Ajax Systems: Professional alarm to protect your home

Once we know the main characteristics of this professional alarm, we are going to briefly explain all the devices that we are going to analyze today in RedesZone.

All these devices (except the smart plug and flood detector) have an anti-sabotage system, if we try to turn off the device or remove it from where it is installed, the alarm will automatically go off because someone is trying to manipulate the professional alarm. Of course, if we enter the disarm password wrong several times, the possibility of further attempts will automatically be blocked, and the alarm will go off.

Due to the large number of devices that we have available on the Ajax website, we recommend you visit all the Ajax Systems products on their official website, where you will find all the details.

Once we know the main characteristics of this professional alarm, and which devices we are going to see and test in detail, we are going to go to the external analysis where you will be able to see all the details of each device.

External analysis

The Ajax professional alarm is made up of a large number of devices, all of which communicate wirelessly with the central station, in our case it is the Hub 2 Plus model, which is the most advanced technologically. The rest of the devices are motion detectors, smoke, door or window opening sensor, smart plug, flood sensor, siren and also a wireless controller and a wireless keyboard. The first thing that catches our attention about Ajax is the quality of the materials and the presentation of each of the devices that make up our professional alarm for the home or business. Each device will have its own box with its documentation and QR code to add it easily and quickly to the smartphone application.

In the back of the boxes is where we will find the exact model of each of the different devices, we will also find the main technical specifications of the different devices, to take it into account when configuring it and install it. What most strikes us is that these devices are really complete and with encrypted communications to the central station, these devices are simply what we will need to set up a professional alarm system in our home, which has nothing to envy to the Typical alarms that the large alarm companies in Spain can give us, in fact, in our opinion this professional alarm system is better than them due to the technology incorporated and the possibility of configuring it as we want in detail.

The manufacturer Ajax Systems has a large number of devices to monitor our entire home, what has surprised us the most is the large number of devices they have for sale to perfectly adapt to our needs, and at RedesZone we have had the opportunity to test some of the main devices that we will need for our home.

Hub 2 Plus

Hub 2 Plus is the central receiver of all signals, it has advanced features such as photo verification to check if the alarm is real. Without a doubt, photographic verification is the future of professional alarms, thanks to the MotionCam and MotionCam Outdoor detectors with taking photos, it allows both users and CRA operators to evaluate the intrusion. This device is capable of supporting up to 200 users, 200 connected devices, 100 connected cameras or DVRs, has a range of up to 2000 meters, we can configure a maximum of 64 scenarios and has a total of 4 communication channels.

This receiving center is the most advanced of Ajax Systems currently, we have connectivity by WiFi, by cable through its Ethernet port, and also through two slots for micro SIM cards with support for 3G/4G, in this way , if a communication system fails, it automatically switches to another communication system to receive the alarm jump quickly and under any circumstances.

Ajax makes available to its users applications for Android, iOS and also macOS and Windows, in addition, we have totally automatic and free updates of the built-in software, of course, this model is compatible with CRA, so we can connect this central recipient to a CRA with operators. Other very important features are that it has a quick installation system, and an anti-sabotage system for the device.

In order to avoid running out of alarm in the event of a power cut, this device has a battery that will provide us with an autonomy of up to 15 hours in operation, of course, all alarm devices must be correctly authenticated with the receiving center since all communication is encrypted, in addition, it also has a Jamming detection system. Finally, from the app we can configure the different polling periods of the devices in our home, and it will even be able to detect the loss of the hub's connection to the Internet in less than a minute.

On the front of the box is where we can see the device itself, as well as the different forms of communication (WiFi, Ethernet and two SIMs), in addition, it allows visual verification of the alarms if we use MotionCam or MotionCam Outdoor. The back of the box is where we can see the main technical specifications of this device, however, due to all the options and possibilities, we recommend you visit the official Ajax website where you will find detailed explanations of everything we can do with this device. equipment, in addition, we have a brief comparison with the previous models of central receiver.

