Joshua Unseth Posts

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Data Field Programming Guide This is a living document based on Honeywell's Vista 15P, 20P Programming Guide. It is meant to be the programming guide in its entirety, but is a work in progress. We will be continually adding new segments, new videos, and more. Hopefully this guide makes everything a little bit easier for those looking at the document for the first time. Please let us know what we can do to improve it.

Recommendations for Proper Protection

The following recommendations for the location of fire and burglary detection devices help provide proper coverage for the protected premises.

Recommendations for Smoke and Heat Detectors

With regard to the number and placement of smoke/heat detectors, we subscribe to the recommendations contained in the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standard #72 noted below.Early warning fire detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detection equipment in all rooms and areas of the household as follows: For minimum protection a smoke detector should be installed outside of each separate sleeping area, and on each additional floor of a multi-floor family living unit, including basements. The installation of smoke detectors in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished), or in garages is not normally recommended. For additional protection the NFPA recommends that you install heat or smoke detectors in the living room, dining room, bedroom(s), kitchen, hallway(s), attic, furnace room, utility and storage rooms, basements and attached garages. In addition, we recommend the following:

• Install a smoke detector inside every bedroom where a smoker sleeps.
• Install a smoke detector inside every bedroom where someone sleeps with the door partly or completely closed. Smoke could be blocked by the closed door. Also, an alarm in the hallway outside may not wake up the sleeper if the door is closed.
• Install a smoke detector inside bedrooms where electrical appliances (such as portable heaters, air conditioners or humidifiers) are used.
• Install a smoke detector at both ends of a hallway if the hallway is more than 40 feet (12 meters) long.
• Install smoke detectors in any room where an alarm control is located, or in any room where alarm control connections to an AC source or phone lines are made. If detectors are not so located, a fire within the room could prevent the control from reporting a fire or an intrusion.

This control complies with NFPA requirements for temporal pulse sounding of fire notification appliances.

Recommendations For Proper Intrusion Protection

For proper intrusion coverage, sensors should be located at every possible point of entry to a home or commercial premises. This would include any skylights that may be present, and the upper windows in a multi-level building. In addition, we recommend that radio backup be used in a security system so that alarm signals can still be sent to the alarm monitoring station in the event that the telephone lines are out of order (alarm signals are normally sent over the phone lines, if connected to an alarm monitoring station).

Contents

• Programming Mode Commands
  • AVS Quick Programming Guide
  • Special Programming Messages
• Data Field Programming Form
• Configurable Zone Types Worksheet
• *56 Zone Programming Menu Mode
• *58 Expert Zone Program Mode
• WIRELESS KEY PROGRAMMING TEMPLATES
• *57 FUNCTION KEY PROGRAMMING MENU MODE
• *79/*80 MENU MODE - OUTPUT DEVICE PROGRAMMING GENERAL INFORMATION
• *79 RELAY/POWERLINE CARRRIER DEVICE (X-10) PROGRAMMING MENU MODE
• *80 OUTPUT FUNCTION MENU MODE
• *81 ZONE LIST MENU MODE
• *82 ALPHA DESCRIPTOR MENU MODE
• ALPHA VOCABULARY LIST (For Entering Zone Descriptors)
• SETTING SCHEDULES
• AVS SYSTEM ENABLE and QUICK PROGRAMMING COMMANDS
• SETTING THE REAL-TIME CLOCK
• *29 COMMUNICATION DEVICE MENU MODE (Pass-Through Programming)
• UPLOADING/DOWNLOADING VIA the INTERNET
• ZONE TYPE DEFINITIONS
• REPORT CODE FORMATS
• SYSTEM SECURITY CODES
• KEYPAD FUNCTIONS
• VARIOUS SYSTEM TROUBLE DISPLAYS
• UL NOTICES
• SIA QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
• ULC S304 REQUIREMENTS (for VISTA-15PCN and VISTA-20PCN)
• FCC STATEMENTS
• LIMITATIONS STATEMENT
• CONTACTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• WORKSHEET for *56 ZONE PROGRAMMING
• WORKSHEET for *57 FUNCTION KEY PROGRAMMING
• WORKSHEET for *79 OUTPUT RELAY/POWERLINE CARRIER DEVICE PROGRAMMING
• WORKSHEET for *81 ZONE LIST PROGRAMMING
• WORKSHEET for *80 OUTPUT FUNCTION PROGRAMMING
• WORKSHEET for SCHEDULES
• TABLE OF DEVICE ADDRESSES
• 5800 SERIES TRANSMITTER INPUT LOOP IDENTIFICATION

