Any knowledge / insight / info on DMP panels?

Eric B. · 2008-10-17T04:44:23+00:00

Hi,I had a dealer come by the house today and try to extoll the virtues of a DMP system. I'll be honest; I've never heard of DMP before. I've heard and worked with Napco, DSC and even Paradox, but DMP is a new one to me. So I tried to do a little research, but I find information for DMP is not necessarily easy to find from anywhere other than DMP itself.Is there a reason for this? Is DMP considered a "good" alarm to have? If ever I decide to switch monitoring companies, is DMP commonly supported, or might it be difficult for me to find? The dealer told me that they have an exclusivity to distribute DMP in the local market. Additionally, searching for parts and/or components online yielded very few hits; I can't seem to find anybody selling DMP parts. Is this not a popular system, or is this simply not as much of a DIY-style panel?Thanks for any info!Eric

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tourman 17 years ago

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RHC: Eric, I have had 15 years of experience with Paradox and have about 700 of their panels in service. Overall, they make a fine panel although like all manufacturers they have made their share of stupid mistakes. However, anytime they have, they've always "stepped up to the plate" and made it right. They are a young and progressive company, constantly bringing out the latest modifications to their panels. The downside to this of course is the constant learning curve that goes along with it. They are right in the middle with backward compatibility, with some of their newer panels not able to use the older keypads, resulting in the need to stock spare parts more than normal.

They sell all around the world, and have not concentrated much on the saturated US market. I could be wrong, but I have heard it said they are the biggest supplier of alarm panels in Brazil. They have a new "Stay D" function which hasn't caught on here in North America, but seems to be accepted in Europe and elsewhere.

Their tech support is VERY good. Their wireless is also very good, although they have had one small unit that was not so good. They have a range of panels from small to huge, with the largest are only applicable to large commercial customers. Overall, their product line is superior to DSC, another Canadian supplier, although programming is quite unique to their company. They don't seem to need as much service as the DSC line, and have none of DSC's propensity to have weird firmware problems solved only by "power down and power up and problem is solved..??"

They are not like DMP. Any dealer can take on their product.

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Crash Gordon 17 years ago

That's *ridiculously* cheap for DMP XT50 & LCD Keypad (you don't say which panel configuration though but its still too cheap)

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Crash Gordon 17 years ago

He won't be in biz long at those prices.

As good as wireless is these days, if the house is wired PROPERLY, there's no reason to go wireless. Wired devices are cheaper if the wiring is in the right place (plus other considerations regarding wiring)

What part of the world are you in...is this in USD?

....

I once knew an alarm guy, that thought selling equipment at a profit was unethical immoral, he sold stuff at what he paid for it and just charged for labor (of course his wife and kids had to help install it)....needless to say he is/was an idiot.

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Eric B. 17 years ago

*laugh* The ironic thing is that this is a company that has been in business for over 20yrs already. I dont know how much of their business model is based on profit on hardware vs profit on labour & support. They are a large monitoring company, so it is very possible that they decided to make HW cheap in order to entice more clientelle. And if they are truly exclusive for DMP in the area, then once I have a DMP system installed in my house, I'm pretty much stuck to use them for monitoring...

Forgive my ignorance, but what is your definition of wired properly? What other considerations are their to wiring apart from making sure that the wiring is in the correct locations?

Actually, its in CDN. I'm in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. And with the Cdn dollar taking a beating these last couple of weeks, it would translate to even cheaper in USD.

Thanks,

Eric

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Eric B. 17 years ago

I read what little I could about the "Stay D" function on their website, and am extremely confused by it. I figure I must be misunderstanding something. From my understanding, it seems like everytime someone opens a window, or a door, or ..., you need to disarm the system (or that zone in question). Which would imply needing either to run around to the keypad everytime I decide to crack open a window, or carry a wireless remote with me everywhere I go in the house.

Am I misreading this? It just doesn't sound very practical at all...

Will they support end users as well, or only dealers?

How would you rate / compare them to Ademco?

Thanks so much for the info!

Eric

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Eric B. 17 years ago

Are there multiple configurations for the same box? Would it make more sense if he quoted me the wrong unit and was quoting me for the XT30 instead, or still be too cheap?

Tx,

Eric

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tourman 17 years ago

RHC: Dont feel bad; I have taken their course for dealers and am still confused about it. As close as I can see, it is like every zone on 24 hr, with the ability to bypass automatically zones as required. In dangerous environments, it might serve a purpose, but for the average residential user in Canada, it is needlessly complex.