The contents of the box of this Hub 2 Plus are as follows:

In the brochure that we will find inside the Hub 2 Plus we can see all the technical specifications in detail, such as the 3Ah capacity battery, the frequency bands used, the signal strength, the distance without obstacles, Internet connectivity , dimensions, weight etc. The power cable and the network cable will allow us to connect it to the electrical current and the router respectively.

The Hub 2 Plus has a really elegant design, just like a professional WiFi access point. On the front we will find the logo of the manufacturer Ajax, which also works as a status LED that we can configure its intensity through the app. At the back is where we will have the support to place it on the wall, and just inside is where we will have the plugs and screws to fix it to the wall without problems. It is in this area where we have a power connector, the Ethernet port and the two micro SIM slots of the Hub 2 Plus that will allow us to connect to the Internet via mobile broadband.

One of the aspects that has caught our attention the most is the quality of the materials of this central station, it really has some premium materials, also, thanks to all the possibilities of Internet connectivity that it has, we can be sure that we will receive the alarm trip when it occurs.

MotionCam

The MotionCam motion detector with photo camera is one of the fundamental elements in our professional alarm. This device allows us to detect movement easily and quickly, it allows detection up to 12 meters away, in addition, it will not detect animals up to 20 kg or 50 cm high, to avoid false positives when our pet moves through our house . This device is capable of taking up to 5 photos in a burst when it detects movement, with the aim of sending them directly to the receiving center so that we can see it through the app, or if we have an ARC that they also receive the photos. These photographs have a maximum resolution of 640×480 pixels, in addition, this device has a range of up to 1,700 meters to connect with the receiving center and is totally wireless, it is powered by batteries that have an estimated duration of up to 4 years.

Something very important is that the detector takes photos only in case of alarm. It doesn't record 24/7 and there's no way to take a photo on demand, which is good for privacy.

On the front of the MotionCam box we can see the device itself, a very important detail is that MotionCam is only compatible with Hubs (receivers) that support visual alarm verification (Hub 2 and Hub 2 Plus ). On the back of the box is where we will find the main features of this motion detector that takes pictures. The contents of the box are as follows:

In the technical characteristics brochure we can see the viewing angle of the motion detector, which is 88.5º horizontal and 80º vertical, it will also indicate the type of built-in battery and the estimated duration.

On the front of this device is where we can see a device status LED, if there has been detection it will light up. We also have the motion detection sensor itself, the infrared and the camera to take the pictures. At the back is where we will have everything we need to place it on the wall, we will also find a device power button and the QR code to easily add the device to the app.

This device is one of the most important to detect intrusions in our home or business, any professional alarm should have one of these, because it ensures that we can detect movement and send evidence (photographs) to the receiving center.

DoorProtect

The DoorProtect is another fundamental element for any alarm. This device is a magnetic door and window opening detector, it incorporates a total of two "magnets" to place it 1 cm away or 2 cm away, depending on whether it is a door or a window, you will have to install one or the other. Other features of this device are that the communication radius with the Hub is up to 1,200 meters, it has a monitoring system to detect if there is a problem with the device and it even has an anti-sabotage system, something totally essential for this type of device. . Other characteristics are that it is powered by batteries, they have an estimated duration of 7 years, in addition, a wired detector can be incorporated and the installation is really easy and fast thanks to the built-in kit.

On the front of the box we can see the DoorProtect in real size, on the back of the box is where we will have the main features of the device that we have just explained. The content of the box of this DoorProtect is the following:

In the brochure with the technical specifications we can find information about the type of built-in battery, signal range, frequency, contents of the box with a small magnet and another larger magnet etc.

The DoorProtect consists of a total of three devices, the main device is the one that incorporates a slot at the top that is the device status LED, the other two devices are the magnets that will work together with the main device, to detect whether doors and windows are being opened or closed.

This device can be wired to an NC detector, in addition, we have a QR code on the back to install it easily and quickly with the mobile application.

HomeSiren

The first thing that caught our attention about the Ajax siren, the "HomeSiren" is its very small size, this device is a totally wireless indoor siren. The main features of this device are that it allows you to adjust the volume of the siren, it allows a distance of up to 2000 meters, it has a monitoring interval of at least 12 seconds, it has an easy and fast installation system, as well as an anti-sabotage system. . Other features are that it incorporates an LED, and you can even put an external LED connector. This siren is completely wireless, so it is powered by batteries. According to Ajax, the duration is estimated at approximately 5 years, although it will depend on use, of course.

