Solar Technology is a specialist in solar power and is one of the largest producers of solar panels in the UK; the company has launched two new solar powered products designed to provide eco-friendly lighting in mains free environments.

Each Solar Mate lighting kit from Solar Technology is quick and easy to install, requiring no special tools and is ideal for UK weather conditions, featuring high power solar panels designed to absorb sun light even on dull, cloudy days.

When installing the new Solar Mate lighting kits there is no need to comply with Part P of the new building regulations introduced in the UK in 2005, whereby, a qualified electrician must complete all outdoor electrical work.

The Solar Mate Point 5 in our picture, is an efficient and easy way to provide lighting where mains power is not available and ideal for garden lights, or in buildings such as; summer houses, sheds and stables, or even for camping/festival trips. RRP £19.99.

The Solar Mate Point 5 features a Solar Panel using thin film solar cell technology, which powers three internal rechargeable batteries during the day, to provide power for 10 super bright LEDs, powerful enough to illuminate up to 9 Sq Metres for 3 hours.

Solar Technology has also designed a movement-activated security light, The Solar Mate Secure I features an integrated PIR movement sensor, which can be easily adjusted both for sensitivity and time.. RRP £24.99.

Web: http://www.solartechnology.co.uk.

Tel: (01684) 774000

Marmitek, specialists in the field of X-10 home automation, has introduced the CM15Pro computer interface, which along with the supplied ActiveHomePro software enables you to control and operate affordable home automation on your computer.

Marmitek brings comfort and safety to your home in an innovative manner, using the very latest techniques in the field of multimedia, video surveillance, home automation and security:

Once your settings are programmed in your computer, you can save them in the memory of the CM15Pro and it can be turned off:

• Your lighting and appliances are easily switched on and off with the CM15Pro and appropriate receivers.

The choice of settings is limited only by your imagination – random switching of your lighting, create a home movie theatre, control your exterior lighting, or have your coffee ready when you wake.
 
Using macros you can programme your preferred environment e.g. the main lighting in the living room only switches on when someone enters the room, its dark outside and the atmospheric lighting is off.
 
Furthermore the CM15Pro has more extended programming possibilities and a memory for about 1400 macros/timers, with which you can expand your home automation almost without limitation.

• The mutual compatibility of Marmitek products is one of the main benefits, allowing you to construct your own ideal system, adding the latest user options at any time in the future.

The recommended retail price for the pioneering CM15Pro (Computer module + ActiveHomePro Software) is £59.95 incl. VAT.

Web: http:// www.marmitek.com
 

Neighbourhood Watch, which exists to promote and support the voluntary work of 170,000 Neighbourhood Watch groups, has launched an online shop offering discounts on a range of household security products.

The aim is to provide affordable home security solutions, bringing peace of mind and protection to UK property-owners.

The number of break-ins in Britain is nowhere as high as it was a decade ago; even so, a home is burgled every two minutes, according to the latest recorded crime statistics and burglaries can cost a home around £1000 in stolen goods and damages.

Neighbourhood Watch has teamed up with Scottish and Southern Energy to offer discounts on the very latest monitored wireless alarm system to registered Neighbourhood Watch members:

• The home security system is connected to an advanced monitoring service to alert you the moment there is a problem at home.
• If an intruder, panic alert, or fire activates the alarm, your nominated contacts will be notified within seconds by phone, text and email.
• The hardware for this home security system is supplied free of charge and available on a two-year plan, at a special discounted monthly charge of £14.99 (that’s just 49p a day).

Also on offer online are discounted home personal security products from Helix, including personal attack alarms, security boxes and DIY household security devices.

Web:  http://www.neighbourhoodwatch.net/

Tel: (0800) 1979720 quoting NW1

A neat, easy to use, one-stop route to a smart home is demonstrated on the Morban and Cytech stand at The Smart Home Show at the National Exhibition Centre, from 10th-13th April, 2008.

Cytech Europe, UK distributor of Comfort Intelligent Home System and its system integrator Morban Intelligent Living, combine to provide demonstrations for householders and developers that explain how an integrated home control system links voice prompted security, with all aspects of smart home technology in one simple system.

