Light up keypad

Thanks for your suggestion!

We actually have looked into adding some type of lighting for the keypad keys. (Just to be clear for potential customers, the Keypad already has a light up screen, but the keys themselves don't currently light up). The two options we've been looking at are adding lights behind the keys or making the keypad text "glow-in-the-dark" ink.

Lights behind the keys would give you the most light, but in order to keep the Keypad battery life high at its current 1-2 years, they could only light up after events (such as when you return home and it's prompting you to enter your PIN). The lights couldn't be always on or they would drain the batteries quickly. Even so, we might see a 1 month drop in battery life depending on how efficient we could make it.

Glow-in-the-dark ink would be nice because it doesn't affect battery life and would be "always on," not just lighting up for specific events. On the other hand, it wouldn't be nearly as bright and, of course, after a 6+ hours in the dark, it would start to get pretty dim. There are some pretty high-performance glow-in-the-dark inks these days, but we haven't found anything that could last for a full night without any light to charge it back up.

I'd love to get reactions from folks about this... preferences?

Chad

As far as lights behind the keys go, I think it would be appropriate to only have the lights on once the system is prompting for a PIN number. That's when I find that I'm searching for the correct keys to hit. That was my initial thought on the situation.

Agree! The keypad should light when the system is looking for the Pin. I have the same problem. (not a big deal but an improvement).

Keypad screen & keys
The keypad screen is extremely difficult to see.
If you turn off all the lights is order to better see the screen, then you can't see the keys.

First: I suggest, that they needed to make the screen much more readable.

Secondly: I have no idea if they have looked into this or not, but I suggest using photoluminescent materials such as Zinc sulfide or Strontium aluminate in making the keys. They are the newer phosphor and they both have a very long persistence (stay lighted for a long time).

I have to say, I don't have much trouble reading the screen in the day or night. The readability and backlight aren't perfect, but it's certainly good enough and easy to use for the couple seconds each day I interact with it.

For the keys I think I'd vote for the photoluminescent idea. Again, I don't find this a big problem because I just flip on the light switch at night, problem solved, but sure, glowing keys would be a bonus. I really value not having to change batteries a lot, so I'd rather not see anything decrease battery life.

My $0.02. ;)

I think a backlight would be best when entering a PIN.

I ve only had my system for a week and already can see the need for a lighted key pad but just light up when entering the house and putting in your code would be the only time.

I love the system & the support staff...........................

I agree with a lighted keypad. If its easy to replace the batteries its worth it.

I love my system. I would like to have the keypad lit up a little longer. It's right by 2 lamps and it's still a little difficult to read when the backlight goes off. This is however a very minor issue compared to the benefits.

I would like the keypad to light up rather than the glow in the dark ink, losing a month or so of battery life would be well worth it.
Are any fire or smoke detection coming in the future?

In addition to adding lighted keys, have you thought about adding a red(armed) and green(ready to arm) l.e.d. light? The reason I'm asking is because now that my keypad is not in the same room as my base station sometimes I forget that my system is armed and I open the door and quickly have to disarm the system before the siren sounds. Will l.e.d. lights drain the battery quickly?

Unfortunately, yes, even a small LED light on the Keypad that was always on would cause a significant decrease in battery life (taking it from years to months). We're increasing the contrast on the screen to make it easier to see the alarm state indicator icons (off, away, home), which may help, but I don't think we'll ever put an always-on light on the Keypad.

Chad

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SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security
Live. Safely.

How about adding a small sensor that detects when your hand is close and automatically turns on the backlight and such. I have a garage door opener in my car that lights up all 3 buttons when my hand gets close so if im coming home at night and can't see the buttons in my car, i don't have to turn a light on to see what button im pressing.

I personally would trade off the need to replace the batts. in the keypad every few months for the benefit of the keys lighting up when the system is asking for the PIN to disarm.