Visonic POWERMAX+ Powermax Plus Wireless Home Security System

A deadbolt is not a security system. Sure, it can help, but it easy to add something a bit more high tech, without breaking the bank. After all, you may not live inside Fort Knox, but that doesn't mean you can't act like it. Instead of calling in a pro, digging into Drywall and insulation, and having a programmer tweak a system beyond your comprehension; there are a variety of products out there that can start protecting your most precious belongings within minutes.

The Visonic PowerMax Plus is one of those systems that can take the guesswork out of setting up security for your home. It's perfect for a smaller home or apartment, or someone that's just starting out with home security. Many of those people don't know what they need or don't want to make a big financial commitment at the beginning. This kit is a fraction of the cost of custom systems. However, it does provide a complete security solution, as well as the option to add on more features and equipment later-again, without having to call in a pro.

Think about the most vulnerable areas of your home. This would be a great place for one of Visonic's MCT-302 magnetic contact transmitters. Two of these are included in the starter kit. Each one can be easily placed at any door or window opening. Don't worry about Fido interfering with the system, either. The included K9-85 MCW will take care of your four-legged friends. This sensor can distinguish between man and man's best friend (or friends); working with the system so that pets won't constantly trigger the alarm. Instead, if a guarded window or other area is opened, the MCT-302 will send a signal back to a two-way wireless keypad. Want to protect additional areas? Transmitters can also be purchased separately, and added to any area around your home.

The keypad is sort of the brain behind the system. This is the point where all of the action happens. When a transmitter is triggered, it sends a message to this device.

Although the system comes pre-programmed, the keypad area is also where you would add in other products. Of course, there are plenty of those! One neat idea is to add a few cameras into the mix. This will allow you to take a peek at your property, when you are inside the home. Two PowerLink packages are also available, and can provide those shots to you anywhere there's a web connection. It's not just convenient for when you're out of town, but also to see if there has been a delivery, when the kids get home from school, and any other day-to-day activities.

PowerMax+ Features:

• Supports camera connectivity for real-time viewing
  
• Plug and Protect(TM) fast and easy installation
• Remote home management - alarms, lights, appliances, A/C - via telephony, cellular or Internet connections
• Complete home control solution - provides status updates & controls up to 15 electrical devices (dim/bright, etc.)
  
• Detectors supported: PIR and pet-immune motion detectors; glass-break, flood, smoke and gas detectors; door/window magnetic contact, and more
  
• Event reporting to: monitoring stations, pagers, SMS messages, e-mail, web applications, mobile phones and regular phones.
  
• Family message center with standard and remote access for voice recording/playback.
  
• Remotely initiated hands-free 2-way voice communication.
  
• Latchkey mode informs parents of a child's arrival to the home.
  
• Easy and convenient programming options.
  
• Intuitive textual and audible user interface with language adaptation.
  
• Advanced jamming detection in compliance with the highest industry standards.
  
• Full compliance with international standards and regulations.
  

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I would like to purchase two Visonic POWERMAX+ systems but would like to use the same telephone line, is this possible?
Yes, both systems can use the same line. However, only one system can dial out at a time.

I don't like the Voice/Chime feature on the POWERMAX+, is there anything I can do?
The POWERMAX+ allows you to adjust the voice volume up or down. You may also turn off the feature entirely.

How loud is the built-in siren on the POWERMAX+ control panel?
The built-in siren on the POWERMAX+ features 85 decibels of volume.

What happens if the telephone line is cut before a possible intruder enters?
If the telephone line gets cut, the system will not dial out. However, the siren will still sound.

Can I use the SSX-81S-B - Amseco 25 Watt Armored Siren/Strobe with my POWERMAX+ Powermax Plus Wireless Home Security System?
Yes it is possible, however you will need to add a power kit to your system for it to function. You can find it at PWRKT.

