Texecom SmartCom and Communicators: Which One Do You Need?
A Texecom communicator is the module that lets your alarm panel talk to the outside world: to your phone through the Texecom Connect app, to an alarm receiving centre (ARC), or to an engineer for remote programming. For most Premier Elite systems today the answer is SmartCom, which connects over Ethernet or Wi-Fi. ComIP, ComGSM, Com2400 and Com300 cover more specific needs, and speech diallers call you with a recorded message.
Outbound connections, no port forwarding; Premier Elite V4.00 firmware or later
ComIP (CEJ-0001)
LAN or WAN
Premier Elite apps, Wintex upload/download, home automation such as Crestron
ATS Class 4; Premier Elite and Premier Series
ComGSM (CEG-0001)
GSM/GPRS
GPRS alarm reporting, upload/download, GSM text messaging on Premier Elite
Fixed or dynamic SIM; pay-as-you-go SIMs supported
Com2400 (CEC-0001)
PSTN telephone line
Digital alarm reporting at 2400 baud, SMS text facility
ATS Class 2; plug-on, 8 channel
Com300 (CEA-0001)
PSTN telephone line
300 baud reporting, full upload/download, programming diagnostics
ATS Class 2; plug-on, 8 channel
SmartCom: the default choice for Premier Elite
If your Premier Elite panel runs V4.00 firmware or later and the property has broadband, SmartCom is usually the right communicator. It connects by Ethernet or 2.4GHz Wi-Fi with DHCP, and attaches to the panel via two COM ports. A simple user web page handles Wi-Fi set-up.
Because SmartCom makes outbound connections, Texecom states that no port forwarding is required on the router, which avoids one of the more awkward parts of older IP installs. It supports the Texecom Connect app, ARC reporting through Texecom Monitor and remote UDL via Texecom Cloud.
For SmartCom 4G installations in areas of poor or no 4G signal, Texecom offers an external high performance antenna. It has a 10m cable, an IP67 rating and a stainless steel right-angle bracket. The antenna uses an MMCX push-fit connector, and the JAQ-0004 adaptor is needed to connect it to SMA. See the SmartCom 4G high performance antenna (JAQ-0003).
ComIP: wired IP with ATS Class 4 and automation
The ComIP module suits installations that need an IP connection on Premier or Premier Elite panels with a stated ATS Class 4 rating, or integration with home automation systems such as Crestron. It connects to a LAN or WAN, supports control through the Premier Elite apps and allows upload/download through Wintex. See the Premier Elite ComIP module (CEJ-0001).
ComGSM: mobile network reporting
ComGSM is for sites without a reliable fixed line or broadband, or where a mobile path is wanted. It provides GPRS alarm reporting and upload/download on Premier and Premier Elite panels, plus GSM text messaging on Premier Elite. It works with fixed or dynamic SIMs, including pay-as-you-go. Texecom notes it requires Premier Montex and Wintex software. View the Premier Elite ComGSM GSM/GPRS communicator (CEG-0001).
Com2400 and Com300: telephone line communicators
The Com2400 and Com300 are plug-on digital communicators that use a PSTN telephone line. Both are listed as ATS Class 2, multi-protocol and 8 channel.
Check with your telephone provider that a suitable line is available before choosing a PSTN communicator.
Speech diallers and the speech module
A speech dialler phones a list of numbers and plays a recorded message when the alarm triggers. Texecom offers two routes.
Premier Elite speech module
The speech module is a plug-on board that adds four recordable 10-second messages to a Premier Elite panel, each assigned to a digital communication channel and triggered from any panel output type. Texecom states it requires Premier Elite V3.00 or later firmware, hardware revision 3 or later, and a Com2400. You can buy the Premier Elite speech module (CGE-0001) alone, or the speech module and Com2400 kit (CGE-0002) if you do not already have a Com2400.
Standalone speech dialler
The Texecom speech dialler (CGA-0001) is a separate unit with a 32 character LCD, four trigger inputs, four voice messages, the ability to dial eight numbers and two programmable outputs. Listed features include call abort, listen-in, talkback and passcode protection, with remote access and upload/download via Wintex. A speech and text dialler (CGC-0001) is also available.
Which Texecom communicator should you choose?
Premier Elite (V4.00+) with broadband, want the app: SmartCom.
Need ATS Class 4 IP or Crestron-style integration: ComIP.
No broadband or fixed line: ComGSM.
Phone line reporting: Com2400 (with SMS) or Com300.
Want a voice call on alarm: speech module with Com2400, or a standalone speech dialler.