Programming Mode Commands

To enter programming mode (using an alpha keypad connected to the control):

• POWER UP, then press [*] and [#] at the same time, within 50 seconds of powering up (this method must be used if *98 was used to exit program mode). OR
• Enter Installer Code (Default: 4112) then 800

AVS Quick Programming Guide (for AAV sessions using the AVS system)

For controls with the following firmware revision levels, these commands automatically configure the control for AVS operation:

• VISTA-15P = version 6.0 or higher
• VISTA-20P = version 7.0 or higher

Programming Instructions

• installer code + [#] + [0] + 3. Enable AVS operation.
• installer code + [#] + [0] + 4. Enable AVS operation and enable panels sounds on the AVST speaker.
• installer code + [#] + [0] + 5. Remove all programming options set by [#] + [0] + 3 quick command.
• installer code + [#] + [0] + 6. Remove all programming options set by [#] + [0] + 4 quick command.

Refer to the AVS System Enable and Quick Programming Commands section for details on the specific options that are set with each command, depending on the control used. To select the AAV session communication path (phone line/communication device), see field ∗55 Dynamic Signaling Priority. To enable AAV operation, use ∗91 Options field (option 4).

Special Programming Messages

• OC = Open Circuit (no communication between Keypad and Control).
• EE or ENTRY ERROR = ERROR (invalid field number entered; re-enter valid field number).
• After powering up, AC, dI (disabled) or “Busy Standby vx.x (firmware revision) Dl will be displayed after approximately 4 seconds. This will revert to a “Ready” message in approximately 1 minute, which allows PIRS, etc. to stabilize. You can bypass this delay by pressing [#] + [0].
  NOTE for CANADIAN PANELS: Power up time is 2 minutes, and Contact ID report code 305 System Reset is sent if the [#] + [0]command is not performed before the 2 minutes expires.
• If E4 or E8 appears, more zones than the expansion units can handle have been programmed. The display will clear after you correct the programming

IMPORTANT: The Real-time clock must be set before the end of the installation. See procedure in the Setting the Real-Time Clock section of this manual.

*56 Zone Programming Menu Mode

(press *56 while in Program mode) Use the provided *56 Zone Programming Worksheet.

Zones and Partitions Each protection zone needs to be programmed with various attributes using *56 Zone Programming mode or *58 Expert Programming Mode. Using this mode, enter the zone number to be programmed and make appropriate entries at the prompts. Finally, Confirm the serial number of wireless transmitter zones. The VISTA-20P system can control two independent areas of protection (known as partitions) for use by independent users, if desired, by simply assigning zones to one or the other partition during zone programming. The VISTA-20P, by default, automatically distributes users between the two partitions. The master user can change the user number distributions. Zones can also be assigned to a common partition, which is an area shared by users of both partitions (such as a lobby in a building). This allows either partition to arm, while leaving the common partition disarmed for access into the other partition. The following describes the functioning of the VISTA-20P common partition:

• The common zone sounds and reports alarms only when both partitions are armed. If only one partition is armed, the system ignores faults on the common zone.
• Either partition may arm its system if the common zone is faulted, but once armed, the other partition will not be able to arm unless the common zone is first bypassed or the fault is corrected.
• Faults on the common zone are displayed on common zone keypads, and will also appear on another partition’s keypad when that partition is armed.
• Either partition can clear and restore the common zone after an alarm.

Alpha Descriptor Vocabulary List (For Entering Zone Descriptors)

*Note: Bulleted (•) words in boldface type are those that are also available for use by the 4286 Phone Module. If using a Phone module, and words other than these are selected for Alpha descriptors, the module will not provide annunciation of those words.
Italicized words followed by an asterisk indicates those words supported by the 6160V/6150V Voice Keypads.