Intelligent control of equipment within the home helps cut the amount of energy used by heating, lighting, TV and audio, domestic appliances and may help reduce escalating energy bills.

Morban provide a single solution that can include whole house lighting and mood lighting design and control, audio/visual control with HD distribution, the use of a media server providing music and movies throughout the house, zone heating display and control, communications and home security.

Remote operation of the intelligent home systems can be by mobile phone, text message or remote computer.

Cytech’s Comfort system provides an integrated Intruder Alarm/Home Automation system with an interactive voice menu, dialler to eight different numbers and an answering machine; the Comfort door station rings the home phones or calls a mobile if no one is home.

The Comfort system can also answer the phone and when programmed, dial out to a care worker in case of emergency.

Web: http://www.morban.co.uk

Tel: (0870) 141 7042

AlertMe the provider of people-friendly home security, launched the AlertMe intelligent home security and monitoring system as promised on 28th January.

This new system lowers the cost of home security and provides peace of mind and positive reassurance for homeowners, wishing to protect their homes and possessions, by mobile phone and the Internet.

AlertMe allows people to take proactive steps to secure their homes - often their greatest asset and investment - and an aspect of home protection that is often overlooked.

Cambridge U.K., Feb 19th 2008 – The AlertMe Company announced that their broadband home monitoring and security service is the first security system, to obtain the coveted product certification by the ZigBee Alliance.

“AlertMe is about people-friendly technology, which is easy to install even for non-technical users” said AlertMe CTO Paul Fellows.” “We’re delighted to have achieved certification as ZigBee is the perfect fit for our application - it gives us an open, standards-based and future-proof platform.”

We are now working with other ZigBee companies - and others to extend our platform and offer new services.”

AlertMe is an Internet-based service, which communicates with an in-home ZigBee network; each system incorporates a ZigBee Coordinator and twelve ZigBee Routers and End Devices installed around the home.

AlertMe is now available in the UK priced at £399. See our previous two articles for more information.

Web: http://www.alertme.com

Tel: (0845) 200 2873

Visonic’s recently launched wireless CO sensor has been accredited to EN 50291:2001 (detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises) and is the only wireless CO sensor to be accredited by the  Loss Prevention Certification Board.

Carbon Monoxide is often referred to as the “silent killer” as it is odourless, colourless and tasteless - most frequently caused by badly maintained heaters and boilers.

Even in small quantities the gas can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness, often mistakenly thought to be Flu by the sufferer; over time CO gas inhibits the blood’s capacity to transport oxygen around the body and can eventually lead to brain damage and death.

Every year it is estimated that 20-30 people, in the UK alone, die from CO poisoning directly associated with a domestic gas appliance and another 200 are seriously injured.

A report commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive, found that 23 per cent of homes had one or more defective gas appliances, which makes the need for CO detectors, like the Visonic, strongly recommended.

The Visonic sensor operates as a standalone CO alarm, with its own onboard sounder, but is also capable of sending a signal wirelessly to any Powercode receiver or Powermax control panel.

Using Powermax, the panel will alert the user to the presence of gas, whilst also being able to call to a central monitoring center, or mobile phone number to raise the alarm.

The Visonic MCT-442 is currently available through national distributors of security equipment.

Web: http://www.visonic.com/visonichomepage.nsf

Tel: (0870) 7300810

Looking for an inexpensive and easy-to-install intruder detection system, ideal for residential applications? The Bosch Intruder Alarms Easy Series could be your ideal solution:

• Simple Installation. - Easy series replaces text menu displays, with voice-prompted control of operations and programming, either on the premises or by telephone, making set-up and operation very fast and easy.
• Installers can specify up to eight points, connect up to four external sensors and up to four control centres. Fire detectors can also be added to the system.
• Ease of Use - An RFID disc on a key-ring permits authorised users to be identified without entering access codes.
• Alternatively, entering a pass-code or pressing a single button can arm the panel.
• Users can set detection for All zones, or just for Selected zones if they are on the premises.
• Anyone including children can easily and reliably turn the intruder alarm system on and off, by means of the token and voice-prompting.
• Unlike common keypads, the control centre uses only symbols and colour with no text. By means of the high-contrast LCD display, the user can see at a glance whether the panel has been turned On in either the Occupied or Unoccupied mode.
• After an alarm transmission to an alarm-monitoring centre, the Bosch Intruder Alarm can also send an individual text or voice message to the mobile phone of the owners, or to key-holders and/or neighbours.
• Remote operation of the system is available and extremely simple.

