Once again, DSC (AKA Dealers second choice) has unveiled what is rapidly becoming the new direction for money first quality second based security alarm companies. It seems more and more, alarm companies are more interested in volume over value. DSC's ALEXOR - PC9155 is a prime example of this sad truth. To emphasize the whole speedy install factor, DSC is even holding a competition at ISC West to see which "Installer" can "install" the new DSC ALEXOR - PC 9155 panel the fastest.
Maybe I'm old fashioned, or maybe I like to take my time to make sure an installation is done properly but does this contest say anything for the concern of properly installed systems in the eyes of DSC? Not too coincidentally, DSC is owned by TYCO which not surprisingly also owns one of the Douchebag companies of the industry ADT.
In conclusion. In the eyes of DSC, AKA TYCO ergo ADT is. Drum roll please install as many security alarm systems as fast as you can who cares about quality or actual home security. Of course the TYCO marketing spin doctors will definitely come up with a positive spin on their new alarm
Above you see the COMPLETE DSC ALEXOR CONTROL.
This is everything. The "brain" the part that needs only be
tossed into a toilet to disable it. This one is empty, just like
the security promises of DSC.
Remember... Wireless Security Systems will NEVER beat Hardwired Security Systems in quality, reliability or longevity. The only "advantage" to a wireless security system is the speed and ease of installation. Not always the best advantage to look at when you are protecting your valuables, be it pecuniary or human.
Oh ya, DSC now manufactures much their equipment in China
DSC manufactures there equipment in china? they tell everyone they make in Canada
ReplyDeleteHow do you know DSC makes there equipment in china?
ReplyDeleteI actually saw this as a decent alternative as apposed to the previous wireless systems in which the keypad was mounted on the control panel /communicator. It isn't just about speed for some companies this is a better solution for those walls there is no way to get to such as a main story wall which is out past the cement basement wall. I however do prefer a wired system when possible, because these will require all the batteries to be replaced in about 1.5/2 years(guesstimate)and wired panels have little chance of interference.
ReplyDeleteThanks,Phil
I will give them that, at least they did move from the self contained toilet alarm. I recently checked out the Alexor and my opinion stands.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, looking at the stats it seems there were alot of positive reviews of the Alexor. Oddly enough, they all came from the same IP in Ontario (The home of DSC) Just like Joel Matlin, they seem to be doing their research and I'm thinking the truth getting out scares them.
As for those who say some instances REQUIRE wireless. Tile floors vaulted ceilings etc. I say Bull. in over 20 years in the industry I can say with confidence, I have always found a way to run wires and I have never left a mess.
DSC is not dealers second choice. It is quality that you can afford. It's installation is so easy you can do it with your eye's closed unlike the other competing brands. have been using DSC for the past nine years and no complaints. Quality you can trust.
ReplyDeleteYou sir are an Idiot, there are other advantages to wireless besides the speed of the install, for example, not having to drill holes and run wire through a house. DSC manufactures everything in Canada, not in China. The OEM wireless door contacts are American designed and tested and made in China. Everything that DSC makes comes from Canada. AS far as having only to Toss the brain in the toilet to disable it.. how is that different then any other control panel?? Your not making any sense. Let me guess your a GE guy? Maybe a little upset that GE's stock price and profits have been so demolished this past 18 months that they aren't releasing anything new this year. But don't get me wrong, they release the Simon.. The GE version of a two way panel, IT only has a 30% defect rate. Much better indeed. Tool.
ReplyDeleteCan't any panel be tossed in the toilet just as easily as a wired panel? Oh yea, and DSC doesn't manufacture in China, Everything that DSC makes is made in Canada, you can't name me one DSC product manufactured in China.
ReplyDeleteWow "Home Security Blog!!"
ReplyDeletePlease calm down a bit. I gather this is your site and you can post what what you wish and you don't care for DSC products. What brand do you carry/install and what benefits have you found for that brand over DSC?
Radio just answered the question. The OEM wireless crap is made in China. Who cares if it is designed in the USA it is still made and tested in a country known for problems.
ReplyDeleteRadio, you are contradicting yourself. You said everything DSC makes is made in Canada. Ya ok, that may be true but everything DSC puts their name on is not made in Canada.
As for DSC as a whole, their hardwired panels are ok, I just don't prefer them as they do not have much for functionality.
As for the person who said a hardwired panel can be thrown in the toilet, ya I guess but a properly installed hardwire system has the keypad installed away from the control panel. So ripping the keypad off the wall doesn't stop the alarm from reporting. Whereas a wireless "all in one" system is far easier to disable. I have seen it happen.
As for the system I install, that is not the issue. I am not here to promote any one product over another. I am just voicing my opinion over the crap out there. Any wireless standalone alarm is garbage I don't care who makes it beit GE, Paradox, Ademco, or DSC.