On the front of the box we can see the HomeSiren in real size, on the back of the box we can see the main technical characteristics of this device, the content of the box is as follows:

In the brochure with the technical specifications we can find information about the type of built-in battery, signal range, frequency, etc.

In the front part of this siren is where we will have the speaker, and in the back part is where we will find the support to locate this siren on the wall, in addition, in the central part we will have the connector to install an external LED indicator.

Something that has pleasantly surprised us about this device is its very small size and the power of the siren, in addition, the quality of the materials is something that we must also take into account.

FireProtect

Smoke detectors in the home are a very interesting complement to a professional alarm, in the case of FireProtect we have a device that is always active looking for possible smoke from a fire, in addition, incorporates a mermaid inside. Other interesting features of this model is that it allows a working range of up to 1,300 meters, it can be configured to work autonomously, although it is recommended that it work together with the rest of the alarm devices. It also has a monitoring interval of 12 seconds, it is very easy and fast to install, it has an anti-tamper system that will set off the alarm, and it will even notify us with notifications to carry out maintenance on the smoke detector. This detector is completely wireless, so it has an internal battery with up to 4 years of estimated autonomy, however, it could last more or less depending on use. There is also an advanced version of this sensor called FireProtect Plus that also notifies you if there are dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

On the front of the box of this FireProtect we can find the equipment in real size, on the back is where we have the main features of this device in question. The content of the box is as follows:

In the technical specifications brochure we can find information about the type of smoke sensor, in this case it is a photoelectric sensor, in addition, it also incorporates a temperature sensor that will notify us if there is a sudden increase in temperature, and if it exceed 60ºC will also notify us. Of course, we have batteries to power the device, and not only that, but it also has two main batteries and a backup battery in case the first ones are empty.

The FireProtect looks very similar to a Hub 2 Plus or a WiFi access point, this device is designed to be placed on the ceiling where smoke will collect, in order to detect it correctly. On the front we will find the Ajax logo and also the built-in siren, on the back is where we will have the mounting support, and if we remove it we can see the power button and also the QR code to configure it with the Ajax app .

Taking into account the price of this smoke detector, it is a very interesting option to assess to further complete the security in our home.

LeaksProtect

You don't need a flood detector at home until your sink hose breaks and your house floods while you're on vacation. We consider this device very important for the security of our home, also, for the price it has, it is well worth it. This device will communicate directly with the receiving center, allows a distance of up to 1,300 meters, is always active and does not require any type of installation, we can simply leave it on the bathroom or kitchen floor to detect water leaks. This device is totally wireless, it has a battery that provides us with a range of up to 5 years.

The first thing that caught our attention about this device is its very small size, it is really small. On the front of the box we can see the device in question in real size, on the back is where we can see the main features of the device. The content of the box is as follows:

In the brochure with the specifications we can see the frequency bands used to communicate with the central station, we will also have the type of built-in battery, the estimated duration and the class of protection against dust and water, in this case it is IP65 , something logical because it is possible that it will get wet with the flood.

This device is optional in our home, however, our recommendation is that you evaluate your purchase because you never know when you will need it to notify you that there is a water leak.

Socket

Smart plugs are one of the home automation devices most purchased by users to control their household appliances. Socket is the device that works as a smart plug and that integrates perfectly with the rest of the alarm devices. This device allows a 220-240V input with a current intensity of up to 11A continuously (2.5 kW of power) and supports up to 13A for 5 seconds (3 kW of power). This equipment can be connected at a distance of up to 1000 meters and uses the Ajax Jeweler radio protocol.

On the front of the box we can see the smart plug, the first thing that catches our attention is that it is really small, we can connect it to a power strip or wall outlet and it will only occupy one plug and not two. On the back of the box is where we will find the main features of this device. The content of the box is as follows:

In the specification brochure we can see the type of actuator (electromagnetic relay), the on-off lifespan with up to 200000, the input voltage and current, as well as the characteristics of the current protection system and temperature. This device connects wirelessly, and we can see the frequency bands used, as well as the maximum power and other details.

