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The IQ Panel 5 family has officially arrived, and we now have stock available on nearly every model. The IQ Panel 5 family represents a major step forward in security system technology, featuring the Qualcomm DragonWing quad-core processor, Android 14, and built-in PowerG wireless support across all panel variants.

Stock is now available on every panel in the IQ5 family with the exception of the IQ5 Hub with AT&T LTE. As manufacturing ramps up, this panel will become available. We'll update this post when that happens.


IQ Panel 5 Family Variations

As the rollout continues, we will see additional variations become available. You can see a list of all of them below:

SKU Product Description Available Date
IQP5017 IQ Panel 5, Verizon LTE, PowerG Available Now
IQP5018 IQ Panel 5, AT&T LTE, PowerG Available Now
IQH5017 IQ5 Hub, Verizon LTE, PowerG Available Now
IQH5018 IQ5 Hub, AT&T LTE, PowerG Coming Soon
IQN5017 IQ5 NS, Verizon LTE, PowerG Available Now
IQN5018 IQ5 NS, AT&T LTE, PowerG Available Now


If you click any of the product links above for items that are not yet available, the product page will appear with a placeholder price. Once these items become available, we will update the pricing and this blog. You can bookmark this post and check back anytime to see the latest availability for the panel variation that interests you.

Daughter Cards

All IQ Panel 5 family panels come with PowerG built-in. If you need to support legacy wireless sensors from an existing system, you can add an optional daughter card. These are the same cards used with the IQ Panel 4 and are available now:

SKU Description Status
QC0001-840 319.5 MHz Daughter Card (Interlogix/GE/Qolsys) Available Now
QC0005-840 345 MHz Daughter Card (Honeywell/2GIG) Available Now
QC0004-840 433 MHz Daughter Card (DSC) Available Now

Accessories

Each IQ Panel 5 family system includes a SmartMount wall mount bracket in the box. The table stand is sold separately and works with all three panel models:

SKU Description Status
IQ5ST IQ5 Table Stand (fits IQ Panel 5, IQ5 Hub, and IQ5 NS) Available Now

IQ Panel 5 Family Kits

Looking to get everything you need in one package? Our starter kits bundle a panel with the new PowerG+ sensors, the updated line of PowerG sensors featuring a sleeker, more modern design while delivering the same long-range, encrypted wireless performance PowerG is known for.

3-1 Kits are perfect for smaller homes or apartments. Each kit includes one panel, three PGP9303 door/window sensors, and one PGP9914 motion sensor.

10-1 Kits are ideal for larger homes with more entry points. Each kit includes one panel, ten PGP9303 door/window sensors, and one PGP9914 motion sensor.

IQ Panel 5 Kits:

SKU Description Status
IQ5PK3-V IQ Panel 5 Verizon LTE 3-1 Kit Coming Soon
IQ5PK10-V IQ Panel 5 Verizon LTE 10-1 Kit Coming Soon
IQ5PK3-A IQ Panel 5 AT&T LTE 3-1 Kit Coming Soon
IQ5PK10-A IQ Panel 5 AT&T LTE 10-1 Kit Coming Soon

IQ Hub Kits:

SKU Description Status
IQ5HK3-V IQ5 Hub Verizon LTE 3-1 Kit Coming Soon
IQ5HK10-V IQ5 Hub Verizon LTE 10-1 Kit Coming Soon
IQ5HK3-A IQ5 Hub AT&T LTE 3-1 Kit Coming Soon
IQ5HK10-A IQ5 Hub AT&T LTE 10-1 Kit Coming Soon

IQ5 NS Kits:

SKU Description Status
IQ5NK3-V IQ5 NS Verizon LTE 3-1 Kit Coming Soon
IQ5NK10-V IQ5 NS Verizon LTE 10-1 Kit Coming Soon
IQ5NK3-A IQ5 NS AT&T LTE 3-1 Kit Coming Soon
IQ5NK10-A IQ5 NS AT&T LTE 10-1 Kit Coming Soon

What is the IQ Panel 5 Family?

