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…
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
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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.