Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation Re: Porter Davis HoneyWell automation 2Feb 21, 2017 10:27 pm We are installing a Honeywell Tuxedo Touch in our new build with PD. I choose it because there are many different modules to control a variety of things and can be expanded gradually. I've got a couple of light modules, lamp modules, a garage door module and a controller to test before our build finishes in September. The Tuxedo is a bit old in regards to specification but it allows me to use 1 smartphone app or the touch terminal to control the alarm, lights and cameras rather than several apps. Also I'm led to believe that the alarm sensors can also be used to trigger home automation events. EG: turn on hall light when motion detected at night or turn on all outside lights when alarm condition tripped. It's limited by the number of devices you have then your imagination. The Tuxedo isn't as good as dedicated zwave controllers but it offers quite a bit as in one package including a full dedicated alarm. Also be aware that LED lights can be a bit of a bother with some zwave light modules and often require dimable led's even for on/off function, further adding to cost. Google is your friend with heaps of info out there. At the time PD were about $250 per automated point. On ebay a light module and switch and plate will cost about $150 plus electrician to install. It's not too badly priced with PD. watch out for zwave from overseas suppliers because it uses different frequency for wireless communication and is not compatible with the Australian zwave products. It's a shame because it's at least half the price. If you are in Melbourne there is a local alarm installer that was installing the Tuxedo Touch for $1500 with wired or wireless sensors as opposed to PD $2500 with wired sensors. Keep in mind wired sensors are almost impossible on ground floor post construction and PD don't want/let others on site during the build. I think his website is vistaalarms.com.au (Honeywell Vista is te alarm panel controlled by the Tuxedo) I'll likely use it to test what home automation can add to our lives then switch over to a dedicated zwave controller. The Tuxedo will then just do alarm only. Good luck. Re: Porter Davis HoneyWell automation 3Jul 16, 2017 8:12 pm [quote="Snail_D3"]We are installing a Honeywell Tuxedo Touch in our new build with PD. I choose it because there are many different modules to control a variety of things and can be expanded gradually. I've got a couple of light modules, lamp modules, a garage door module and a controller to test before our build finishes in September. The Tuxedo is a bit old in regards to specification but it allows me to use 1 smartphone app or the touch terminal to control the alarm, lights and cameras rather than several apps. Also I'm led to believe that the alarm sensors can also be used to trigger home automation events. EG: turn on hall light when motion detected at night or turn on all outside lights when alarm condition tripped. It's limited by the number of devices you have then your imagination. The Tuxedo isn't as good as dedicated zwave controllers but it offers quite a bit as in one package including a full dedicated alarm. Also be aware that LED lights can be a bit of a bother with some zwave light modules and often require dimable led's even for on/off function, further adding to cost. Google is your friend with heaps of info out there. At the time PD were about $250 per automated point. On ebay a light module and switch and plate will cost about $150 plus electrician to install. It's not too badly priced with PD. watch out for zwave from overseas suppliers because it uses different frequency for wireless communication and is not compatible with the Australian zwave products. It's a shame because it's at least half the price. If you are in Melbourne there is a local alarm installer that was installing the Tuxedo Touch for $1500 with wired or wireless sensors as opposed to PD $2500 with wired sensors. Keep in mind wired sensors are almost impossible on ground floor post construction and PD don't want/let others on site during the build. I think his website is vistaalarms.com.au (Honeywell Vista is te alarm panel controlled by the Tuxedo) I'll likely use it to test what home automation can add to our lives then switch over to a dedicated zwave controller. The Tuxedo will then just do alarm only. Good luck.[/qoute] I'm planning on building with PD and wanted to get some info about the Tuxedo system. Do you know which security panel Argus install with the Tuxedo? Is it a 12a? And do you know if the automation scenes can be triggered using the alarm motion sensors? Cheers, Kaz Re: Porter Davis HoneyWell automation 4Jul 17, 2017 11:53 am Kazz Snail_D3 We are installing a Honeywell Tuxedo Touch in our new build... Kazz I'm planning on building with PD and wanted to get some info about the Tuxedo system. Do you know which security panel Argus install with the Tuxedo? Is it a 12a? And do you know if the automation scenes can be triggered using the alarm motion sensors? Cheers, Kaz [/quote] Hi Kaz, We've upgraded our Alarm panel to a Vista 48A panel from standard panel which, if I recall correctly, was the Vista 12A. We had to upgrade because we wanted more wired alarm zones than the standard could handle. We were lucky enough to be referred to the team leader of electrical at WOS. She was very helpful and followed up the more tricky questions like you are asking. But... there seems to be a limit to their knowledge because they don't have so much day to day hands on usage of some of their products. I spoke with a alarm installer and he explained that the Alarm panels sensors would become part of the