I am looking into getting my first addressable fire alarm panel. I already have an ms-10ud and have already narrowed it down to a few options.
Which one would be best out of these options:
FireLite: Es-50x, ES-200x, Es-1000x, 9200UDLS, 9600UDLS
Notifier: NFS-320, NFS-640, NFS-3030, N-16x
If there are better options than these listed let me know. Also if anyone knows a good place to get any of these for a reasonable price, do share.
From what I’ve read in these forums, do not buy a Simplex addressable panel as they are a pain in the rear to program.
Yes…or Siemens…or Farenhyt…or Notifier INSPIRE…
1 Like
I would say go with a Fire-Lite. You will have full access even without programming software on a computer. I would just look for a good deal on any of those Fire-Lite panels you listed or an MS-9050UD. You could also go for a Notifier Fire Warden panel, as those are basically just Fire-Lite panels with a different color scheme.
I do not want a 9050ud as much unless I get a really good deal since it can’t run lite-speed and also is basically the same as an ms10ud
1 Like
The Fire-Lite panels, especially the 9200UDLS/9600UDLS are the best for hobbyist addressable panels. They’re relatively easy to program and don’t have any restrictions. The ES-series panels are good too, although they’re kinda slow and buggy.
The Notifier NFS-series are 2nd best too, although some options require the Verifire Tools software to program, which is proprietary. The older AFP panels are less restricted, but they’re CLIP-only.
An alternate option is the smaller Silent Knight addressable panels, such as the 5700 or 6700. Those are very small, although programming is a bit more complex than Fire-Lite.
Your cheapest option would be to ask fire alarm companies, and see if they’re pulling out a panel or have one they can give away. It’s a shot in the dark, but you might get a free panel if you’re lucky.
Some people get their panels for free by taking them from abandoned buildings, but I personally don’t recommend it, for legal/safety reasons.
Alternatively, you can look around on eBay. Addressable panels are expensive to buy, but cheap ones do pop up on eBay every now and then. You just gotta look constantly and wait for the opportunity to show itself.
Eh the 4010 ain’t bad, its just the 4100’s that may present a challenge to set up. Theres few in the community that possess the resources necessary to get a 4100 running
The MS-9200UDLS is okay the only problem is the FWR output which can harm certain notifications appliances not listed for FWR like those from Simplex. I know better than to put Simplex alarms on mine.
I wanted to get a 9200UDLS originally, but they were all super expensive online. I actually ended up getting a Silent Knight 6808 a couple months ago, and so far, I love it
1 Like
Well alright, just be warned however that the 6000-series is infamous for their power supplies failing.
3 Likes
I’ve seen them spazzing out before
I’ve heard that they can be, but so far I have not had any issues with that
Just throwing my two cents here, there’s the Fire-Lite MS-25 that looks to be a decent option, from what I can tell (after skimming through the manual) there’s no software needed, it’s all programmed through a web-based UI.
Though it’s severely limited compared to the 9600UDULS/9200UDLS, but if you can live with the limitations, I’d say it’s a good starter adressable panel.
I don’t have firsthand experience with it (matter of fact, the only adressable panel I have experience with is the Finsécur Baltic 512) as I’m not in the US, so… take that with a huge grain of salt.
4010 Classics are fine too, so as long you don’t get a unit that has a QuickCFG lockout (if you have a DACT card configured iirc), otherwise you’re more or less S.O.L.
Yeah, I will say, the 6808 I have may not have been the best choice for a starter panel since some things can only be programmed using a computer like NAC coding options. However, I am still happy I went with this simply due to the large number of capabilities and features rather than a less capable panel.
1 Like