First Alert PROA7PLUS Posts

Resideo recently announced that its VISTA and PRO Series panels are now fully certified to integrate with Control4 whole-home automation. Control4 is a premium automation platform, typically available only through authorized Control4 integrators, and it operates by using specialized drivers

Control4 drivers act as the essential software that enables communication between the Control4 automation system and various third-party devices. A certified Control4 driver allows for seamless integration and centralized control of different smart home products through the Control4 interface. The interface can be a touchscreen, an app, or even voice commands. For homeowners and installers, this means a unified experience where security, lighting, entertainment, and more can be managed from a single platform.

For homeowners, the benefits are clear. A certified integration allows the Resideo First Alert panel to do more than just secure the home, it becomes part of a larger ecosystem. Using Control4, you can arm the alarm system at night while having the doors lock automatically, the thermostat adjust to an energy-saving setting, and the lights dim across the house. That’s the type of seamless, one-touch automation that Control4 is known for, now enhanced with the proven reliability of a Resideo First Alert security system.

For dealers and installers, certification reduces guesswork and support headaches. Instead of relying on custom workarounds, they can now use official drivers that are tested and verified. This not only speeds up installation but also builds dealer confidence, by knowing their installations are backed by two major industry players working together.

The move also positions Resideo strongly in the high-end automation space. By joining the ranks of other security systems officially supported by Control4, VISTA and PRO Series panels are now a more compelling option for projects where premium automation is a requirement. It’s a win for integrators looking to expand their offerings, and a win for homeowners looking to unite all of their tech through a single interface.

VISTA panels use the 4232CBM Connected Building Module to integrate with Control4. The module connects the VISTA panel's ECP bus to the Control4 system through a wired serial RS232 or RS422 interface. This setup allows the Control4 driver to import zone alpha descriptors directly from the VISTA panel, which eliminates the need for manual programming of zone data within Control4. As a result, users can arm, disarm, and monitor the status of zones directly through the Control4 interface. Check out the 4232CBM Install Guide.

Another plus that shouldn't be overlooked is the fact that Control4 will import life-safety zones and descriptors. This allows an integrator to create automations based on fire or carbon monoxide zone triggers. For example, in the event of a fire alarm the system might automatically turn off the HVAC system and unlock the doors while turning on lights that illuminate a path out of the building.

Control4 and First Alert PRO Series Integration

You can find the steps for integrating the PRO Series panels with Control4 here. Here's a quick overview of what you'll need:

Before You Begin:

• Control4 OS 4.1.0+ and Composer Pro Software.
• PRO Series Firmware 03.2476.183+
• PRO Series panel must have a PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW installed.
• PRO Series panel should have all its partitions and zones configured before pairing with Control4, though you can add or remove zones after initial configuration.
• Your alarm dealer must enable the Control4 feature through AlarmNet360. This is done as part of the Smart Home package (Packages > Smart Home > Add-Ons > Control4).
• The Control4 system and the PRO Series panel must be connected to the same network through the same router.

After configuration with Control4’s Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SDDP), the PRO Series panel must always use the same IP address. SDDP is a lightweight protocol created by Control4 that lets WIFI enabled devices announce themselves on the network, making it easy for Control4 to find and identify them.

If the panel’s IP address changes, it will disconnect from Control4. Because setting a static IP directly on the alarm panel can be tricky, the better option is to reserve an IP address for the PRO Series panel in your router’s DHCP settings. Check your router’s documentation for instructions on how to set this up. Below is a list of names for this feature, and which manufacturers use each term:

• DHCP Reservation – Netgear, ASUS, TP-Link (most common term)
• Address Reservation – D-Link
• IP Reservation – Linksys, Spectrum, Xfinity
• Reserved IP Address – Some ISP-provided routers (AT&T, Verizon)

Basic Steps For Setup:

1. Initiate discovery. From Control4 Composer Pro, initiate discovery (System Design > Items > Discovered).
2. Create association. Double click on the PRO Series driver that you discovered in Step 1. If Composer Pro fails to discover the driver, make sure that all the prerequisites listed above have been met. Once the driver has been discovered and you double click, the driver is downloaded to your Control4 system. The panel's IP and other required information is sent to Composer Pro. The driver and the IP address can then be associated with one another within Composer Pro.
3. Perform pairing. Within Composer Pro, click Actions > Start Pairing. You have 120 seconds to complete the next step. If two minutes elapse without a successful pairing, the process will timeout and you'll need to perform this step again.
4. Pair PRO Series panel. On the PRO Series panel, tap Menu (≡) > Tools > Enter Installer Code (4112 by default) > Control4 Controller > Pair to Control4 Controller. When Composer Pro receives the pairing command, it will know, based on the panel's IP address, to associate the PRO Series driver with the panel and complete the pairing process. If the pairing is successful, the Control4 Controller information will automatically populate. If pairing fails this field will remain blank. In that case, verify that all of the requirements in "Before You Begin" have been met, and try again.

Complete Integration:

1. Verify partition import. In Composer Pro select Properties. Partition information will be displayed here as the information is imported. Upon successful import, the partition state will update from "Unknown" to the current state. This process may take a minute, so please be patient. Verify that all partitions, along with proper status, are displayed in the left pane.
2. Import and verify zone information. From Advanced Properties within Composer Pro select Get C4 Contacts to update and display individual PRO Series zones with proper status. The zones will also show in the left pane. When a zone is added (or removed), it will show which zones have been added or deleted there.
3. Verify visibility. From a Control4 touchscreen, or the Control4 app, tap Security and verify that all partitions and zones are displayed. If a partition appears to be missing, check the visibility settings for that partition within Composer Pro:
   • In the left pane select PRO Series > Properties > Navigator.
   • Select Security in the navigator menu. This will display the Device Visibility settings. Partitions are either "Visible" or "Hidden". If any partition that should be visible within Control4 is listed as hidden choose the Modify option and move that partition from Hidden to Visible.
   • Click File > Refresh Navigators to update and display all partitions. Any partition that remains listed as hidden will not display on any Control4 touchscreen or within the Control4 app. Presumably, it will also remain hidden to any voice assistant you may be using.
4. Test integration. Once the previous steps have been completed successfully, use the Control4 touchscreen or app to verify operation and status. Verify that all partitions show the proper status, i.e., Armed, Disarmed, etc. Walk around and fault zones, i.e., open and close doors, walk in front of motion detectors, etc. and verify that the status updates within the touchscreen or app.