Like the IQ Panel 4 family, the IQ Panel 5 comes in three distinct variants designed to meet different installation needs and budgets:

IQ Panel 5 is the flagship model with a 7-inch HD touchscreen, built-in 13MP PortraitView camera for disarm photos, built-in glass break detection, dual microphones, and all the advanced features you would expect from a top-tier panel. The camera automatically captures photos without requiring manual tilt adjustment.

IQ5 Hub delivers the same 7-inch touchscreen experience and software interface as the IQ Panel 5 at a more accessible price point. It shares the same processor, operating system, and a similar feature set, making it an excellent choice for customers who want full touchscreen functionality without the flagship price.

IQ5 NS (No Screen) eliminates the touchscreen entirely. This panel is designed to be mounted out of sight and configured through the IQ Installer app available on iOS or Android. Status is conveyed through LED indicators: green for disarmed, red for armed. The IQ5 NS is ideal for installations where the panel will be hidden in a closet or utility room, and users prefer to control their system through the Alarm.com app, an IQ Remote keypad, or a third-party automation system like Control4.

IQ Panel 5 Family Comparison Chart

Comparison Chart IQ5 NS
No Screen
IQ5 Hub
Cost-Effective
IQ Panel 5
Flagship
Hardware
7” Touchscreen x
LTE & WiFi Dual-Path Communication Built-in
PowerG + Built-in
Bluetooth 5.0 + LE (Bluetooth Touchless Disarming)
Microphones x 1 2
PortraitView Panel Camera Built-in x x
Panel Glass Break/Motion Built-in x x
24-Hour Lithium Polymer Backup Battery Pre-installed
Software
Live View, Live Answer x
IQ Installer Interface
Full Alarm.com Integration
Security
Speakers 1 1 2
1 Piezo Siren
Up to 242 User Codes
PowerG + Wireless
Compatible with IQ Hardwire PowerG
2-Way Voice x x
Residential Certifications (UL 1023, 985, ULC-S545, ULC-S304)
Commercial Certifications (UL 2610, ULC-S545, ULC-S304)

Key Improvements Over Previous Generations

All IQ Panel 5 family panels run on the Qualcomm DragonWing processor with Android 14, a significant upgrade from previous generations. The panels include Z-Wave 800-series modules with Z-Wave Long Range support, Bluetooth 5.0 + LE for touchless disarming, and LTE + WIFI dual-path communication. The hardware design has been refined with improved power supply, tamper switch, and SmartMount backplate for easier installation.

One major change from the IQ Panel 4 is how legacy RF sensor support is handled. The IQ Panel 5 family uses PowerG as the built-in wireless protocol. Legacy RF frequency support for 319.5 MHz (Interlogix/GE/Qolsys), 345 MHz (Honeywell/2GIG), or 433 MHz (legacy DSC) sensors is added through optional daughter cards rather than being built into separate panel SKUs. This simplifies the product lineup while still allowing easy takeovers of existing sensor installations.

Each panel supports up to 128 PowerG security devices, up to 128 legacy RF sensors (with daughter card), up to 167 Z-Wave devices, up to 100 PowerG automation devices, up to 242 user codes, and up to 4 partitions.

Choosing the Right Panel

Choose the IQ Panel 5 if you want the complete flagship experience with all available features, including the built-in camera for disarm photos, glass break detection, Live View and Live Answer for video doorbell cameras, Photo Frame, and weather display.

Choose the IQ5 Hub if you want the full touchscreen experience at a more accessible price point. The IQ5 Hub uses the same software interface and delivers the same capabilities as the IQ Panel 5.

Choose the IQ5 NS if you plan to mount the panel out of sight and control your system entirely through the Alarm.com app or an IQ Remote secondary keypad. This panel is also perfect for high-end automation integration. The IQ5 NS does not have a touchscreen, camera, glass break detection, or weather display, but it offers the same powerful processor and connectivity options at a lower cost.

Questions?

If you have questions about which panel from the IQ5 family is right for your installation, or if you need help setting up your new system, the Alarm Grid support team is here to help. Contact us Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time, or email us at support@alarmgrid.com. You can also visit our site and take advantage of our live chat option.

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As winter weather continues to move across the region, the Alarm Grid team wants to keep customers informed about how upcoming conditions may impact our operations. Forecasts indicate that the Louisville area may be affected by snow, sleet, freezing rain, or a combination of all three. These conditions can make travel hazardous, and the safety of our team is always a top priority.

