News Posts

Happy New Year DIYers! It's 2019, and the Alarm Grid office has re-opened after a New Year's celebration. It's back to work for all of us, as we will continue to ensure that your homes and businesses are protected. Please keep checking this blog for important news and information.

Remember, the best way to get a hold of us is to send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. If you need to call us, you may do so at (888) 818-7728 during our normal business hours, which are 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We also offer an online chat during business hours, and our support agents are ready to help.

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a great 2019. Thank you for being a part of the Alarm Grid family!

The Alarm Grid office will be closing early at 6pm on December 31st, 2018. We will remain closed through January 1st, 2019. Our office will reopen at 9am on January 2nd, 2019. Our support team will not be answering phones or checking any emails or online chats while we are closed.

If you need to reach us during this time, your best option is to send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We will review all our emails thoroughly when we return on January 2nd and respond as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Alarm Grid would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Please stay safe, and remember to arm your security system if you decide to go out. If you are experiencing a real emergency, you can always reach your local authorities by calling 911. Please check back to this blog in 2019 for more updates from Alarm Grid.

Hi DIYers! Well, we're finally at the sunset for 2018. The year certainly was eventful for Alarm Grid, as we had many exciting announcements throughout the year. We started carrying many new products, and we reached some huge milestones along the way. Here are some highlights of 2018:

Honeywell SiXMINICT Made Available - We started offering the Honeywell SiXMINICT in January 2018, and it quickly became one of our most popular sensors. It offers the same 128-bit AES encryption found in the larger SiXCT, but in a more compact package. The wireless door and window contact is also now included in many of our encrypted Lyric System Kits.

Our VISTA Cheatsheet was Released - Also in January, we released our Honeywell VISTA System Cheatsheet. This guide has proven to be an extremely valuable resource in helping DIY users quickly find useful information about a VISTA P-Series System. The cheatsheet provides quick and handy references for the VISTA 15P, VISTA 20P and VISTA 21iP Systems.

Release of 2GIG SP1 Keypad - February brought us the release of the 2GIG SP1 Wireless Keypad. This became the premier option for a secondary access point on a 2GIG GC3 System. Unlike its little brother, the 2GIG SP2 Keypad, the SP1 Keypad provides complete voice annunciation, smart home automation features and a convenient 5-day weather forecast.

VISTA LTE Communicators - In March, VISTA owners rejoiced, as a Verizon LTE Communicator became available! With the release of the Honeywell LTE-XV, Honeywell VISTA users could start enjoying the fast and reliable connectivity that only an LTE Network can offer. For users who wanted to connect with the AT&T LTE Network, the Honeywell LTE-XA was also released later in the year.

Changes to our System Kits - We made a big change to its system kits in March, as we started including the Honeywell LT-Cable in most our our pre-packaged kits. This convenient cable makes it super easy for DIY users to set up their systems and get started with Alarm Grid monitoring. All you need is a screwdriver - no wire-stripping necessary!

Total Connect 2.0 Alexa Skill - The Total Connect 2.0 Amazon Alexa Skill became available in late March. This gave users the ability to control their Honeywell Alarm Systems using spoken voice commands sent through an Alexa device. Alexa support for scene control became available later in the year as well. This was a huge win for Total Connect 2.0 users!

April Fool's Joke - For April Fool's, we announced the Alarm Grid AGCLAP1, a "Clap Sensor" that responds to the sound of a person clapping their hands. This was made possible using our advanced "Clapping Language Application Protocol", or CLAP. It promised an ear-shattering siren of 140 dB and a wireless signal range of 401 feet. The device was to be used with our very own Clap App.

ISC West 2018 - In April, Alarm Grid sent a team over to ISC West 2018 in Las Vegas to get a firsthand look at some of the newest security products. We made a post for the Honeywell booth and a post for the Qolsys and 2GIG booths. This truly was an exciting experience to get a sneak peak at some of the cutting-edge technology that the security industry is known for putting out!

Interlogix Products Available - Interlogix joined the Alarm Grid family in May, as we began selling many of their systems and sensors. This product release included the Simon XT, Simon XTi and Simon XTi-5 Systems. These are great panels and sensors for any cost-conscious user who wants an effective solution for reliable alarm monitoring service.

Partition Support for Total Connect 2.0 - The release of partition support for Total Connect 2.0 was huge. Now users could control individual partitions from the Total Connect 2.0 Website or Mobile App. Many functions were included with this feature, including the ability to bypass sensors. This great feature first became available in June of 2018.

