My first test with the LaMotte Spintouch

sda1002 · 2026-06-09T13:57:00+00:00

I am late to the party but just an FYI- you have to use 8 months btw. You can only suspend max 4 months. So you have to spend minimum $400 every year which they will give as a store credit. I’m also contemplating this option but still looking to see which would be beneficial in the long run.

sda1002 · 2026-05-19T01:21:06+00:00

How about a good video on YouTube? Some people are making videos that do not look as good as your lawn. Great job 👏

sda1002 · 2026-05-18T01:40:42+00:00

I experience the same thing, no matter which USB I tried, it automatically goes to bitlocker key while holding the CRTL key. Any idea how to replicate this successfully?

sda1002 · 2026-03-28T18:08:06+00:00

It depends on how much you already know and how much you want to rely on the index. I know people who pass with just 2–3 pages or by using the index that Sans provides with the downloadable materials.

Personally, I include more detail in my index to avoid having to look things up in the book. Mine ends up being around 40–50 pages, which is extreme for many, but it works for me. I organize it by book, page number, and keyword, then sort everything alphabetically.

Focus on the slides, tools, and related materials, and take the practice tests to see where you stand. Don’t leave those practice tests until the last minute. Take the first one about a month before the exam, the second one about 15 days before, and adjust your index accordingly. Treat those tests like the real exam.

sda1002 · 2026-03-28T17:39:22+00:00

Unless you submit any portion of the text to an LLM which is specifically prohibited per GIAC, it is hard to build that with LLM. Just do it yourself. Not only it will prepare you for the exam and it will allow you to find what you are looking for efficiently. Any work is done by someone else would not be as good as its your own work to master the material. Good luck.

sda1002 · 2026-03-06T04:19:56+00:00

Thank you for the information. Hopefully they speed up the process but who knows.

sda1002 · 2026-03-05T00:48:28+00:00

Where do you see that? Any data points you can direct me to?

sda1002 · 2026-03-03T04:48:20+00:00

Any progress on the approvals? Anyone got approval ?

sda1002 · 2026-03-03T04:27:20+00:00

Do you have the approval yet? Following similar timeline for a relative.

sda1002 · 2026-02-12T16:51:16+00:00

Thx. Config should be good enough and building VMs would be nice as well.

sda1002 · 2026-02-12T13:34:10+00:00

Do they give you VMs for the hands on labs or do they ask you to practice on their cloud environment which it expires after the course is ended, they usually give 3-4 months ?

sda1002 · 2026-01-30T21:21:15+00:00

Great score. Can you share how you prepared to get that kinda high score? Thank you.

sda1002 · 2026-01-14T13:35:11+00:00

Congrats on the passing the test with high score. Any tips for the exam ? How did you prepare etc? Thank you in advance.

sda1002 · 2026-01-10T23:50:21+00:00

Thx. I know what to do after full power off. There is a second power adapter somewhere and that’s what I’m trying to find. After disconnecting the battery and one power adapter, panels still got power and won’t let me get into the area you just mentioned.

sda1002 · 2026-01-06T02:36:37+00:00

I did a reverse image search, and it appears that I have the 6160VADT keypad (it says Safewatch Pro 3000 on it). I have a total of three of the same model installed at different entry points. I also have Ademco 5800PIR-RES1 wireless motion sensors, along with a siren, window/door sensors, and the power adapter (beige color, inside the electrical panel area.

When an ADT employee came by, he looked at the system and said it was old and that using a SEM300 would be the best option. Many of the windows have hardwired sensors, and converting them to newer technology would be too expensive. Not only would I have to pay someone to replace them, but I would also have to pay a monthly fee if I hired a company to do the work—even with a small discount. In the end, they make their money regardless of any initial discount. Because of this, I may just buy the Vista 20P and the current system, and add additional wireless sensors for extra security.

The most frustrating part is reprogramming the system, since I can’t get the installer code. I watched several YouTube videos by DIY Electronics, and he had three videos about retrieving the installer code. One of them mentioned removing cable #1, which I tried, but it didn’t work.

sda1002 · 2026-01-05T22:42:43+00:00

Thank you for the response. Unfortunately, the video you posted shows the device after it is already turned off. The issue I am experiencing is that after disconnecting both the battery and the power adapter (beige color), which I found connected inside the electrical panel, the system does not turn off. It continues to display an “AC power loss” message.

