just curious to see who everyone uses for Distributors, ADI is the big one around here but can be a little pricy, wanted to know what everyone else thinks
Visit Atcom to get started with your new business VoIP phone system ASAP
Turn up is quick, painless, and can often be done same day.
Let us show you how to do VoIP right, resulting in crystal clear call quality and easy-to-use features that make everyone happy!
Proudly serving Canada from coast to coast.
We have ADI here, I don't use them. Alarmax is very good, they sell a good deal of voice/data stuff which is what I install. There is also a company, Security Products that is located here in Cleveland. I only know them by name, never dealt with them.
I would definitely give Alarmax a shot. They are always very helpful and keep a good stock of products. Their pricing on wire and cable is pretty good here.
ADI has always been good to us, when they ship out of Atlanta we get the shipments next day without paying for next day,plus they pay freight. Been doing business with them for years, and do not recall getting an incorrect shipment, or late delivery. No hassle return policy, don't even have to call for an RA,Fill out a short form, drop it in a box and forget it. Their products group guys are always helpful when you get in over your head, tell them what you are trying to do and they fix ya a quote for everything you need down to power supplies, wire and bnc connectors. We have a local company that stocks DSC and devices that we use when we need something that day, but we try and stay with ADI. Have been known to order stuff from Sprint North Supply, but they don't seem to want to talk to us anymore. They used to be our main supplier for everything and were real helpful, now it is like pulling teeth just to try and talk to somebody. Beats all I ever saw, try and find a phone number to call them on their website. If you don't order over the website they don't want ya. Never heard of Alarmmax, will have to check them out too.
I have to agree I like ADI, but I am always looking for a second quality vendor. Just found out their is an alarm max about 15 minutes from my ADI branch so I definitely check them out.
ADI is real strict about having an account, they used to have some house accounts you could set up depending on the branch, but I think they did away with that as well
Just received a catalog today from a vendor I never heard of. Eastern Distributing New york, New England and Jersey with new branches in santa Ana & San Dimas, CA. They seem to have a full line and their prices don't look to bad. www.easterndistributing.com Anybody ever hear of them or use them? MrG
never heard of them. I get one of the security systems magazines so I try to keep up with everything. I can understand why ADI does that, it does protect their customers in a way.
I do prefer the DSC, mainly because it is so popular here in Canada. It was originally made here and it seemed to really take off. I can program them in my sleep - central station communications and LCD keypad labels included.
Their "Power Series" line that they introduced back about 10 years ago was a good move. Started with the 832 unit (8 on board zones, expandable to 32) with 2 true partitions. Last few years they brought out the 864 (expandable to 64 zones) and 8 partitions. All keypads, expanders, etc. are compatible with the full line.
There was a bit of a shakedown a few years ago. The parent company "Tyco Electronics" who owns "ADT Security" bought out the distributor "Tri-ED". As a result, ADT started using DSC (previously they were famous for using their "Focus" panel, which I believe was a custom Ademco unit. They also were big on the Napco Gemini units). All the little dealers that were using DSC were upset because they were competing against ADT who I am sure were getting a better price on the panels, not to mention the fact that the little guy was supporting Tyco, thus ADT.
A lot of tried and true DSC dealers started looking at other brands now. Burtek that was strugling with their Paradox line picked up quite a few and some went to Ademco. Then ADI was bought out by Honeywell, which also does security, and now the whole upset competing dealer thing started again.
I don't think Tri-Ed is owned by Tyco anymore (that's what I've heard) so some have switched back, but ADT is still using DSC.
Another good thing with DSC, they really nailed the lightening protection issue with their "power series" lines. Their previous models as well as some of the other manufacturers might as well have had a lightening rod directly attached to their circuit boards. I have only replaced a couple of DSC panels due to lightening, and it was because of a direct strike (the alarm was the minor item compared to the damage it did to the rest of the place).
They have some nice features, they were one of the first panels that had a one touch arming for stay mode (perimeter) and away mode (full arm). They came out with a software version that you could toggle from stay to away mode without having to disarm and it reactivates the exit delay. Their keypad will show you what zone is in alarm while the system is still armed (great for bedroom keypads), others you have to disarm first to see the alarm memory (kind of defeats the purpose). They have a nice looking programmable HVAC thermostat that works with their panels. When you arm you security on leaving, it can automatically set back the temperature and return it when you disarm. Also will show you the temp. on your keypads. They have an intercom/door chime that matches and mounts up against the keypads. It can anounce alarm status over the intercom. Just some of the features that come to mind.
While I have encoutered relativly few DSC's here, and only installed a handfull, I can vouch for the nice features and the Lighting protection of the DSC's. They seem to really think about the end user when it comes to functionality and ease of use. They hold up really well even here in Florida. About the only thing I disliked about the DSC's I installed were the tiny screw terminal but I have only had exposure to the smaller panels like the 1550's so I can't speak for the newer stuff.
I Actually put a napco gemini in my first house, It was the first panel I ever put in, it worked real well, programming was not bad at all using the alpa keypad. I have been using the honeywell admeco vista series, mainly becasue they are fairly easy to use and I can program them remotley usingtheir compass software. I think ADT was using a vista 20p with custom software, selling it under the "safe watch" name, I could be wrong on that.
My house originally had a Napco Magnum Alert 800 (30 years old). We got a new alarm from Guardian and they put in a Napco Gemini. No complaints whatsoever. I saw a demo of Paradox equipment a few months back at Famous Telephone. Jeff
Yes, that was a big shake down a few years ago. There was alot of upset dealers. That is why Napco pulled out of ADI about 2 years ago, they weren't happy with the competing dealers arrangement.
DCS is good stuff and I bought exclusively from AFY because they have two great guys (Bernie and Larry). Their prices were also better than anywhere I could buy, including online.
When Tyco bought DSC, as well as the other consolidation, I got out of the alarm business. In my state (MD), insurance premiums for alarm installers start at $10k because homeowners are suing installers when they get robbed EVEN IF THEY DON'T SET THEIR ALARM. The insurance isn't for damages but for legal defense. I never had any problems but it just wasn't worth it anymore.
that seems to be the case with a lot of people, I no longer install, well besides my own and my families stuff. When licensing came around I had no proof of my time or experience, and the insurance premiums are to high to do this as a part time thing, so I basically dropped out as well.
