Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System
by Skylink
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System
Customer Review: Has potential to be excellent, not there yet.
Summary: 3 Stars
I installed the SC-1000 kit, 1 extra motion sensor (PS-434A), 1 additional alarm (AA-433), 5 extra door/window sensors (WT-433).
First off, do not order this product online. It is critical you purchase the SC-1000 kit at a store you know has a generous no question return/exchange policy for some specified time. I Bought the SC-1000, followed instructions perfectly and found defects. Due to a generous return policy where I bought the item I was able to work through all problems as they showed up until I eventually had a working system. The process took nearly 4 weeks.
The SC-1000 kit had a noticeably defective motion sensor. It would trigger on zones it was not programmed to. Free replacement.
A few days later the extra one I bought at the same time as the kit would not trigger the alarm about 1/3 of the time during testing. The red eye would go off but nothing would happen. Free replacement.
Immediately after installation, the Dialer would sometimes not dial out during testing using the silent alarm function. The dialer would receive the signal because the clock time would blank out as it should prior to dialing the number but it would time out and default back to wait mode (clock) without dialing. The dialer seemed to get the signal and was trying to switch to dial mode but it just wouldn't complete the process. Fiddling with the antenna would sometimes fix the problem but other times you could have the Dialer within arms reach of the SC-100 control Panel and it just would do as described before. After 3 weeks of this testing, adjusting, moving, it became apparent either the SC-100 Control Panel, Dialer or both were defective.
During this same time one of the replacement motion sensors started acting up. This time the sensor always worked when it was triggered but sometimes you could nearly walk right up to the sensor before it would do so. So I took all 3 components (Control panel, dialer, replacement motion sensor# back for free replacement.
Right off the replacement SC-100 Control Panel was blatantly defective, the key pad light did not work and when using it the sounds made were real strange and garbled. Took it immediately back for free replacement the same day.
Of note about this final replacement is the SC-100 Control Panel has different color wires on the speaker (white/black vs red/black) as well as these wires being obviously glued to the front housing. I am not sure but if I remember correctly the other 2 SC-100 had the speaker hard wired to the circuit board. This one is connected with a 2 prong connector instead. Both housings, front and back, seem to be of a higher quality than the other 2. The wiring doesn't look as sloppy either. Enough of a difference that the wife even made an unsolicited comment backing up my own observations. The entire assembly looks to be made better. The antenna was not connected and fell off when the housing was opened but this is the same setup the additional alarm has. I don't know if this was intentional or not. The other 2 control panels didn't do this.
Now the system is up and running nearly perfectly. The dialer still has failed 2 times to dial out so far but it seems to be working much more reliably so far. Both motion sensors work outstandingly now. There have been 0 problems with the door/window sensors.
There are other design issues I have noticed. The key chain remote is very functional and works excellent. It would be nice to have some sort of confirmation that the alarm is activated or not though. A car alarm is of similar cost to this system but uses a LCD remote that shows if the alarm is on or not as well as many other functions. If this system had similar features I would glady pay more for it and raise my review rating.
The AA-433 Additional Alarm can not be turned off from the SC-100 Control Panel. Only the key chain transmitter or external keypad can do so. If the external keypad can operate the additional alarm so should the SC-100 Control Panel. The AA-433 Additional Alarm does not ignore the silent alarm signal from the SC-100 Control Panel so this renders this function of the SC-100 useless. Even though the AA-433 is rated at 120db and the SC-100 is 110db, it sounds weaker than the SC-100 because it does not use an alternating Hi/Low sound wave like the SC-100. The AA-433 sounds more like a standard fire alarm where the SC-100 gives you that panic feeling and makes you want to run.
A great thing about the door/window sensors is the size of the contact magnets. They are large which allows you to install them on your door trim without having to chisel into them. The size gives you up to a 3/8" gap and they still function perfectly. Some of my trim is angled so this allowed installation without damage to the trim should I decide to remove the sensor. Just a couple small screw holes to putty should I decide to do so.
If the design issues are addressed and quality control were to improve I would give the system a 5. As it stands I can only give it a 3. If you have access to this system locally I would recommend buying it because you will eventually overcome the defects by replacement. If ordering offline you would go broke in postage returning the defective components. You would be better off buying a rehab ADT alarm or paying a local company for one to be installed.
