Home Security System High Tech Keypads & Touchpads

Home security system keypads are really going high tech these days. Gone are the days of the “place key in hole, turn, and the red light turns off” method of arming and disarming your alarm system. From house schematics to internet access to simple home automation, today’s keypads can do it all-they’ll even make coffee for you in the morning if you ask nicely!

At right is the new Grafica alarm keypad from Paradox, one of the better known alarm manufacturers. Besides the stainless steel finish, the coolest part about this keypad is the personalized schematic of your home or business that displays on the LCD screen. It shows any doors, windows, or motion sensors that are currently “active” (open or sensing motion) right on the screen, eliminating the need to match LED “zone lights” with doors, windows, etc.

So how does the Grafica keypad know the exact layout of your house, you ask? Well, your alarm service provider is provided with software from the manufacturer, to “build” the layout of your home or business. You may need to provide a blueprint or simple floor plan, though. Just to let you know, ADT or Brink’s do not offer this keypad, because they do not install equipment made by this manufacturer. Your best bet is to go with a local company that specializes in installing Paradox alarm panels. Here are some more features of the Grafica keypad:

*Instantly locate open zones on your floor plan and view your entire system status.
*Receive instant feedback after an alarm, when bypassing a zone or when arming the system.
*Set up to 8 special events that will show a graphic and play a tune to remind you of an important event.
*Play you favorite tune on entry and exit delays or during a burglary or fire alarm.
*Icon driven menu guides you with visual instructions on a large graphic display screen.
*Stainless steel finished casing that comes in silver or champagne.
*Blue backlighting and laser-trimmed text make Grafica the trendiest keypad on the market.

The ADT iCenter keypad (right) has been available for several years now. It is an intuitive graphical interface, that not only arms and disarms your alarm system, but can control lights in your home, record voice messages, use as a speaker phone, and access the internet. This keypad doesn’t come cheap, though. Expect to pay from $700-$1000 (depending on whether you buy or lease the equipment) to upgrade just one keypad! Also keep in mind that this keypad will only work with ADT alarm panels.

The iCenter keypad features a touch screen that allows you to access all of its features, including:

One touch arm and disarm
One touch perimeter (arming only doors and windows, and not motion sensors) arming;
Control of up to eight different lights;
Control your garage door opener;
Individual voice mailboxes for each family member;
Arm, disarm, and check the status of your system from any touch tone phone and location;
Personalized headline news, business news, local weather, sports scores, and/or horoscopes for each family member.

ADT iCenter Keypad:

The Grafica Keypad From Paradox:

Home Alarm Keypads Go High Tech!

More Home Security Resources On Alarm System Reviews.Com:

Not too shabby, right? Ok, we admit none of these alarm keypads will make your coffee in the morning, but just wait!

DSC PK5590CL Touchscreen Keypad:

This new touchscreen keypad from DSC isn't quite as high tech as the iCenter, but it is not proprietary equipment. This means any alarm company that installs DSC products can use it (specifically with the PC1864, PC1832, and PC1616 alarm panels). Expect to pay about $900 for this keypad installed. You can customize the color of the screen to match your decor, and the onscreen help pages make user operation a snap to learn. Other features:

*Aesthetically pleasing, modern design
*High contrast color screen; Adjustable
*Access system features i.e. event buffer
*Prominently displayed FAP (Fire, Auxiliary, Panic) keys
*Change interface language to English, French, or Spanish
*Intuitive LED indication of security, system status
*Control house lights (By adding a module to your control panel)

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ADT Pulse (TM) System & Touchpad:

New from ADT is the "Pulse" system and touchpad. The Pulse system allows you to control your alarm system, cameras (only cameras that are installed by ADT, of course), lights, appliances and/or thermostat while you are at home, or remotely. Remote access for door locks should be available by the end of 2010.

You can use the portable touchpad (shown at right), desktop PC, laptop, or smartphone to access any of the enabled features. PC's and laptops use a customized web portal, and smartphones use a mobile application (or "app").

The ADT Pulse (TM) system does not use your Wi-Fi home network, but a separate private network to access enabled features. However, it does use a share your broadband internet connection's bandwidth. How much of a share depends on which features you have enabled.

Cost depends on which "Pulse Plan" you sign up for. There are currently three plans available: Select, Advantage, and Premier. Select is the most basic plan, and Premier the most elaborate. Since Pulse is not available in all areas, you can visit www.adtpulse.com to see if the system can be installed in your location.