Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System
Customer Review: A good product, but
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased this product 5 months ago. As of this date, I have not completely installed it. While the installation can be simple, there are too many components to deal with. The tape that comes with it does not hold on all surfaces. I live in an apartment and did not wish to nail or screw in the components. To do so would mean, that I would have to leave the system as a part of the apartment unit. I do not wish to leave the system as it was costly.Customer Review: A review of the overall Skylink system...
Summary: 4 Stars
I originally purchased the SC-1000 and the SC-10 a few months back. I ordered the SC-10 in addition to the SC-1000 because it allowed me to acquire the additional audio alarm and two additional door/window sensors for a lower price than it would have been if I had ordered the components separately. Since then, I have also acquired many more skylink components that I have integrated into my overall Skylink system. Overall, I really like the system. Tallying up my whole system, I have the control panel, the emergency dialer, 2 keypad controls, 3 remote keychains, 8 door/window sensors, 6 motion sensors, 3 audio alarms, 2 vibration sensors, 4 alarm sensors, and 1 silent alarm. This is more than enough for the 2500ft/sq home that I'm renting (which is why I went with a wireless system)
Overall, just like any other DIY security system...the Skylink system is not perfect. It is not bullet-proof. It can be defeated. However...it DOES provide deterrence, notification, and a certain peace-of-mind. That's what systems like these are for. If you are a typical consumer who is looking to deter/defeat the average burglar, this system can do a good job of it. However, if you possess highly valuable art/electronics/commodities...this may not quite cut it. If you, for whatever reason, could be SPECIFICALLY targeted by a more sophisticated type of criminal, you're probably looking in the completely wrong price-point. You won't find what you need for this kind of money, unfortunately. You'll probably be better off going with the pros in that situation.
Overall assessment
STRENGTHS:
-Easily expandable
-Easily installed/modified
-Solid range on the components
WEAKNESSES:
-Wireless signal could be jammed
-Skylink support is quite poor
-Some bulky/unsightly components
RE: the weaknesses...
The reason I put the potential jamming at the top of the list is the ease by which it could be done. In fact, I did it accidently. I purchased some Kidde 0919-9999/ RF-SM-DC Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm, Wirelessly Interconnectable alarms, which I found operate on the same frequency as the Skylink system. While the Kidde alarms were going off, the entire Skylink system was jammed. Literally no signals were successfully passed. If I can accidently jam it easily with some wireless fire alarms, I'm sure it would be quite easy for a career criminal. But, as I said earlier...what can you really expect at this price point?
Also...Skylink support is quite poor. In fact, I'll be honest...it sucks. I contacted their support when i was having problems integrating an Audio alarm. I specifically said that I followed the instructions in the Audio alarms manual, but it wasn't working (I went into specifics on the issues). Their response was literally nothing more than a copy/paste of the relevant portion from the audio alarm's manual. The same steps I specifically said I had already followed. After further trouble-shooting, I decided to ask for an exchange. I never got a response. That's bad customer service.
I figured if you are going to buy the SC-1000, you may be in the market to expand your system. The SC-1000 is the largest "system" that Skylink offers, but it really is a fraction of the overall capability that you can amass. So, I have decided to offer a component-by-component review of what this system entails.
The SC-001 Control Panel (included in the SC-1000). The control panel is the heart of the Skylink system. It allows for 4 "zones", which depending on how you set up your sequences, will react to each of your sensor activating by either completely ignoring it, chiming, beeping for 30 seconds prior to the alarm going off, or setting off the alarm instantly. The panel also communicates with all the other add-ons, such as the remote keypads, the audio alarms, the silent alarm, and the dialer. There really is quite a bit of capability and flexibility here. There are preset sequences already programmed into the panel when you receive it, but they can be changed to fit your specific needs. Setting up the panel to communicate with your sensors is pretty painless, so long as you follow the instructions in the manual. Reading the manual is CRUCIAL in using the control panel. Read, read, read! Keep the manual readily available for when changes/additions need to be made. Forgetting a crucial step can cause headaches such as wiping out all the sensor registrations of a particular zone (been there!).