In the lower area is where we will have the QR code to add this device to the central station and to the Ajax app, in the front part we will find the shucko plug to connect the different devices, and in the back part the shucko plug to connect it to a wall outlet or power strip.

This smart plug integrates with the rest of the alarm devices, for example, we could configure the automatic activation or deactivation of the device in case of intrusion or when it detects smoke or water. Thanks to the automation with its "Scenarios" in the app, you could also set it to turn on and off at a certain time, program the outdoor spotlights to turn on when the outdoor motion sensors detect outsiders, and even implement a automatic anti-flooding system using Ajax automation devices such as Relay or WallSwitch.

KeyPad

The KeyPad is a totally wireless keyboard with which we can arm or disarm our alarm, generally this type of device should be placed at the entrance of our house near the door. The main features of this device is that we can arm and disarm the alarm with a password, however, we also have the possibility of arming it without entering a password but by pressing a button. Other features are that it supports night mode, it has a self-locking system in case someone enters the password incorrectly on several occasions, it has an operating range of up to 1,700 meters, a really easy and simple installation system, as well as an anti-virus system. -sabotage. Finally, this device is completely wireless, therefore, it is powered by batteries and has an estimated useful life of up to 2 years before having to change them.

On the front of the box we can see in real size the Ajax KeyPad, this device has a really elegant design. In the back area of ​​the box is where we will find the main technical specifications of the device. The content of the box is as follows:

In the brochure with the specifications we can see the type of sensor for the touch keyboard (capacitive), also if we have an anti-sabotage system and against brute force attacks on the code, we can see the frequency band used, the maximum power, distance of operation, type of battery (four AAA batteries) and also the estimated duration of the battery, finally, we will see the size and weight of the device.

The first thing that strikes us about this device is its size, it is really small, thanks to this equipment we can physically manage our alarm, without the need for our smartphone. This device is a very important piece of equipment in a professional alarm, because we can arm and disarm the alarm easily and quickly. On the back of the KeyPad we can see how it is mounted directly on the wall, and just below we will see the device's power button and the QR code to add it to the application.

As you have seen, KeyPad is another fundamental element in any alarm, in addition, we have the possibility of configuring a duress code that will trigger the alarm silently, to notify our contacts or CRA that we are facing a emergency.

SpaceControl

SpaceControl is a remote control that has a total of four buttons, we can disarm the alarm, arm the alarm, activate the night mode and activate the panic button. A very important characteristic of this type of device is the protection system against accidental pulsations. When we have this type of remote control together with keys in our pocket, it is likely that we accidentally press it and set the alarm or press the panic button, for this reason having a system against accidental pressing is very important. Other characteristics of this device is that it allows a range of action of up to 1,300 meters and uses a CR2032A type battery for power, which lasts up to 5 years, although it will depend on use.

In the front part of the box is where we will be able to see the controller, and in the back part its main characteristics. The content of the box is as follows:

In the brochure with the technical specifications we can see the number of buttons, if we have a panic button, frequency of use, battery power, maximum distance without obstacles, size and weight among other characteristics.

What has caught our attention the most about this controller is the quality of the materials and the feel when pressing the different buttons, it's really good. This SpaceControl is another fundamental piece in a professional alarm, because it will allow us to disarm it when we are arriving at the garage with our car, without having to take out the smartphone.

So far we have come with our external analysis of each and every one of the devices of our Ajax Systems alarm, now we are going to go to the installation and start-up section of the system.

Installation and commissioning

As a manufacturer, Ajax Systems recommends professional installation to all its users, as this prevents false alarms and ensures flawless system operation in a life-critical situation. We decided to install the system ourselves, since we had experience in handling alarm solutions.

The installation of all the professional alarm from Ajax Systems is really fast, the first thing we have to do is download the application for Android and iOS, with which we will install each and every one of the alarm devices that we have taught you previously.

The first thing we have to do is create a new account, we will have to enter name, email, confirm email, choose our country and put our phone number. We also have to enter the administration access key and confirm the password. Ajax will send us an email with a confirmation code, and simultaneously send us a code via SMS that we must enter on the next screen. Once we have done it, we will have two options, configure the alarm system manually, or through a small step-by-step configuration wizard.

