Hello, The home we purchased a few years ago already had a basic security system installed. Simple keypad with 1st floor window/door sensors and one motion detector. We're paying a company monthly for monitoring services. I'd like to go to a WiFi or connected option so I can arm and disarm from the web or phone, but just about all companies charge extra for this service, not including the new system hardware. I am actually contemplating cancelling the service, and changing the system control panel to a something (if available) that does the same duties as the alarm system but without monitoring. Realistically, if an alarm event occurs, if the panel was connected, I could call the police myself whether I am home or not. Does anyone have any product recommendations?

I am considering buying a spec home that is already built but the builder did not make any provisions for pre-wiring. So, I have asked at a minimum for a power outlet and possibly a internet cable outlet in a closet. I am thinking of purchasing a DSC Powerseries system (1864, 1832) and adding Envisalink to connect to a home modem and using wireless keypads (WT5500) and Receiver (TR5164). The home is on a slab and no crawl space so adding any wires at this point is significantly challenging. Why a builder took such a short cut is beyond me but that is a different issue. I have a DSC 1864 today but unfortunately my [U]current[/U] home closet did not have an internet connection so I had to put a wireless wifi extender in the same closet which then connects to the home modem. Never had an issues and responses were very fast. In the new home, I would like to remove the variable of using a wifi wireless extender by asking the builder to run a cable outlet and power outlets at a minimum. I hope we can figure that out but if not I will fall back to the wireless extender. However, I am clueless to wireless keypads. When I searched I found very little on how reliable, battery life, distance, interference, etc. the units are. I learned through research I need to buy a TR5164 receiver and match up the version numbers so they synch. I also learned you can only register the WT5500s to partition 1 only so you lose the ability to have multiple partions. Otherwise, they seem to work just like a wired keypad with a receiver except the TR5164 seems to be serving the purpose as the receiver and the WT5500 is just a keypad only. The other item I have learned is there are very specific motion detector models, CO, Fire, etc. that must be used with a WT5500/TR5164 but that is a non-issue since I am having to buy everything new. Are there other considerations or drawbacks assuming I can work out the distance and interference based on location of power series, TR5164 receiver and keypad? Anything I might be missing in terms of not having any prewire? Anyone using a similar configuration and any issues/concerns? Appreciate feedback, guidance, gotcha's in advance.