The panel does have shortcomings. As other reviewers have mentioned, the alarm is embedded in the control panel. This is not a great setup. With just the standard SC-1000 setup, the alarm sound will lead the intruder directly to the panel. It would nice if the alarm and the control panel were separate components, which would allow for better security of the control panel by hiding it. At the very least, it would help if one were able to simply DISABLE the audio alarm portion of the control panel. That way, one could hide this entire control panel, while still having an alarm in the home by using additional stand-alone audio alarms.
Skylink AD-433S Emergency Dialer is also included with the SC-1000. It dials out if it receives a signal from the control panel, or from any other sensor that is connected to it. It does not have sequences like the control panel, so it will dial out ANY TIME it receives a signal from a sensor hooked up to it. So, if you pair a motion sensor directly to the dialer, it will cause the dialer to begin it's dialing program whenever the motion sensor is triggered. That's probably not a good idea...so typically, the only thing that should be paired directly to the dialer is the control panel. That way, the control panel will act as a "filter", causing the dialer to kick-in only if it meets the criteria you program into it. The dialer itself stores up to 9 numbers, stores a message of up to 40 seconds. You can tailor how long it will try to call a particular number, and how many times it will repeat the message. Despite the bad reviews it has received...I haven't had any issues with it yet.
Skylink 4B-434 Four-Button Remote. One of these is included with the SC-1000. Pretty straight forward here. It allows you to disarm/arm the Control Panel once it is paired to the Panel. The range is pretty decent. I'm able to disarm my system as I pull into the garage.
Skylink KP-434 Keypad Control. The Keypad control is not included in any of the prepackaged Skylink systems (SC-1000/100/10), but I think it is a vital component. It allows you to control the Control Panel from a remote location. Unlike the keychain, it is secure because you have to type in your security code. Perfect for controlling your system if you hid your Control Panel, which makes it great to put by your front or back door.
Skylink WT-433 Window/Door Sensor. Two of these are included with the SC-1000. This is the workhorse sensor. It detects when the door/window is opened, and sends a signal to the control panel. It does it's job well. As others have said, it's big and bulky and won't be winning any beauty contests. Depending on how you choose to attach it, it could take up to 6 screws to fasten it in place. 2 for the transmitter, and then 2 for each of the magnets. It can, however, be put in place using the provided adhesives. Others have said that the adhesive can fail to hold in hot conditions. It hasn't been hot since I got the system...so I will keep an eye on that. You may want to consider using a higher quality industrial adhesive, however.
Skylink PS-434A Motion Sensor. One of these is included with the SC-1000. This is my favorite of the Skylink sensors. It is very versatile, and unlike the door/window sensors, requires just two small screws or the adhesive to put in place. Using it in a home with pets is tricky, obviously. However, if one mounts it 5 feet above the floor, and carefully orients it to avoid pointing it at the floor where the pets will be, it can still be used. I have two smallish dogs and several motion sensors, and I have not had any false alarms to this point. Essentially, I use it as more of an invisible tripwire rather than a wide-area motion sensor. Be careful to avoid areas where your pets jump up on things, however, such as beds/couches. I don't know if I would even bother in a house with a cat. Yes, this would allow someone to crawl around my house...but I'm willing to take that risk.
As I said, these are very versatile. They could be put in a closet...which will trigger it immediately when the closet is opened. Same thing with a safe. One could also potentially mount one on a ceiling directly above windows, which would be a less-visible alternative to door/window sensor or a vibration sensor. If someone comes through the window, the motion sensor directly above them should trigger. The biggest weakness of the motion sensors is the potential false alarms. Be careful not to point these out windows/doors...which could cause it to trigger.
Skylink AA-433 Audio Alarm One of these is included in the SC-10 system, but not the others. The can be used as a second/third/fourth/etc audio alarm when it is paired to the Control Panel. The theory here is that more noise could increase the odds that the intruder will choose to flee. It's loud, no doubt. This, however, is the component I've had the most problems with. One of ones I have can't seem to communicate with the Control Panel consistently...despite being only 20 feet away. I think there is an issue with the antenna. Emails to Skylink support have been useless (as mentioned earlier). The other Audio Alarms I have work as expected.