We have chosen to use the configuration wizard, therefore, we will have to click on "Use wizard".

The first thing we have to do is activate the hub and wait for the Ajax logo on the front to be bright white (at least two communication channels are connected) or green (one communication channel is connected). connected). Once we have turned it on and after waiting a couple of minutes, we can click on "Next" and enter a name and the hub registration key, we can also scan the QR code easily and quickly to add it without complications. Once done, it will indicate that the Hub has been added correctly, and it will also recommend configuring alternative Internet connection methods, in case the current communication fails. If we click on "Next" we will get the IP address that has been configured automatically thanks to the router's DHCP server.

The rooms are a way of organizing the different devices that we have scattered around our home, for example, if we have three motion detectors, we will create three rooms to physically locate them in our home easily and quickly. We can create a maximum of 50 rooms in this Hub 2 Plus.

Of course, once we have added the Hub 2 Plus, which is the most important device, we will have to add the rest of the devices. Through the configuration wizard we can add one after the other, by clicking on "Add device" and scanning the QR code to detect the type of device, the wizard will tell us how we should activate the different devices we have.

Once we have added everyone, it will allow us to add more users as guest or administrator, so that they can also manage the alarm. We can add up to 200 users to the hub to receive alerts and manage home automation / security. Finally, Ajax recommends us to read its user manuals to know how to use each and every one of the devices.

Once we have added each and every one of the devices, we can see them in the main menu with their corresponding remaining battery indicator. In addition, we can add more devices easily and quickly, by clicking on "Add device", if it is an Ajax device we will click on the first option, a menu will appear to give it a name, add the device ID or scan the QR code , and also select the room where we want to install it.

If we click on "Add camera" we can add IP cameras from other manufacturers, such as Dahua, Safire, Hikvision, EZVIZ, great news that will allow us to integrate the video surveillance cameras from these manufacturers into the alarm system in home. IP cameras from other manufacturers can be added directly via RTSP.

Once we have seen how to install this professional alarm with all the devices, we are going to see in detail all the configuration options available.

All the configuration options

Something that has impressed us about Ajax Systems is the dozens of advanced configurations that we can do on each of these devices. Not only will it show us the current status of each and every one of the devices, but we will be able to configure its behavior in a very detailed way. For example, in the Hub 2 Plus we can configure the different users who can access the system, configure connectivity via Ethernet, WiFi and mobile network, in addition, we can activate a geofence to receive notifications and activate the alarm if we leave home. Other features are the possibility of creating groups of devices, which we can enable individually or collectively, in this way, we can activate only certain devices that are in a specific group. When we have added the different devices, we have different types of tests to check the connectivity, check the detection zone, the "ping" interval of the detector to check if it has fallen or not, configure the automatic firmware update, configure the central receiver with an ARC, configure the sirens, adjust the smoke detector and check the overall integrity of the system.

Depending on the device that we are going to configure, we will have some configuration options or others. For example, the KeyPad allows you to configure a PIN code to disarm the alarm, but we can also configure a duress code that will trigger the silent alarm, to notify all users registered in the system and also the CRA (if we have one). configured and contracted).

In the following video you can see one by one each and every one of the menus that we have available in the Ajax Systems app, in this video we explain in detail what each function is for and you will see the status of all the professional alarm :

As you have seen, the possibilities and level of detail of this professional alarm is truly amazing, it is one of the most complete security systems we have tested so far. Something that we would like to highlight is the proper functioning of the application, we receive intrusion alerts almost instantaneously, the same if we force a loss of electrical current to the Hub 2 Plus, which will notify us indicating that it is running on battery.

Test laboratory

In RedesZone we have been testing this alarm for two weeks, and the user experience could not have been better. This alarm has behaved impeccably throughout this time, we have installed it ourselves, although Ajax recommends that the different devices be installed by home and business security professionals.