The problem outlined in this notice arises if you attempt to pair an older firmware ProSeries touchscreen keypad to a newer or recently updated ProSeries panel. If the keypad is on version 3.324.46 or lower, and the panel is on 03.3206.57+, then the keypad won't pair and ceases functioning.

ProSeries keypads, specifically the PROWLTOUCH and PROWLTOUCHC, may require a special upgrade process to install the latest firmware in certain cases. Normally, these keypads receive updates from the ProSeries panel. However, if the keypad can’t pair with the panel, or loses connection, it won’t be able to receive the update.

If you have a ProSeries panel and touchscreen keypad that stay paired, connected to WIFI, and in regular communication most of the time, you shouldn’t have any issues. When the panel updates its firmware via WIFI, it will pass along any available update to the keypad automatically. If your keypad has trouble staying connected, you may want to set it up using Access Point (AP) Mode. This helpful FAQ can show you how.

As we mentioned earlier, most users won’t run into this issue. However, certain situations make it more likely. For example, if you buy a used ProSeries touchscreen keypad, or if you purchase one from stock that has been sitting on the shelf for a long time, you may encounter the problem.

If your panel hasn’t been updated regularly, jumping from an older firmware straight to the latest release can cause the issue described above. It can also occur with panels that have been installed for a long time and communicate with AlarmNet360 only over cellular.

If your system has a PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW module, the panel and keypad may have been paired using AP Mode. Since the panel can’t update firmware over cellular, suddenly connecting it to WIFI could trigger an upgrade to the latest version, potentially leaving the keypad behind on older firmware.

If you purchase a new keypad that has been sitting in stock, and you discover it suffers from this issue, you should be able to return it to the dealer or distributor for a refund or replacement. However, if you buy a used keypad, inherit one with a home purchase, or receive a second-hand keypad as a gift, you may need to follow specific steps to update it. The first step is to check the firmware version.

Our Advice: If you’re considering buying a used touchscreen keypad, ask the seller to verify its firmware before you commit. Request a picture of the firmware screen as proof. Even if the keypad isn’t paired to a panel, you can still see its firmware version.

To check the firmware, power on the keypad and let it attempt to connect to a panel. Press "Pair to Panel". On the next screen, you’ll see options for connecting the keypad to WIFI. At the bottom of that screen, the current firmware version is displayed.

Once you know the keypad firmware, verify your ProSeries panel version. On the panel begin by tapping the Menu icon (≡) at the bottom center of the panel screen. Scroll down and tap Tools > Enter the Installer or Master Code (4112 or 1234, by default) > tap System Information > General. The panel firmware version will be displayed in a XX.XXXX.XX format.

If the keypad is on version 3.324.46 or lower and the ProSeries panel is on firmware version 03.2306.57 or higher, the touchscreen keypad will not pair with the panel. There is no way to make the keypad in this example pair with a panel at that firmware version. However, the keypad will still function if it is used with a panel on a lower firmware version that is then upgraded properly.

Important Note: You cannot downgrade the firmware on a ProSeries panel, per Resideo support.

Another drawback to this situation is that an end-user can't control when their panel updates, or to what version. The only control you have as an end-user is that if you remove your ProSeries panel from WIFI, it will not receive firmware updates. These panels don't update using cellular data.

Important Notes At A Glance:

• Keypads on v3.324.46 or lower can’t pair with panels on v03.2306.57 or higher.
• ProSeries panel firmware can’t be downgraded.
• Panels update only over WIFI, not cellular.
• Disconnecting WIFI stops panel updates.
• Check firmware before buying a used keypad.
• Contact your alarm dealer for upgrade help.

If you're a customer with concerns about this potential issue, contact your alarm dealer. They will be able to push the necessary upgrades to your ProSeries panel in the correct order. Alarm Grid has a list of customers with touchscreen keypads that may be susceptible and we are proactively reaching out via email or phone to those customers. If you are not an Alarm Grid customer your alarm dealer should have a similar list.

If you must replace a PROA7 or PROA7PLUS* panel, it is important to perform not only the proper steps but in the proper order. Failure to do so may cause some PROSIX sensors to become unresponsive, forcing a replacement of those sensors. In this blog, we'll outline the proper procedure.

As we've often noted, Resideo's SiX Series and PROSIX sensors are uniquely paired to the alarm panel during initial panel and sensor configuration. Once paired, they cannot be used with any other panel until they are properly unpaired from the original. Without this unpairing, a failed original panel can potentially render a sensor unusable.

AlarmNet360 (AN360) acts as an important safeguard. When a PRO Series panel is registered with AN360, it begins near-constant two-way communication. Any programming change at the panel triggers an upload of the panel's configuration to AN360. This creates a backup of the panel's current programming, including the essential configuration information for all PROSIX sensors.

In the event of a PRO Series panel failure, a replacement panel can be configured with the exact same zone and system programming parameters as the original. The sensor information, including wireless channel data and encryption keys, is transferred to the new panel, ensuring it matches the existing sensor programming. By following the proper replacement process, the existing PROSIX sensors function seamlessly, unaware of the panel change.