Skylink VS-433 Vibration Sensor. None of these are included with the skylink systems. I have two of them, but I'm not a huge fan. Some people advocate putting these on windows is an alternative or backup to the more traditional door/window sensors, but I'm concerned that false alarms would be likely. I saw one report that a close lightning strike triggered one of these. Living in Florida, where thunderstorms are a daily occurrence in the summer, I decided against using them on windows. Using them in strategic locations inside, though, may be a good idea. Safes and jewelry drawers come to mind.
Skylink AS-433E Alarm Sensor. None of these are included with the Skylink Systems. I use these in conjunction with my smoke/monoxide detectors in my house. If the detectors go off, the Alarm Sensor registers the sound, and sends out its signal. I chose to have my Alarm Sensors link directly to my dialer. Having all of the alarms go off won't deter a fire, so I decided to skip the Control Panel. It hasn't caused any false alarms so far (knock on wood).
The Alarm Sensor is the most poorly conceived of the Skylink sensors I've used. The sensor must be mounted VERY close to the target alarm (w/in 6 inches according to the manual). The most obvious use for these is in conjunction with smoke detectors...which are often mounted on the ceiling. The only means of mounting this sensor that is included in the package it comes in is an adhesive/velcro system that is pretty poor. Couple that poor adhesive with the relatively heavy weight of this Alarm sensor, and I couldn't even get it to mount to the wall. I couldn't conceive of it working on the ceiling. I had to use some partially-inserted screws and some industrial-strength adhesive to attach it to the wall.
SW433 - Skylink Light Flasher. I haven't really used this yet. I have considered coupling this with some plug-in strobe lights to create an unpleasant visual counterpart to the audio alarms, but I haven't gotten around to trying it out yet.
Those are all of the components that I have experience with.
In short, this is a solid system from a technological standpoint. It's easily installed (if you follow the instructions), and is easily expanded and modified...which is a good thing, since Skylink support is practically non-existant. Be prepared to go it alone. Read the instructions, use trial-and-error, test your systems regularly, and you'll have a pretty solid security system at this price point.
Customer Review: After 3 years, a great system
Summary: 5 Stars
I just did our semi-annual walk around on our Skylink alarm system. The system is easy to install and program and works much better than I ever expected. It gives my wife great peace of mind. This is a very complete system and we are extremely happy with it. Programming requires the manual but the system is very flexible and does just about everything you could ever possibly want. We have had this system 3 years and we are very happy with it. The batteries in the door/window sensor last a very long time, I don't think I have yet had to replace one of those batteries. The motion sensor uses power constantly as you walk around your house (whether or not the system is armed) and its battery needs to be replaced every year or so. It conveniently chirps at you when its battery is low, so you always know when a new battery is needed.
One extremely minor gripe is that I had to put tiny labels on the remotes because it's very difficult to remember which button does what ("Home", "Away", "Off"). But this is a very minor quibble.
Highly recommended. I wish every do-it-yourself home product worked this well.
Customer Review: Awesome System!
Summary: 5 Stars
I wanted to put in an alarm but I didn't want to pay the middle man to monitor it every month. I installed this system myself and it works AWESOME! It is set to call me if it goes off and my husband and son have set it off a few times. I don't have to worry about exceeding my false calls and it calls me INSTANTLY, no delay at all. It is very efficient and no one knows I installed it myself! I highly recommend this to anyone!Customer Review: Bang for the buck!
Summary: 5 Stars
Great product at a great price. The alarm is LOUD. Installation is easy but the programming was a bit of a challenge as the manual is not very organized. The preprogrammed features were not quite what I wanted but I managed to program my needs. The remote dialer works up to about 30 feet away and through at least 2 thick walls. The dialer recording is tinny and hard to understand so speak slowly. It is also a good idea to write down what you want to say.