuming.

(That’s why if you’re going to have a CCTV system at your home it MUST be integrated with your alarm to be of any use at all.)

The Hikvision Axiom solves that problem.

There are a lot of these so-called smart systems out there but only a very few have all the features that make a full upgrade worthwhile.

The system I recommend is the Hikvision Axiom because it’s the only ‘smart’ system that gives you all the features listed above as well as a few fancier options not available with a control panel upgrade.

I have purchased and tested over 12 smart systems including:

Skylink,

Agility 3,

Watchguard

Smanos

Chuango

3 x Chinese systems from Ali Express (Matigard, Finseen, GSM Security)

While most are OK, none have all the features of the Hikvision Axiom which is why I can confidently recommend it.

Hikvision Ax Pro Offers Intelligent Perimeter Security

Consider adding a reliable outdoor Smart Sensor to your new smart home system security alarm.

It provides an early warning if an intruder sets foot on your property. Be alerted about a trespasser long before he gets into your home.

The early warning gives you a chance to assess the situation and respond appropriately while the intruder is still outside.

As a bonus, it can also let you know that genuine visitors are arriving during the day.

These popular sensors can be placed to warn you if someone is trying to break into your shed, studio, or tamper with your car, boat or caravan.

Integrated Video Verification Camera

The latest alarm systems from Hikvision allows you to integrate video verification cameras into your security alarm system.

Of all the alarm systems that I’ve tested, the Hikvision is the only one that handles CCTV integration properly.

Surprisingly, even the big guns in the alarm business such as Bosch and Hills haven’t introduced this valuable feature yet

If a sensor in your home (or office, shop etc,) is triggered the camera captures the event. You’ll receive an alarm on your phone as well as a 30-second high definition video clip showing you exactly why the alarm was triggered. And all from the same Hikvision app .

With some security systems, you have to log into one app to check the alarm, then switch to your camera app to search through the footage to find what caused it. The Hikvision  Axiom presents both the alarm and the video clip on one clear screen. You can quickly determine what has happened.

 

This makes self-monitored security systems a really viable option. You no longer need to pay expensive alarm monitoring fees which often means shelling out for a patrolman to investigate the reason for your alarm going off.

You have all the information on your smartphone so you can respond appropriately.

Your alarm footage is stored in the cloud’ for 30 days 

And if you share the app with family members and trusted friends, they will also receive the alerts and can respond if you can’t.

Another unique feature of the Hikvision app is the ability to trigger a ‘panic’ alarm from the app.

Once triggered, all app users receive an instant notification that you need assistance and can provide a quick response. The panic alarm can be programmed to simultaneously sound the sirens at your home or be set to send a ‘silent’ alarm.

You can set the level of control for other app users so they receive alerts but can’t arm and disarm the system.

And the best part is the app is completely free.

garage-door-control-from-app

Wireless is Now As Good As Hardwired

The Hikvision Ax Pro uses wireless technology for everything – motion sensors, door switches and sirens.

After 40 years of installing and servicing alarms, I’ve got some definite ideas about wired alarms versus wireless system

My first option is to use a wired alarm system if it’s possible. (And it’s almost impossible in the new generation of multilevel apartments that are going up all over the place)

I haven’t changed my mind completely however the Hikvision AxPro wireless alarm system is really testing my allegiance.

I’ve had one on test in my home for the past 8 months and it’s impressive

The sensors are attractive and blend with most decors.

The standard sensor is PET tolerant to 24 kilograms with no reduction in sensitivity when detecting humans.

The sensors use Two-Way wireless technology.

This is a bit of a technical point, but it makes ALL the difference in providing reliable security. I’ll give a quick explanation if you’re interested:

The battery-powered motion sensors in traditional One-Way wireless systems are always on. The sensor can ‘talk’ to the panel to tell it someone is moving but the panel cannot ‘talk’ to the sensors to tell them if the owner has switched the alarm off.

This means the sensors have no idea if the alarm system is on so they send alarm messages to the panel even when the alarm system is switched off!

They conserve battery power by going into ‘sleep-mode’ for 3 minutes when an intruder triggers the sensor.

This outdated technology can really compromise your security.

In a modern security system using 2-way wireless, the alarm hub can also ‘talk’ to the sensors.

When you arrive home and disarm the alarm system, the alarm hub sends a message to all the motion sensors to turn off. This conserves precious battery power by not sending messages to the alarm hub while you’re home.

When you arm the system before going to bed or leaving your home, the hub sends another message to the sensors to switch on so they’re ready to detect an intrusion.

This not only extends the battery life of the sensor but also means the sensor picks up movement every time it is triggered by an intruder.

If none of that made sense, let me summarise:

If you’re considering a wireless system make sure it uses two-way technology and you can’t go wrong.

Ready?

If you’re ready to upgrade your alarm system, speak to Robyn in our office now. She is an expert on all the latest systems and can answer all your questions.

I think you’ll be impressed with what the latest technology can do and how simple it is to use.

We’ll find the perfect solution for you no matter what you need.

This is all we’ve done for 40 years and when it comes to protecting your home and family, experience matters. 

More Articles...

Table of Contents

contact us

We’ll get back to you as soon as we’re back in the office

(03) 9005-0174

We’re around between 9am – 5pm
Mon-Fri

Welcome Aboard...

 Just write down some details and pick your 3 preferred installation dates.

Our Alarm Experts will get back to you soon to confirm your appointment.

(Installations start at 07:30 am.)

Contact Info