However, a significant problem arises when DIY users add new PROSIX sensors to the replacement panel before a proper AN360-based panel replacement is performed. We've observed this issue on several occasions. Customers, awaiting a scheduled panel replacement, decide to add new PROSIX sensors in the interim.

Because the panel replacement requires dealer involvement, and in the case of Alarm Grid customers, a scheduled appointment with an Alarm Grid activator, customers often utilize their wait time by tinkering with their system. This can include adding new PROSIX devices.

When the scheduled replacement occurs, customers often overlook the newly added sensors, failing to mention them to the activator. This oversight, due to the unique way PROSIX sensors function, can create a serious conflict.

PROSIX sensors communicate using 2.4 GHz, similar to some WIFI networks. Like WIFI, PROSIX sensors utilize channels within the 2.4 GHz band. If a PRO Series panel detects interference on its current channel, it can instruct all PROSIX sensors to switch to a less congested one. This ensures the most consistent ongoing communication.

During pairing, encryption keys and the designated communication channel are established. All PROSIX devices on a PROA7 or PROA7PLUS panel operate on the same channel. This channel information is regularly backed up to AN360 and transferred to the replacement panel during the swap.

Consequently, AN360 holds a complete backup of the original panel's configuration. However, the new panel now contains configuration information for the recently added sensors, including new encryption keys and a potentially different 2.4 GHz channel.

During the replacement process, the new panel's configuration is overwritten with the backup from the original panel. The information for the newly added PROSIX sensors is lost. Effectively, the new panel becomes the original panel. Unfortunately, the new sensors were paired with the actual new panel, not the restored version.

Consequently, from this point there is no mechanism to instruct the newly added sensors to release or unpair, allowing them to be paired with the restored panel. There is a narrow 24 hour window from the time of enrollment where most PROSIX sensors can be defaulted. If the window for default is missed, and the replacement through AlarmNet360 is completed, the newly added PROSIX sensors become unusable. For that reason, we recommend anyone replacing a PRO Series panel follow these steps.

Recommended Steps, In Order, For Replacing a PROA7 or PROA7PLUS:

1. Make sure the replacement panel is the same revision, or higher, as the original panel. Work with your alarm dealer to verify the panel versions. It is possible to replace a PROA7 with a PROA7PLUS. It is NOT possible to replace a PROA7PLUS with a PROA7.
   NOTE: Firmware updates require WIFI. If your location doesn't have WIFI you can use a phone as a hotspot. This will be seen as a WIFI connection by the panel and AN360, and should allow you to perform the update. Obviously, this means the panel will need a PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW.
2. Make sure both panels are powered down.
3. Your alarm dealer will begin the replacement process in AN360. They will instruct you when to move to the next step.
4. With both panels still powered down, remove any modules such as PROLTE-A/PROLTE-V2, PROTAKEOVER, PROWIFI/PROWIFIZW from the original panel and install them into the new panel. If you have a PROTAKEOVER, be sure you move the backplate from the old panel to the new panel as well. It contains the antennas for the PROTAKEOVER.
5. Power up the NEW panel. You can immediately join the WIFI network when prompted, if applicable, or wait for the cellular module to initialize then press NEXT.
6. Press REGISTER, when prompted. The panel will register then pull all available programming from AN360. When this process is finished, the panel will display the Home screen.
7. If any PROWLTOUCH or PROWLTOUCHC WIFI keypads are associated with the panel, each will prompt you to "Pair to Panel". Do this at each keypad.
8. If the original panel was a Version 01 or 02 and there were PROINDMV Motion Viewers associated with it, these will have to be repaired with the new system. Your alarm dealer will give you specific instructions on what to do. The alarm dealer will need to go to each PROINDMV zone within AN360, select EDIT, then select LEARN. At that point they will tell you to activate the Motion Viewer. You can either remove the cover, or remove and replace the batteries. The PROINDMV will then be repaired.
9. Thoroughly test each component including zones, keypads, keyfobs, communicators, etc. Use the system test mode.
10. It is now safe to add new PROSIX devices to the panel.
11. If you're using BlueTooth Disarming, all cell phones will have to be manually paired with the new panel.
12. If you used Alexa with the original panel, you'll need to set that up manually with the new panel.
13. All Z-Wave devices that were paired with the original panel will need to be excluded then included with the new panel.
14. All Total Connect 2.0 scenes will need to be recreated.

Resideo recently announced they would discontinue the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS and would continue to produce the Resideo PROA7PLUSC. We now use PROA7PLUS and PROA7PLUSC interchangeably.

Resideo and Honeywell Home unveil a new wall mount and charging station for PROWLTOUCH and VISTAHTCHWLC keypads. Redesigned with a 9VDC transformer, the PROWLTOUCHWA allows longer wire runs between the power outlet and the unit and offers improved stability while using wall-mounted keypads.

The original wall mount for PROWLTOUCH and PROWLTOUCHC keypads, the PROWLTOUCHWM, utilized a 5VDC power supply. This lower voltage restricted power wiring to a maximum of 34 feet (10.3 meters) when using 18 AWG wire. This limitation rendered the PROWLTOUCHWM unsuitable for some applications. Furthermore, when the touchscreen keypad was mounted on the PROWLTOUCHWM and used for system control, the keypad exhibited instability and a tendency to move.

With its 9VDC power supply, the PROWLTOUCHWA supports wire runs that are up to 277' (84m) long. That's more than 500% longer than with the PROWLTOUCHWM! The redesign also improves the stability of the keypad while it is mounted. So, no more "Galloping Gertie" while you try to control your system.

Wire Gauge and Length Chart For PROWLTOUCHWA

The PROWLTOUCHWA and PROWLTOUCHWM use different power supplies (9VDC and 5VDC, respectively). These power supplies are not interchangeable*. Using the 9VDC power supply with the PROWLTOUCHWM could damage the touchscreen keypad during charging. This is due to the incompatibility of the PROWLTOUCHWM's internal circuitry with the higher voltage.