Tuxedo automation section. I can only assume that this means they can be used when configuring automation scenes. We're not to far away from handover so I should be able to answer that question with certainty in about a month or 2. Dale. Re: Porter Davis HoneyWell automation 5Jul 19, 2017 8:07 pm I’m building with PD as well and have opted for the Tuxedo Touch as that was the only option available via PD for home security, and I intend to use it only for that purpose and have a dedicated home automation platform like Homeseer. Over on the Homeseer forums, it looks like people have had some limited /no success with using the Tuxedo Touch as a secondary controller. My plan is to completely bypass the Tuxedo Touch and integrate directly with the Honeywell Vista 12A security module using an interface controller like Envisalink (more $$$ unfortunately). Coincidentally, Argus have started with the rough- ins for wiring this week, and I got to ask the cabler on site if that was possible, and seemed to think so. Other item to note...despite what PD, YouTube videos & brouchers may have told you, there is no mobile app (at least a local version) which allows you to remotely control the home security panel. I got this info direct from Honeywell Australia. The only option they said is available at the moment is to use the Tuxedo Web Interface, but that requires you to be on your Home network physically or via Portforwarding/VPN. They do offer an API though, so will need to test it out in a few months when I move in to the house. There is a TotalConnect app available in the U.S. App Store, but not sure if it would work with the Tuxedo Touch. Dale - how many zones do you have which made you upgrade to the Vista 48? I just went with 3 hardwired zones, with upgraded PIR sensors. If I feel the need for adding more sensors, I’ll have to go down the wireless route... Re: Porter Davis HoneyWell automation 6Jul 19, 2017 11:20 pm sinbox I’m building with PD as well and have opted for the Tuxedo Touch as that was the only option available via PD for home security, and I intend to use it only for that purpose and have a dedicated home automation platform like Homeseer. Over on the Homeseer forums, it looks like people have had some limited /no success with using the Tuxedo Touch as a secondary controller. My plan is to completely bypass the Tuxedo Touch and integrate directly with the Honeywell Vista 12A security module using an interface controller like Envisalink (more $$$ unfortunately). Coincidentally, Argus have started with the rough- ins for wiring this week, and I got to ask the cabler on site if that was possible, and seemed to think so. Other item to note...despite what PD, YouTube videos & brouchers may have told you, there is no mobile app (at least a local version) which allows you to remotely control the home security panel. I got this info direct from Honeywell Australia. The only option they said is available at the moment is to use the Tuxedo Web Interface, but that requires you to be on your Home network physically or via Portforwarding/VPN. They do offer an API though, so will need to test it out in a few months when I move in to the house. There is a TotalConnect app available in the U.S. App Store, but not sure if it would work with the Tuxedo Touch. Dale - how many zones do you have which made you upgrade to the Vista 48? I just went with 3 hardwired zones, with upgraded PIR sensors. If I feel the need for adding more sensors, I’ll have to go down the wireless route... It sound like you have looked into quite a bit too. The Tuxedo as a secondary controller is pretty much a no go from what I have read and we have a second tuxedo taking up this space anyway. The Vista Panels with Envisalink or AD2USB seem to work quite well to allow control of the alarm with a z-wave controller. The advertising for the Tuxedo in AUS is a certainly misleading about using the Total Connect 2.0 App even though it is only available in the US. I don't think it is the App not working but more the Total Connect servers in between your phone and your alarm panel that aren't available in AUS and I doubt they ever will be. There seems to be very limited information around for the Tuxedo even though there seems to be plenty of use of Vista panels. I will configure our network to allow access to the local Web Interface remotely if I have a need. I would be interested in the finding out a bit more on the API so I'll look into it when we are in and when I get some spare time. We have 6 wired PIR sensors which was apparently the limit for the 12A so we were told we had to upgrade. During construction 9 more wired zones were added for ground level door and windows. The 48A has 8 Basic wired zones but if I recall correctly we are also getting a zone expansion board along with a wireless receiver and keyfob remotes. In total we will have 15 Zones, 2 remotes, 2 Tuxedos, 1 keypad and 1 garage opener relay. I also have provision for external perimeter sensors. One side of our property is exposed to easy access by jumping a side fence, so I may put sensors beams there if we feel uncomfortable about it. I thought about just doing wireless sensor upgrades too but didn't want to be changing batteries almost yearly. I'm not really sure if everything will work out how I would like it, but if it doesn't I will do similar to you by using Envisalink to connect to the alarm panel and change the Tuxedos to a tablet for Homeseer or similar. On you searches have you found anything else that offers an all in one approach like the tuxedo, Homeseer and others aside? EG: 1 app to do it all - cameras, alarm, doorbell, security, automation etc? Dale. Re: Porter Davis HoneyWell automation 7Jul 20, 2017 12:06 am