Wow, somebody smells their livelihood being threatened. Your rant has no facts, just a way to vent your spleen on a technology that is going to put you out of business.
ReplyDeleteWireless is coming whether self-interested wire pullers like it or not. Get used to it. You sound like a buggy whip maker railing against new-fangled automobiles.
Anyone who posts a name-calling, fact-free rant like that is unlikely to give good customer service. Your world is all about you. I'll take my business elsewhere.
To the commenter above, I'm not really looking for your business (After all, you are just a blogger for DSC.) If I was looking for business, I would do the following:
ReplyDelete1: put my advertising all over this blog
2: Look for blogs that talk down about my product and comment on them by pretending not to be in the business.
I prefer honesty, I am out here telling people what I think of certain products and companies. And yes, I understand how that scares the shit out of Tyco.
As for my livelihood... I do not see it ending anytime soon. I am kept very busy replacing wireless piece of garbage panels with reliable hardwired systems. I will not get into brands, because that is not why I am here.
To respond to all those posts about wireless technology and how "great it is" Who owns a cellphone, how many times do you get an echo, static or a dropped call. Yes, that happens and the wireless technology used in cellphone towers is a hell of alot more expensive and advanced than an Alexor, or any other $130 wireless piece of crap.
To the "owner" of this blog: Pull your head out of your ***. You obviously haven't even seen this system. It is NOT stand alone. The "brain" can be installed in a closet or other location of choice therefore thwarting "toileting" the brain. The keypad is 2-way as well as the siren. Try to disable a wireless two-way siren. That has been in use in the car audio world for years and proven to be very effective. By the way. Im not a DSC rep. or anything of the like. I've been installing for over 15 years and tried just about every system out there. And to say all wireless is garbage is to say all cell service is garbage. Why is the cell market so successful then? What about people who rent there homes and can not hardwire a system? Is this not a good solution for them? Or are they not worthy of security? You my friend are a fool.
ReplyDeleteGood on you for using the power of search engines to stand up against corporate bully boys !
ReplyDeleteBlogs like this give consumers a voice and it should be a warning for dishonest companies out there that if you treat your customers like dirt, they may just fight back and expose you for what you are.
I have used the same tactics to expose a few scumbags that have tried to cross me in business. They suddenly become very nice and polite when they see their company or personal name appear on page 1 of Google with a link to a page owned by someone that really doesn't like them that much ;-)
To Slim1
ReplyDeleteComparing the electronics and engineering in an $89 wireless system to the electronics in a cell tower which costs... I Dunno... way more is like the old apples and oranges, except in this case maybe a pile of horse crap to an apple.
Fact of the matter is, wireless is a sacrifice when compared to a hardwired system. Personally, I wish wireless would be reliable, that way I wouldn't have to crawl through a damn attic for a living.
Since you seem to be in the industry.. tell me now what is the oldest operational wireless system you have seen. Compare that to the oldest hardwired system.
Now, what if you want to upgrade that wireless system... All new everything right...
Upgrading the Hardwire is simply a matter of replacing the panel which costs under 100 bucks plus the keypads.
Now who has their head up their ass. Or maybe you want to overcharge the customer. Personally, I think that is dishonest.
Of course, all that is off topic. Back to wireless
It is crap
I purchased an Alexor. Being an electrical engineer I read all of the manuals. The installation seemed simple so I proceeded. I wired up the transformer to the unit (right most two terminals labeled AC on the PCB), connected the battery, closed up the unit, and connected the transformer to the wall receptacle. The unit did not power on. I then opened up the unit and ensured that 18V AC was present at the terminal inside the unit (Which it was). So the unit had power but did not turn on (no LED lights turned on). I waited several minutes and still no success. I had to RMA the unit and I am currently waiting the new unit. I am concerned given the initial quality of the first unit.
ReplyDeleteIf you were to measure speed of install with this unit, your measured time would be infinite.
I tried to get an account on the DSC website to see if there was a FAQ or additional information, however I was not granted permission. Nor could I access anything useful on their website.
I at least wanted to download the installation manual for the ALEXOR so that I would not mark up the original one, but you can’t even do that.
It would be nice if DSC would open up some basic information on their ALEXOR unit.
I regret having bought this piece of junk.
DSC tech support does not care to support do-it-your-self (DIY) home owners who paid big bucks for the Alexor system from a dealer. It claimed that it is a liablity for it to advise DIY home owners. I say it is DSC's liability to authorize its dealers to sell to home owners without helping them to make the alarm system work!