Rating: (4.57)   # of Ratings: 63    Sort: New to Old RE-SORT REVIEWS: Helpful to Less Helpful Less Helpful to Helpful New to Old Old to New High to Low Rating Low to High Rating Showing comments 1-20 of 63 (Next 20) 1. Anonymous User on 5/22/2012, said: I've had this system in my home for the last 7+ years. I liked it so much that we bought one for my mother-in-law who stays by herself. She loves it and would not be able to stay alone without it. She has a fire/smoke detector acces. in her attic that is is awesome since she would not be able to hear a std smoke detector product. We do not have pay monthly to have the system monitored but instead enter our desired 4 tel numbers for the system to call. That is a big savings and still provided the monitoring we need. I like that this system is very customizable. I installed wireless and some wired sensors. Has lots of set-up choices to customize your security user needs. I'll buy another one at our next house. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (0 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 2. Anonymous User on 5/21/2012, said: Excellent alarm system! The best feature about this alarm system is that it will notify you on your cell phone when the alarm is tripped. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (0 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 3. Anonymous User on 5/8/2012, said: I purchased the Powemax several years ago. DIY installation is pretty easy if you read the manual AND watch the video. Customer support is very helpful and knowledgeable. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (0 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 4. Anonymous User on 2/15/2012, said: The Powermax+ is a superb wireless system. Good wireless range (works for my garage zones 75' away from the Control Panel). This is my second Powermax+ unit,(the first one was zapped by lightning - Use a surge protector). It has more features than most would use, but, you do not need to use many of them. It is very difficult to program, but much easier the second time around. The CD instruction video is not useful. Plan on reading the manual several times. The X-10 units never did work, and are not worth purchasing. It has contacts for an external siren, which I found really important. Some tips to reduce the programming frustration: Engage the mounting bracket to the command unit, when programming the unit on your workbench. It has a tamper detection device on it, so if the mounting bracket is not engaged, it will not accept programming. Use the HOME key to back up when programming, and NOT the 'Backup' key (which does not work). This seems strange, but will save hours of frustration. Turn off (or do not turn on) features that you do not use. Otherwise, the trouble alert will go off. If you do not use the phone line, turn off feature 5.33, otherwise the trouble alert will come on. When defining the zone types (4.33), type 13 'interior' is not described in Appendex D. It is for labeling (deactivating) the interior zones when using the 'Home' alarm. Keep good records on where the sensors are placed, as the trouble alerts give the zone number, so you can track down the problem. Recording speech feature is mislabeled in the manual. It should be 4.9, not 4.8 (go to the next option on the list to find it). Keep the batteries fresh. However, they are real expensive! When you get through the programming, you will have a great wireless system. John in Michigan Was this comment helpful? yes no   (3 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 5. Anonymous User on 1/16/2012, said: I have had this system in my home for about 6 years now and continue to enjoy the low maintenance, reliable security that it offers. Many of my sensors still have the original batteries in them. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (1 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 6. Anonymous User on 1/12/2012, said: I've been very happy with my purchase. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I had no problem installing the system and enrolling 4 additional wireless devices and a remote keypad. Knowing that I prefer to read manuals, rather than watching instructional videos, I opted not to use the video. (I actually watched about 5 minutes of the video after installing the system, and I'm glad that I chose to use the manual. Of course, others may prefer the video to the manual.) The installer manual was very easy to follow and very logical. I spent approximately 1 hour programming the panel. Since I live in an older home and I did not want to modify my door trim to accept the sensors, installing the them took a bit of creativity and more time than would probably take in a modern home. The siren on the panel is very loud, but I have disabled it in favor of external sirens to make it more difficult for a would-be burglar to find the panel. I called technical support regarding an issue not related* to my Visonic system, and the representative was very knowledgeable and helpful. *I was having a problem with a siren made by GE. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (3 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 7. David on 1/10/2012, said: I purchased this system in December of 2008 and had it installed in my home and it has performed very well. I have had two problems with the door windows wireless contacts, but I think that is because of the metal windows. Overall I am quiet satisfied with the product and its performance. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (2 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 8. Anonymous User on 12/28/2011, said: So far so go, I loved it. Get this today, my family moved so I live alone in a ok neiborhood, I try to get an alarm system but was too expensive or tied with a contract, with this its all good, its yours and no tricks lol Was this comment helpful? yes no   (1 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 9. Anonymous User on 12/22/2011, said: Anonymous User, I am impress with your write-ups and guide of installation. How did you resolve the 4 wire terminals? I am trying to learn the installation before deciding buying as I am afraid I may not smart enough to DIY. