SteveInNorCal
Active Member
Good morning...Which wireless glass breaks should I buy? Honeywell-5853 or Elk-6040?
Background
Elk M1 Gold. Full wired perimeter coverage. Three Bosch Blue Line Gen 2 motion sensors covering LR, DR and main hall (additional coverage for entry doors). Everything has been running great for almost a year now and the only false alarms have been user error as we get used to the system.
I'm thinking about adding wireless glass break sensors. I would prefer wired sensors, but there's no room left for wired (panel can is completely full, 16 Elk zones used, 16 XIN zones used, Panduit wire trays almost full).
I already have an existing Elk M1XRFTW 2-way wireless transceiver installed for my key fob and there are plenty of wireless zone available. The battery life on wireless glass breaks is 5 - 10 years, so wireless seems to be a reasonable approach for these additional sensors.
The GB will be in rooms where the windows are covered with curtains, drapes, or wood shutters so I'm uncertain about performance.
Windows are regular glass, double-pane, low-e, not gas filled.
Honeywell 5853. $55 on Amazon. Four sensitivity settings (Max, Medium, Low and Lowest) to reduce false alarms. Can use my existing FG-701 Tester. Would need to install an Elk-M1XRF2H wireless receiver ($100). Honeywell is well-known for controls and high quality detection. The 5853 uses a Honeywell ASIC that they claim processes sound faster and more accurately to minimize false alarms. It will not trigger an alarm unless it detects two events in sequence: the low-frequency “flex” signal caused by glass flexure upon impact followed by the audible sound of shattering glass within specific frequency ranges. The alarm triggers only if these two events are perceived in sequence within an appropriate time frame. Detection range - 25' from window; no minimum. LEDs indicate test mode, alarms and trouble conditions. Claims 10 year battery life. Originally Ademco.
Elk 6040. $110 on Amazon. Apparently does not have any sensitivity settings. Uses the existing XRFTW transceiver. Elk claims two-way enables ACK from the transceiver to GB which reduces transmissions from the GB sensor and extends battery life. Detection range - 20' from window; 4' minimum. Claims 5 year battery life. Uses spread spectrum for RF reliability. Uses standard Elk enrollment of sensor using the keypad or RP software. Alarm detection LED visible through cover; RF status LED hidden behind cover. Elk recommends the GE Shatterpro UTC 5709C "or equivalent" tester/simulator. Can I use my Honeywell FG-701?
Units are about the same size and WAF, but the Elk is 50% thicker:
Honeywell: 4.95" H x 3.09" W x 1.10" D
Elk: 4.25" W x 3.13" H x 1.70" D
Help! Should I add the GB sensors? Should I go with Elk or Honeywell? How serious is the window covering problem?
Thanks to you gurus in advance!
Steve
Background
Elk M1 Gold. Full wired perimeter coverage. Three Bosch Blue Line Gen 2 motion sensors covering LR, DR and main hall (additional coverage for entry doors). Everything has been running great for almost a year now and the only false alarms have been user error as we get used to the system.
I'm thinking about adding wireless glass break sensors. I would prefer wired sensors, but there's no room left for wired (panel can is completely full, 16 Elk zones used, 16 XIN zones used, Panduit wire trays almost full).
I already have an existing Elk M1XRFTW 2-way wireless transceiver installed for my key fob and there are plenty of wireless zone available. The battery life on wireless glass breaks is 5 - 10 years, so wireless seems to be a reasonable approach for these additional sensors.
The GB will be in rooms where the windows are covered with curtains, drapes, or wood shutters so I'm uncertain about performance.
Windows are regular glass, double-pane, low-e, not gas filled.
Honeywell 5853. $55 on Amazon. Four sensitivity settings (Max, Medium, Low and Lowest) to reduce false alarms. Can use my existing FG-701 Tester. Would need to install an Elk-M1XRF2H wireless receiver ($100). Honeywell is well-known for controls and high quality detection. The 5853 uses a Honeywell ASIC that they claim processes sound faster and more accurately to minimize false alarms. It will not trigger an alarm unless it detects two events in sequence: the low-frequency “flex” signal caused by glass flexure upon impact followed by the audible sound of shattering glass within specific frequency ranges. The alarm triggers only if these two events are perceived in sequence within an appropriate time frame. Detection range - 25' from window; no minimum. LEDs indicate test mode, alarms and trouble conditions. Claims 10 year battery life. Originally Ademco.
Elk 6040. $110 on Amazon. Apparently does not have any sensitivity settings. Uses the existing XRFTW transceiver. Elk claims two-way enables ACK from the transceiver to GB which reduces transmissions from the GB sensor and extends battery life. Detection range - 20' from window; 4' minimum. Claims 5 year battery life. Uses spread spectrum for RF reliability. Uses standard Elk enrollment of sensor using the keypad or RP software. Alarm detection LED visible through cover; RF status LED hidden behind cover. Elk recommends the GE Shatterpro UTC 5709C "or equivalent" tester/simulator. Can I use my Honeywell FG-701?
Units are about the same size and WAF, but the Elk is 50% thicker:
Honeywell: 4.95" H x 3.09" W x 1.10" D
Elk: 4.25" W x 3.13" H x 1.70" D
Help! Should I add the GB sensors? Should I go with Elk or Honeywell? How serious is the window covering problem?
Thanks to you gurus in advance!
Steve