UL NOTICES

1. Entry Delay No. 1 and No. 2 (fields ∗35, ∗36) cannot be greater than 30 seconds for UL Residential Burglar Alarm installations, and entry delay plus dial delay should not exceed 1 minute. For UL Commercial Burglar Alarm installations, total entry delay may not exceed 45 seconds.
2. For UL Commercial Burglar Alarm and UL Residential Burglar Alarm installations with line security, total exit delay time must not exceed 60 seconds.
3. The maximum number of reports per armed period (field ∗93) must be set to “0” (unlimited) for UL installations.
4. Periodic testing (see scheduling mode) must be at least every 24 hours.
5. Alarm Sounder plus Auxiliary Power currents must not exceed 600mA total for UL installations (Aux power 500mA max.).
6. All partitions must be owned and managed by the same person(s).
7. All partitions must be part of one building at one street address.
8. If used, the audible alarm device(s) must be placed where it/they can be heard by all partitions.
9. For UL commercial burglar alarm installations the control unit must be protected from unauthorized access. The tamper switchinstalled to protect the control unit enclosure door is suitable for this purpose.
10. Remote downloading without an alarm company technician on-site (unattended downloading) is not permissible for UL installations.
11. Auto-disarming is not a UL Listed feature.
12. As SIA limits for delay of alarm reporting and sounding can exceed UL limits for commercial and residential applications, the following UL requirements per UL681 are provided: The maximum time that a control unit shall be programmed to delay the transmission of a signal to a remote monitoring location, or to delay the energizing of a local alarm sounding device to permit the alarm system user to enter and disarm the system, or to arm the system and exit shall not exceed:
    1. 60 seconds for a system with standard line security or encrypted line security,
    2. 120 seconds for a system without standard line security or encrypted line security, or
    3. 120 seconds for a system that does not transmit an alarm signal to a remote monitoring location.
13. This control is not intended for bank safe and vault applications.

SIA Quick Reference Guide

1. *31 Single Alarm Sounding per Zone: If “0” selected, “alarm sounding per zone” will be the same as the “number of reports in armed period” set in field ∗93 (1 if one report, 2 if 2 reports, unlimited for zones in zone list 7).
2. *34 Exit Delay. Minimum exit delay is 45 seconds.
3. *35/*36 Entry Delay 1 and 2. Minimum entry delay is 30 seconds.
4. *37 Audible Exit Warning: Feature always enabled; field does not exist.
5. *39 Power Up in Previous State: Must be “1,” power up in previous state.
6. *40 PABX Access Code or Call Waiting Disable: If call waiting is used, call waiting disable option in field *91 must be set.
7. *50 Burglary Dial Delay: Delay must be minimum of 30 seconds.
8. *59 Exit Error Alarm Report Code: Always enabled. 9 ∗68 Cancel Report Code: Default is “code enabled.”
9. *68 Cancel Report Code: Default is "code enabled."
10. *69 Recent Closing Report Code: Always enabled.
11. *91 Option Selection: Exit Delay option should be enabled. If call waiting is used, Call Waiting Disable must be set to “1” (enabled).
12. *93 No. reports in Armed Period: Must be set for 1 or 2 report pairs.
13. Cross zone timer programming is set in field ∗85; cross zone pairs are assigned in zone list 4 using ∗81 Zone List mode.
14. Duress code is assigned by using the “add a user code” procedure found in the User Guide. Enable Duress code reporting by programming zone 92 using ∗56 Zone Programming mode.
15. Fire alarm verification is a built-in system feature when a zone is programmed for zone type 16.

ULC S304 REQUIREMENTS (for VISTA-15PCN and VISTA-20PCN)

Refer to the following notes for systems intended for Low Risk Level (low extent of protection) and Medium Risk Level (medium extent of protection) installations.

