Monthly Archives: December 2008

GE Simon XT Best Practices

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Recently, we received the following question on our forum:


“I am about to receive my Simon XT for installation in my 2 story house with three entry doors (front, rear, through garage) and 12 windows on 1st floor.  I am thinking of installing the following:

Great room which includes the rear door and 6 windows: (a motion sensor and a glass shatter sensor)

The living room/dining room combo with 5 windows: (a motion sensor and a glass shatter sensor)

The hallway with front door, and a side hallway branch including the garage entry door and a window: (a motion sensor)

Here are my questions:

1- Should I install door and window contacts as well?
2. What are the best programming practices for Simon XT that everyone should use no matter the number or type of sensors?
3. Are there multiple GSM modules available for XT and if so, which one would you recommend?

Thanks.”

Ok, lets answer these questions one by one.  

1. Should you install door and window contacts as well?  Yes!  Why?  A motion sensor is a great idea, but it should always back up existing security, not be the principle source of protection.  It will work well in conjunction with door/window contacts, not on its own.  A glass break sensor is also very helpful, but what if the thief doesn’t break the window?  What if he pries it open?  Then your glass break sensor does nothing.  Because of their stated limitations, both motion sensors and glass break sensors should be used to complement door/window sensors, not to replace them.

2. What are the best programming practices for Simon XT that everyone should use no matter the number or type of sensors?  This is a difficult question, because every application is different.  So, what are the basics that everyone should do?  The best advice I can give you is to lay out your entire system and plan everything out before you begin programming.  It will save you a ton of time and frustration.

3. Are there multiple GSM modules available for XT and if so, which one would you recommend?  There are really two options available from SafeMart that will work with the XT.  The first GSM module is the GE Simon XT GSM Wireless Cellular Module, which is designed for the XT and retails at $249.00.  The second is just a generic GSM Module of which the Uplink DigiCell AnyNET GSM Cellular Communicator, is just one.  It retails for $239.11.  Ok, now which do we recommend?  For the XT, we recommend the GE Simon XT GSM Wireless Cellular Module.  Why?  Every other GSM module is only going to report that an alarm happened, not what happened.  The GE XT GSM Module has contact ID reporting, which means that it will state exactly what sensor was tripped, allowing the monitoring company or you to know if there is a fire or a burglary, or a freeze alarm.  For the money, its the only GSM module worth buying if you have the XT.

Freeze Alarms

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According to the farmer’s almanac, and confirmed by anyone who has stepped outside in the past month (except those of you who live in San Diego), its going to be a bitterly cold winter.  You’re thinking: “Thanks, genius.  We already know that.”  Ok, good.  What you may not know is the importance of a freeze alarm.  Burst pipes can cause tons of damage.  If you haven’t experienced this first hand, trust me, you don’t want to.  So, how can you avoid this?  A freeze alarm.  Freeze alarms will notify you if the temperature dips below a certain degree, letting you assess and fix the problem before it is too late.  A freeze sensor can cost less than $40 and can save you hundreds, if not thousands in the long run.  They are easy to install and program to your existing home security system.  There’s no reason you shouldn’t be prepared, even if you can’t control the weather.

Logitech SqueezeBox Duet

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Just in time for Christmas, SafeMart is pleased to announce that is carrying the Logitech SqueezeBox Duet at incredibly low prices.  This phenomenal electronics item makes a perfect gift for the music enthusiast in your life and is available for only $339.95 from SafeMart.com.  (Do some shopping around and you’ll see that the price is as low as it gets.)


So, what exactly is the SqueezeBox Duet?  First lets discuss the benefits and then we’ll get into some of the nitty-gritty.  The SqueezeBox gives you the ability to tie all of your digital music into one place, blast it (or listen quietly) through your speakers, and control it all from the stylishly slim remote you see above.  Ok, thats cool, but its not all.  You can directly access the internet and listen to your favorite songs on Pandora, Rhapsody, etc.  And its all controlled from the remote.  You can create an MP3 locker and listen to all of your MP3s without ever turning on a computer.  

You can create playlists for any number of occasions, or scroll back and forth between songs easily.  And since the remote is WiFi, you can control your music from anywhere in the house, even if you’re not close to the receiver.

Now to the nitty-gritty.  The Squeezebox Duet does not need a computer to work.  It has its own free Internet-based service called the SqueezeNetwork, which mean you can connect without turning on your computer.  The setup is simple since a wizard walks you through the entire process.  And using the remote is incredibly intuitive.

Listen, this is not an item you want to miss this Christmas.  And at SafeMart’s low price, there’s no reason to shop elsewhere.  Trust us.  We’re sure you’ll love it.