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (0 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 10. Anonymous User on 9/16/2011, said: I have been using the powermax + for a year now. No false alarms. Good system. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (2 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 11. Anonymous User on 9/3/2011, said: I have had the power max plus for 3 years now. Excellent system. I only remember 1 unexpalined false alarm and another with my cat jumping in front of the sensor. Only problem I have now is the display went out due to lightning. Not there fault but do have to buy a whole new panel. Made in Israel...they know security! Was this comment helpful? yes no   (3 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 12. Anonymous User on 8/24/2011, said: I have had this system for 2 1/2 years and love it. I have never once had a false alarm. Still am using the original batteries for the sensors. Works great. Alarm Relay is fantastic. Highly recommend them! Every time I have contacted them, they are intelligent and polite. If I accidentally have set off my own alarm, they call me within seconds to see if everything is okay. A really great company! Was this comment helpful? yes no   (2 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 13. Laurence on 8/16/2011, said: The Visonic Powermax+ Wirelss is a good system. That's the good news. The bad news, and it is bad news, it is VERY difficult to program. The CD that comes with the system is some help but is not well done or designed. The CD does not mention or explain all of the stuff that shows in the control panels window as you try to program the system. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (2 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 14. Anonymous User on 8/11/2011, said: I've had this system or 3 years and i must say it is great, works as avertized , no false alarms. I added extra features and they work great.I put on sensor in the garage and 50 ft away it works great. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (1 people found this comment helpful, 1 did not) 15. Anonymous User on 7/19/2011, said: I've had it over a year (Bought early 2010). It is working great and have had no problems. It has scared away intruders and they have spread the word. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (1 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 16. John on 6/21/2011, said: I have had his system for a couple of years now. I had it unsupervised for a year before getting a service. Much cheaper to do the DIY system than going commercial! I have had no false alarms. It calls you for sensor tamper alerts, power outages and low batteries. The system is very customizable. You can add sensors as you need to or as you can afford them. We went mainly with the motion sensors since we have 13 openings. Advise to spend the money on the smoke sensor and have it supervised. Two reasons: 1) more likely to have fire than burglary (depending on location) 2) a fire doubles in size every 15 seconds. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (2 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 17. Carl on 3/17/2011, said: I have two of the PowerMax+ installed at different locations since February of 2007. One location has had three false alarms and the other none. Overall this system has been very reliable and gives great peace of mind. I have used almost all the features of this system and they all work perfectly once you get to know the system. Wouldn't be without it. Haven't figured what the cause of the false alarms may have been. One motion sensor in the garage at -30f and two in the house. Extreme cold/insects crawling across the sensor? Unknown. Would recommend this system without reservation. Peace of mind worth the investment. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (3 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 18. Anonymous User on 3/14/2011, said: I have two systems and they work great. One is in a barn and the other a lakehouse. In the lakehouse, I have the burgler detectors, flood detector, smoke detector, temperature detector. In case the heating fails, the system will call me when the temp gets below 45 degrees. I have the system set to also call me if the power ever goes out for longer than 1 hour as that also is a signal that I will have heat problems if that occurs in the wintertime. Over the past 3 years, there have been times when the system has called me to alert me that my keyfob battery was getting low...and same for a motion detector. That is pretty cool! Hard to beleive they can put this much logic into such a low cost system. The systems works great and i have NEVER had a false alarm in either my barn or lake house. I have recomended this system to two friends that also purchased and are very happy. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (4 people found this comment helpful, 1 did not) 19. Anonymous User on 2/28/2011, said: I've been using this setup for about three years now. For the most part I have been very satisfied with the ease of use and functionality. However I am on my second control panel. Just after a year the display screen ceased to function. Contacting the manufacture and the Home security Store I learned that these units are not repaired and I had to purchase a new one at full cost. I did and now the this one has a problem with the phone line circuit. Hopefully this one can be replaced with the warranty. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (2 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) 20. Anonymous User on 2/22/2011, said: This is a great system. The user and installers manuals are a little difficult to grasp but if you watch the instruction DVD you will have no problem. I have been using the system for 3 months with no issues. Was this comment helpful? yes no   (1 people found this comment helpful, 0 did not) Showing comments 1-20 of 63 (Next 20)

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(1) Controller, Receiver, Sounder, and Keypad
(1) 4-Button keyfob (MCT234)
(2) Mini Magnetic Contact (MCT302)
(1) Wireless Pet-Tolerant Digital PIR Detector (K9-85MCW)
(1) Transformer
(1) Backup Battery
(1) Installation DVD