The new Easy Series Intrusion Control Panel from Bosch, features
a unique Control Center that is extremely simple to operate and offers a multiple choice of protection levels.

Web: http:// www.boschsecurity.co.uk

BT, the UK’s largest supplier of Broadband Internet access, has been working with Intamac Systems the Internet monitoring and control specialist, to show the additional benefits of broadband.

Together they developed BT Homesafe, an innovative new IP wireless alarm system with CCTV capability for easy home installation.

The system provides people and their property with new levels of protection using broadband connectivity and at much lower cost than with conventional alarm systems.

Using Intamac technology, the BT Homesafe system:

• Can be managed over the web or a mobile phone and when activated is able to send personal alerts by text, email and phone messages.
• Homeowners can programme their system remotely via the easy-to-use secure Web portal and enable the system to automatically provide alerts, including informing them when their children are safe home from school, or to monitor elderly relatives in their own homes.
• Increase your personal safety –the panic alarm facility automatically messages all of your contacts if you feel vulnerable, without making your presence known by making a phone call.
• Accessories (up to 20) can monitor for fire, power failure and flooding and the system has a CCTV option, which allows individuals to view their property from anywhere in the world with low cost IP cameras that store pictures online.

You will need: Broadband Internet Connection (any provider), Telephone Line, Broadband Router with an available Ethernet port.

Retail price is £220 plus monitoring service £5 per month.

Web: http://www.bthomesafe.com

Tel: (0870) 111 7234

Elite Security’s Enterview 3 offers a complete and flexible range of superb quality intercom door entry systems.

Simple installation and high performance in mono or glorious full colour, delivers the ideal home security video door entry solution.

Enterview External Box Features:

• Tough powder coated metal design.
  Standard or pinhole camera vandal resistant versions.
  Integral IR illumination (standard mono versions only).
  Weather resistant.
  Superior quality CCD camera.
  Clear high quality audio.
  Surface or flush mountable (surface & flush mounting box included).
  Powered directly from monitor handset.

Enterview 3 Handsets:

• Colour and mono.
  Crisp clear screen image in colour or mono, modern aesthetic design.
  Clear high quality audio.
  Intercom facility between multiple handsets.
  View only function.
  Up to four monitor handsets per system.
  Integral lock release activation; (lock release is optional extra).
  Provides power for camera.

Web: http://www.espuk.com

Tel: (0121) 7898 111

Visonic is an international developer and manufacturer of high-quality electronic security systems and dedicated to enhancing people’s way of life by increasing their sense of security.

The company’s AMBER Independence & Safety Support Solution enables friends and family, to provide senior adults with comprehensive 24/7 remote support, enhanced safety and appropriate emergency response.

The Amber safety and support options is one of the most sophisticated wireless alarm systems on the market and includes:

Automatic medication reminders, smoke, gas and flood detection, instant two-way hands-free voice communication, remote social contact, inactivity monitoring and telemedicine capabilities.

Amber is specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors, with its display, which has large backlit buttons and a powerful speaker and speed dialling facilities. Supplied with an Emergency call button wrist-pendant.

The system is updateable by phone, therefore does not require technician visits and enables the selection of up to four (4) private phone numbers as emergency call numbers; also capable of saving up to three (3) speed dialling numbers permitting one-touch access to family and friends.

The ease of installation and remote programming make Amber the ultimate in convenience, security and responsiveness for senior adults and their carers, while maximizing their dignity, independence and convenience.

Web: http://www.visonic.com/visonichomepage.nsf

Tel: (0870) 7300810