Hello! I’m looking for some direction & appreciate any feedback. Buckle up…this is a long one. I DIY most everything I can & home security/automation is no exception. So I’m thankful I found this forum, what a great resource. I’ve read through some threads & I think many of my questions can be answered with existing thread links.
Here we go! I moved into a new house with an original DSC panel & door sensors. A Vivint system was added by the previous owner about 2/3 yrs ago. Heard this one before?
My Goal(s):
Purchase a panel & any peripheral equipment to to fill in the gaps for what I already have. I want to self monitor & leaning toward the Surety Complete self monitor plan. The IQ Panel 2 plus (345 hz) version is my panel of choice. But I’m open to suggestions. I would like the ability to view video, especially doorbell video on the panel.
I have the following equipment listed below. Some are DSC devices installed when the house was built (2008). The other devices are Vivint & I think they were installed around 2017/18. I doubt many if any Vivint devices can be taken over. The research I’ve done indicates the cameras & DW21R door sensor cannot be taken over. I believe the 2GIG-take-345 was installed in the DSC panel by Vivint & I’m hoping this can be used with a new panel to integrate the existing DSC door switches & motion detector.
Existing equipment
(1) DSC PC1616 panel
(1) 2GIG-PAD1-345
(1) DSC 5501 keypad (garage entryway)
(1) DSC AMB-300 motion detector
(1) 2GIG-take-345
(1) DW21R door sensor
(2) hard wired Magnetic Reed Switch door sensors
(1) hard wired plunger type door switch
(1) Kwikset 888 smart lock (garage entry door)
Vivint devices (takeover ?)
(1) Vivint - 2GIG-SMKT3-345 WIRELESS SMOKE DETECTOR
(1) Vivint - 2GIG C03-345 Wireless Carbon Monoxide Home Gas
Vivint devices (unable to takeover)
(1) Vivint SkyControl panel VS-SH2000-000
(1) Vivint smart hub SM2-2W10
(1) Vivint - DBC2S Doorbell Camera VS-DBC251-110
(1) Vivint - V-CAM1 Ping Indoor 1080p Wi-Fi Camera
(1) Vivint - VS-HDW400-110 Wireless Wide Angle Night Vision Waterproof Camera, Grey
I have lot’s of Questions:
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Is the IQ Panel 2 plus (345 Hz) the recommended panel?
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I’m unsure about the smoke & CO2 detectors. Can they be taken over?
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I’m also unsure about the Kwikset 888 smartlock. I believe this was supplied as part of the Vivint package & although it’s a Z-wave device, I’m unsure if it can be taken over since it may be encrypted by Vivint? I do not know the code. So if it can be taken over, how would I reset for use with a new panel?
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I assume I would be limited to a skybell doorbell camera? Are there other options?
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I also assume I would be limited to alarm.com cameras? I plan on 2 wired outdoor cameras for now.
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I would also like to add a 3rd battery powered outdoor camera. I didn’t see an option on alarm.com. Any suggestions?
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Plus I would like to add another front door z-wave Kwikset smartlock. Will this integrate with IQ Panel 2 plus?
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Are there any threads or instructions for integrating what I currently have with a new panel, etc.? I want to do as much DIY as possible but open to a service tech doing some work if necessary.
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Am I missing anything or any other recommendations or suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your guidance!