Customer Review: SKYLINK SC1000
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently had my front door kicked in while the wife and I were away at work. Fortunately we were not cleaned out and the only thing missing was my wife's jewelery box. After replacement of the door I thought it best to purchase an alarm system. While doing some research and understanding that you either pay for monitoring at the tune of [...] dollars a month and get the system install with a 2 year contract for monitoring services ([...] for 2 yrs), which by the way consists of a phone call out by the alarm system that is answered by your monitor service, then they call your house and any other #'s to find out weather or not it may be a false alarm, if not a false alarm, they send a person to your residence to verify the alarm (by now maybe 1/2 hr or more has passed), then they call the police, fire, rescue, or what ever may be needed (in my case it was 15 minutes to get the police to my house, and that was only because it was a high priority call because I have guns in the house, it would have been much longer for police to answer a call for a simple break in call). By now your house could be burnt down, cleaned out by the thieves, etc. So left with this information, and knowing that a 45 minute response time in the best circumstance w/the addition of having to pay [...] a month I soon realized that I would not be going down that road. I should also mention that I haven't had a hard wired phone since I bought it in 2001. I don't have kids and my wife and I have always had cell phones so I saw no reason to pay [...] a month to a system that wont even let me call to the next zip code w/o charging me long distance. I do however have a home phone, I think I pay [...] a month for it. It uses a internet connection with a router and so the phone works even if the computers are shut off, and has no long distance charges for the most part. That being said, my research led me to Skylink. I ordered the SC-1000 and the SC-10 systems. The system is modular so buy what you need, and upgrade as you wish. The SC-1000 has 1 control panel with siren, 1 emergency dialer, 1 motion sensor, 2 door sensors, and 1 remote control. As I needed at least 3 door sensors and 2 remotes, I also purchased the SC-10 which gives you 1 remote siren, 2 remotes, and 2 door sensors. I ordered from Amazon at about 5:00pm Friday and received the order Sat. at about 10:00am ([...] shipping in my case, but wow, at my door in 17hrs).
So now on with the install and set-up. The system has all wireless sensors. The control panel, dialer, and additional siren (SC-10) all have plug in power supplies so they need to be close enough to an outlet (they have battery back-up but I don't think they would make it more than a day and maybe less). I my case I found it easiest to set up everything on a table, with nothing mounted, and get the sensors, sirens, dialer, motion sensor, and remotes programmed to the control panel. It is a little taxing but It was done in about an hour (I did have to refer to the web and Skylik's website to get it done as the manuals only describe a single system install, IE: dialer, control panel, additional siren to work by themselves and not to be one system all working off the control panel). Once done and tested on the table it was time to install. This was simple. Find locations to mount various sensors, panels, sirens, and dialer in appropriate locations and install them. In total, I spent approximately 5 hrs on set-up and install, this included testing the system in "chime mode" and verifying full functionality.
To address some of the reviews I have read, This is my response:
The Skyline products provide security for a fraction of the cost of the traditional security systems.
It is designed for the do it yourself crowd. You plan it, set it up, install it, and monitor it.
It is expandable to fit most peoples needs and circumstances.
I got a 15% break on my home owners insurance and it only cost me an afternoon and [...]
I can respond to my alarm in 10 minutes (work 10 min away from my house), the others charge you to respond and take much longer.
All security systems have a flaw, and none of them will prevent a break in. At best will call someone who in turn can call the police/fire dept. once on site.
If you have an existing security system you can purchase just the dialer and alarm sensor to monitor it yourself (and save some money on your home owners insurance).
The system will not notify you of open doors and windows when you arm it because of the wireless sensors (cannot run open/closed signal by battery 24/7) or the batteries would die in a matter of days. You have to verify all windows/doors are closed and locked if you want them to be closed or locked, as the alarm system will set regardless and only recognizes a change of any sensor (I think you could close a door that was open when the system was armed and set the alarm off).
The system will not tell you what sensor set the alarm off and I wouldn't expect that it would for a system that costs a fraction of the norm.
To sum it up I would like to say "A much needed product that offers many applications at a reasonable price."
Customer Review: Useless the way it comes
Summary: 1 Stars
It is hard to understand all the hype people have after buying and installing this system (or any other all-in-one system of the same type). I guess as soon as it makes noise, people think that they are protected and scared burglars are running away in horror. Here is what is going to happen in real life:
1. Burglar approaches the house. He may be a kid or on drugs (a professional burglar is not our intended target), but still he has enough brains to check your house walls for Internet and phone wires to cut them (actually, there is no need to cut anything; you can pull the wires with one hand to disable the phone dialer).