RHC: They only support dealers as far as I know. Very few alarm manufacturers (if any) will support end users directly. Their customers are dealers, not end users. End users are either the customers of dealers, or very much "on their own".

RHC: I don't use Ademco, so my comments must be taken in that vein. As far as I know (my impressions only), Ademco is solid but a bit old fashioned, and as a company doesn't move very quickly in the marketplace, while Paradox probably moves the quickest that I know. I would suspect that Paradox is far more modern equipment than Ademco. But is this really a good thing ? People want only trouble free alarms that do what they are supposed to do. All the whizbang stuff in my experience goes largely ignored and ends up being turned of by most installing companies. However, it's there if the end user needs it. The Stay D function is an option, and can be turned off as well.

RHC; Eric, I don't know much about DMP, but if you are in Canada, it would probably be wise to consider a Canadian company, for ease of supply and pricing. That pretty much limits you to Ademco, DSC, Paradox and Caddyx....

R.H.Campbell Home Security Metal Products Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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Crash Gordon 17 years ago

inline...

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Crash Gordon 17 years ago

Yes, different configurations. It can transmit by Telco/Network/Cellular so the panel comes in a couple (maybe 3, I forget) combinations.

I haven't installed an XT yet (they're relatively new) so I'd have to look it up. As soon as I get some time I'm going to order one to play with.

Even if it's the 30 it's still pretty cheap if its Dialer/Network/Cellular panel.

If it's the 30 with just dialer/network and no can + lcd keypad - its STILL a "fair" price.

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tourman 17 years ago

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RHC: Correction....Ademco and Caddyx are American companies. What I meant to say was that these panel lines are common here in Canada, at least in our area. Sorry....

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Bob 17 years ago

r u guys still getting caddx panels? they've been GE for a year or 3 in the US. ps Canada is in N America. ;)

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tourman 17 years ago

RHC: Could be....I don't follow all the takeover news in the security business. I just know that those four makes are available through a number of dealers hereabouts. ADT use Ademco locally as do Protectron. Caddyx is no where near as common but available. It seems DSC is most common followed by Paradox in Eastern Canada. Just about every other make doesn't even show up at all.....

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Russell Brill 17 years ago

Why would DMP talk to you? You're a homeowner, not a big commercial account... Most of the DMP dealers out here install mostly commercial, they leave the residential jobs to all of the ADT dealers.......... You know, FREE, FREE, FREE, FREE, FREE everything...

>

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Eric B. 17 years ago

Overall I liked the concept, but I just had a lot of difficulty understanding how it works out for the average user. End result - I don't htink I would end up going with StayD.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm very much leaning away from DMP and towards Ademco or DSC, but like I said, the pricing for DMP is so cheap, it is hard not to give it fair consideration. Also, someone has now thrown the Elk M1 into the mix of things to consider, so I'm looking at that as well. However, I don't know how easy it is to find supply for Elk in Canada, or how good their wireless is (not that I currently need wireless, but just nice to know that I have that backup option). Plus a lot of people seem to have issues with DSC, so I wouldn't want to find myself shopping for problems either...

Do you have any knowledge about Elk?

Thanks,

Eric

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Eric B. 17 years ago

Got the updated list from the dealer today:

1 DMP XT50 and reprogram the system and test all of the zones with central $240 1 DMP Aqualite LCD keypad 7060 130$ 1 double tech Bosch- ISM-BLD1-PF1 motion detector 75$ 1 smoke detector Sentrol 541NCSXTE 95$ 1 double tech motion detector 75$ 1 double tech Bosch- ISM-BLD1-PF1 motion detector in the hallway on the room level floor 75$ 1 smoke detector Sentrol 541NCSXTE 95$ 1 glassbreak detector in the Den in front of the patio doors 120$ 1 carbon monoxide detector Sentrol 541NCSXTE 95$ 1 power supply unit 1 Amp.105$ 1 smoke detector Sentrol 541NCSXTE in the hallway on the room level 95$

From your previous post, sounds like the XT50 and the keypad is an unbelievable bargain. What about the other components? How do they rate?

Thanks,

Eric

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Eric B. 17 years ago

Because I'm calling them up trying to find out through whom I can buy their product. I'm not asking them for tech information - just the name and number of a local dealer... Napco called me back very quickly. As did Ademco/Honeywell.

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Crash Gordon 17 years ago

Unbelievable bargain dood...what are they charging for labor 200usd per hour? Look for hidden stuff in contract to make up for not making any money from the install. Seriously.