*Per Resideo, there will be a very limited number of PROWLTOUCHWM units that can work with the 9VDC power supply. These units will have a date code on the product, which signifies their ability to support the higher input voltage.

Both the Honeywell Home PROWLTOUCHWA wall mount and the Honeywell Home PROWLTOUCHDM desk mount provide the convenience of a fixed keypad location with integrated battery charging. However, these mounts also offer the flexibility to detach the keypad for portable use. This is especially helpful during tasks like adding zones or programming Z-Wave devices, which often require direct interaction with the device being configured.

Due to the design modifications required for enhanced stability of the keypad when mounted, the PROWLTOUCHWA is no longer compatible with installation using a standard gang box. This is a minor inconvenience when compared with significant gains in stability and overall performance.

Alarm Grid has discontinued the original PROWLTOUCHWM and is now pleased to offer the enhanced PROWLTOUCHWA. If you haven't explored wall or desk mounting options for your touchscreen keypad, it is an add-on that we can wholeheartedly recommend. The ability to detach the keypad for mobile use during programming is game changing. Whether you have a new VISTAH3, a PROA7, or a PROA7PLUS system with an add-on touchscreen, this is a product that will quickly prove its worth.

Recently, while writing content about the installation of various add-on modules for the PROA7PLUS, I discovered the "Shutdown system" option. Being familiar with Resideo's definition of "Shutdown" I sent an email to support to find out exactly what this button does. The answer surprised me.

I was looking for a better way of powering down the panel for the purpose of adding hardware. Having to disconnect the battery and possibly unplug the DC power adapter is inconvenient and unnecessarily difficult. I was hoping for a menu option that would allow me to power down without physically disconnecting anything.

When you enter the menu options of the PROA7PLUS, PROA7, PROA7PLUSC, or PROA7C you see an option for Tools. If you select Tools, you'll be prompted to enter a code. Once you enter a valid code, and this includes both the Installer Code and the Master Code (4112 and 1234 respectively, by default) you'll then see a list of additional options.

At the bottom of this list is "Shutdown system". I was hoping this was an option to power down the system. Just above it in the menu list is "Reboot System" but rebooting doesn't help when you're attempting to add or remove hardware. Again, knowing Resideo as I do, I was afraid to simply try out the shutdown option, so I sent an email to their technical support to inquire about what this menu option does. I found the answer a little disturbing.

According to support, when you perform a system shutdown the system cannot be armed. Only 24-Hour emergency zones can be activated, and those alarms are local only because the system's communicator is also shut down. The burglary portion of the system is useless in this state. Access to the "Tools" menu is also disabled.

You might wonder, as I did, if the communicator is shut down, and the "Tools" menu is disabled how the heck do you recover from this state? According to technical support, it is still possible to send a command to the system from AlarmNet360. This is called a "Resume System" command. This option can only be performed by your alarm dealer.

My takeaways from this are: If your system is not registered with an alarm dealer DO NOT SELECT SHUTDOWN SYSTEM from the "Tools" menu. Doing so will likely cause your system to be permanently inoperable. It's unclear if an alarm dealer could register a system after the shutdown command has been implemented, and then send the Resume System command. I wouldn't recommend testing it.

For anyone who may have accidentally hit this menu option and who does have a registered system, contact your alarm dealer immediately. Let them know what happened and that you need to initiate a "Resume System" command through AlarmNet360. They should be able to help you get your system back up and running.

If you're an Alarm Grid customer who finds yourself in this position you can email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call 1-888-818-7728. Our support team is here Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, with the exception of holidays. We will hopefully be able to send the command to Resume System using AlarmNet360.

The VERSA-2GIG sensors operate at 345 MHz and were created to work with all 2GIG panels, and with any Resideo panel that supports 2GIG Sensors. This includes the Lyric System and the PROA7 or PROA7PLUS with a PROTAKEOVER. Since its release, it has gone through a few changes to its programming.

The VERSA-2GIG Sensor with the cover removed:

To our knowledge, there have been three (3) iterations of the sensor. We'll discuss each iteration below. The VERSA-2GIG is an inexpensive alternative to other 2GIG or Honeywell/Resideo door/window sensors. It operates as a single alarm input, meaning that each VERSA-2GIG can monitor a single opening. It is almost the exact same sensor as the Resideo 5800MINI.

The 5800MINI Sensor with the cover removed:

First Iteration:

When the VERSA-2GIG Sensor was first released, it was programmed using Loop 2. During this time, the sensor had a pop-off cover that usually required some type of tool to remove it. It had five (5) notches on one side to indicate where the magnet should be placed to line up properly with the internal reed switch.

It may seem odd for a single input sensor to use Loop 2 instead of Loop 1, but this follows the programming of the 5816. This is the ubiquitous Ademco/Honeywell/Resideo wireless door/window contact. It has been around since modern wireless systems were first introduced.

The 5816 has two (2) available inputs. There are two screw terminals that you can wire a Normally Closed conventional wired door/window contact into. This input uses Loop 1. It also has a built-in reed switch that you can use with a magnet to monitor an opening. This input uses Loop 2. By using both inputs, the 5816 can take up two (2) separate panel zones and monitor two (2) separate openings, or monitor two (2) separate items on a single opening. The VERSA-2GIG is similar to a 5816, but without the terminals for a wired input.

If I were to venture a guess, I'd say there are millions of the 5816 wireless door contacts either still in use or having recently been replaced. They were so easy to install using only the magnet and the reed switch there are probably still installers out there who don't know the 5816 can support a Loop 1. Its use was so prevalent that when 2GIG made their own door/window sensor, the 2GIG-DW10-345, they mirrored the operation of the 5816. For all these reasons, the VERSA-2GIG programming on Loop 2 made sense to professional installers. For DIYers, it was a different story. There was a learning curve. Eventually, we all got on the same page.

