New DSC panels 1832 / 1864

I agree with you Bob. I'm going to hang back and see. I figure it'll take about two months before they'll release an upgraded chip to take care of the "bigger bugs". Their track record on releasing new version panels hasn't been the best. I certainly wouldn't install any in a customer's premise. I'd rather test one in my own house first but my wife would find it rather strange to have two keypads sitting side by side. :-)

I saw those panels in Vegas last week. They are completely redesigned and there are eleven new keypads including wireless models and a touch screen. All hardware is backward compatible except the touch screen, and they have a new wafer-thin wireless transmitter that looks real nice. You're right about v 1.0 though, I'm a little skeptical myself. js

Aw come on RH, someone has to beta test this stuff for us and it might as well be you

Ain't me Mark, it's my customers ! I just have to clean up the shit when the version 1's act up or crap out......(no pun intended....:))

RHC

It will give me a rest from previously testing the 5010 v1, 900mhz v1 sensors and receivers, v1 Envoy, on and on and on...

Why not just tell your client exactly what you just said here, Bob? If he's reasonable and if he trusts your judgment, he'll probably accept your advice and go with something more reliable. If not, you really don't need to build a headache for yourself or your customer. Better to lose the client than to end up trying to service junk.

Yes, you're right on the money !! After hearing some of the other's gut concerns about version 1 panels, I intend to put up a mention on my website that I don't plan to install the new panels just yet. If potential clients don't like that, they can go elsewhere for service. We are so busy right now, that we have to be very careful what we take on, and with more accounts coming in the door than we can handle right, I sure as hell am not going to go out of my way to buy potential trouble....

Last time I put up what I thought was a helpful caution on my site, DSC asked me (nicely) to take it down, which I did. I'll just have to be sure I word this one carefully, so it doesn't appear to reflect on the company.

Guess I should be surprised that DSC even read my site.....

RHC

Or proud?

You can simply state that, due to the all-too-common problems experienced in the past with version 1.0 releases, until *any* new hardware has had [??] more months of "in-service testing" you do not intend to offer it. Don't be too specific about makes and models and DSC won't pester you.

You will have no problems with those panels RH, they start at v4.1

I have parts of a program sheet, it's not much different than the old panels

The DLS software for the new panels is available also

Doug L

Thanks guys....good to know those things. However, once bitten, twice shy !! I'll wait and see.....

RHC

I don't see it anywhere on the site.

Sheesh Mark. You have to click "refresh" on your *new* personal Blog first. :-)

I'm guessing a bit here, but there is a CD available for dealers from DSC which has drivers for the 1616, 1832 and 1834 panels. Its in the section with the software updates for the existing DLS 2002 software. By "updating" DLS 2002 with the drivers for these new panels, the question is, will the updated DLS 2002 now serve to communicate with these new panels (once they are available) ?

And for some reason, updating the 2002 software with the major "service pack", only serves to totally "hang" the computer (to the point where you can't even shut it down normally...)

Since this happens on more than one of my computers, I sense it's a crappy update. However, you can still load the individual driver updates without this "service pack".

RHC

You need the web auto update installed, then you will be able to select the software for the new panels

Doug L

It's in the auto update stuff, I wish they'd just list the drivers so I don't have to scab them during the update

I end up having to do that at home since it doesn't function properly at work. Got the individual files scabbed tho

DSC will be here training us the new panels Thursday and maybe I can give you an answer later that evening. If they don't actually have the panels yet that will be a good clue.

They also are making the claim that the new stuff is backwards compatable and I am not sure exactly what they think that means. I think it means the new panels will work with the OLD keypads however the new keypads look pretty good so who would want to replace the panel and keep the old keypads.

Who pays the insurance and costs of litigation to do these so-clalled bug tests?