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karljacoboski 17 years ago

Back before DS (Detection Systems) was purchased by Bosch, DS bought Radionics. Some of the Engineers didn't like the change and went to work for DMP. Just after that (cira 1998) DMP came out with all kinds of module that used addressable Radionics Poppit modules, and kits to retro a DMP board into a Radionics enclosure....ect Hmmmmm.....very coincidental, several lawsuits insued. DMP tried to make their own Poppit version (711) which for lack of a better term, still suck! Since then most Radionics/Bosch Dealers really don't like DMP.

DMP is associated somehow with Atlas Alarm based somewhere out of Missouri.

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Anyway they aren't too highly regarded in the alarm industry, they always have grandeous announcements about the product, like... it can do anything anyone else can but even than imagination! it makes toast, it installs itself, it can outperform the latest Intel Xenon 8 core processor, it'll pick your kids up from school too! The engineering, product and marketing is powered by pure Unobtainuim.

(P.S. I installed that crap for a dealer a few years ago, the company that bought him is still replacing it out and starting a lucritive boat anchor division.)

As far as the Bosch/Radionics comments go, to each his own. I've found the Radionics product very dependable and durable if correctly installed. Their primarily market is geared towards commercial and industrial applications, not residential. Next time you goto the biggest retailer in the world AKA Walmart check out the Radionics keypads on the wall.

Most dealer with a conscience will give you the lock code or unlock the panel for you by request. You paid for it, you should be able to choose your service provider, unless they have you locked into a 5yr monitoring contract, even then you can pay the penalty and use whomever you want to.

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karljacoboski 17 years ago

Back before DS (Detection Systems) was purchased by Bosch, DS bought Radionics. Some of the Engineers didn't like the change and went to work for DMP. Just after that (cira 1998) DMP came out with all kinds of module that used addressable Radionics Poppit modules, and kits to retro a DMP board into a Radionics enclosure....ect Hmmmmm.....very coincidental, several lawsuits insued. DMP tried to make their own Poppit version (711) which for lack of a better term, still suck! Since then most Radionics/Bosch Dealers really don't like DMP.

DMP is associated somehow with Atlas Alarm based somewhere out of Missouri.

formatting link

Anyway they aren't too highly regarded in the alarm industry, they always have grandeous announcements about the product, like... it can do anything anyone else can but even than imagination! it makes toast, it installs itself, it can outperform the latest Intel Xenon 8 core processor, it'll pick your kids up from school too! The engineering, product and marketing is powered by pure Unobtainuim.

(P.S. I installed that crap for a dealer a few years ago, the company that bought him is still replacing it out and starting a lucritive boat anchor division.)

As far as the Bosch/Radionics comments go, to each his own. I've found the Radionics product very dependable and durable if correctly installed. Their primarily market is geared towards commercial and industrial applications, not residential. Next time you goto the biggest retailer in the world AKA Walmart check out the Radionics keypads on the wall.

Most dealer with a conscience will give you the lock code or unlock the panel for you by request. You paid for it, you should be able to choose your service provider, unless they have you locked into a 5yr monitoring contract, even then you can pay the penalty and use whomever you want to.

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karljacoboski 17 years ago

Back before DS (Detection Systems) was purchased by Bosch, DS bought Radionics. Some of the Engineers didn't like the change and went to work for DMP. Just after that (cira 1998) DMP came out with all kinds of module that used addressable Radionics Poppit modules, and kits to retro a DMP board into a Radionics enclosure....ect Hmmmmm.....very coincidental, several lawsuits insued. DMP tried to make their own Poppit version (711) which for lack of a better term, still suck! Since then most Radionics/Bosch Dealers really don't like DMP.

DMP is associated somehow with Atlas Alarm based somewhere out of Missouri.

formatting link

Anyway they aren't too highly regarded in the alarm industry, they always have grandeous announcements about the product, like... it can do anything anyone else can but even than imagination! it makes toast, it installs itself, it can outperform the latest Intel Xenon 8 core processor, it'll pick your kids up from school too! The engineering, product and marketing is powered by pure Unobtainuim.

(P.S. I installed that @#$%& for a dealer a few years ago, the company that bought him is still replacing it out and starting a lucritive boat anchor division.)

As far as the Bosch/Radionics comments go, to each his own. I've found the Radionics product very dependable and durable if correctly installed. Their primarily market is geared towards commercial and industrial applications, not residential. Next time you goto the biggest retailer in the world AKA Walmart check out the Radionics keypads on the wall.

Most dealer with a conscience will give you the lock code or unlock the panel for you by request. You paid for it, you should be able to choose your service provider, unless they have you locked into a 5yr monitoring contract, even then you can pay the penalty and use whomever you want to.

Vote