Multi-Use Wired Contact/Montion Sensors

[Splise]

Hi all,

My apologies if this has been asked before, and for the length, I wasn't able to find clear answers to my questions through my research and vendor discussions.  I have a few specific questions regarding contact/motion sensors, and also a broader question regarding the viability of C4 for my purposes.

I am in the process of building a new home and am intending to use C4 everywhere I can, including hybrid-panelized lighting.  However, the further I get in the process the more I question the viability of such an expensive solution.  I mean no disrespect, I really like what C4 has to offer, I am just struggling with the (legacy) price point in lieu of the multitude of semi-comparable products on the market today.  I was intending on using an open source solution initially, so that may be where I am struggling with hardware/software limitations and price.  As an quick example, the C4 DS2 can steam at 640 × 480 and it costs $1200.  Whereas a comparable DoorBird or Ring Elite can stream at 1080P, and are half the price. 

This is probably the wrong place to ask this, but is C4 still a good option in 2020?

I am also hoping for some suggestions on the best wired contact/motion sensors which can be used with C4, a Honeywell alarm system etc.?  I am also looking for any additional hardware or efficiencies in order to ensure things integrate properly.  I realize they are generally mutually exclusive systems, but would like to combine where possible.  Or is that not a good idea?

Essentially, I want the sensors to be hardware/software agnostic, where the intent is to use any generated event from a sensor etc. for any function I chose.  I like the Faradite360 sensors, but they seem a bit involved to get working.  I haven't eliminated them from the equation, however.  I am unsure if the C4 Dry Contact or IO Extenders are even available at this point?  But they are a bit pricey too.  Then there are Brainboxes ED-549 and Brainboxes ED-588 which can be used with the Faradite sensors, but they are $350-$700 a piece.

I would prefer not to have a debate about wired vs wireless solutions.  I understand that wireless devices have come a long way, and are the "go to" now, but I always prefer wired over wireless where it makes sense.  If I can't use wired products, I will look at wireless.

Below is  list of the relevant parts identified so far as part of the build.  They may shed some light on the best way to wire in the contact and motion sensors for multi-use?  The other issue I am concerned about is the latency from sensor trigger to actual action.  I.E. Someone walks into a dark room, but the light doesn't turn on for a few seconds.

Thanks in advance for any assistance!!

C4 Components:


Alarm and Sensors:


 

 

 

[Amr]

Consider me biased, but when I looked around in 2015 for a professional Home Automation solution, C4 was my choice and I didn’t regret it for a second, it just works, beautiful Interface and have the ability to be expanded and connected via drivers to tons of external hardware out there.

Now after working with my system for more than 5 years, go for C4 controllers, IO Expanders, ZIO, remotes, lighting, it’s a must and have to do investment. Skip Intercom, Displays and Audio/Video Matrix phenomenal prices with mixed experience that easily can be replaced with hundreds of alternative solutions out there.

You need to wait for replies around Honeywell, I don’t use them, I opted to go for a wireless GE sensors that tied to my system with an obsolete Gateway, any wired solution will work fine with IO extenders or ZIO, I use old Zigbee CardAccess Ones and it’s super fast, there are a lot like Nyce and Philips Hue Motion Detectors lots report they work flawlessly with C4.

 

[ILoveC4]

I just built a new home and decked it out fully with Control4. This is my third home with Control4. Every time I’ve looked around to make sure I wasn’t making a biased decision based on my past experience and every time I chose Control4. 

[Splise]

On 4/18/2020 at 12:52 PM, Amr said:

Consider me biased, but when I looked around in 2015 for a professional Home Automation solution, C4 was my choice and I didn’t regret it for a second, it just works, beautiful Interface and have the ability to be expanded and connected via drivers to tons of external hardware out there.

Now after working with my system for more than 5 years, go for C4 controllers, IO Expanders, ZIO, remotes, lighting, it’s a must and have to do investment. Skip Intercom, Displays and Audio/Video Matrix phenomenal prices with mixed experience that easily can be replaced with hundreds of alternative solutions out there.

You need to wait for replies around Honeywell, I don’t use them, I opted to go for a wireless GE sensors that tied to my system with an obsolete Gateway, any wired solution will work fine with IO extenders or ZIO, I use old Zigbee CardAccess Ones and it’s super fast, there are a lot like Nyce and Philips Hue Motion Detectors lots report they work flawlessly with C4.

Sorry for the late reply.  I didn't see a response after quite a few days, and never checked back.  Thanks, I appreciate the insight and advice!  The interface does look really nice.  I've done quite a bit of research, and I always came back to Control4. It's being installed as we speak, and I'm pretty excited to see the end result.

I will try to pick up a few IO extenders as I see them.  I ended up getting the Honeywell 128BPT panel, and the integrator tells me it will work.  We will see I guess.  I'll take another look at some of the other sensors out there, thanks for that.

I was looking at something like a Bluestream PRO16HBT100CS, but am still not completely sold on it.  I like the idea of an Audio/Video Matrix, however.

[Splise]

On 4/19/2020 at 1:27 PM, ILoveC4 said:

I just built a new home and decked it out fully with Control4. This is my third home with Control4. Every time I’ve looked around to make sure I wasn’t making a biased decision based on my past experience and every time I chose Control4. 

Thanks, that's good to hear from someone with that much product experience.