DSC Product Launch - We began selling DSC products in June, including the wireless Impassa System. This system supports 433 MHz wireless sensors, which are some of the most popular in the entire industry. This release also included the DSC PowerG Sensors, which offer an extremely impressive wireless signal range and 128-bit AES encryption protection.

Wireless Contacts Guide - We released a total guide to Honeywell Wireless Door and Window Contacts in July. This helpful resource has been fantastic for DIY users looking to set up their own Honeywell Security System. Door and window contacts are perhaps the most popular sensors used with security system. All of Honeywell's most popular wireless contacts were featured.

Alarm Grid's 6th Birthday - Alarm Grid celebrated its 6th birthday on July 20th, 2018. We closed our office early that night so that our team could enjoy a fun time at a video game bar. Everyone at Alarm Grid is extremely proud to have provided countless homes and businesses with top-quality monitoring services for the past six years. We hope to continue to serve our customers well into the future!

10,000 Subscribers on YouTube - Our YouTube Page hit 10,000 subscribers in August of 2018. We put together a big post and video recap to celebrate this accomplishment. The entire Alarm Grid family looks forward to providing users with helpful videos in the future. Kudos to our video team and our support technicians for all their hard work!

IQ Panel 2 Plus Release - The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus System became available in late August. This system offered several new features, including the ability to support PowerG Sensors. Each version includes an AT&T or Verizon LTE communicator, a Z-Wave Plus controller, a PowerG daughtercard and a legacy daughtercard. The legacy daughtercard options are 319.5 MHz, 345 MHz and 433 MHz.

Lutron Release - Alarm Grid launched Lutron Products in September of 2018. These smart lighting devices are easy to use, and they provide a great solution for any user looking to get started with home automation. Our Lutron offerings are based around the Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge, which is capable of supporting up to 50 different Lutron Lighting Devices.

2GIG GC3 Partition Support - 2GIG released partition support for the 2GIG GC3 Security System in October of 2018 with its "Smart Areas" feature. This was historic, as the GC3 became one of the first-ever wireless systems to support partitioning. With this game-changing firmware update, the 2GIG GC3 gained the ability to support up to four unique system partitions.

A Spooky Alarm Grid Halloween - We celebrated Halloween in style in 2018 by going all-out with decorating our office. There were ghosts, ghouls, spiders and bats lurking in our office, as our entire team got involved in the festivities. We hope that all our customers had an exciting and safe Halloween, as we kept your home safe during this fun-filled holiday!

Refurbished Security Equipment - We began selling certified refurbished equipment in November of 2018. These offerings provide the same great performance as brand-new equipment, but at a lower cost. Our refurbished products include the Honeywell Lyric Controller, the Honeywell LKP500 Keypad, the Honeywell VISTA 21iP and the Honeywell 5800C2W Wired to Wireless Converter.

Partitioning for IQ Panel 2 - Qolsys followed through with their promise to end 2018 with a bang by releasing partitioning support for the IQ Panel 2. The firmware update allows users to control up to four individual partitions on their IQ Panel 2 System. It also included a lock screen feature to restrict access to the system. This truly was a great year for Qolsys!

Alarm Grid Christmas - Alarm Grid closed its office on December 24th and 25th in celebration of Christmas. These special dates fell nicely on a Monday and Tuesday respectively, so it gave our team a four-day weekend. We are always proud to protect homes and businesses during the busy holiday season. We hope that all our customers had a good time and received lots of presents!

Looking back, 2018 truly was a fantastic year for Alarm Grid. We hope that you all enjoyed the year as well. Keep following our blog as we head into 2019. And as always, thank you so much for being a part of the Alarm Grid family!

Hi DIYers! Last week we reviewed the new features that were added to Total Connect 2.0 in the past year. But now the new year is quickly approaching! We have learned from Honeywell that there are some great new features coming to the Total Connect 2.0 service in 2019. Here's a sneak peak!

Privacy Upon Disarm for Total Connect HD Cameras

With this feature, users can set up their cameras so that they automatically go into privacy mode when the system is disarmed. This can be useful, as the camera will stop capturing and saving video clips when the user is less likely to need them. However, the user will still be able to view the live feed for the camera through TC2. One benefit to doing this, in addition to the privacy provided, is that the user will not have to sort through as many video notifications. Once the user arms their system, the camera will exit privacy mode and capture clips like normal if it is activated.

Siri Shortcuts - Security and Scene Control

Earlier in 2018, Siri Shortcuts became available for Alarm.com. Now it appears this same great feature will soon be made available for Total Connect 2.0. Users will be able to perform security functions and operate various smart home automation scenes using voice commands that are sent through Siri on an iOS device. This is fantastic news for Apple users who want a quick and convenient method for controlling their Honeywell Alarm System, as well as any programmed smart home devices. We don't know much about the feature yet, but it's fair to assume that each command will need to be set up individually with its own trigger phrase. As long as your Z-Wave device is set up with a Total Connect 2.0 scene, you can program it to activate with a convenient voice command!