2. OK, he wants to go through one of your doors (it is easy (and you have to) to secure those with Strike Master strike plates, so a window may be his actual target, but OK, he uses your back door).
3. The door sensor trips right away (not a motion detector 10 min later, OK) The system starts beeping, waiting for disarm, so burglar follows the sound to find it.
4. He finds it, rips it off the wall, puts into your toilet, covers with towels, flashes it and closes the seat. He knows he had plenty of time to remove it, so it sent no signal to ADT (he believes it is a real system, that's what you want, right?). Plus, there are no cables left, you remember?
5. He does whatever he wants in your house.
The only good use I see for the system the way it comes, is to monitor your house at night when you are at home. However, it is much better just to protect the house more so burglars make noise when they try to brake in giving you extra time.
Yes, the dialer still may be useful if it is set to no delay, wires are not cut and you can (and have to) place it in a secure location, but you can't rely on it if you have your wires accessible and don't have a cellular backup. After the burglar silences the main unit, his idea would be he is all set and there is no need to worry.
To make the system to work the way it should, more or less, you will have to spend much more money and time, as many other people said. You will need to purchase Skylink AA-433 Audio Alarm (about $35) and program the system to keep the main panel absolutely quiet after you hide it somewhere where it can't be found. Since SC-1000 comes with a single remote, and you will have to hide the main panel, you will need an extra remote (if you are not the only user). They are about $20, so it is easier to buy SC-10 system for around $70 and use alarm and remotes, plus you will get 2 extra ugly door detectors.
OK, we spent over $200 now. For the money, you can get a real professional wired system, like Ademco Vista 15 or 20 - gold standard for alarm installations, with a 6160 alpha keypad, main panel you can hide in your basement, bunch of hidden (not ugly as hell) door contacts, real, not crapy Skylink, PIR pet-proof sensor and a basic 3rd party phone dialer. Wireless receivers are from $30 to add to Ademco, sensors are numerous and cheap: fire, glass break, window etc. OK, it may be 30-50-80 dollars more after you add wires and 2-3 extra sensors, but those systems compared to Skylink are like night and day. Plus, a real system may be connected to a monitoring company in case you decide to go that way one day.
That's why I have returned mine after calculating all the costs to fix all the issues and cost of their extra sensors of very questionable quality I may need later on.
I'm not against Skylink or their product, no. I'm against them calling it a "complete security system". The current system can be easily redone by Skylink to make it much more secure. Main panel, siren and keypad have to be separated. They already have all the components, but need to do it right. At the moment it is a toy and has to be considered as a toy, not a security system. It may have its users (people in mobile homes, apartments or those who don't know how to use a drill), but there are much-much better systems out there for the money you will end up paying at the end.
Customer Review: Pretty good alarm, but several complaints and annoyances
Summary: 4 Stars
I recently ordered the SC-1000 alarm package, along with the SC-10 package and one extra door sensor. Amazon, as always, was great. I ordered it with next day shipping, and I did indeed get it the next day. The SC-1000 comes with the keypad, the separate AD-433 auto dialer, motion sensor, two door sensors, and one keychain transmitter. Don't know why it only comes with one transmitter, I would think most people need at least two. I needed two transmitters and 5 door sensors, so I ordered the SC-10 because it comes with two sensors and two door transmitters, along with the AA-433 external siren. Saved a little money that way. Apparently, the SC-10 can be used as a stand-alone alarm. Why does it come with two transmitters, while the much more comprehensive SC-1000 package only comes with one? Weird.
Installation of all components was easy, took me about three hours, including programming. I did all the programming at my kitchen table, before I installed everything. Much easier that way. As another reviewer pointed out, you MUST clear all sensors from the AD-433 auto dialer and AA-433 siren before you can program them to the keypad. I'm glad she mentioned that, because it's not too clear in the instructions. Also, there's nothing in the SC-10 instruction book about programming it to be used as an external siren only with the SC-1000. I had to go online to Skylink's website and download the instructions for the AA-433 siren - the information was in there. That was the only problem, really, that I had with the programming.
The door sensors work very well. However, they're big, bulky, archaic, and downright ugly. They use an old style wired door magnet switch, and a separate transmitter with a short wire that goes to the magnet (you can see them in the photos I uploaded). In my opinion, they could have made them MUCH smaller and more streamlined, and much better looking. These stick out like a sore thumb.