Low Risk Level

If the panel is used for Low Risk Level installations, the system msut include the following:

• Subscriber control unit may use one telephone number, but it msut be programmed that
  1. it transmits over the single channel to the receiver once every 24 hour;
  2. it detects a loss of communication and initiates the local trouble signal within 180 seconds;
  3. in event of failure in the communication channel, all alarm and trouble signals must be annunciated locally.
• Protection circuit conductors shall form one fully supervised circuit so arranged that an alarm signal will be initiated at the central station from teh effect of loss data, an open circuit or other change in normal status.
• Trouble response time must be in compliance with CAN/ULC-S301, Central and Monitoring Station Burglar Alarm Systems

Medium Risk Level

If the panel is used for Medium Risk Level installations, the system must include the following:

• Subscriber control unit may use at least two communication levels, one being the telephone number and the other being a radio frequency communication channel - the GSM communicator may be used. The Subscriber control unit must be programmed that
  1. it transmits over the both channels to the receiver once every 24 hours;
  2. failure of communication of either channel is reported to the Central Station on the other channel within 240 sec;
  3. the first attempt to send a status change signal shall utilize the Telephone line. Where it is known to have failed, transmission attempts over the alternate communication channel shall occur.
• Protection circuit conductors shall form double fully supervised circuits so arranged that an alarm signal will be initiated at the central station from the effect of loss data, an open circuit or other change in normal status.
• Trouble response time must be in compliance with CAM/ULC-S301, Central and Monitoring Station Burglar Alarm Systems

Perimeter, Space, Safe, and Vaults Protection

Protection for perimeter, space, safe, and vaults need to be provided during the installation.

• For the Low Risk Security Level - Accessible openings should be contacted whether fixed or moveable;
• For the Medium Risk Security Level - All moveable and fixed accessible openings should be contacted.

5800 Series Transmitter Input Loop Identification

All of the transmitters illustrated have one or more unique factory assigned input (loop) ID numbers. Each of the inputs requires its own programming zone (e.g., a 5804's four inputs require four programming zones). For information on any transmitter not shown, refer to the instructions accompanying that transmitter for details regarding loop numbers, etc.

UL NOTE: The following transmitters are not intended for use in UL installations:

• 5802MN
• 5802MN2
• 5804
• 5804BD
• 5814
• 5816TEMP
• 5819
• 5819WHS & BRS
• 5850.

The 5827BD and 5800TM can be used in UL Listed Residential Burglar installations.

Recently the Supreme Court decided South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. (Wayfair). The ruling allows states to require out-of-state retailers to collect sales tax. The decision changes the landscape of e-commerce significantly.

We appreciate the benefits of doing business in the United States. We were blessed with unprecedented advantage as an e-tailor. We are sad that one of e-commerce's biggest benefits is disappearing. But we also recognize the change was inevitable. We appreciate that most states have provided immense clarity. We also appreciate that technology allows small e-tailors to affordable compliance solutions.

We recognize that Alarm Grid is now required to pay our fair share in states all around the US. Unfortunately, that means that we are going to start charging sales tax in 32 new states. Those taxes will begin showing up on invoices as early as yesterday. All taxes will be active between now and early April. Most invoices will reflect sales tax as of April 1, 2019. While this would be a great April Fools prank, unfortunately, it’s not one. Alarm Grid is in Florida. Our Florida customers have always had to pay sales tax on both product sales and monitoring. If you're one of Alarm Grid's Florida residents, nothing is changing for you.

Unlike Florida, some states exempt services like monitoring. Others do not. Navigating the tax landscape of 50 states is extremely complicated. We've spent a long time unwinding which state does what. Regardless of the state, products are always taxed. Moreover, as Alarm Grid grows, we are going to become nexused in more and more places. As that happens, we will make announcements to keep you updated about how your charges will change.

Below is a table of locations and respective links to relevant regulations. Products will be taxed in all listed states. In the "Monitoring Taxed" column we list whether states require us to charge sales tax on monitoring. Some states do not charge taxes on alarm monitoring. Others do. If the cell is blank it’s because we are still awaiting answers from that state's Department of Revenue. As soon as we know, we will update the table.

For the wild west internet that we have come to know and love, this might feel like a big setback. But we are aware of the enormous advantage online businesses gain from regulations. We have never competed on price, and we won’t be starting today. Alarm Grid has the best service in the industry. We have changed the way the industry works with customers. And we will continue to do just that.

There is no innovation in profiting from the free margin provided by our ability or any company’s ability to avoid taxes. And while the lower prices have been nice, Alarm Grid doesn't grow by eking out an additional 3-8% from each sale. Rather we need to continue working to stand out from our competition. We will continue to provide the same great products, service, and support.

This is a bittersweet day for us. It’s a day that all e-commerce companies knew was coming. We apologize for those impacted by the change. And we hope you continue using Alarm Grid for all of your security system needs.

