AARtech Canada Blog

New BRK ADA Smoke Alarm With Strobe For Hearing Impared

rmowles — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:15:39 +0000

Now shipping, the BRK 7010BLSA is a smoke alarm with strobe for the hearing impared. The built-in strobe automatically flashes a 177 Candela Xenon strobe to indicate danger. This ADA smoke alarm is hardwired and features photoelectric detection technology and battery back-up. It can be interconnected with up to 17 other BRK smoke alarms and CO alarms and the Smart Strobe will flash differently to indicate smoke or CO detection.

Create Your Own Smart Home

rmowles — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:58:38 +0000

We have to thank folks like Rogers Smart Home Monitoring for bringing extra attention to the benefits of smart home monitoring and smart home automation. What we love about it is that it’s possible to have a smart home solution WITHOUT any expensive monthly fees! Yes that’s right. You don’t have to spend $40 or $50 or $60 per month to make your home smart. You can do-it-yourself or we can help you find a local installer.

So what is Smart Home Monitoring and Smart Home Automation? It’s the ability to remotely monitor and control your home or business lighting, appliances, heating/air conditioning, security systems and security camera systems. You can also receive email or text messages to let you know when something has happened – like the alarm was disarmed for example. You can receive images or check on cameras remotely too. That remote control can be via Internet browser, iPhone or Android Smart Phone, tablet or even telephone. Yes, some of us still use good old telephones!

What do you need? Well that depends on what you want to do. You can choose to simply control a few lights or your HVAC (heating/air conditioning) system while away. We’ll go over some solutions in subsequent articles, but in the mean time please don’t hesitate to contact us for further information and we’ll help you figure out what you need to make your Home Smarter.

ISY99 Insteon Home Automation Controllers On Sale

rmowles — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:38:06 +0000

We have made a Christmas/New Year purchase so we can pass on some great savings on the ISY99 series of home automation controllers. The ISY99 is a full fledged automation controller designed mainly for use with INSTEON automation systems but also supports some basic X10 scheduling as well. The ISY99 is a network attached device, which means it connects to your router/switch and runs 24/7 standalone without requiring any computer to be running. To program it, you simply log-in using a Mac or PC web browser with Java support, set up devices, scenes and schedules and then log off and it will run on it’s own. It’s capable of dawn/dusk and date/time based scheduling, conditional logic and very advanced programming.

Since it’s on the network, the ISY99 will let you control lights and appliances from an iPhone, Android phone or tablet anywhere in the home, or via an Internet connection. Looking for an on-wall controller? No problem! Wall mount an android tablet or iPad and you have a fully Internet enabled touch screen controller that can also control all of your lights, with thousands of other apps available.

The ISY99 has a series of plug-ins available for expansion including:

Web server – host a web server at home
Network Module – access and control any network based devices
Elk Integration Module – ISY99 can see and control Elk M1 alarm status, zones, outputs and more
Energy Management – read energy usage from energy monitoring equipment

The ISY99IR version adds infrared remote reception so you can create macros and control lights using your Harmony or pretty much any other IR remote control, and the ISY99/IRPro is for very large with tonnes of scenes and devices.

With all of the above you can have the ‘Rogers Smart Home’ functionality, in a roll-your-own system with absolutely no monthly fees!

VERA3 Now In Stock

rmowles — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:58:27 +0000

The new VERA3 from Micasa Verde is now in stock. Running the new UI5, the VERA3 is a wireless N router with 4 hardwired 10/100 ports as well as being an extremely capable ZWave whole home automation controller. VERA also supports basic INSTEON and X10 functionality as well as having a growing library of plug-ins to support extra subsystems such as DSC alarm systems, Global Cache iTach IR over IP controllers and more.

VERA ZWave Promotional Bundle Is BACK!

rmowles — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:04:17 +0000

Back by popular demand, VERA-KIT1 combines the hugely popular VERA Zwave controller with a 4-pack of lamp modules at a great price!

Free Internet Monitoring and Control For DSC Powerseries

rmowles — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:28:47 +0000

Finally we have a brand new solution for adding Internet control and monitoring to any new or old DSC Powerseries hardwired or hybrid alarm system going back at least 10 years. The new Envisalink 2DS simply connects to the Powerseries keypad bus and then connects via CAT5 cable to your router. Register the MAC address of the Envisalink on the Eyez-On web site and about 20 minutes later you will be able to see your alarm and zone status, arm/disarm the alarm, bypass zones and control PGM output. You can even set up email or text alerts on alarm conditions or if the panel stops communicating. Best of all? NO MONTHLY FEES. Just buy the hardware and install it. If you’re an installer this is a GREAT add-on to any pre-existing or new install.

TV Wall Mounts

rmowles — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:04:20 +0000

We are now stocking Promounts TV mounts for LCD, LED and Plasma screens. Their line includes Flat TV Mounts, Tilt/Swivel TV Mounts and Ceiling TV Mounts. We will be adding to this lineup once we have quality images to post on the site but meanwhile we do have models for just about every purpose currently in stock. Installers please contact us or log in for dealer pricing.

Now Stocking Evolve ZWave Products

rmowles — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:40:44 +0000

We are now stocking and distributing Evolve ZWave wall switches, ZWave dimmers and plug-in modules. Evolve switches and modules are very reasonably priced and are fully ZWave compliant including support for security beaming. They use updated ZWave chipsets and the light switches and dimmers have a nice clean decora style. They’re a perfect fit for any ZWave installation and they work well with our ZWave software and hardware controllers.

Elk M1KPNAV Touch Screen LCD Keypad

rmowles — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:37:48 +0000

Elk has added a beautiful new touch screen LCD keypad to their M1 line. Now in stock, the M1KPNAV keypad has a 3.5 inch full colour LCD with sleek contemporary styling and full menu system for daily use as well as programming. By far the best looking keypad Elk has available, the M1KPNAV also has a built-in zone input and voltage output as well as a built-in sounder.

Garmin S1 Golf GPS Watch

rmowles — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 22:52:19 +0000

Looking for a gift for the avid golfer? How about a Garmin S1 Golf GPS Watch! Pre-loaded with golf course data, the watch will tell the distance to the front and back of the green and the pin from any hole they’re on!