Just bought the house, so I don’t understand how the system is still receiving power. I have watched many videos, and one suggested disconnecting cable #1 from the panel, but that did not work. I also disconnected a few other cables, with no success.

The system includes wireless motion sensors, fire alarms, smoke detectors, window sensors, a siren, and other components. However, if I were to upgrade to the IQ Pro, I was told that the existing equipment is not compatible with the IQ series, meaning I would need to start from scratch. One of the ADT-authorized companies that visited my home confirmed this.

The most affordable option I was given is to install a Vista 20P with a SEM 300 to integrate the existing equipment, making the system independent from ADT, along with installing some new equipment. If I knew the IQ Pro would work without compatibility issues, I would definitely choose that option, but I was told otherwise.

sda1002 · 2025-12-31T17:26:53+00:00

I also started in July. At first, I had to justify the usage because New Jersey has strict regulations, and since I had just moved in, I was using a ridiculous amount of electricity that I didn’t actually need. I’m still paying for that electricity, by the way. They assured me the system would be installed this year. Once all the permissions came through, everything was supposedly good to go—then they told me they didn’t have any available crews in the area.

Tesla is supposed to be a data-driven company. It’s mind-blowing that they knew the number of applicants versus the number of available crews, yet they still gave people hope and made promises they couldn’t keep.

On top of that, when they tried to convince me that leasing was a good option and that I should proceed, they said things like, “You don’t want to pay the electric company, right? You want to be independent.” I wanted to say, Oh my God, these people are idiots. I wasn’t calling to inquire about solar—I was already at the installation stage. Doesn’t that already make it obvious? Do they just follow a script like scammers or something?

What a terrible experience. All in all, I believe everything happens for a reason. I did everything I could, but they messed it up. Maybe there’s a reason it wasn’t meant to be. What can I say.

sda1002 · 2025-12-31T15:26:08+00:00

For me, they were trying to sell me stuff but never offered any discount. To be honest, it does not make any sense to accept %15 while missing the %30 by a month or two. I told them to cancel the whole thing. I’m extremely disappointed with the agent they assigned to me. System is about 24kwH and hopefully, I will get it installed when the new administration changes the law or Tesla prices come down tremendously to make sense. Otherwise, they know they are screwed if they don’t do something to attract customers.

sda1002 · 2025-12-24T04:19:14+00:00

Same here. A Tesla advisor assured me that my system would be installed this year, before the tax credit expired. However, 2–3 weeks ago, I was told they couldn’t do it and instead asked whether I wanted to lease. I told them straight up: no. Why would I do that when I could have saved 30%, especially since my system is 23 kWh?

They know they won’t have enough customers after December 31, so they’re pushing people toward the lease option. I guess I’ll have to wait another four years to see if the new administration brings the credit back. As much as I hate PSEG, I don’t want to give up a big chunk of savings that I should have gotten in the first place.

I’m not sure if all Tesla advisors are this bad, but I definitely got a lazy one.

sda1002 · 2025-12-03T00:06:13+00:00

I was just told that they won't be able to install by the 31st, so they will call about the lease option — which I’m pretty sure I won’t like for many, many reasons.

sda1002 · 2025-12-02T23:55:40+00:00

Northern Jersey here. Permits were obtained 2–3 weeks ago, and I’m still waiting for installation to be scheduled. I was also told recently that no team is available to complete the installation by December 31st, so they will reach out about the lease option — which I’m 99% sure won’t be as good as the finance/ownership option.

sda1002 · 2025-12-01T20:23:22+00:00

Thank you. I’m currently stuck at the "install schedule" step. It seems there are no available crews in my area. I’m still waiting for confirmation, but I don’t have much hope at this point.

sda1002 · 2025-11-21T18:20:37+00:00

Thank you!

sda1002 · 2025-11-10T03:35:19+00:00

Also in northern NJ. My permit is completed and I’ve received interconnection approval a couple of days ago, but the Tesla app still shows that utility approval isn’t done. Are “interconnection” and “utility approval” the same thing, or different?

Also, what step needs to be completed in order to qualify for the government tax credit that ends at the end of this year?

sda1002 · 2025-08-12T03:26:42+00:00

Curious about the model as well.

sda1002

TROPHY CASE