Second Iteration:

Although using Loop 2 makes sense, the second iteration of the VERSA-2GIG required programming using Loop 1. Aside from the change to the way it programs, there were also some physical changes with this version.

The pop-off cover was replaced with a slide-off cover so that it can be opened without using any tools (and without damage to the plastic). In addition, on the side of the plastic cover over the reed switch, instead of five (5) lines indicating where the magnet should go, this second version has a single line showing where you should line up the magnet.

Below is a third iteration VERSA-2GIG. It has a slide-on cover and a single magnet placement notch, and it programs using Loop 2:

So, at this point, if you had a VERSA-2GIG with a pop-off cover and multiple lines on the side where the magnet goes, you used Loop 2, and if you had a slide-off cover with a single line showing where the magnet goes, you programmed using Loop 1 (usually).

In support, we've encountered VERSA-2GIG sensors that didn't program as we expected based on their physical characteristics. In those cases, we learned the sensor into the panel so that we could determine what Loop Number it was transmitting on.

Third Iteration:

The newest change to the VERSA-2GIG involves programming only. The newest VERSA-2GIG devices program using Loop 2 again. They still have the slide-off cover, and the single line on the side indicating where the magnet should be placed.

The problem is that the third iteration and the second iteration are physically the same. So, how can you tell which Loop Number to program? The easiest thing to do is to learn the sensor into the panel. When you do this, you need to be sure that you learn it while the VERSA-2GIG's cover is securely in place, and by having the magnet next to the sensor, then pulling it away, and then putting it back next to the sensor mimicking the opening and closing of the door or window. You may need to do this more than once before the serial number and loop number pop up, depending on your panel.

If the sensor is already mounted, then just be sure the cover is securely in place, then open and close the door or window as many times as it takes for your panel to learn the serial number and loop number. This will vary depending on which panel you're using.

And speaking of panels, I want to briefly discuss panel compatibility. As mentioned above, any 2GIG panel should support the use of the VERSA-2GIG. The Resideo (formerly Honeywell) panels that support it are the Lyric (as long as it has firmware version MR3 or higher) and the PROSeries.

This includes the PROA7 and PROA7PLUS, which are marketed under the Honeywell Home brand, as well as the PROA7C and PROA7PLUSC, which are marketed under the Resideo brand. The Resideo brand concentrates on commercial customers while the Honeywell Home brand focuses on residential ones. Like their Honeywell Home counterparts, the PROA7C and PROA7PLUSC require that the PROTAKEOVER be installed before they can support the VERSA-2GIG.

One more note about the PROSeries panels. A Lyric panel can support both Honeywell 345 MHz sensors and 2GIG ones. However, the PROTAKEOVER can only support one or the other. So, if you have a Lyric with both Honeywell and 2GIG sensors, and you want to upgrade to a PROSeries panel, you'll need to pick which legacy sensors you want to keep, and which you want to replace.

There is one more product line that supports the VERSA-2GIG sensors and that's the Qolsys IQ4 panels that support 345 MHz sensors:

• IQ Panel 4 with AT&T LTE and Honeywell/2GIG Legacy Support
• IQ Panel 4 with Verizon LTE and Honeywell/2GIG Legacy Support
• IQ4 Hub with AT&T LTE and Honeywell/2GIG Legacy Support
• IQ4 Hub with Verizon LTE and Honeywell/2GIG Legacy Support
• IQ4 NS with AT&T LTE and Honeywell/2GIG Legacy Support
• IQ4 NS with Verizon LTE and Honeywell/2GIG Legacy Support

The logical replacement for a Honeywell Lyric Panel is one of the new Resideo PRO Series systems. However, there is one small difference between the two that makes a big difference in usability. Quite simply, it is impossible to clear alarm memory from a PRO Series panel using Apple HomeKit.

Of course, if you aren't using Apple HomeKit, then this is a non-issue, but since the Lyric Panel has been the most successful professionally sold and installed system to work with HomeKit, there are many folks for whom this is potentially a big problem.

When we talk about the Resideo PRO Series panels, we're actually talking about both the Resideo and Honeywell Home versions of two separate panels. Resideo offers the PROA7C and the PROA7PLUSC. Honeywell Home offers the PROA7 and the PROA7PLUS.

Important! We discuss features of all PRO Series panels in this post, but only the PROA7PLUS and the PROA7PLUSC support Apple HomeKit.

The only difference between versions ending with the letter 'C' and those without is the badge and the term 'Home'. The 'C' signifies the commercial version, while the Honeywell Home variant is residential. A Resideo branded PRO Series panel will never display the word 'Home'. For example, instead of arming "Home" on the PROA7C and PROA7PLUSC, you arm "Stay."

The differences in Apple HomeKit integration aren't the only ones. We recently answered the question of whether all of the sensors used on a Lyric panel can be used on a new PRO Series panel. If you read that FAQ, you'll see that there are some scenarios where the answer to that question is no.

With regard to the PRO Series panels, the PROA7 and PROA7C don't come from the factory with WIFI capability. You must add either a PROWIFI (WIFI only) or a PROWIFIZW (WIFI and Z-Wave Plus) module. There are more differences between the PLUS and NON-PLUS versions, detailed in our comparison here.

At Alarm Grid, we have always recommended that customers who use Apple HomeKit also use Total Connect 2.0. This is not just because it's better for us since HomeKit is a free service. On panels that use Apple HomeKit for notification, only burglary sensors can be monitored precisely using HomeKit. This means smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and environmental sensors won't send detailed notifications to the end-user if an alarm or a trouble condition occurs.

As mentioned above, HomeKit requires a WIFI connection. WIFI is the method used for the PRO Series panel to communicate to the Apple HomeKit Hub (another requirement for remote control and notification). If WIFI goes down, you'll receive no notifications and you won't be able to control your system or view its status.

