September 06, 2012
| by Lisa Montgomery
Sometimes it’s the small stuff that makes the biggest difference in a person’s life. Elk Product at the CEDIA Expo this week in Indianapolis announced a new line of products that are better able to communicate with the company’s M1 security and home control system.
In the past, devices like sensors and key fobs were only able to send signals to the M1 processor; they were unable to receive and indicate confirmation that the signal was received. The new line, which initially includes door and window contacts and a handheld key fob, features two-way communications capabilities. In the case of the key fob, this means that if a sensor in the home has been tripped, a red LED will illuminate on the fob, indicating a potential break-in. At that point, you can decide whether or not to enter the house.
The fob will sell for about $80. An LED is also built into Elk’s new two-way communicating the door and window sensors, which helps your custom electronics (CE) pro know that the system and sensors are both working properly.
Also new from Elk is M1ToGo, which provides Internet access to the M1 security/home control system from anywhere in the world. You can control the security settings, lights, thermostats and other devices remotely.
Lisa Montgomery has been writing about home technology for 15 years, with a focus on the impact of electronics on a modern lifestyle.