I’d like to get some input from experts on how best to design my security system for my needs. Any input greatly appreciated.
Current equipment:
2GIG GC2 (1)
2GIG TS1 (1)
2GIG DW10s on entry/exit doors (2)
2GIG DW10 on rear sliding glass door (1)
2GIG GB1 (glassbreak) in main open living space (1)
2GIG PIR motion sensor covers main open living space (1)
2GIG DW10 sensors, purchased but not yet used (10)
LiftMaster MyQ garage control (828LM/888LM)
Home:
1 level, 3BR/2BA, with 2-car garage (1 door).
Large dog roams house during day. PIR remains bypassed except when dog is boarded.
Said dog not much of a deterrent (would rather lick than bark).
Problem:
I have 10 openable windows, and I bought 10 DW10s to cover them. Problem is, they are double hung windows, and the standard DW10 sensor & magnet won’t fit in between the upper/lower panes, so I can’t monitor both panes with a single DW10 sensor. Of the 10 double hung windows:
2 in dining area (covered by PIR/glassbreak)
1 in office (not covered)
2 in master bedroom (not covered)
1 in master bathroom (not covered)
2 in kids bedroom #1 (not covered)
1 in kids bedroom #2 (not covered)
1 in kids/guest bathroom (not covered)
Options I’m considering:
Locate thinner magnet to use with existing DW10, which will allow me to mount single DW10 to monitor both panes. Google searching finds that Simplisafe offers “slim” (1.10"L x 0.39"W x 0.20"H) sensor magnets to their customers, but I can’t find anything available to the general public. Do these exist? Can anyone suggest or recommend a thin, generic magnet with the DW10?
Locate thinner off-the-shelf sensor that will allow me to double hung window with 1 sensor.
Use two DW10s per window (or, at least the ones not covered by PIR or glassbreak).
Put ceiling mounted glassbreaks all rooms with windows (optionally, add DW10 on bottom panes).
Put PIRs in Bedrooms only (optional DW10s on bottom window panes). Don’t worry about bathrooms, assume intruder would eventually trip bedroom/living-room PIR. Dog does not have access to bedrooms during day (we close doors to keep dog off the carpet).
Thoughts:
Options 1-3 do not monitor against glass break. I could connect wired shock sensors to the DW10s for option #3, but then I’m at 4 sensors per window (2 sensors + 2 shocks) so I think I’ll run out of wireless zones on my GC2 panel.
This keeps steering me to options #4 and #5. Is PIR sensor the preferred solution here? I think I’d need fewer PIRs than glassbreaks. And seems the glassbreaks are really intended as a 2nd or 3rd line of defense rather than primary protection.
Also, I’m new to security, and I’m not sure how I feel about having a PIR sensor in my bedroom. Is this common accepted practice to do this? Are these things always “on” even when the system is disarmed?
Would there be any problem having four PIRs (1 main, 3 bedroom) connected wirelessly to my GC2 panel?
Locate thinner off-the-shelf sensor that will allow me to double hung window with 1 sensor.
Resolution products RE222 would be the sensor you are looking for. They are as thin as I am aware of as far as sensor magnets go.
The ideal setup would be based on how you plan to use the system. PIRs aren’t the best choice if you will rarely have them armed due to pets. However, they provide the best all-around protection with the lowest investment typically.
Glass Breaks should not be used instead of DW contacts, but in addition to DW contacts they are highly beneficial. They can also cover a wider range, if the windows are not broken up by walls and you have line of sight to 3 or 4 windows within range of a glass break detector, it would be much more cost effective than a shock sensor on every pane, which would require two DW10s per window anyway.
What is the size of the dog? Certain motion detector models are better with pet sensitivity than others. RE210P for example covers up to 85 lbs give or take (the real limit is height and heat signature size, weight is just a guideline)
Ideally, you could use one RE222 per window, and a few motion detectors to cover the interior.
Also, I’m new to security, and I’m not sure how I feel about having a PIR sensor in my bedroom. Is this common accepted practice to do this? Are these things always “on” even when the system is disarmed?
Would there be any problem having four PIRs (1 main, 3 bedroom) connected wirelessly to my GC2 panel?
Standard PIRs are fine to go wherever they are needed and where they will not generate false alarms. They should not directly face windows or nearby vents. Sunlight and HVAC are common false alarm causes.
Are you instead referring to the Image Sensor? There is a max of 3 image sensors per 2GIG panel.
Standard PIRs are only limited by max zones on panel. (1.14.01 boosts that number to 60 total wireless zones.)
Resolution products RE222 would be the sensor you are looking for. They are as thin as I am aware of as far as sensor magnets go.
RE222 looks promising. Is this sensor smaller than the 2GIG DW10? I can’t find a clear statement of the dimensions for just the magnet, which is the critical factor that will determine whether or not it fits between my double hung panes. It needs to be about 5/16" or less, I think, to fit my windows. The only spec I can find for the RE222 is 1.8 x .77 x .39 inches which I assume is for the whole unit, not just the magnet.
Assuming RE222 will work, then I think that eliminates options #1 and #3, and leads me to a solution which consists of one RE222 per window (hopefully), and either PIR motion or glassbreak sensors to supplement coverage.
PIRs aren’t the best choice if you will rarely have them armed due to pets
The only PIR sensor that would ever be bypassed is the main dining/living area (which is covered by an existing glassbreak). If I added PIR sensors to the bedrooms, then those would never be bypassed, because the pet does not have access to those bedrooms when we’re away. Although with 85lb immunity, sounds like it wouldn’t matter if the dog got in there anyway.
What is the size of the dog? Certain motion detector models are better with pet sensitivity than others. RE210P for example covers up to 85 lbs give or take (the real limit is height and heat signature size, weight is just a guideline)
Our dog is 40-50lbs. I definitely don’t want to risk false alarms from a PIR motion sensor, but perhaps there’s enough margin if I use the RE210P (85lbs immunity) to cover that.
Are you instead referring to the Image Sensor? There is a max of 3 image sensors per 2GIG panel
Ah, yes, I didn’t realize that limitation applied only to the image sensor only.
They should not directly face windows or nearby vents. Sunlight and HVAC are common false alarm causes.
Our vents are on ceilings, pointing down. I’ve made a rough sketch of my bedrooms in the attached PDF. If you were going to put PIR motion sensors in those rooms, where would you suggest doing that? Hopefully it’s clear where the windows/doors/vents are.
Does it matter if I use RE222 or RE222T? I’ve got the 2GIG GC2 panel.
I found a couple of posts that mentioned the ‘T’ model, but I’m not sure if that’s merely a branding/labeling difference, or if there’s actually a functional difference and I have to have one or the other for my 2GIG panel.
For what it’s worth, the Resolution customer service guy told me that the RE222 or RE222t should both work with 2GIG. RE222t will be the 2GIG branded version. RE222 will be Honeywell.
Last, do you guys have a storefront (or other affiliated store) where I could purchase from? I can’t find this locally, so I’ll have to order it. Would be happy to send this business your way.