Snail_D3 sinbox I’m building with PD as well and have opted for the Tuxedo Touch as that was the only option available via PD for home security, and I intend to use it only for that purpose and have a dedicated home automation platform like Homeseer. Over on the Homeseer forums, it looks like people have had some limited /no success with using the Tuxedo Touch as a secondary controller. My plan is to completely bypass the Tuxedo Touch and integrate directly with the Honeywell Vista 12A security module using an interface controller like Envisalink (more $$$ unfortunately). Coincidentally, Argus have started with the rough- ins for wiring this week, and I got to ask the cabler on site if that was possible, and seemed to think so. Other item to note...despite what PD, YouTube videos & brouchers may have told you, there is no mobile app (at least a local version) which allows you to remotely control the home security panel. I got this info direct from Honeywell Australia. The only option they said is available at the moment is to use the Tuxedo Web Interface, but that requires you to be on your Home network physically or via Portforwarding/VPN. They do offer an API though, so will need to test it out in a few months when I move in to the house. There is a TotalConnect app available in the U.S. App Store, but not sure if it would work with the Tuxedo Touch. Dale - how many zones do you have which made you upgrade to the Vista 48? I just went with 3 hardwired zones, with upgraded PIR sensors. If I feel the need for adding more sensors, I’ll have to go down the wireless route... It sound like you have looked into quite a bit too. The Tuxedo as a secondary controller is pretty much a no go from what I have read and we have a second tuxedo taking up this space anyway. The Vista Panels with Envisalink or AD2USB seem to work quite well to allow control of the alarm with a z-wave controller. The advertising for the Tuxedo in AUS is a certainly misleading about using the Total Connect 2.0 App even though it is only available in the US. I don't think it is the App not working but more the Total Connect servers in between your phone and your alarm panel that aren't available in AUS and I doubt they ever will be. There seems to be very limited information around for the Tuxedo even though there seems to be plenty of use of Vista panels. I will configure our network to allow access to the local Web Interface remotely if I have a need. I would be interested in the finding out a bit more on the API so I'll look into it when we are in and when I get some spare time. We have 6 wired PIR sensors which was apparently the limit for the 12A so we were told we had to upgrade. During construction 9 more wired zones were added for ground level door and windows. The 48A has 8 Basic wired zones but if I recall correctly we are also getting a zone expansion board along with a wireless receiver and keyfob remotes. In total we will have 15 Zones, 2 remotes, 2 Tuxedos, 1 keypad and 1 garage opener relay. I also have provision for external perimeter sensors. One side of our property is exposed to easy access by jumping a side fence, so I may put sensors beams there if we feel uncomfortable about it. I thought about just doing wireless sensor upgrades too but didn't want to be changing batteries almost yearly. I'm not really sure if everything will work out how I would like it, but if it doesn't I will do similar to you by using Envisalink to connect to the alarm panel and change the Tuxedos to a tablet for Homeseer or similar. On you searches have you found anything else that offers an all in one approach like the tuxedo, Homeseer and others aside? EG: 1 app to do it all - cameras, alarm, doorbell, security, automation etc? Dale. I have not seen a single app which manages everything you want. The closest that comes to mind is the Alarm.com offering which is now available in Australia, but is a subscription based service and starts at $35 pm... Re: Porter Davis HoneyWell automation 8Aug 15, 2017 10:20 pm It will really only work with some honeywell products and not products from other suppliers. Thats why they havent given you any information Re: Porter Davis HoneyWell automation 9Oct 12, 2017 10:00 am I don't have a lot to add about the Honeywell product, so can't help there but I would be very reluctant to let Argus install anything this complicated for me. They did the pre-wire in our house, and we had to rip almost everything they did out and pay to have it re-done, to the point where a lot of the work was refunded due to it not being up to scratch (even basic things like speaker cabling was done poorly, with spliced cables hiding in the roof, HDMI cables stapled to the inside of walls, etc). I would seriously consider having this done after handover, or during construction by a third party - if you lean hard enough on PD they'll allow you to do things like this, especially if you negotiate before signing the tender document. Re: Porter Davis HoneyWell automation 10Oct 12, 2017 5:59 pm I was told a definite no at sales, even though I am installing a 35k theatre room in my home. Argus have a Licence to print money with the PD contract. Doesn't surprise me, but does worry me. Building a Madison 45 with Porter Davis Madison 45 Blog (Send me a PM with your email address to be added) Wow that is terrible about the insurance! I guess ideally proof of insurance should be provided prior to first deposit but I'd imagine they would refuse to be out of… 17 14232 There isn't any need to. As I wrote previously, there isn't a set term, there is just commencement based on earlier of contract signing or building permit issue and… 24 13383 Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 6491 |