Alternatively, a PRO Series panel that has a cellular connection can still be fully monitored and controlled using Total Connect 2.0 and a central station if desired. There are many more scenarios I could bring up, but you can review a comparison between Total Connect 2.0 and Apple HomeKit in this helpful FAQ. Then, decide for yourself.

What I really wanted to discuss today is the major difference between the Honeywell Lyric and the Resideo or Honeywell Home PRO Series panels as they pertain to Apple HomeKit. That is, on a PROA7PLUS or PROA7PLUSC, after a burglary alarm a user cannot clear alarm memory using HomeKit.

Once the alarm notification comes up on your phone, you can disarm the panel, which will silence the alarm. However, after this first disarm, the zone that went into alarm will still display an alarm memory, and a second disarm is required in order to clear it. Alarm memory must be cleared before the system can be re-armed. The only way to achieve the required second disarm is to either disarm locally at the panel, through a secondary keypad, or to disarm through Total Connect 2.0.

You may be wondering, "What is alarm memory?" Alarm memory occurs so that you can't have an alarm while you're away from home that you're unaware of. It's easily explained with a scenario:

1. You leave home, arming your system to the Away mode.
2. While you're away a burglar alarm occurs.
3. Locally, the alarm sounds and the panel sends a report, if it's being monitored.
4. It sends notifications via HomeKit or TC2 (or both) if applicable.
5. For some reason, you don't receive any of these reports or notifications.
6. After a number of minutes, four (4) by default, the alarm stops sounding. (In many jurisdictions, it is against local ordinances to allow an alarm to sound indefinitely.)
7. In this scenario, the system is still armed.
8. When you come home, completely unaware that your system has had an alarm, you disarm your system.
9. If there were no alarm memory, you could remain completely unaware that an alarm had occurred while you were away. You may not know until you check your voice messages, or depending on your monitoring plan, you might never know. As it is, you will see that an alarm occurred in your absence and you will have to disarm the system again to clear the alarm. This is why alarm memory is important.

The Lyric Panel had a workaround available for this issue. On a Lyric Panel, after an alarm, if you disarmed to silence the alarm you could then attempt to arm again. This arming attempt would fail because of alarm memory, but in spite of this, you could then send a new disarm command, which would clear the alarm. Then, you could arm again. This operation is a fluke and is not how the system was designed.

In reality, the problem is that Apple HomeKit will not send a disarm command to the system when it knows that the system is already in a disarmed state. Presumably, this is an effort at efficiency and to keep network traffic to a minimum.

So, I'm not sure if this will require a change on Apple's part, on Resideo's part, or perhaps both. I just know that in the meantime, if you used a Lyric with Apple HomeKit, and you plan to update, or have updated to a Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS or a Resideo PROA7PLUSC panel, the process for clearing an alarm and re-arming when you're away from the monitored location is different. And if you plan to use HomeKit as your only source of system monitoring, this may be a reason to stick with the Lyric for now or to add Total Connect 2.0 to your setup.

Alarm panel manufacturers routinely offer panel firmware updates. This allows them to add features and correct issues. However, most DIY users don't have access to the restricted portion of the company's site where these files are housed. Alarm Grid offers the latest firmware file downloads.

Most alarm panels can be updated Over-the-Air (OTA) using either Alarm.com or AlarmNet360. AlarmNet never charges anything for these updates, and Alarm.com also offers them for free, unless they have to be sent to the panel using cellular data. In that case, the update will incur a small fee, depending on the size and number of updates that need to be sent.

Qolsys panels will not perform an OTA update unless the panel is connected to WIFI. If you have one of these panels installed in a location where WIFI is not available, then the only option is to either update using a cell phone as a WIFI Hotspot, or download the firmware files, and then install them via either Micro SD Card (IQ2/IQ2+) or Access Point (IQ4).

Honeywell L5200, L5210, and L7000

Honeywell used to offer free firmware updates for the LynxTouch panels that they pushed remotely using AlarmNet360. It was a messy process, AlarmNet tech support was required to request these updates individually, per account. So, sometime after the introduction of the Lyric panel, they stopped this practice. The Lyric can only be firmware updated using AlarmNet360, but the update can be requested by the dealer, and now, the customer can also request the firmware update via the panel. When Honeywell, now Resideo, ceased offering OTA updates for the LynxTouch panels, they released the Honeywell LYNXTOUCH-MSD Firmware Update Tool. This tool can be used to update the L5200, L5210, or L7000 panels.

When an L5200 is updated to the latest version, it becomes an L5210 internally, though there are certain physical traits of the L5200 that won't change, like the screen size. Depending on when you purchased the LYNXTOUCH-MSD tool, it may come with the latest firmware version already on the SD Card (it comes with both L5210 and L7000 firmware already loaded). However, if you purchased your update tool when they were first released, it will have an older firmware version on it, and you will need to download the newest firmware to the SD Card and update the panel again to get the most current version. The update files are housed on the Resideo website in the password-protected portion of MyWebTech, so we offer the files for download from our site:

• L5200 or L5210 LYNXTOUCH-MSD Firmware Update Page
• L7000 LYNXTOUCH-MSD Firmware Update Page

2GIG Go!Control 2 (GC2) or 2GIG GC2e

The 2GIG GC2 and 2GIG GC2e have a couple of different methods for updating the firmware. There is the 2GIG UPDV Easy Updater Tool and the 2GIG UPCBL2 Firmware Update Cable. The updater tool is geared more toward a professional installer who will be updating multiple different panels over the course of years. It comes with a version of either the 2GIG GC2 or GC2e firmware loaded but the tool itself will then have to be updated when newer firmware is released. The files to load are available from our site and are linked below.

