Envisalink EVL-4EZR IP Security Interface Module for DSC and Honeywell (Ademco) Security Systems, Compatible with Alexa

2021 Update: I just wanted to chime in on this device. It's still working great after 5 years now. Even though it connects to an external website which might be of a concern, the website is still in operation and the Android App still works great.This card is the easiest way that I've found to connect your existing alarm-system to your own control rather than paying a monitoring company like ADT/Spectrum/AT&T to monitor your system. Everything is done via your phone App, and there is very little delay. YOU do the monitoring and you don't have to pay $30+ a month to a company that basically will do the same thing.There are other ways to do the same thing that involve a lot more DIY knowledge, but take a lot more knowledge in networking and programming alarm systems. The newer systems do a lot of this for you already built-in, but why pay for new technology when the old stuff works?From a privacy and security perspective, which would you rather have? A system that is used by thousands of people subscribed to one of the monitoring services which uses identical equipment in all of its installations -- or would you rather have your existing older device connected to the Eyez-On control card which is fairly obscure when it comes to devices? There's no absolutely 100% "unhackable" device, but I'd rather have "security through obscurity" that this device offers. It won't prevent a targeted and well-motivated attack, but it should be *different* enough from the huge numbers of well-known and most-used devices to make it too difficult to bother with for the casual cyber-criminal to bother with. Just make sure to use this with a home router with decent security and IMO it's better than anything you can get by paying for a monitoring company.A side note as well. In my city, you need to register your alarm-system with the local police in order to be able to have them check out the house whenever an alarm is triggered. If a system is monitored by a company like ADT, etc., they will attempt to verify whether it's a false-alarm or a real break-in either by using an intercom built-in to the alarm-system, or via a contact phone. If they can't reach you, then they'll report an alarm to your local police, who will then come to investigate. With Eyez-On, I am still able to register my system as an owner-monitored private system with the same benefits. If an alarm were to be tripped I would be notified and then I could call the local police and report the break-in the same way that the monitoring company would. Or I could call my neighbor who would relish the opportunity to confront an intruder -- but he's an ex-marine with a small arsenal at his disposal.Also, having a monitored alarm-system will sometimes get you a small discount off of your homeowner's insurance. It works for my homeowner's insurance, but it might not for all insurance companies, so check first if this is important to you.Original Review:I bought this in December 2016 along with a TP-Link WiFi extender. It's been almost 3 years and it works great.I've got the Vista 20P system and the app hasn't changed much. I'm still happy that Eyezon keeps the app updated and that I still get instant text messages and notifications with any change to my system.It's very easy to set up, but you need to have some working knowledge of how the system works. There are many videos that you can find that will show you step-by-step instructions on how to hook it up and which wires to connect, etc. It's not plug-n-play, but very close. If your phone doesn't say Apple on it, then you'll probably have no problems with the app, connecting this board to your network, and generally will find it simple. If you're an iPhone user, then expect frustration. Yep, that's what I meant to say.That said, it does seem a little pricey, but think about the savings over a pay-by-the-month "monitored" system. We used to have Time-Warner monitored service, and this is the same thing, only faster and better, and FREE. Time-Warner would get a signal from your system that the alarm was tripped, then they would call your home, then your cell to ask if you needed the police/fire or whatever. This device does the same thing, except instead of a call from a bored/tired/apathetic Time-Warner Security Representative you get a notification on your cell phone (and/or a text message if you prefer).Yes, there are better home security systems, but only marginally better. Yes, you can do the same thing with a custom-built Raspberry Pi and a WiFi extender, but this is much easier.The only downside is that this still relies on a 3rd-party website/server to provide the notifications and texts. If they made a version that would use your own home-network to contact you directly without having to go through their system, that would be better, but I have yet to have any issues in 3 years. Compared to the $360 minimum I'd pay per year with a "monitored" system, this is money well spent.Also, as long as I'm here, I realy wish there was an Alexa skill that would work with this. Being able to say, "Alexa, set the home alarm system to night mode," would be awesome. (I know that can be done with other systems, but I'm talking about my 15-year-old Honeywell system.)

I used to pay a monthly fee to ADT for monitoring and access to ADT Pulse that allowed me to automatically arm and disarm the security system on a daily schedule. I was looking for monthly savings in our budget and decided to cancel ADT monitoring and install the EyezOn Envisalink EVL-4EZR IP Security Interface Module and self monitor my security system. It has been installed for 2 months now and it's the best decision I've made in quite some time.I’ll keep the rest of this review short and only share pertinent information that has not been shared in other reviews. Install went great and when I had a small issue with the programing of the system, I reached out to EyezOn support and they quickly help fix the programming error.Here’s the part some might like to know. Yes, the EyesOn App is old and antiquated, but it works to arm, disarm, look at sensor statuses, etc., but you can’t set a schedule to arm and disarm your system as I was used to using ADT Pulse. Since I was so used to having the system arm itself every night, I kept forgetting to arm it manually since I installed the Evnvisalink. I kept researching and found out that Alexa has the EyezOn skill, so I enabled the skill through my Alexa App. The integration is awesome and so far I’ve discovered that you can set a routine to arm your system everyday at a specific time. I only created one routine because I want it to arm at the same time everyday, but you can create multiple routines to accommodate your schedule. However, unlike ADT Pulse, you can not set a routine to disarm your system because Alexa will ask for your Voice Code in order to disarm. I can live with that because all you have to do in the morning before opening any doors is ask Alexa to disarm your system from any of your Alexa devices in the house. She will ask for your voice code, your reply and the system disarms. You can even ask Alexa the status of your system from your phone when you’re out of the house and she will tell you. You can even set routines for Alexa to inform you if any of the smoke alarms, glass break sensors, or and contact for the matter is opened. Seamless, integration for all contacts in your security system.FYIArming Routine command created in the Alexa App:1. Alexa, arm “name you assigned your security system” to stay mode. Just make sure you don’t name your security system “Alarm” because it will confuse Alexa to think it’s an Alarm to wake you up or remind you of something at a specific time.2. Disarming voice command with any of your Alexa devices: Alexa, disarm “name”……. She will ask, What is your Voice Code? ….. Give voice code and she will disarm.

I decided I didn't need security monitoring services anymore since I can do it myself. I was debating upgrading all my equipment, but I ran into this product and saw how it was able to make my system smart and controllable over wifi. I decided to purchase it and it did not disappoint at all!Installation took me an hour and the online guide made it very easy to go through each step! It looked a little overwhelming at first but it was actually very simple to do. Now I am able to monitor the status of my system and arm/disarm it as well anytime, anywhere I go!