We're sure that Honeywell will surprise us with many more new features in the coming months. This is just the tip of the iceberg. But it's plenty of reason to get excited about 2019. We hope that you're looking forward to it just as much as we are. Stay tuned to Alarm Grid for all the latest security and home automation news!

The Alarm Grid office is currently closed for the holidays. We will remain closed through Monday, December 24th and Tuesday, December 25th. We will not answer phones or check emails during this time. Our normal business hours (9am to 8pm EST) will be resumed Wednesday, December 26th.

We would also like to provide you with advance notice that our office will also be closing early on Monday, December 31st in observance of New Year's Eve. We will remain closed all day Tuesday, January 1st in observance of New Year's Day. We will resume our normal business hours on Wednesday, January 2nd.

If you must reach us during any period when we are away, we strongly recommend leaving an email at support@alarmgrid.com. We will work to get back to you as soon as possible once we return to the office. Once we do return, you may also call us at (888) 818-7728 or contact us through online chat support.

From everyone at Alarm Grid, we wish you, your family and your friends a safe and merry holiday. Now is the best time of the year for togetherness, and we are very proud to help keep you and your loved ones safe and protected at all times. We look forward to providing you with the very best support and service in the coming new year!

Hi DIYers! We're thrilled to announce that the Honeywell SiXCOMBO is finally here, just in time for the holidays! This Honeywell SiX Series Sensor offers support for smoke, heat and CO detection all in one convenient device. Additionally, new Honeywell 5800C2W Kits are also available!

With support for smoke, heat and CO sensing, the Honeywell SiXCOMBO is the first-ever encrypted combination life-safety sensor available for the Honeywell Lyric Alarm System. The device includes a built-in photoelectric smoke detector, a heat sensor that activates at temperatures of 135°F or higher, an IR sensor that measures ambient light and flame signatures, and a carbon monoxide sensor that responds to dangerous levels of CO gas. These four integrated sensors all work together to ensure that your home or business stays protected against fires and CO outbreaks at all times.

Users will also appreciate the One-Go-All-Go feature of the Honeywell SiXCOMBO. If the device activates for a fire or CO alarm, any additional SiXCOMBO devices that are also programmed with the system will also activate. This One-Go-All-Go feature affects Honeywell SiXSMOKE devices as well, so all your SiX Series life-safety devices will respond to the emergency. Each sensor includes an 85 dB sounder, which is plenty loud enough to alert anyone in the building.

The Honeywell SiXCOMBO is very easy to program with the Honeywell SiX Programming feature. This option is found within Installer-level programming. Once you have accessed the feature, you can power the SiXCOMBO on by removing its battery tab to have it auto-enrolled with the system. This can also be done by pressing and holding one of its test buttons until it auto-enrolls. The sensor will take up three zones on the system - one for smoke detection, one for heat detection, and one for CO detection.

In addition to the Honeywell SiXCOMBO, we are also glad to announce that Honeywell 5800C2W Kits are now available. We have two kits available - one of a Lyric Controller and 5800C2W Combo and another with just the 5800C2W and accessories. Both kits include enough LT-Cables for wiring and an UltraTech 1240 Backup Battery. Each 5800C2W is capable of supporting 9 hardwired sensors, so keep that in mind when system planning.

These kits are perfect for anyone upgrading from an older hardwired system who wants to continue to use their existing hardwired sensors. If the user needs a new system, the Lyric 5800C2W Combo Kit is a great option. As you know, the Lyric is HomeKit compatible for use with HomeKit Smart Scenes and Siri voice commands. Meanwhile, the 5800C2W itself will work with any alarm system that accepts 345 MHz sensors. This includes the Honeywell LYNX Touch Panels, the 2GIG GC2 and GC3 Systems and the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus with Honeywell Legacy Daughtercard.

Finally, we'd also like to briefly announce our office hours for the upcoming holidays. As usual, our office will be closed this weekend, which is Saturday December 22nd and Sunday December 23rd. Our office will then remain closed Monday December 24th and Tuesday December 25th in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day respectively. We will resume our normal business hours of 9am to 8pm EST on Wednesday December 26th. If you have any questions or concerns during this four-day period, we strongly encourage you to email us at support@alarmgrid.com, and we will do our very best to get back with you after we return from holiday on Wednesday the 26th. Once we return, you can also reach us by phone at (888) 818-7728 during our normal business hours. We also have online chat support available on our website.

