In recent years we have published several articles and reviews about the Ajax alarm system. A complete premium wireless alarm system that you can fully operate and configure with the Ajax apps on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Ajax regularly releases new additions for the alarm system.
One of these new devices is the Keypad Touchscreen, a control panel for your alarm system that is equipped with a 5-inch display. In recent months we have extensively tested the Keypad Touchscreen in practice.
Ajax Keypad Touchscreen (Control panel)
The control panels with touch buttons have been part of the Ajax systemthese are available in two variants with and without NFC reader. With these standard control panels you can switch the alarm system on and off with access codes and possibly use a compulsory code.
The new Ajax Keypad Touchscreen is an advanced version of the control panel and is equipped with a color screen. The Keypad Touchscreen uses a 5-inch IPS display with sufficient brightness and a large viewing angle. This makes the control panel easy to operate and the screen is clearly visible from all corners if it is attached to the wall.
The Keypad Touchscreen has compared a number of advantages with a normal control panel that is only equipped with a numerical keyboard. If your home or business environment consists of several zones for the alarm system, you can look at which zones are enabled with the Keypad touchscreen and which are not. Clear symbols are used for the status of the different zones. With a tap on the screen you can switch a zone on or off. It is of course also possible to operate all zones in one go.
At the bottom of the screen you have a kind of tabs that give access to more functions. With the help of the panic tab you can immediately sound the alarm, you can add buttons for fire, burglary or another event.
Via the management tab you can operate the alarm and the scenarios tab gives access to scenarios that you can create in the Ajax app. These scenarios can be used for switching electrical devices, for example lighting.
Battery and 12 V power supply
The control panel works on 6 AA batteries, these are supplied and can provide the panel for 1.5 years with power supply (depending on the use). It is also possible to connect the keypad to a mains power adapter for constant food. This adapter must supply 10.5 to 14 v⎓ (maximum 0.4 A). If you use this, the batteries will be used as a backup in the case of a power outage.
Different ways of switching off
The Keypad touchscreen can be operated via the numeric keyboard, NFC reader and Bluetooth (iPhone). The use of the numeric keyboard and access codes speaks for itself. You can use a general access code that everyone uses or a personal code. With personal codes you have more insight who has switched off the alarm system at what time.
The use of an NFC card or key ring is also a common way to operate an alarm system. You link a pass or key ring to a user. Instead of entering an access code, it is sufficient to keep the pass or key ring in front of the screen. The alarm system can be operated below.
The Bluetooth option is new and is the most modern method. By Bluetooth, the Keypad touchscreen and an iPhone can communicate with each other about a secure connection. This makes it possible to easily switch the alarm on or off. You keep your iPhone near the control panel to authorize yourself. After this you no longer have to enter access code. After successful authentication you can immediately operate the alarm system. The sensitivity of the Bluetooth signal can be adjusted, allowing you to leave your iPhone in your pocket or bag.
Via the Ajax app you can also set that no authorization requires to switch on the alarm system. This allows the alarm to be activated with a single button.
If the alarm system is not closed in addition, you will see this on the screen of the Keypad Touchscreen. Handy because then you no longer have to look at your iPhone to see what is going on.
Proximity sensor
The screen has an automatically adjustable brightness with a nice light and dark display, entirely in the Ajax design. The screen can be activated automatically with the help of a proximity sensor. This happens when you keep your hand with the control panel. The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted.
When the alarm system is activated, you can prevent the Ajax logo under the screen to light up red. This makes it immediately clear that the alarm system is activated.
Can also be used as a bell
It is also possible to have the Keypad Touchscreen play a sound signal when a door sensor is activated. This naturally only works if the alarm system is not enabled. This function can be useful in a store to let employees know that someone entered the building.
Conclusion: Ajax Systems Keypad Touchscreen
Review Score
The Keypad Touchscreen is a luxury version of the standard Ajax keypads with the extra additives a screen and the possibility to identify yourself with the help of your iPhone. Via the screen you can easily switch on certain zones and view its status, without having to use different codes. The other functions correspond to the normal Ajax Keypad, from the Ajax app you can create users and give access rights.
If you use switching devices such as an Ajax Lightswitch or Socket, you can also switch connected devices such as lighting on and off via the Scenario tab. To activate the alarm, for example, you can switch off all interior lighting and switch on the outdoor lighting.
The Keypad Touchscreen looks nice and is available in a black and white version. Connecting to 12 V is not a requirement, but if possible advisable, the batteries serve as an emergency stream in that case.
With an alarm system with multiple zones such as home, garage, shed and garden, the Keypad Touchscreen has certainly added value compared to the standard Ajax Keypad. You can see the status of the system at a glance without having to use your iPhone.
- Works on 6 AA batteries and/or 12 V mains power adapter
- Nice and solid design
- Access based on access codes, NFC and Bluetooth
- Simple operation
- Purchase price is on the high side
Where to buy?
It Keypad Touchscreen Ajax costs on average between 349 and 499 euros. The device is available at various Ajax official partners in the Netherlands.