Home Security Blog

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 is excited to announce that we are now selling a brand new security panel, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2. This state-of-the-art system is an excellent option for any DIY user who is looking to get started with home security. The panel offers a sleek and modern look, and it comes fully loaded with everything a new user needs to get an alarm system up and running. It is also very easy to use, and its intuitive programming process makes setting up the system a very simple task.

The IQ Panel 2 is the first-ever system offered on our site to come pre-included with a built-in cellular communicator. This means that an end user won't have to purchase a cellular communicator separately. Users can choose between an AT&T version and a Verizon version of the panel. This has nothing to do with the user's personal cellular service, and we recommend choosing whichever service works better in the area. Both versions provide lightning-fast LTE speeds, which will surely provide a tremendous user experience.

The IQ Panel 2 also comes WIFI ready, allowing the user to take full advantage of the exceptional speed and reliability of a dual-path communication setup. This will definitely come in handy if the system ever needs to communicate out to a central monitoring station. In order to use cellular communication, a user will need to obtain a monitoring plan at either the Gold or Platinum level.

We expect that users will thoroughly enjoy navigating the IQ Panel 2. The system boasts a beautiful, full-color, 7-inch touchscreen display with large and easy to identify buttons and menu options. Our early experience is that new sensors integrate with the system with ease, and the quick learning curve will be appreciated by new users. This truly makes it a great panel for both new users of alarm systems, as well experienced users looking for a new wireless system to get up and running.

The other exciting aspect of the IQ Panel 2 is the amount of features and capabilities that the system is ready to use right out of the box. The panel is Z-Wave ready, making it a fantastic choice for any user who is looking to get started with home automation. It can also sync with the Alarm.com interactive service. This allows users to arm or disarm their IQ Panel 2, check the status of security sensors, and even control Z-Wave devices from virtually anywhere in the world. This is all possible thanks to the Total Connect Mobile App, which is available for free on Android and iOS devices.

A unique aspect of the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 is that it is designed to interface with its own lineup of Qolsys security sensors. These wireless sensors communicate at a frequency of 319.5 MHz, making them compatible exclusively with Qolsys Systems. In addition to standard, uni-directional sensors, Qolsys also offers its S-Line of security products. The S-Line Sensors are fully protected by 128-bit AES encryption, making them impossible to be hacked or taken over by others. This is great for any user who wants to achieve a setup with the strongest level of protection possible. Up to 128 different wireless zones can be used with the system, providing the user with outstanding programming flexibility. Additionally, Qolsys also offers its encrypted Hardwired 16-S, making it easy for users who want to bring older hardwired sensors over to their new Qolsys IQ Panel 2.

The IQ Panel 2 is available for purchase right now on the Alarm Grid website. Now is a better time than ever to upgrade to a brand-new wireless alarm system. Order yours today!

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!

Alarm Grid is making firmware pages available for upgradeable AUI security systems and touch screens that we sell. As a large number of them, including the older Tuxedo Touch, allow the software on them to be upgraded, an end user can extend the life of their system and get all the newest features simply by adding the latest and greatest software to the device. Moreover, any pesky security-critical problems can be easily solved without having to replace the panel.

For now, we've got the the following pages setup:

• Honeywell Tuxedo Touch Firmware Updates
• GC3 Firmware Updates
• GC2 Firmware Updates

If you have any questions about how you might install the firmware onto these systems, please email support@alarmgrid.com. We'll be glad to help any of our monitored customers.

Hey everyone! It's hurricane season, and this year, things are turning out to be a real doozie. Irma's heading right for our Florida office. And if it does hit, we're very likely going to have to shut down the bulk of our support team for a few days.

That will mean longer wait times on the phones, limited activations during that time, and longer wait times for tickets. We apologize, but ask you to bear with us while we prepare for the storm. There is a chance that we will lose power for a few days as well, which will further limit our support.

In the meantime, the best way you can help us get you faster support is by doing the following during the hurricane...

• Before getting in touch, check to see if we have a FAQ or YouTube video that answers your question.
• email us instead of calling us. support@alarmgrid.com
• If you call, please leave us a message. Those get converted to support tickets. We can see them and deal with them quickly that way.

Please do your best to keep our phones clear. We can work on support tickets as a team much more quickly than we can get to phone calls.

If you are in the path of the storm...

• Don't call us. Take cover. In case of an emergency, call your first responders.
• Consider putting your system on test for the remainder of the storm or completely powering it down by disconnecting the battery and unplugging the transformer from the wall.
• If you are in a flood zone, consider putting your system in a high enough place to avoid damage.

Apart from that, we appreciate your good thoughts and prayers as we prepare for what is looking like it's going to be a monstrous storm.

There are many factors that you should consider when choosing a home monitoring plan. You will want a plan that is affordable, offers all the necessary features, ensures protection for you and your family and provides you with all the support and help required for maintaining your system. With all of this in mind, the Gold-level monitoring plan from Alarm Grid is an ideal solution for many users. This $35 per month monitoring plan will provide you and your family with everything that is needed for you to stay protected and feel completely safe at home, all at a very affordable price.

When you choose Alarm Grid, you will receive the best technical support in the entire industry. We provide our customers with all the resources they need to install their own security systems and to make any important changes to their equipment. In the event that help is ever needed, outstanding support is just an online chat or a phone call away. Our technical support is completely free for monitored customers, and we will never charge you any additional service fees. Once you get started setting up your system, you will find that it is very easy to self-install with just a little bit of help and support from our experts. In the long run, this will save you a large amount of money, and it will allow you to become more familiar with your security system.