ReplyDeleteAnyone out there has any idea to solve the following problems which DSC tech support refused to help (because I am not a commercial installer): the wireless keypad WT5500 continually and randomly detects zones being open without closing, marking these zone "O" for open. They need to be bypassed in order to arm the system. Changing the zone attribute to "force" so that they can be forced to be armed and monitored (supposedly) did not work either. Frustrating ... Help please! Please e-mail suggestions to me at CNHLAU@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteAbsolutly rediculous. Who would ever consider any of this professional insite to a system evaluation. Apparently you have an ax to grind -- what woiuld be interesting is to accually give alternative opinions of equipment you have accually installed.
ReplyDelete700 thousand Residental pots lines are dropped each month nationally - is this a fad too. Listen my friend, find another line of work.
HAD THAT HAPPEN ONCE DSC TECH SUPPORT WAS USELESS
ReplyDeleteENDED UP JUST REPLACING THE WHOLE ALEXOR WITH KPS AND SENT THEM BACK TO DSC FOR TESTING.
Mr Anony the Mouse :P
ReplyDelete"700 thousand Residental pots lines are dropped each month nationally - is this a fad too. Listen my friend, find another line of work. "
So what do POTS lines have to do with the alarm wiring inside the home?
I do not have a problem with cellular monitoring, my problem is with wireless security alarm detectors and wireless security alarm systems as a whole. Communication to the monitoring station is a completely different story.
As for the Axe to grind, not really, I am just pointing out some facts so consumers do not get ripped off by know nothing sales people who are only interested in their commission cheques.
Like I said, wireless systems are easier and faster to install. The more monitored systems a company installs the more accounts they get and the more money sales people make... all at the expense of the consumer's level of security.
over 1.7 Million hits so far. If I was trying to do anything except help consumers you may very well see ads on this blog, or at the very least promoting the company I work for, I am sure my boss would give me a raise for the increase in business. With any luck, half of those people were contemplating a wireless security system and have decided against it. I guess I could also use these over 1 million hits to start an online business selling wireless do it yourself security alarms to unsuspecting saps but that is not my style.
To those who agree with me and include links to their alarm companies. Sorry guys, this is intended as an educational blog and therfor will NOT include any links to any alarm system sales sites or security alarm installation companies. No exceptions.
Guys, I found this site because I Googled "issues problems Alexor DSC" as I am trying to find out if other installers are having the issues with the DSC wireless alarms that we are.
ReplyDeleteWe installed approx 7 Alexors & 6 Powerseries last year and have had issues with almost every one of them.
We're in a fairly unique position where we actually install, service and monitor the systems ourselves which gives us a very rounded picture of what is going on with these units.
Our main problems are Loss of Supervisory and Low Battery on the keypads after just a few months of having been installed.
The folk at DSC are indicating that we are a minority but I'm sure there has got to be more people experiencing these issues???
It's cost us a fortune in warranty service calls and let down our customers who rely on us for good systems and service. I feel that there are probably a lot of other installers whose clients have had issues, but the installers haven't had the time to piece it all together and realise how much it is impacting their business.
I know that had we not taken the time to make it an official project recently and analyse it - we would have had no idea of the extent of the issues (and how much it's cost us).
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGot to love our Freedom. Buy what you want and make your own choice as to what you will use. If you don't like any products available. Make one better yourself.
ReplyDeleteI am not saying people should not be allowed to buy wireless crap, I am just exercising my Freedom in telling them the faults inherent in wireless security systems and wireless technology as a whole.
ReplyDeleteFor all those who thing wireless is the greatest thing. Have you ever had a cordless phone or cellphone crap out on you, loose reception, or even pick up static.... ya ok
As for making something better.... It already exists in alot of other brands. It is called a HARDWIRED security alarm. I never said I did not like any products, I just said I did not like wireless and in particular the DSC Alexor or the new DSC IMPASSA, for that matter. Maybe I should check out the IMPASSA and write a review on it too. Then I'm sure Mr Freedom from DSC will jump right on that one :)
Nice try though, using everyone's desire for Freedom to sell crap. How about Freedom from false alarms and crappy systems
I am not saying people should not be allowed to buy wireless crap, I am just exercising my Freedom in telling them the faults inherent in wireless security systems and wireless technology as a whole.
ReplyDeleteFor all those who thing wireless is the greatest thing. Have you ever had a cordless phone or cellphone crap out on you, loose reception, or even pick up static.... ya ok
As for making something better.... It already exists in alot of other brands. It is called a HARDWIRED security alarm. I never said I did not like any products, I just said I did not like wireless and in particular the DSC Alexor or the new DSC IMPASSA, for that matter. Maybe I should check out the IMPASSA and write a review on it too. Then I'm sure Mr Freedom from DSC will jump right on that one :)
Nice try though, using everyone's desire for Freedom to sell crap. How about Freedom from false alarms and crappy systems