The updater cable is the method of update most DIY users choose to use. It requires that the user have a windows computer available. The cable is a fixed length, so the computer that will be used needs to be near the alarm panel in order to perform the update. Ideally, a laptop is used. Instructions for using the updater cable to load the latest firmware onto a 2GIG GC2 or 2GIG GC2e can be found here. Instructions for loading new firmware onto the 2GIG UPDV Easy Updater Tool can be found here. Instructions for using the updater tool to update a 2GIG GC2 or GC2e panel once it has the latest file loaded can be found here.

The 2GIG GC2 and 2GIG GC2e firmware pages are linked below. Each page has both Updater Tool and Updater Cable files:

• 2GIG GC2 Firmware Update Page
• 2GIG GC2e Firmware Update Page

2GIG GC3 and 2GIG GC3e

The 2GIG GC3 and 2GIG GC3e technically use the same firmware. The 2GIG GC3e was released at firmware version 3.2.1, so any GC3e panel will have at least this version of firmware already installed. Alarm Grid offers firmware versions 3.0.1 up through 3.2.4.6725 on our 2GIG GC3 Firmware Update Page. On our 2GIG GC3e Firmware Update Page, we offer 3.2.3.6713 up through the current version which, at the time of this writing, is 3.2.6.6770.

The 2GIG GC3 and 2GIG GC3e are both much easier to update than the 2GIG GC2 or GC2e. Both 2GIG GC3 versions offer WIFI, which makes OTA updates simple, as well as free. For systems that need it, an OTA update can be pushed from Alarm.com via cellular for a nominal fee. Again, Alarm Grid offers this type of upgrade to our customers at our cost, with no markup. If WIFI is not available at the panel, and a user doesn't want to pay for an OTA update, we offer the upgrade files from our site. This FAQ provides a walkthrough on how to perform the update using the files from our site. Instructions for performing the update are also listed on the page along with the firmware files.

• 2GIG GC3 Firmware Update Page
• 2GIG GC3e Firmware Update Page

2GIG Edge

The 2GIG Edge updates in the same way as the 2GIG GC3 and GC3e. It has a USB port located on the top of the panel. Once the firmware update file has been loaded onto the root directory of a USB drive, the drive is inserted into the port on the panel's top and the panel prompts the user to update. For full instructions on updating a 2GIG Edge, check out this FAQ.

• 2GIG Edge Firmware Update Page

Qolsys IQ Panel 2 and IQ Panel 2 Plus

The IQ Panel 2 and IQ Panel 2 Plus also use the same firmware version. The difference between the two panels is hardware. The IQ Panel 2 does not support PowerG, and the IQ Panel 2 Plus does. As noted above, Qolsys panels will not download firmware updates via cellular data, so the options are to connect the panel to WIFI, temporarily connect the panel to a Hotspot on a cellular phone, or update locally using a Micro SD Card. The step-by-step instructions for loading the firmware from an SD Card are shown on the firmware update page.

• Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Firmware Update Page (Version 2.3.1-ADCS 5.18-ADCL)
• Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Firmware Update Page

Qolsys IQ Panel 4

The Qolsys IQ Panel 4, like the previous IQ Panels, will not download firmware updates via cellular data. However, unlike the IQ Panel 2 or IQ Panel 2 Plus, the IQ Panel 4 does not have a Micro SD Card slot. Instead, if WIFI is not accessible by the panel, either directly or via a cell phone Hotspot, then the firmware update files have to be downloaded to a phone or tablet, then the phone or tablet must be connected to the IQ Panel 4 Access Point, and the files then loaded to the panel from the phone or tablet. Instructions for updating using the Access Point are available on the firmware download page.

• Qolsys IQ Panel 4 Firmware Update Page

Above are links to all the different panel firmware pages we offer here on the Alarm Grid site. In addition to alarm panel firmware, we also offer some firmware pages for the Honeywell Home TUXEDOW or Resideo TUXEDOWC touchscreen keypads as well as the older Tuxedo Touch firmware. We don't have a page for the older 6280 touchscreen keypads, but if you need access to that firmware, send an email to support@alarmgrid.com letting us know what you need and we can get you access to it.

As mentioned above, the Lyric panel can only be updated via AlarmNet360 and in order to update the firmware, the panel has to be actively monitored. The same is true of the newer Honeywell Home and Resideo ProSeries panels (PROA7, PROA7PLUS, PROA7C, and PROA7PLUSC). These panels must be actively monitored and registered with AlarmNet360 before an update can be applied to them.

The Resideo LTEM-PA and LTEM-PV are dual-path capable communicators that use the LTE Cat-M1 network. During the global chip shortage, these radios have come to prominence because of their availability in the absence of other LTE communicators. They provide nearly the same speed as LTE comms.

Another feature that differentiates the LTEM-PA and LTEM-PV from other communicators is their modular design. These radios are considered a part of the ProSeries lineup, which includes the Honeywell Home PROA7 and PROA7PLUS and the Resideo PROA7C and PROA7PLUSC. The reason for this is that many of the add-on modules that can be used with the ProSeries panels can also be used with the LTEM-P communicators. Including the PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW, the PROLTE-A or PROLTE-V, and the PRODCM.

The LTEM-P Series communicators support an ethernet connection, but if you find yourself in a situation where a wired connection is not possible, then you can install the PROWIFI or PROWFIZW, which will give you WIFI, or WIFI and Z-Wave Plus capabilities. The ability to add a modular cellular unit is exciting as it allows you to install a separate LTE communicator to use instead of the built-in LTE Cat-M1 communicator. This will come in handy if you purchase an AT&T LTEM-PA, but find out later that Verizon would provide a better signal in this particular installation. Also, far in the future, when LTE is eventually phased out, whatever takes its place can easily be installed in the unit, rather than having to replace the entire communicator.

