Powermax + Visonic Powermax Security and Management System
Advanced Wireless Home Security and Management System. Offers you a wide variety of options and accessories.
More Information
Rating 
 [4.3]

Posted By: DW
Date: 10/12/2007: 
Ease of use 
 5.0
Features 
 4.0
Overall 
 4.0
Rating Total 
 4.3
Powermax+ & HSS Review
The Powermax+ is packed with more features than we imagined and is working flawlessly since this week’s installation. Installation took less time than planned. It is worth mentioning that time spent thoroughly pre-reading the installer and user’s guides, a few times, will pay off nicely. You will need to read and research the Guides during the installation, and the gratification and knowledge you gain is ample payback. Everyone at the Home Security Store were true professionals, i.e., knowledgeable, helpful and courteous. They provided a brief review of 'lessons learned' for suggestions prior to our installation. The homesecuritystore.com site is easy to navigate.
Posted By: gregg bernstein
Date: 10/2/2007: 
Ease of use 
 5.0
Features 
 3.0
Overall 
 4.0
Rating Total 
 4.0
Powerful, but complicated system
Generally speaking, we are happy with the Visonic Powermax. It is well built & has numerous features. Once you learn how to use it the system is quite easy to use. It is the unnecessary learning curve that was frustrating. Many reviewers have spoken of the poor instruction manuals. They are correct. The installation manual is designed for the professional installer. Even the user manual, ostensibly for the home user, is not user friendly. Some will be less bothered by this because they might be better at reading schematics and flow diagrams. Actual physical installation is easy given that just about everything is wireless. I will note, though, to my surprise, I had to build the plug/ac adapter to plug into the wall. That’s right, I had to splice the wires and connect them to the actual plug. Not a big deal, but it started things off on the wrong foot. I felt like the alarm was a “kit” and not a product designed for consumer use. And, I am not a complainer—really. I just found it odd. Tech support has been very helpful. One gripe—ok, so I have another compliant. I did have a problem with a motion detector I purchased. It was not working properly. I was asked to mail it back and told a new one would be sent. I know this may seem nit picky, but I have spent over $700 on alarm items (unless you have a simple household layout, you will have to purchase multiple accessories). I would have appreciated a UPS call tag or even a shipment to me of a new unit with me to return the defective one (retaining my credit card number on file in case I did not return the defective unit). I understand the need to have return policies as a matter of record, but it would have been an appreciated form of customer service. You might think I am unhappy, or a pain and can’t be pleased. Neither. Just giving you the facts. Overall, I am glad with the purchase.
Posted By: Joe
Date: 9/16/2007: 
Ease of use 
 5.0
Features 
 4.0
Overall 
 4.0
Rating Total 
 4.3
Very happy
It came pre-configured, but I didn't like the way it was setup. I reset the unit back to the factory default and had it back up and working (the way I wanted it) in about four hours. Once you get past the learning curve, it's actually very easy and you'll be moving through the menus with ease. Make sure you read the documentation that comes with the PIR unit(s) - I wasted one of the four hours on a PIR thinking it was bad.
Posted By: John
Date: 9/14/2007: 
Ease of use 
 5.0
Features 
 3.0
Overall 
 4.0
Rating Total 
 4.0

I purchased this for my sister's apartment, and it was much easier to install than I imagined. My major complaint, as many others have already listed, is that the instruction manual is difficult to understand, particularly for a beginner. This is the first alarm system that I've had to install an alarm, so the instructions initially seemed like a foreign language. The most difficult part for me to comprehend was connecting the AC Transformer to the control panel. Once I figured that out, however, the rest of the install was simple. Instead of drilling holes into her walls (since she rents), I went to a local hardware store and bought industrial strength velcro (others have had similar success with double-sided tape). Since the door contacts and motion detectors were pre-enrolled to the control panel, the setup was very easy. The industrial strength velcro worked perfectly for all of the components, including the control panel. Once everything was plugged in and running, customizing the unit's settings was relatively easy, but be sure to keep the instruction manuals, as this unit seems to have plenty of features and customizations. My sister's setup is relatively simple - 2 door contacts, a motion detector, and an extra keypad. For an apartment or smaller home, this is a great alarm system.
Posted By: Kardan
Date: 9/9/2007: 
Ease of use 
 5.0
Features 
 5.0
Overall 
 5.0
Rating Total 
 5.0
Excellent Wireless System....
'Just completed installing this system with no problems. I read the manuals a couple of dozen times and overall and programming was easy. I would prefer not having any WL Devices pre-enrolled but, they were very easy to delete and re-enroll. I will recommend this system and HSS to anyone!! Thanks
Posted By: Irvin Horton
Date: 8/27/2007: 
Ease of use 
 5.0
Features 
 4.0
Overall 
 5.0
Rating Total 
 4.7
Need To Read Manual
I purchaded the Power Max in May of 2007 finally got around to hooking it up the past weekend. I had to read the manual several times to figure out the set up procedure and when it finally clicked setting up was easy. If you order the X10 controller be sure to order the cable for it. A regular phone cable will not work...
Posted By: Keira Earhart
Date: 8/20/2007: 
Ease of use 
 5.0
Features 
 4.0
Overall 
 5.0
Rating Total 
 4.7
Power Max+ works - but....
I like the Power Max + I think it is very versatile for homes or business. For example it monitors my shop and home. My shop has a motion sensor that will make a courtesy beep at the unit (in our home hallway) when it detects motion. This helps me me monitor with out arming the system. I have everything hooked up (KeyFob, siren, other sensors etc-- and even have it call our cell phones to announce an alarm), but I can't seem to get the darn thing to 'arm' or 'dis-arm' via calling in on a telephone. hum... I tried tech support and they read me the manual. Maybe it's because we have a internet phone (Vonage?). Any solutions -- let me know.
Posted By: Robert Maston
Date: 8/20/2007: 
Ease of use 
 5.0
Features 
 4.0
Overall 
 5.0
Rating Total 
 4.7
Recommended
Good flexible system. Full of features. Wireless is easy setup.