The motion sensor is very sensitive. However, once it trips, it won't trip again for thirty seconds. Why is that? It's weird. It has high and low sensitivity jumpers, but I haven't tried it on low, so I can't comment on that. I do know that on high, my 50lb dog will trip it. But I have it in a room that I keep closed when I'm gone, so that's not an issue for me. I would imagine that on low sensitivity, and with the sensor pointed up more, a dog wouldn't trip it. But I don't know for sure.
The transmitters could be smaller, and with clearly marked buttons. The only markings at all are a series of raised dots on the buttons, which are worthless to me. The panic button is red, but the other three are the same color. I marked the arm and disarm buttons with red and blue Sharpies so I could tell them apart.
It would be nice, as another reviewer pointed out, if the alarm would tell you if a door was open when you try to arm it. It would also be nice if the external siren beeped when you arm it. It beeps when you disarm it, so why didn't they program it to beep when you arm it? Also, arming or disarming both give you a single beep. Why didn't they program it to give a double beep when you disarm?
The auto dialer works very well. But it would be nice if it could go into a "listen" mode when you answer the call, so you can hear if anything is going on inside the house, like the Macally Air Alarm does.
But with all of my complaints above, I am pretty happy overall with the system. It seems to work well, programming wasn't too difficult, and it has given me a measure of confidence when leaving the house. The Macally Air Alarm I bought previously didn't work at all, so obviously this one is much better. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, because even with its shortcomings, it has more features for the price than other alarms I've looked at do. Would I buy it again? Yes, for the same reasons.
Customer Review: Great alarm
Summary: 5 Stars
The idea behind this alarm system is that once a sensor is breached, by opening a door, window, or motion sensor, the audible alarm will ring and then a remote dialer will call up to 9 pre-programmed phone numbers and play your pre-recorded message. The "Wireless" System comes with 1 separate dialer ,1 control pad w/ siren, 2 door sensors, 1 motion detector, 1 remote. The control pad has the audible siren inside it, keypad for entering password, backup battery power, and ac cord that needs to be plugged in. Dialer needs to be hooked up to phone line, has backup battery power, and ac cord that needs to be plugged in. Because this is a "wireless" system you need to "pair" the sensors with the alarm so they can communicate. It is advised to pair your sensors with the control pad (not the dialer) and then the control pad to the dialer IF you don't want the dialer to call unless the alarm sounds (this is what most people want). If you pair the sensor directly to the dialer you could get a call without the alarm sounding, good for some applications like optional flood sensor(?) The control pad and dialer should ideally be separated, with the dialer hidden. The control pad has the siren in it so if some thief decides to rip it off the wall and muffle the siren, I advise you get a remote siren (sold here, requires ac) too, and hide it somewhere that will be hard to get at. Sensors are assigned to zones that can be set up as "instant" or "delayed" or "chime". Chime is used in setting up your alarm or troubleshooting, it is handy and will not sound siren but will make a beep when a sensor is activated. Delay gives you 30 sec before alarm sounds. Instant alarm sounds when sensor is activated. Typically main entry door is delay, everything else instant. The 30 sec is supposed to allow you to enter and disarm before the alarm rings. 30 sec is a long time to allow someone to enter and mess with your alarm too, so make every sensor you can instant. If your house entry is not that secure and a thief might come through your delay door, you can even make that door instant and use your remote to arm/disarm. If you forget to disarm before entering and it is set as instant, you'll get the siren and call(s), so think that through..
The system makes sense, if you have it set up right you can secure your home. I am pleased with what I have which is sensors on my doors and windows, motion detector in one room, and remote siren. I have read that some think the control pad with siren is vulnerable since it needs to be accessible for pword entry which makes it visible to a thief who would destroy it. I got the remote siren to give me a backup, but the most likely situation is that a thief will break in through a location that is not usually the front door, and an instant sensor will set off the siren and call you before the intruder can even get in yet. Even if they got in and ran over to the siren, the dialer is busy calling. The remote siren is still ringing. And , yes, you can hide the control pad and use your remote to arm/disarm. Just remember the siren is most effective when unobstructed; it is really ear piercing. Create your own password !, your intruder may know the factory default..
I haven't had this long enough to comment on reliability or battery life, but it does work good now and I would recommend this to anyone who wants a stand alone alarm system that doesn't need to be hard wired, doesn't require any fees, and even calls you if breached. It is a good price for what you get. Downside: color and large door/window sensors. Color is not white but almond, door/window sensors are really big and obvious. Could be a show stopper for those who put style before security