Please also note that we will be closing our office early at 6pm on Monday December 31st in observance of New Year's Eve. We will remain closed on Tuesday January 1st in observance of New Year's Day. We will resume our normal business hours of 9am to 8pm EST on Wednesday January 2nd. Again, if you need to contact us while we are away, your best option is to use the email listed above. We would like to wish all of you a very happy and safe holiday season, and we invite you to keep checking our blog in the following days for more information.

Alarm Grid is proud to announce that Arlo Security Cameras are now available on our site! These are versatile and easy-to-use security cameras that provide exceptional performance for virtually any residential application. It has never been easier to set up video surveillance for your home!

Arlo Cameras are unique for their ability to operate 100% wire-free. They receive power from removable batteries. Depending on the camera model, the batteries can be rechargeable for easy use. The cameras can remain powered for several months at a time with a single charge. However, this duration varies significantly based on overall usage. For communication, the cameras send wireless signals to a central base station. This module serves as a central hub for the setup, and it allows the cameras to connect with a local WIFI network.

The cameras will activate for recording whenever motion or sound is detected. The user can configure the settings for the cameras so that they only activate when they need them to. For example, a user might set up a GeoFence so that their camera only records while they are away from home. All recordings are stored on the Arlo App, which is free to download for Android and iOS devices. The app will store recordings for up to 7 days. All of the Arlo Cameras we offer are water and UV resistant, making them great for outdoor use.

One of the best options is to pair an Arlo Camera setup with a home security system and an Alarm Grid monitoring plan. This way, you can receive notifications from Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com and then check your Arlo Camera to see exactly what happened. The cameras are also compatible with various smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, Stringify and Samsung SmartThings (select models only).

At this time, we are proud to offer the following Arlo Camera models:

• Arlo HD Camera
• Arlo Pro Camera
• Arlo Pro 2 Camera

Note that the Arlo HD Camera is a certified refurbished model. Alarm Grid is not offering a new model of the Arlo HD at this time. A four-pack of refurbished Arlo HD Cameras is also available. Meanwhile, the Pro and Pro 2 Cameras are both new models. There are no refurbished versions available for either of these cameras.

The Arlo HD uses four replaceable lithium CR123A batteries, while the pro models use rechargeable batteries. Both the Pro and Pro 2 come with a single rechargeable battery. Additional rechargeable batteries can be purchased through the following link:

• Arlo Rechargeable Battery for Pro and Pro 2

Remember that the Arlo HD, Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 all require an Arlo Base Station for basic operation. The cameras communicate wirelessly with this module, and it connects to the internet on their behalf. The base station uses a hardwired ethernet connection to communicate with your home's WIFI router. Without a base station, you will not be able to use any of the Arlo Camera models mentioned above. One Arlo Base Station can support up to five Arlo Cameras. This module also allows for local video storage by inserting a USB flash drive.

Alarm Grid offers both a new Arlo Base Station model and refurbished Arlo Base Station model:

• Arlo Base Station New
• Arlo Base Station Refurbished

Arlo Cameras are also known for their flexible mounting options. Each camera comes with a magnetic mount for basic installation. Users can also purchase any of the following separate mounting options.

• Arlo Outdoor Knob Mount
• Arlo Table & Ceiling Mount
• Arlo Indoor Wall Mounts 4-Pack
• Arlo Outdoor Mount
• Arlo Quadpod Mount

Finally, we are also proud to offer the following optional Arlo Camera accessories:

Arlo Dual Battery Charging Station

Arlo Solar Panel Charger

Arlo Camera Skins for Pro and Pro 2

Arlo Indoor Power Adapter Replacement

If you have any questions about Arlo products, please do not hesitate to reach out to us! You may email us anytime at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at (888) 818-7728 from 9am to 8pm Monday thru Friday. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have received notice about the earthquake that has occurred in Alaska as well as the tsunami warning. During this time, Alaskan customers might experience communication failures, and emergency services might be slow or unresponsive. Police stations near Anchorage are currently unable to dispatch.

It's also possible that customers in the Cook Inlet area and the Southern Kenai Peninsula might experience delayed or unavailable police or other emergency response services at this time.

If you are in the affected area, our thoughts are with you. Please heed the tsunami warning and move inland and/or to higher ground. Tsunamis travel at hundreds of miles per hour. By the time you see one, it's too late to run from it. Report downed power lines to the proper authorities, and watch out for burst water and gas pipes that may have shifted during the earthquake. If you smell gas, leave the area immediately and report the gas leak to the proper authorities.