There have been a lot of changes in the industry over the last few years. Alarm Grid has always tried to be at the forefront of the industry both in terms of our quality of support as well as our providing of resources to customers. One of the big changes the last year is the introduction of smart home systems that integrate with the security system. These include products like Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Samsung's Smart Things and lesser known, open source protocols like Home Assistant.

For a lot of alarm companies, this is scary. Disruption is amazingly difficult to respond to. For Alarm Grid, it's more of the same. We're here to help you take care of your security needs. These protocols are enhancements to our service of dispatching the police when you need us to do that.

In order to help customers better navigate this changing world, today we introduced the protocol compatibility pages. These pages will let customers navigate the simple question, "will this panel or sensor or device work with [insert awesome protocol or home automation device here]?"

You will see badges on each product page. These badges will give you an indication of which protocols each product is compatible with. So far, we are showing Alarm.com, Alexa, HomeKit, Google Home, Home Assistant, Total Connect, and Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus compatibility icons.

If you have any questions about compatibilities, please feel free to email us at support@alarmgrid.com. But in the meantime, we hope this change is helpful. We try to give you the best, easiest to navigate site in the entire industry, and we think this goes a long way to helping achieve that goal. Happy shopping!

If you've ever wanted a glimpse into the world of Alarm Grid training, we have it! Alarm Grid's team occasionally takes an hour or two off and learns a little bit about the products that we recommend to you. These trainings are in-depth explanations of the functions of items attached to your system. If you wonder how it is that our wonderful staff know so much, well, I think you're going to be astounded by the quality of training they receive.

Below, Julia, an industry veteran and our most senior tech, steps the rest of the staff through a great tutorial on glass breaks and motions.

We are getting a lot of callers asking us whether we as a company support the NRA. It began a couple weeks ago after our competitor, Simplisafe, pulled their discount for NRA members. Whatever the motivation, we don't envy their position. This is a hot-button debate right now, and being accidentally caught up in the fray of a political discussion as a company is unenviable. We do not make guns, we have nothing to do with guns, and we as a company do not wish to alienate anyone on either side of the debate.

We are a diverse company with a lot of people who hold a lot of different opinions on the subject matter of guns. We have not probed or asked what people’s positions are. But discussions have happened around the office. We are sure that some at Alarm Grid are vehemently opposed to gun rights. Others may be members of the NRA. We haven't asked. What we have appreciated is that the conversation internally has always been very respectful.

As a company, our position is that we want to make sure your home is as secure as possible so that no matter what gun laws are, you have a layer of protection that will make it unnecessary to ever have to use them.

Alarm Grid attempts to remain above the fray when it comes to political topics. As a company, our expertise is in dispatching the police when someone is breaking into your home. We would be remiss, however, if we did not give due credit to the country we are founded in and due respect to the laws of that country for the success of our growth.

We hold in high regard the rights endowed to us. As to the administration of those rights, the debate about guns themselves, their lethality, background checks, mental illness issues, etc, we will leave up to the people of this great country and the courts.

Our only hope is that the debate, is respectful, open, and fact-based.

Our headquarters is just down the road from Marjory Stoneman Douglas. We are deeply connected to the area. Many of us know students who go or went there. Our connections to the tragedy are numerous and direct. Everyone at Alarm Grid harbors deep sadness at the events that unfolded there.

It’s our prayer that this never happens again.

As a company, we have encourage our staff to get involved however they see fit. This is literally something that happened in our community and strong emotions directed at solving the problem are to be expected. But we do our best to respect one another’s views.

We have never given NRA members any kind of discount. We don’t plan on doing it. But that’s not because we dislike the NRA. It’s because we do our best to offer great prices to every customer. And most discount programs require us to pay to be involved.

That’s not how we do business.

We’re not venture backed, we don’t have giant amounts of investment. We’re just a good ole American business started by some entrepreneurs in South Florida. We really do try to remove politics from our business because taking political positions would alienate many of our customers, and, more importantly, our employees. #respect

Takeover Monitoring

• UL Listed Central Station
• Cellular Monitoring
• Arm / Disarm via Phone & Web
• E-mail & Phone Alerts
• Remote Z-Wave Control

$35

per month

Move My Monitoring!

