Keep Simplex, or move to (some other vendor)?

[TheCarson116]

@Angry_Pineapple

I cannot speak for the SK-5208 as I do not have experience with those units, but a catastrophic (especially one which is sudden) failure of a 4005 is very unlikely. The panel will definitely show signs of failure before it completely quits. The 4005 is one of the most reliable (“modern”) panels that Simplex has ever produced, and I have heard that the SK-5208 is also quite reliable.

I will say that both panels are definitely reliable & very nicely designed, which I can say with certainty for the SK-5208 as I have one myself & it’s proven itself very reliable & well-designed since the day I got it (though mine is an older model from around 2006 or so, before Honeywell started tampering with their brands’ quality control).

@Angry_Pineapple

EDIT: Depending on the size of the 4005 and 5208 which are currently in operation, you may be able to opt for the 4006 instead. It’s the last conventional system that Simplex is currently making, and can be expanded up to 10 zones. If you need more than 10 zones or would like other features that the 4006 can’t provide (like Priority 2 alarm or similar), you’ll probably want to upgrade to addressable.

Good idea considering the 4006 comes from before JCI’s acquisition of Simplex (though JCI may have still screwed with it via cutting quality control) & it’s also much less proprietary compared to the ES-series as well.

@Angry_Pineapple

If you decide to install something besides Simplex, I can’t really help out there as I don’t have experience with many of the newer systems from different brands.

I don’t have experience with many brands either but I will say that most brands have to be better than current-era Simplex when it comes to both customer service & product quality going by what I’ve heard & read about JCI.