Alarm Grid also provides users with top-quality central station monitoring. Our company is proud to partner with Criticom Monitoring Services, a company dedicated to protecting more than 800,000 people across the United States. Criticom features three central monitoring stations located in California, Florida and New Jersey, ensuring that you and your family are always kept safe and secure. With Criticom service, you have the ability to connect with a live operator 24/7 who can contact emergency personnel in the event of a confirmed alarm. Help will always be available if you need it, and there will never be any hidden charges or fees. The support that you need will always be there - when you need it and how you need it.

In addition to outstanding customer support and fantastic home security and protection, the Gold Plan from Alarm Grid also includes several other amazing features that make it a phenomenal value. With the Gold Plan, you will receive cellular monitoring, which is substantially more reliable than standard IP monitoring. This will ensure that your system is always able to send outbound signals in the event of an alarm, making it a must for users who want to know that their home is always protected.

Our Gold Plan also provides connectivity with either Total Connect or Alarm.com, depending on which type of panel is owned. These great platforms allow users to remotely arm or disarm their security panel, check the status of their devices and remotely activate any home automation Z-Wave devices. Using these platforms can provide users with significant peace of mind when they are away from home, and they make interacting with your home security system more exciting than ever before.

Although the Gold Plan from Alarm Grid is not the cheapest monitoring plan available, the exceptional service you receive, the guaranteed protection for your home and the plethora of features that are included make it well worth the price. For home security, choosing the cheapest option available isn’t always the best option. With Alarm Grid, you will receive an affordable service that has all the tools and resources required for protecting your home and your family. We hope that you will consider Alarm Grid for all your home security needs, and our team looks forward to serving you and your family in the future.

Last Friday, Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on parts of Texas and Louisiana, spreading intense winds and unrelenting rainfall.

The Alarm Grid team wishes to extend our deepest condolences to those affected by the severe Category 4 storm. Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Texas and Louisiana, who had to bear the brunt of Hurricane Harvey’s devastation. Though the Alarm Grid team is based in Florida, and were lucky enough to escape Hurricane Harvey’s path, our hearts are with the residents of those affected and their friends and family, as the aftermath of the storm sets in. During times of need such as this, it is important that we support one another, and exhibit patience and understanding as everyone attempts to get back on their feet.

Due to the extreme nature of the hurricane, we want to let everyone know that shipping in these areas is affected. Please note that packages being delivered in the affected zones will most likely arrive later than their scheduled dates.

Tracking numbers will also be in disarray because of Hurricane Harvey. We ask that you bear with us as these conditions are entirely out of our control. With any luck, shipping will be back to normal soon, and all packages will be delivered within a few days of their scheduled shipping dates.

If you have any questions or concerns about the status of your packages, please don’t hesitate to email the Alarm Grid team at support@alarmgrid.com. And if you are one of the many people in the pathway of the storm, we send our best wishes to you and hope that you and your family are safe and secure.

Honeywell released the MR3 firmware update for the Lyric security platform. This is a critical update that repaired some bugs and added some cool new integrations. In our MR3 firmware announcement Sterling summarized all the features of the update. After the announcement Honeywell re-released the update with a patch to fix a bug with APL technology. Now you can request this firmware update from your alarm company. Since it is a critical update it does not require anyone at the panel to accept it.

Although we mentioned it in our general announcement, Lyric alarm systems running the newest firmware now support 2GIG sensors! We did not go into much detail on why this may be important and which sensors are supported. Well we have done some testing in our lab and confirmed that all the 2GIG 345MHZ sensors are now compatible with the Lyric Controller. Generally we feel that the Honeywell sensors are superior and offer a wider range of products but this is a great thing for converting existing 2GIG systems to the Lyric platform.

The 2GIG wireless sensors use a 345MHz RF transmission to speak to the Go!Control panels: GC2 and GC3. Now the Lyric is able receive these transmissions making the panel even more flexible. Before the MR3 update, the Lyric only supported both lines of Honeywell wireless sensors: SiX and 5800 series. This makes the Lyric the first Honeywell alarm system to support 2GIG peripheral devices. The GC2 and GC3 have always supported Honeywell 5800 series devices but this did not work the other way around. Well now it does with the Lyric specifically. Lynx Touch and VISTA series panels still do not support 2GIG sensors. However there is a third party translator that technically is capable of converting 2GIG to Honeywell and much more. It is the Resolution Products RE524x.

2GIG sensor compatibility may not be a feature that many Lyric owners will utilize and certainly get excited about. The general trend that Honeywell is opening up their systems to other technologies and brands is a wonderful thing though. Integrations like SkyBell's video doorbell and August's smart lock prove that even companies like Honeywell that tend to operate in a proprietary bubble sense the demand for more dynamic, multi-brand technology ecosystems that compose the "Internet of Things" aka IOT. This is the future and its promising to see that Honeywell is jumping aboard the train to IoT land.

Note: The local bypass function does not work on the DW40. It simply functions as a normal door/window contact. Also, we still need to test the 2GIG garage tilt sensor and flood sensor. If they are compatible we will get them up and add them to the 345MHz landing page linked above.