The PRODCM is a dialer-capture module. It allows the LTEM-P Series communicator to work with an alarm panel that has a built-in dialer and can report using Contact ID Format. The PRODCM installs inside a slot in the LTEM-P Series communicator, then two wires are connected between it and the Tip and Ring terminals on the alarm panel. The panel believe's it is dialing out over a phone line, but the module captures the signal, and transmits it via IP, or Cellular. Many of these add-on modules are also compatible with the ProSeries panels, which is why the LTEM-P Series are considered a part of the ProSeries lineup.

Tip 1: Power Wiring

The LTEM-PA and LTEM-PV come with a 9VDC power supply. Depending on the communicator you may be replacing there could be an existing AC Transformer in place. Do not make the mistake of trying to use the existing transformer. You have two (2) options when it comes to powering the LTEM-PA or LTEM-PV. You can use the included power supply, making sure to observe proper polarity with the power wires, or you can wire it so that the communicator receives all its power from the alarm panel. If you choose the latter option, be sure to calculate the current draw for the communicator correctly, and if you decide to leave the battery out of the LTEM-P Series device, turn off the radio's Low Battery Reporting.

Tip 2: Installing A WIFI Module

If you want to add support for WIFI to your LTEM-P module, you can add the PROWIFI module. When the PROWIFI module is installed, the ethernet connection becomes unavailable, so you can only use one or the other of these, but not both. If you want to add both WIFI and Z-Wave Plus capabilities to your system, then you can choose to install the PROWIFIZW.

Using the PROWIFIZW can add Z-Wave support in a situation where it would otherwise be unavailable, such as when using the LTEM-P with a non-VISTA panel. The PROWIFIZW cannot be used as a secondary controller, so it can't be used to extend the range of another controller such as the Tuxedo or VAM. Using the PROWIFIZW also doesn't give you an option to create scenes through Total Connect 2.0, only manual control of Z-Wave devices is available.

Tip 3: Always Default the Communicator

We've found, through painful experience, that it is a good idea to always default the LTEM-PA or LTEM-PV once all the wiring is completed, prior to account creation and activation. To default, hold down the red button on the upper right side of the main communicator board for at least 20 Seconds. The LEDs on the communicator should begin going through their initial power-on sequence. This is how you can tell the default has completed.

Once the communicator has booted completely up, then do one last power cycle. Do this by unplugging the transformer and disconnecting the red battery lead. If the communicator is being powered completely by the panel, simply power the panel down and back up by unplugging its transformer and backup battery. If the communicator battery is still connected though, be sure to disconnect this battery as well to completely power the communicator off. Wait about 30 seconds, then power back on as you normally would. For VISTA panels, plug in the transformer, then the battery. If the communicator has its own DC Power Supply, plug in the communicator battery, then plug in the power supply. Now you can proceed with programming and activation.

The ever-evolving WIFI industry can sometimes present challenges to alarm equipment. The steps manufacturers take to protect privacy, and streamline connections, can sometimes interfere with an alarm system's ability to get connected. Here, we'll discuss ways to keep your WIFI system online.

Resideo and Honeywell Home have not embraced the 5 GHz WIFI band as some of the other alarm manufacturers have. Both 2GIG and Qolsys have panels that can connect to either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WIFI. While 5 GHz WIFI offers slightly greater speed, it also offers a shorter range. Its main advantage is that it offers more channels and less congestion than its 2.4 GHz counterpart. The 2.4 GHz band is slightly slower, mostly because it's more crowded, but with a greater range and better solid object penetration.

Many customers may be afraid to purchase Resideo or Honeywell Home equipment because they believe that soon WIFI routers may stop supporting the 2.4 GHz frequency. However, most IoT (Internet of Things) devices that use WIFI currently only support the 2.4 GHz band, so you can expect network equipment manufacturers to continue producing equipment that supports 2.4 GHz for some time. Also, many older devices, such as older smartphones or tablets, don't support 5 GHz WIFI.

Users with dual-band routers that support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WIFI, and who also have Resideo or Honeywell Home WIFI products, may have experienced issues with their security device losing its WIFI connection. If that is the case, disabling a feature in the router called Band Steering may help the system to stay connected. Routers that support dual-band WIFI often use Band Steering in an effort to make switching from one band to the other seamless.

In theory, with Band Steering enabled, and the SSID, Password, and encryption settings for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands set to the exact same parameters, any device capable of using both bands can switch between them on the fly as the device moves through the location. Consider using a tablet or a smartphone as you walk through your home. When you're close to the router, 5GHz is likely the best band for the device to use. But as you walk away from the router, the 2.4 GHz band may become a better option. Band Steering will take care of switching from one to the other with no further input from the user and without the user even knowing that the switch has occurred.

If Band Steering worked as well in practice as it does in theory this would be an excellent solution. However, for some routers that support this feature, in certain cases, if a client WIFI device can only support 2.4 GHz, and the router supports both bands with both having matching SSIDs and Passwords and Band Steering is enabled, often the client device can't connect to the network because it is blocked by the router.

The router does this because it believes the client device is capable of connecting using the 5 GHz band, and in most cases, the router is trying to steer as many devices as it can to 5GHz. By disabling Band Steering, the Resideo or Honeywell Home WIFI capable panel will be able to see and connect to the 2.4 GHz network. In fact, it's the only network that it will be able to see. All other devices that support both bands will still be able to connect to whichever SSID the user chooses.

You can disable Band Steering on your dual-band router without having to change either SSID or password. The drawback to doing this is that you won't immediately be able to tell which WIFI band a device that supports both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands is connected to. If you need to be able to determine this, then you will want to disable Band Steering and then change the SSID and Password for one or the other WIFI Band so that you can easily determine which WIFI band a device is using. This will assist you, particularly on mobile devices, where you may need to manually switch between bands to achieve the best WIFI outcome.