When it comes to shopping, some people can spend hours wandering the floors of a department store — others would prefer getting lost in the aisles of their friendly neighborhood security product distributor. On a recent visit to one of ADI’s 95-plus branches, SDM found quite a bit more than your average, garden-variety security equipment. From ingenious installer tools, to futuristic accessories, to the newest technologies all vying for attention in one place, here are seven things you might not expect to spot at an ADI branch.
7 Odd Things You Can Find at ADI
As far as installer tools go, a security camera wrist monitor with a 3.5-in. LCD screen is capable of saving time, labor and possibly avoiding ladder-related injuries. “One of the problems people have in installing CCTV systems is mounting a camera on ceiling or on a pole and performing the necessary adjustments. [With this device] you can get the signal and be able to adjust it without having to have two people,” Michael Flink, president of ADI Americas, comments. “It’s very labor-saving. You don’t need to be climbing up and down ladders to get the right lighting.”
The camera can either be mounted on a wrist like an oversized watch or placed on a desktop. It has a BNC video input jack and a built-in speaker for audio support. Other features include auto NTSC/PAL operation, and auto standby mode to saves battery power.
No, these cameras are not all pointed at the Hope Diamond. This setup is located in a conference room at ADI and is dedicated to demonstrating various cameras, DVRs and NVRs at work. Visitors can see side by side comparisons, explore the best solution for each project, review compatibility, plug-and-play capability and more. “The challenge in video are hybrid systems,” Flink notes. He adds that end users don’t want to take their existing system down, but they want IP functionality. Flink estimates hybrid systems will be popular for the next 5 to 10 years.
The 5800 series of wireless key fobs look like a car alarm remote but offer most of the features of a traditional security keypad. A basic version offers basic arm/disarm functionality and a four-button version has eight programmable functions using four buttons. The buttons are recessed to deter false alarms and display icons for simple, easy-to-understand functionality. The keys support both standard and high-security (encrypted) modes and are compatible with Honeywell's 5800 series wireless products.
More and more security companies are using GPS devices to make their technicians more efficient in the field. The u-TRAQ auto plugs into the OBD port found on the bottom edge of the dashboard, eliminating installation challenges found in traditional tracking devices. It can also be switched between vehicles to provide flexibility. Dealers can locate and recover missing vehicles, manage company vehicles and employees more efficiently, and monitor for unauthorized use of vehicles. The product includes mapping software that features click-to-locate, over-speed alerts, live tracking, trip reporting, Geo-fence set-up and boundary violation alerts, idle reports and more.
As security companies take on more and more “connected home” projects and branch out into home entertainment, keeping things simple while delivering user friendly products with a bit of wow-factor can be one of the keys to success. The remote gives home theater designers, custom installers and home theater owners an easy-to-use entertainment system management tool. The color touch screen and fewer keys make this an easy to use, versatile and feature-rich addition to an extensive home theater. It is specifically engineered for easy set-up.
This device works in conjunction with burglar alarm systems and alerts users when the national weather service issues a tornado warning in their area. iMap® Alarm is a small wireless add on that fits seamlessly inside’ main alarm panel box. This powerful intrusion solution offers an added level of security by sounding an emergency alarm when a NWS tornado warning alert is issued. According to ADI , the product installs in less than 30 minutes in any alarm panel, and is exclusively available at ADI.
Sometimes an effective way to protect property is to hide it. Combining a deceptive design and powerful audio, these outdoor speakers make good conversation pieces for outdoor entertaining — visitors may wonder for hours where the sound is coming from — that don’t need to be removed at night. Each 9.88-in. x 10.63-in. x 9.5-in. speaker features 60W power handling, a 6.5-in. graphite woofer, weather-resistant design and more.
