Which ELK hardware and where to get it?

[ISYhbsh01]

Keep in mind that Elk will not honor the warranty when bought from unauthorized resellers. They have a list on their website of all authorized resellers.

 

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[apostolakisl]

homesecuritystore.com would sell you the ELKM1GSYS4 package for $450 after 10% off and free shipping. I clicked through a few of the authorized sellers who all had it for more than $700 and no free shipping. homesecuritystore.com apparently gives its own 1 year warranty. $250 (or more) is a lot of extra money on a $450 item for 1 year more warranty. You probably could buy an extended warranty from a 3rd party like square trade if you really wanted and take that out to quite a few years. For example, they give a 4 year warranty on $500 TV's for $79. But frankly, the elk stuff is well made. I used to hang out on cocoontech and saw a handfull of people with Elk failures, every time it seemed to be a lightening strike, and I doubt Elk would cover that as warranty anyway, but maybe they would.

[Mark H]

Elk has a list of resellers that are specifically NOT authorized: http://www.elkproducts.com/unauthorized.html

 

As well as a list of those that specifically are authorized: http://www.elkproducts.com/retail_distributors.html

 

I personally won't buy any Elk products from a reseller that is not specifically on their authorized list. So-called "gray market" sales can be problematic, if you ever have need of the warranty. It's not a risk I care to take, though others may have a different opinion.

[DennisC]

homesecuritystore.com would sell you the ELKM1GSYS4 package for $450 after 10% off and free shipping. I clicked through a few of the authorized sellers who all had it for more than $700 and no free shipping. homesecuritystore.com apparently gives its own 1 year warranty. $250 (or more) is a lot of extra money on a $450 item for 1 year more warranty. You probably could buy an extended warranty from a 3rd party like square trade if you really wanted and take that out to quite a few years. For example, they give a 4 year warranty on $500 TV's for $79. But frankly, the elk stuff is well made. I used to hang out on cocoontech and saw a handfull of people with Elk failures, every time it seemed to be a lightening strike, and I doubt Elk would cover that as warranty anyway, but maybe they would.

 

Not only does Home Security Store provide the warranty, they also have great technical support with a direct line to ELK in needed. I questioned them about their warranty support and was completely satisfied before I made my purchase of 2 systems.

 

I also had occasion to use their technical support with a problem syncing a keypad. Initially, they couldn't figure out my problem, but called me back the next day after they spoke with ELK. They attempted to contact ELK while I was on the phone with them, but ELK support was closed.

 

They also have an ELK tech specialist who was knowledgeable about the ELK products and support.

 

Dennis

[DennisC]

One other thing I forgot to mention, both of my M1's have been registered with ELK and I had no problem registering for their user site which enables access to all of their web training.

 

I found this to be a big help in learning the do's and don'ts for both installing and programming.

 

Dennis

[apostolakisl]

The NOT authorized list is just people they know of who sell their product who are not on the authorized list. It is a superfluous and blatant attempt to scare you.

 

What it comes down to is that the NOT authorized resellers have not agreed to do things Elks way. It is more or less a way for manufacturers to legally engage in price fixing. Many manufacturers have given up on this scheme as in the end it only gives the company a bad name. The fact is that it is the exact same item from the same exact factory. In the 80's it meant it was from Europe since there was a huge currency imbalance resulting in very favorable exchange rate.

 

I can't speak to every company that sells Elk, but I have bought a number of things from homesecuritystore.com and have never had a problem with them. In short, paying in excess of a 50% price premium to get the manufacturers warranty on a low failure rate item like this instead of a descent retailers warranty doesn't make economic sense at all. It would be like buying an insurance policy on your home that cost half of what the cost of the house is. Or in other words, you are saying that there is a 50% chance that the item will fail after year 1 and before year 2. If it were made by Insteon , I might take that bet, but not an Elk panel.

[apostolakisl]

One other thing I forgot to mention, both of my M1's have been registered with ELK and I had no problem registering for their user site which enables access to all of their web training.

 

I found this to be a big help in learning the do's and don'ts for both installing and programming.

 

Dennis

 

 

I bought my system from a non-authorized dealer (not Homesecuritystore.com) and registered my panel with Elk and get access to all the online resources. Even got personal email support, however, Elk has stopped doing that no matter where you bought it.

[MWareman]

Elk has a list of resellers that are specifically NOT authorized: http://www.elkproducts.com/unauthorized.html

 

As well as a list of those that specifically are authorized: http://www.elkproducts.com/retail_distributors.html

 

I personally won't buy any Elk products from a reseller that is not specifically on their authorized list. So-called "gray market" sales can be problematic, if you ever have need of the warranty. It's not a risk I care to take, though others may have a different opinion.

Personally, I'll pay half and take my chances. If it fails and I have to buy another, is cost me no more in total. I hate this 'pay more and buy from vendors that give us a kick back' thing.

[KHouse]

You can purchase through the site vendor AutomatedOutlet.com. Easy buying experience and they give great prices if you mention you're from Cocoontech.

 

 

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[KHouse]

Also, regarding the "wireless" package mentioned earlier. That's for the Elk M1 and Elk wireless board, to use with the Elk two-way wireless sensors.

 

If you want to use GE or Honeywell wireless, for example, that's a different add on board to the Elk M1 that needs to be purchased.

 

 

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[ccclapp]

You can purchase through the site vendor AutomatedOutlet.com. Easy buying experience and they give great prices if you mention you're from Cocoontech.

 

 

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Hi Guys

 

As the OP, I am requesting less or no more discussion of where to buy ELK in this thread That is a worthy topic, but I'd request it be a separate thread. Feel free to link to it in this one. The topic of this thread is "Which Elk Hardware" Please continue any comments about that. My reason is to keep focus for the next reader looking to learn/comment about the needed/recommended/desired hardware

 

Thanks!!

[ccclapp]

Hi Guys

 

As the OP, I am requesting less or no more discussion of where to buy ELK in this thread That is a worthy topic, but I'd request it be a separate thread. Feel free to link to it in this one. The topic of this thread is "Which Elk Hardware" Please continue any comments about that. My reason is to keep focus for the next reader looking to learn/comment about the needed/recommended/desired hardware

 

Thanks!!

 

The nice thing about being the OP is you can break your own rules...or at least modify the context. I have received several PM inquiries of where I purchased my system, as I had indicated I was able to "get a good price". Thus, I have edited the topic of this thread from "Which ELK hardware?" to Which ELK hardware and where it get it"

 

Now this part will sound REALLY self-serving...in the course of procuring my system, because of by line of work (R.E. developer with in-house construction co) I am able to go through authorized national distribution channels. Two UD members contacted me via PM and I obtained a system with lots of bells, whistles and add-ons for one on excellent terms. Another is pending. If anyone is ready to proceed, I am happy to assist on a favorable basis. I would rather not discuss this more in a post, but will communicate via PM, etc, if asked. I don't know a UD policy against it, but commerce is often discouraged on forums.

 

As this is not my normal vocation and it would be very unfair for me to limit sourcing discussions after doing a 180 and making this post. Therefore, as stated, I changed the title. Please discuss your sources, along with your hardware recommendations as much as you wish. I would prefer not to discuss my situation, pricing, etc. While probably not believable, I made this post to be helpful.

 

Thanks