For this reason, while Alarm Grid will remain open and operational, our Louisville office employees will be working remotely during this weather event. This allows our team to continue supporting customers while avoiding unsafe road conditions.

That said, severe winter weather can sometimes lead to power outages or intermittent internet disruptions. If this occurs, customers may experience slight delays when reaching our support team. We kindly ask for your patience as we work through any temporary challenges caused by the weather.

It is important to note that Alarm Grid’s professional monitoring services will not be affected. Our monitoring partners, CMS for customers within the United States and Rapid Response for customers in Canada, operate 24/7/365. They maintain multiple facilities in geographically diverse locations, ensuring that a single weather event does not impact their ability to monitor Alarm Grid customers.

If you're an Alarm Grid monitored customer, and you need to place your system on test mode or cancel an alarm, please contact your monitoring station directly. For CMS, call (888) 818-7728 and select Option 9. For Rapid Response, call (800) 932-3822 and follow the prompts. When calling, be prepared to provide your name, address, and false alarm password. Providing an incorrect password or a duress password will result in authorities being dispatched.

For routine support issues, the monitoring station will not be able to help. Items such as individual panel support or adding or removing zones from your system must be handled by the Alarm Grid support team. You can reach us by calling (888) 818-7728 and selecting Option 2. For non-emergency issues, email us at support@alarmgrid.com, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this winter weather event together!

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This post is a quick intro to the new 2GIG GC Touch, plus the top initial questions and answers circulating among dealers and forums. Documentation is still scarce at launch, so this post collects the most commonly asked questions we’ve seen and summarizes the early answers.

Caveat: This information is based on initial reports and community/dealer chatter about the GC Touch and may contain errors. Consider the Q&A below to be “early info” rather than final specs, we’ll update this post as more official documentation becomes available.

2GIG GC Touch:

Quick overview

The 2GIG GC Touch (Verizon LTE version and AT&T version) is positioned as a budget-friendly successor to the GC2/GC2e series: a modern touchscreen panel that retains broad backward-compatibility with legacy sensors but trims some premium features found on 2GIG’s flagship 2GIG Edge (Verizon LTE and AT&T LTE) model.

Early reports indicate the GC Touch emphasizes compatibility and value. It supports legacy 345 MHz sensors, adds support for encrypted 345S/eSeries devices, and improves wireless zone capacity over the old GC2 family.

Below are the top 20 questions installers and end users are asking right now, grouped by topic, followed by the current answers being reported. Again this is early info and may change.

Upgrading & Compatibility

  1. Can I replace my old 2GIG GC2 or GC2e with the GC Touch?
    Yes. It is designed as the direct "budget-friendly" successor to the GC2e series.
  2. Will my existing 2GIG sensors (legacy 345 MHz) work with the GC Touch?
    Yes, it is fully backward compatible with legacy 2GIG 345 MHz sensors and Honeywell 5800 series sensors.
  3. Can I use my old GC2 power supply with the new panel?
    No. The GC Touch uses a 14VDC adapter. You must swap out the old 12VDC transformer to avoid damaging the new unit.
  4. Does the GC Touch fit the same mounting holes/backplate as the GC2?
    ○ It covers a similar wall footprint, but the backplate is new and must be replaced.
  5. Will my old TS1 secondary keypad work with the GC Touch?
    No. The legacy TS1 keypad is not compatible. You will need to use the Alarm.com app or a newer compatible secondary touchscreen. We don't currently know if one will be available.
  6. Does it work with 2GIG eSeries (Encrypted) sensors?
    Yes, it supports both the older non-encrypted sensors and the newer encrypted “eSeries” / “345S” sensors.