The Hub 2 Plus has behaved perfectly at all times, we have forced the loss of Internet connection and it has notified us of this event quickly (depending on how you have configured the monitoring pings). In the event of losing electrical power, it has immediately notified us that the receiving center is working with the internal battery, so it is advisable to connect it again.

The MotionCam movement detector is one of the fundamental devices in any alarm, in this case, the operation when detecting movement has been perfect, in addition, we have verified that the alarm does not go off due to movement of small objects, something totally necessary to avoid false positives. In addition, something that has caught our attention is the speed with which the photographs are received on our smartphone. The only handicap that we can put on the MotionCam is the resolution of the photos, they are very small, nowadays having photos in HD 720p resolution we believe is totally necessary.

The DoorProtect door and window opening sensor is another of the most important devices, in this case, we have verified that the placement of the devices is super important, otherwise, it will not work correctly and will not detect that the door or window has been opened. The detector device and the magnet must be perfectly aligned, in addition, it is advisable to check this alignment before fixing it with screws, otherwise, you will have to disassemble it again.

The HomeSiren siren has worked very well at all times, if you set off the alarm and you are in the same room you will realize that it sounds a lot, something logical and normal in the face of a professional alarm siren. A very important feature of this siren is that you can modify its power, but generally it will always be set to the maximum so that it is perfectly heard that the alarm has gone off.

We have tested the FireProtect smoke and temperature increase detector in two different scenarios, in the first one we have placed it near a barbecue in our home, and it has perfectly detected that there was a lot of smoke and has set off the alarm . In the second scenario, in order to verify a very high temperature increase, we have tried to open our oven (already heated) and bring the FireProtect closer to the oven so that it detects this excessive temperature increase. It has also worked perfectly and has warned us that this has been the case.

The LeaksProtect flood detector must take into account that it will only jump when there is enough water to cover its lower part, otherwise, if there are only very small water droplets, it will not jump. In our tests, to set off the alarm we have been gradually wetting the floor with water, until it has gone off. Next, we have moved it to another non-wet location and it has warned us that it no longer detects any type of flooding.

We have tested the Socket smart plug with an appliance that is very important today, a fan, and it has shown us the consumption in real time at all times, we have also configured it to be used in conjunction with other alarm devices with the help of the scenarios and it has worked perfectly.

Finally, the KeyPad and the SpaceControl to control the alarm have worked perfectly, these two devices will allow us to arm and disarm the alarm, and even activate the panic button to trigger the alarm automatically. What we liked the most about these two devices are the extensive configuration options available, with the aim of perfectly adapting to our needs.

Once we have seen this professional alarm in depth, we are going to see a list of strengths and weaknesses, both generally and specifically with the different devices.

Strong Points

Weak Points

Final Conclusions

This professional alarm system from Ajax Systems has impressed us in all respects, currently we already we had an alarm from a popular security company in Spain, however, this professional Ajax alarm surpasses the devices installed by this company in everything. We have a really complete receiving center, which will allow us to communicate in multiple ways, receive in real time all the notices to our mobile with push notifications, and we will have full control over the alarm and all the associated devices that we have registered with the Hub 2 Plus. Another very interesting aspect is that we can connect this alarm directly to a CRA so that the different operators receive the alarm triggers, something very important to confirm the intrusion and notify the Police directly.

The different devices that we have tested such as the motion detector, smoke detector, the magnetic for doors and windows or the different controls to arm and disarm the alarm have worked perfectly at all times. What we must highlight is both the quality of the materials of the different devices, as well as the different advanced configuration options that we have available in the application, to configure each and every one of the internal parameters in detail.

The only handicap that we see in a professional alarm of this type is money, we must take into account that it is a professional alarm without any type of fees, therefore, we must calculate the amortization period of an installation of this type. For example, in the case of buying each and every one of the devices that we have shown you in this analysis:

We have a total price of €1,134, a fairly significant investment. However, if you only want the alarm functions, you can do without the smoke detector, the flood detector and the smart plug, but the rest of the devices are necessary.

Taking into account the characteristics of the different devices, the general operation of the alarm, and the total price of this professional alarm, our assessment is 9.5/10.

We look forward to your comments if you have any questions about the operation of this professional alarm from Ajax Systems for home and business.