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Update: Be sure and check out our in-depth feature story comparing home-security/home-control systems from ADT, FrontPoint Security, and Vivint.
Veteran home-security company APX Alarm has changed its name to Vivint and jumped feet first into the home-control space. In a move that’s sure to further shake up a market that’s already undergoing rapid change, Vivint is now offering an integrated package that bundles Z-Wave-based home control with monitored home security at a remarkable price.
Vivint’s Home package includes installation of a 2Gig Technologies Go!Control wall-mounted LCD touch-screen control panel, a Kwikset keypad deadbolt, three door or window sensors, a motion detector, a video surveillance camera, a smart thermostat, a lamp module, and a key fob for just $200, plus a $67 per month fee for 24-hour remote monitoring. This is a fraction of the price that home-alarm market leader ADT charges for a similarly equipped Pulse system, which is also based on Z-Wave technology. It’s also much less expensive than the Zigbee systems offered by pure-play home-control developer Control4, a company that Motorola acquired in December.
When you enter your security code into the control panel to arm the Vivint system, the control panel can automatically dim your Z-Wave-controlled lighting, turn down the thermostat, and lock the Z-Wave deadbolt. When you return home and disarm the system, it can automatically turn up the heat and lights. You can monitor the system, arm or disarm it, unlock the deadbolt, and control the thermostat and other Z-Wave devices remotely using any computer or smartphone. As with ADT’s Pulse system, the
control panel connects to Vivint’s home office via a GSM cellular, so it doesn’t depend on a land-line connection that a burglar could easily cut. It also has a battery backup, so it can function in the event of a power outage.
The system can be expanded with additional Z-Wave components, including smoke, carbon-monoxide, glass-breakage, and motion detectors; additional door locks, door and window sensors; medical pendants and key fobs; and plug-in lighting controls. If you already have a Z-Wave deployment, Vivint will integrate existing certified Z-Wave devices into its system, an accommodation ADT has been unwilling to make. Vivint is pricing these additional components at close to retail, where ADT marks them up considerably higher.
Vivint has already installed the Go!Control panel in 170,000 of its 500,000 customers’ homes, and 15,000 of these have purchased home-control systems. Vivint expects to make these packages available on a wider basis beginning March 1.
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Lisa Hawkins
May 27, 2011 at 1:58pm
This is an excellent system. My fiance is the technician manager in the El Paso, Texas office and I finally got to go on a few installs with him and help. It's definitely worth your money. We were about to install a full system in our home in Washington state before coming down here for the summer but since we were renting and moving after our lease was up in December we decided to wait. After a month of leaving, our home was broken into and everything valuable was taken out of the house. I really wish we hadn't decided to wait. And Keith, if you can get out of your contract or even if you wait until after, they can easily incorporate all of your old censors and other devices plus all new ones to make your home even more covered.
BluePhoton
March 18, 2011 at 3:41pm
I just called and spoke with a Vivint representative. They only offer security right now - the wider systems will roll out on April 1st. Price for the "home" package (their highest) was $199 activation + $68 per month...
Here are my questions:
1) If I add other z-wave enabled devices to the system, how do I control them all?
- Does the Vivint interface do it (i.e. it becomes the central location)? Or do you use your computer to configure everything and the Vivint system is just complementary?
2) Is it redundant to buy the Schlage starter kit (with router and everything)? (but I guess that also has a monthly fee to it??)Thanks!
Lisa Hawkins
May 27, 2011 at 2:01pm
Where are you located at? I know the summer representatives and techinicians are currently selling and intalling the new equipment.
grorc
February 02, 2011 at 9:28pm
This is a really interesting move for APX. The addition of all the home automation stuff really opens up the market.
BluePhoton
February 02, 2011 at 9:23pm
$67 a month seems relatively high (My total ADT bill is now about $33 per month). However, I guess if you take the $33 per month for the alarm, another $34 per month for all the home automation (including remote) could be reasonable... I wonder if they have different plans with various upfront vs. monthly prices?
I've been looking to upgrade my 12+ year old ADT system - I wonder if they can retrofit?
Thanks for bringing this new option to my attention!
I will be contacting them for details!
grorc
February 02, 2011 at 9:26pm
Easily can retrofit your system. In fact if you have a system already in your house then a lot of it can be used already and the free stuff in the package can go to bonus stuff instead of basic systems.
Keith E. Whisman
February 02, 2011 at 12:21pm
Man we still have 2years left on our ADT contract. There has to be a way to get out of the ADT contract without paying the ADT cancelation fees.
grorc
February 02, 2011 at 9:27pm
If you talk to the right sales rep, many of them will pay off your contract for you. If it is too much, they will pay half or something.