Remember the old days of alarms? 3 and 5 year contracts in exchange for large amounts off the monthly bill. Sometimes, companies would offer free equipment on signing.

In the last 5 years everything has changed. Alarm Grid pioneered the no-contract model. At the same time, other companies began pushing no-contracts. They also required homeowners purchase a proprietary system - made by them.

This should raise a consumer's hackles. Save for a couple companies, the alarm industry has always used open systems. Traditional alarm companies buy systems from Honeywell, DSC, GE, or another manufacturer.

The company will usually install these systems in the home of a consumer. The system is connected to a central station. If an intruder comes into the home, a signal is sent. The central station dispatches the police.

Alarm Grid's puzzle place in that old model is to remove the need for an installer. We do not go to a consumer's home to install the system. Instead, we make amazing content that helps you operate your security system. We help you install the security by using our resources, videos, and available tech support. Once you do, you sign up for monitoring, and we get you on your way. We never send anyone out. We don't have to gouge you on prices for "rolling a truck" because we don't have trucks.

In the end, you get a great, professional security system at an affordable price.

Additionally, Alarm Grid basically invented the month-to-month model in alarms. Before Alarm Grid, companies would require long-term contracts. Now, a lot of companies are moving to the month-to-month, no-contract model.

This is great for consumers! But only if they own an open system.

Companies that sell cheap, closed equipment are no different than companies that get you to sign a long-term contract. Your stuck on their system. No one else can "take it over" and monitor it.

Alarm Grid is perfect for people who want to leave their current company!

Getting a new system can be a big burden. We try our hardest to use what you have. If we can't, we try to get you the best system for your situation. WE DO NOT MUCH MAKE MONEY WHEN YOU BUY A SYSTEM.

Also, Alarm Grid doesn't sell proprietary systems. If you hate us, you can leave us. We do not lock you into a contract, and we do not lock you into a system that can't be taken over. Alarm Grid's incentive is to make your experience amazing every day all the time.

If we ever do anything to frustrate you, there are literally thousands of other companies that you can select to monitor your system instead. If Alarm Grid fails at serving you adequately, you can leave, no matter what, no questions asked.

Join the family...

If you're coming from a company that sold you proprietary equipment, we'd love to have you. Sign up for monitoring using the link at the top of this page. Then, give us a call (888-818-7728) or email (support@alarmgrid.com). Let us know which company you're coming from. Let us know about the equipment you have installed. We'll do what we can to help you use what you have or to replace all your equipment as frugally as possible.

For anyone switching companies, we'll give you your first month free. If you need new equipment (this month only), we'll give you 10% off whatever you buy here. Simply send us an email after you purchase, ro let us know which company you came from. We'll apply the 10% coupon after checkout.

Takeover Monitoring

• UL Listed Central Station
• Cellular Monitoring
• Arm / Disarm via Phone & Web
• E-mail & Phone Alerts
• Remote Z-Wave Control

$35

per month

Move My Monitoring!

Today is the final day of our super low Qolsys pricing. We want to get the Qolsys panel into the hands of as many of our new customers as we can. For that reason, we have lowered the price of the panels as low as we possibly can. Today is the last day. Tomorrow, Qolsys panels are going to go to their normal price.

If you're looking to get a great, cellular panel, with some amazing Z-Wave features, this is the panel for you. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 is the latest in security technology. The big screen looks great on the walls, and the profile of the panel is thinner than any on the market. The sensors are encrypted like they are on the Lyric, and the panel has an easy-to-use Android interface. We LOVE this panel!

If you need an extra keypad, make sure to get the IQ Remote. This keypad will blow your mind. It looks great, it has a thin profile, and it does pretty much everything the bigger, main panel can do. It will be a welcome edition to anyone's home.

Adding peripherals is easy too. Need more door and window sensors than the number that are included int eh IQ Kit 2 Classic? Add some more door/window s-line sensors. These encrypted sensors will protect your system from being spoofed by clever thieves and their thin profile means that they will protect you discretely.

Unlike the other kits, the Qolsys doesn't come with a key fob. If you love the key fob, you can easily add one. Consider that with this system, you will be able to arm and disarm from your phone. Key fobs aren't absolutely necessary. But if you love it we have it.

