Once upon a time in the far off past (well, 15 years ago) you really didn’t have much of a choice when you wanted an IP-based camera. At that time there were just a couple of manufacturers providing cameras to the U.S. market and as we all remember the selections were mighty pricey! Fast-forward to […]
Category Archive: Product Reviews RSS feed for this section
Yale Keypad Lock Is One to Keep in Stock
WE HAVE TESTED AND REVIEWED keypad access locks in the past, including models from Schlage and Kwikset, most recently the Kwikset SmartCode 916 Touchscreen Deadbolt (securitysales.com/ kwikset_deadbolt_locks_reliable), and are big fans. After looking at promotional material for the Yale nexTouch keypad access lock, we asked for a test model but were really expecting a product […]
TRENDnet Industrial Network Switch
The TRENDnet TI-PG1284i network switch is an attractive solution for locations that are less than ideal. TRENDnet has introduced a new industrial-grade hardened network switch that promises to become a “go-to” component for installers when they have network locations that don’t have the best environmental conditions. TRENDnet has been involved in the electronics world since […]
Minuteman PRO1500RT UPS Has Few Downsides
This uninterruptible power supply bests comparable units in both price and performance. Minuteman Power Technologies’ power protection products are manufactured by Para Systems, based in Carrollton, Texas. Now in its 35th year, the company’s product line is well supported and respected, and we tested its remote power management system in August 2016. Our positive experiences […]
Bench Test: Ubiquiti Router Ramps Up Networking With Nary a Net
Thanks to widespread hacking nowadays, the sub $100 “basic” network router just can’t provide the protection needed for video surveillance systems. THE SECURITY AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE world has been evolving the past decade from a mostly analog-based environment to an IP-based one. Security camera systems today have changed from analog matrix switches, VCRs and CRT […]
ISONAS IP Access Is a ‘Pure’ Pleasure
With both hardware and software components, reviewing the ISONAS IP access control system was a complicated process. Up until now, our product reviews have been “inside the box.” That is products that came in a box, and while they tended to serve as part of a larger system they were reviewed on their own merits. […]
Minuteman Power Management Proven to Prevent Hours of Downtime
The RPM Series from Minuteman received high marks when put to the test, particularly the eight-port RPM1581HVN. Many moons ago I had the privilege of working as director of product line management for what ultimately became Tyco Security Products’ video products division. I’m not sure if other companies do this, but we used to break […]
How Well Does Sony’s 4K IP Surveillance Camera Perform?
SSI put the Sony SNC-VM772R fixed dome camera under the microscope. SONY has been supplying products to the CCTV industry for many years. Its video surveillance offerings have primarily been based on the IPELA line of CCTV cameras. Sony is now expanding its offerings with two cameras that employ a 4K (20-megapixel) sensor. We will examine […]
Why Kwikset Electronic Deadbolt Locks Will Have You Ditching Your House Key
SSI’s test found the SmartCode 916 and Signature Series Deadbolt to be extremely reliable. In June 2014 we reviewed the Kwikset SmartCode electronic door lock models 912 and 914. At the time we started out less than enthusiastically — in an industry full of high-tech toys, it was hard to get excited by a couple of […]
Does the Orion Online Pro Series UPS System Pass the Test?
Orion Power Systems (Orion) is a Florida-based manufacturer of powerline conditioning and protection systems, including several lines of uninterruptable power supply (UPS) systems. The company prides itself on customer service and support, and limits distribution to prevent conflicts — you won’t find Orion systems at your local (or online) big-box retailer, which should preserve some profit […]