Alarm Grid will provide an update when more information becomes available.

Update: The tsunami warning for Alaska has been cancelled by the National Weather Service. Please continue to be careful during this time, as dangerous conditions may still be present.

Alarm Grid would like to remind its customers that the sunset of Total Connect 1.0 is quickly falling upon us. The service is set to be terminated by January 2020. By then, all users must upgrade to the Total Connect 2.0 service. Almost all Total Connect users have already made the upgrade.

Total Connect 1.0 was introduced as a way for users of Honeywell Alarm Panels to operate their systems remotely. The service was relatively limited in what it could offer. It was later replaced with the Total Connect 2.0 service that is still very widely used today. The TC2 service is much more reliable and offers vastly superior functionality when compared with the original TC1 platform. As of late November 2018, nearly all TC1 users have upgraded to TC2. But there are still a very small number of users running TC1. You can recognize that you have TC2 by the mobile app icon, which features the white letters "tc" with a red background. The icon is shown above.

If you are still running TC1, you must upgrade to TC2 by January 2020. If you don't, you will lose remote functionality for your system. By upgrading to TC2, you will ensure that your remote system services will work well into the very distant future. You will also gain several different features that are only compatible with TC2. Some of these features include:

• Access to TC2 App and Website
• Support for Amazon Alexa
• Support for MyQ Garage Doors
• Support for SkyBell Video Doorbells
• Support for August Smart Locks
• Support with Total Connect Comfort Thermostats
• Control up to Eight Partitions (if supported by system)
• Push Notifications
• Video Alerts
• Smart Scenes
• Support for Honeywell HD Cameras
• iOS Face ID Recognition
• Android Voice Recognition
• Support with Apple Watch
• Multi-Language Options
• 100+ Locations per Account

Most users who are still running Total Connect 1.0 are doing so because they have an alarm panel or a system communicator that works with TC1, but not TC2. For these users, some type of upgrade is necessary for gaining access to Total Connect 2.0. This could include replacing the communicator or replacing the panel entirely. Any Alarm Grid customer can contact us to receive assistance on the easiest way to upgrade their system. These customers should email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at (888) 818-7728 during normal business hours, which are 9am to 8pm EST M-F to receive further assistance. Our team will work with them to ensure that they obtain the proper equipment to get started with Total Connect 2.0.

Remember, you must upgrade to TC2 by January 2020. This is just slightly more than a year away. Make the upgrade to TC2 now so that you do not lose remote services for your Honeywell Panel!

Hi DIYers! We are happy to announce that the Honeywell 5800MINI Wireless Door and Window Sensor is now available in brown. This serves as a more aesthetically pleasing option for users with homes that feature brown decor. Please note the classic white option is still available as well.

The Honeywell 5800MINI is one of the most popular alarm sensors on the market today. It is known for its small size and overall ease of use. These features make the 5800MINI one of the most versatile and useful door and window sensors available. The sensor can effectively monitor nearly any door or window and let the system know when the structure has been opened.

The two components of the 5800MINI are the sensor itself and its included magnet. Both components come in a matching white or brown color. The sensor is mounted on the door or window frame, while the magnet is mounted on the moving portion of the actual door or window. For best results, the magnet should be mounted no further than one-half inch of the sensor, though a maximum spacing gap of a full inch is supported. The magnet will ideally be in direct contact with the sensor when the door or window is closed. This is why door and window sensors are often referred to as "contacts". When the door or window is opened, the magnet will separate from the sensor. This will release a reed switch inside the 5800MINI. The sensor will then send an alert to the panel to let it know that the door or window has been opened.

What's great about the 5800MINI is its small size. The sensor measures 2.2"H x 1.0"W x 0.25"D. This makes it one of the smallest and thinnest door and window contacts available, allowing it to be used in nearly any type of application. The sensor also features an LED light that shows its current status. This light is useful for helping users with any necessary troubleshooting. The sensor is powered using a single 3V lithium CR2032 coin battery, and it has an average battery life of three to five years. The maximum wireless signal range of the 200 nominal feet. But this range can be extended to a maximum of 400 nominal feet with the use of a Honeywell 5800RP Wireless Repeater. The 5800MINI operates at 345 MHz, making it readily compatible with the Honeywell Lyric Alarm System, any Honeywell LYNX Touch and any 2GIG System. It can also be used with a Honeywell VISTA System if a wireless receiver is added, as well as the 345 MHz Version of the IQ Panel 2 Plus.

Both the white and brown versions of the Honeywell 5800MINI are available from Alarm Grid. Get some now, and improve the capabilities of your security system. Also remember to take a look at the alarm monitoring plans we have available.