No system is complete without a motion sensor. These encrypted motions will make give your home a redundant layer of protection. You can't go wrong with motions. And the encrypted motion by Qolsys will round out your security system for incredible peace of mind.

Finally, to complete your system, consider a glass break detector. Like the motion, this adds a redundant layer of protection in homes. If an intruder breaks glass to get in, they will be stopped short as your system blares and warns them that the police are on their way.

Alarm Grid has been working tirelessly to launch the full line of Qolsys's panels. These panels are state of the art, built on Google Android, and they look great. They are built to work on Alarm.com, and have already come out with a line of encrypted sensors. This distinguishes the line from the GC3, which has the capability of communicating with encrypted sensors, but 2GIG has not yet release the compatible encrypted sensors.

Just like the 2GIG GC3 or the Honeywell Lyric, the Qolsys is simple to use. We have tested it extensively and we are comfortable offering this line to our customers. Like our other panels, we will be putting together a full set of FAQs on the Qolsys panels so that our DIY folks can do most of their own installation and programming.

Qolsys has two panels, despite having only been around a little while. Their first one, the IQ Panel, made a big splash. Built on Android, the system function astoundingly well, standing up to the major players in the space. The IQ Panel 2, however, is on a different level. It's clean, thin, made of glass. The system joins the pantheon of modern systems as a great looking item to have on the wall of any home.

Armed with all the basic features of a security system, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 comes with it some amazing little extra touches that neither Honeywell nor 2GIG have added to the Lyric or Go!Control lines as of yet. The ease of updating this system is unparalleled, and its got some great diagnostic features to help setup Z-Wave sensors. In-all, it is the perfect panel for the avid DIYer, and it won't disappoint anyone who is used to the Honeywell and 2GIG quality,

For those who don't like the look of the Qolsys's sensors, Alarm Grid is making available a new sensor. The Alarm Grid 319.5 MHz sensor which is reliable, cheap, and looks great. We are selling them as single units, in packs of 5, and in packs of 10.

We're proud to say that Puerto Rico is one of our biggest areas of service. That said, in recent weeks, as most of you know, Puerto Rico has been devastated by a hurricane. Our sympathies and empathy go out to those affected. As a South Florida company, Alarm Grid understands full well the gravity of hurricane force winds and the damage they can do.

We know that for those affected, their alarm monitoring bill isn't at the top of mind. And, honestly, we would rather that you devote your time, energy, and finances to re-building the island and your homes. To that end, we are going to give every one of our current Puerto Rico accounts free monitoring for the next 6 months.

We have seen a higher number of failing signals from our accounts in Puerto Rico than usual. If you are one of those accounts, and you are worried about the status of your account, don't worry. We will apply your free 6 months automatically starting today. If you happen to be one of the lucky individuals with a generator, your system should continue to function as normal and you will not see us on your bill for at least 6 months.

Alarm Grid is an American company. We are proud of the opportunity that we have been given here, and we want to make sure that we look out for our brothers and sisters to the south. We simply do not feel good about charging a group of people for service that they are almost certainly not using. And this way, once power is restored, all that you will have to do to be monitored again is plug the unit in. Once it powers up, you will be back online.

We wish you all well in Puerto Rico, and our prayers continue to be with you!

We would like to also thank Honeywell's AlarmNet who has given Alarm Grid a deep discount during this time.

Alarm Grid has just launched its store on Amazon.com. While a majority of our customers buy on Alarm Grid, we know that a lot of you have a strong desire to use your Amazon.com advantages to purchase from us. Since we can't offer the free shipping of Prime on Alarm Grid, or the vast selection available to you from other retailers, we are excited to be able to give you the ability to buy here or there.

There are significant advantages to purchasing from Alarm Grid's site. If you order on Alarmgrid.com, our system lets us marry all your orders together, and lets us process returns in a lot more orderly way should you need to return. Moreover, we will be charging the same amount on all products here as at Amazon.

Alarm Grid uses Amazon's fulfillment already, and has been for about 6 months. So if you have ordered from the site in recent days, you've already experienced Amazon's shipping process. There are also a lot of products that we have not made available on Amazon yet. Our wired door/window sensors, for example, are only able to be purchased on Alarm Grid - and that will be the case for at least the foreseeable future.

We hope that you are as excited about this development as we are!