[Articles] [ISC West 2011] Exclusive Update - Elk Technologies

ISC West 2011 Exclusive Update - Elk Technologies

CocoonTech visited with David Steele, Chief Engineer of Elk Technologies during the ISC West 2011 conference.  They were showcasing two new product lines, their new wireless security sensors and the new touchscreen keypad!



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Just read through the article and had a question. What is an actual 'use case' for the alarm status on the keyfob? You obviously have to be within range of the system to check the status, so I dont really follow...

drvnbysound said:

Just read through the article and had a question. What is an actual 'use case' for the alarm status on the keyfob? You obviously have to be within range of the system to check the status, so I dont really follow...

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This way the wife can simply press a button and make sure the house is in a secured state. This would happen say, if some situation or circumstance came up where it would be questioned if the home was secured (footprints in the snow, something out of place, etc...). The wife can easily see if the home is still secured before disarming and entering the premisis.

drvnbysound said:

Just read through the article and had a question. What is an actual 'use case' for the alarm status on the keyfob? You obviously have to be within range of the system to check the status, so I dont really follow...

Click to expand...

When I return to my house, I like to know if the alarm was activated while I was out. Since my Elk doesn't talk to my GE keyfobs, I installed a couple indicator lamps in the garage attic behind a window. When I press the appropriate keyfob button to inquire status, a steady lamp for 5 seconds tells me the system is disarmed, a 5-second strobe indicates the system is armed, and a 60-second strobe tells me the alarm has been tripped. If I see the long strobe, I'll probably take a walk around the house looking for any sign of forced entry before I stroll in the front door.

It would be a bit simpler to be able to get the same info from this new keyfob.

BraveSirRobbin said:

This way the wife can simply press a button and make sure the house is in a secured state. This would happen say, if some situation or circumstance came up where it would be questioned if the home was secured (footprints in the snow, something out of place, etc...). The wife can easily see if the home is still secured before disarming and entering the premisis.

Click to expand...

If unauthorized entry had occurred, the alarm should have went off and notified you and/or authorities dispatched. If the alarm was not armed before you left, and there was some indication that entry could have occurred (footprints in the show) the what exactly would you gain from the status anyway... other than it's still un-armed?

drvnbysound said:

If unauthorized entry had occurred, the alarm should have went off and notified you and/or authorities dispatched.

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It would be a simple task to cut our phone line before breaking into the house, in which case there would be no such notifications. Although the cable is underground and protected at the house entrance, there is no way to protect the pedestal in the back yard. Someday I may look into a GSM link. Until then, the status check serves a useful purpose.

No notification at that point.. but would a siren be going off? That would be a clear indicator when you arrived home that someone may be inside. I do understand that the battery backup would only last for X amount of time.. and I have no idea what each person has, and how long theirs would last.

If the intruder actually got to the panel and pulled wiring, the status would again not be working...

I guess I just really dont see much of a use for myself, which is why I asked the question. Fortunately for Elk, others (above) have mentioned their own uses so at least there is benefit for someone.

When used Sirens are supposed to cut off after about 5 minutes; but in many parts of California at least, sirens are being outlawed. The strobes Elk sells allegedly aren't rated for continuous duty, so turning on a strobe on alarm condition may not help - because the strobe may burn out or have been cut by the time you get home.

I guess the point is that there are a lot of dumb crooks out there, but there are also a few smart ones - and the last thing you want is your wife walking into a house where someone is waiting.


And to your point - if the status light isn't working, it's probably time to check for other signs; like fire up the iPhone app, or try something automated to see if it still works.

drvnbysound said:

If unauthorized entry had occurred, the alarm should have went off and notified you and/or authorities dispatched. If the alarm was not armed before you left, and there was some indication that entry could have occurred (footprints in the show) the what exactly would you gain from the status anyway... other than it's still un-armed?

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my system is not monitored with a central station, to me its pointless because metro police wont respond to residential alarm or any alarm other than a confirmed signal.

so yes i would like to know what happened while i have been away prior to entering my home.

also you cant have a siren going off forever, some cities wont allow it.

and to add to what photon already said, your phone line/internet could be cut, hence the need of radio or gsm backup. (a few houses down had a break in by cutting the phone line outside)

and "If the intruder actually got to the panel and pulled wiring, the status would again not be working..."
then i guess you either installed your control panel visible to the naked eye B) or you got a really smart determined burglar wanting to kill you more than steal from you. In that case if your status lights arent working or anything is working then you better enter your home with the police or with a gun.

In your case without any indication of anything you would simply enter your home without knowing and that my friend I really dont follow....

Just to add I also use a strobe light to indicate there was an alarm condition incase neither I nor my wife got the message (text - we're not monitored ATM). We use keyfobs to arm/disarm and I try to get her used to hitting the button before getting out of the truck (we park in the driveway) and it's right above the garage door. Maybe I'll have it chirp the siren as well. The strobe is set to turn off when the alarm cuts off so it's not on for the entire time of the alarm condition.