Features vs. 2GIG Edge

  1. What is the main difference between the GC Touch and the 2GIG Edge?
    ○ The Edge is the “flagship” with Facial Recognition and a glass-to-edge screen. The GC Touch is the value model with a plastic bezel and no facial recognition.
  2. Does the GC Touch have Facial Recognition disarm?
    No, that feature is exclusive to the 2GIG Edge.
  3. Does the GC Touch have Bluetooth disarming?
    Yes, you can pair a smartphone to disarm the system automatically when you arrive home.
  4. Does it have a built-in glass break detector?
    No, the Edge has a built-in glass break; the GC Touch does not.
  5. Does the GC Touch support Z-Wave Long Range (LR)?
    ○ It features the Z-Wave 800-series chip, which supports Z-Wave long range. However, the panel software must also support it, and it's unknown at this time if it does. Regardless, even without the addition of Z-Wave long range, the Z-Wave 800-series chip offers a significant improvement in range and speed over the older 500-series chip found in the GC2e.

Installation & Troubleshooting

  1. What is the default Installer Code for the GC Touch?
    1561 (standard 2GIG default).
  2. How do I reboot (power cycle) the panel without opening it?
    ○ Usually via the menu: Toolbox > Advanced > Reboot.
  3. Why does the screen look different than my old panel? (Dark Mode)
    ○ The GC Touch introduces a “Dark Mode” UI that matches the 2GIG Edge style — a major visual change from the bright GC2 interface.
  4. How do I add the new “345S” sensors?
    ○ With no installation documentation available, the exact process for adding sensors is not available. We'll provide full documentation as soon as it becomes available.
  5. Does it support 5G cellular?
    No. It uses an LTE (4G) communicator (AT&T or Verizon), which is standard for security systems today.

General & Smart Home

  1. Can I view my Alarm.com cameras on the panel screen?
    Yes, like the Edge, the GC Touch supports live view of compatible Alarm.com doorbells and cameras.
  2. Does it work with Apple HomeKit?
    Not directly. It integrates with Alarm.com, which can be bridged to HomeKit via Siri Shortcuts — there is no native HomeKit support on the panel itself.
  3. How many wireless zones does it support?
    Up to 128 wireless zones, which is double the capacity of the older GC2 (which maxed at 60).
  4. Is there a secondary keypad available for it?
    ○ At launch, users are typically directed to use the mobile app, but a dedicated wireless keypad (like the 2GIG-PAD1-345) can typically be used for basic arming/disarming.

The 2GIG GC Touch looks to be a sensible, value-focused upgrade for GC2/GC2e customers. It has a modern touchscreen, broader sensor compatibility, and a big jump in wireless zone capacity, while intentionally leaving some flagship features (like facial recognition) to the 2GIG Edge.

Keep in mind this post compiles early reports and community feedback, so details may change as official documentation is released. Installers should confirm power, backplate, and keypad compatibility before a takeover, and end users should contact their alarm dealer for provisioning or account setup. We’ll update this page as 2GIG publishes final specs and installation guides so check back for the latest, and download this initial FAQ for a quick reference.

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We first told you about the new lineup of First Alert CX4 cameras in September. At that time, there wasn't much information available about the cameras and their specs. Now, Resideo has announced the release of the cameras and mounting accessories. So, let's take a closer look at them.

Each camera in the new CX4 lineup offers 8MP ultra-high-definition image quality. Intelligent AI-based event detection can distinguish people, vehicles, animals, and packages. The main differences between the various camera styles come down to design, mounting style, and placement options. Below is a quick reference table showing how each camera fits into your installation plan, along with the compatible accessories for that model.

First Alert CX4 Camera Product Matrix

Image Product Key Features & Accessories
First Alert CX4B Bullet Camera First Alert CX4B 8MP AI Bullet Camera
Model: CX4BE08F28PW
  • Long-range coverage and visible deterrent design
  • Ideal for driveways, parking lots, and exterior perimeters
  • IP67 weather-rated housing
  • 2.8mm fixed lens (104° horizontal FOV)
  • PoE or 12VDC power options
  • Built-in microphone for one-channel audio
CX4AJBFTB – Fixed Turret/Bullet Extended Junction Box Provides space for cable connections; allows cleaner weather-sealed installations.
CX4AGBCP – Gangbox Converter Plate Adapter plate for mounting to existing electrical boxes or retrofit surfaces.
First Alert CX4T Turret Camera First Alert CX4T 8MP AI Turret Camera
Model: CX4TE08F28PW
  • Ball-and-socket design for flexible aiming
  • Built-in microphone for one-channel audio
  • Ideal for indoor or outdoor areas
  • Anti-glare design reduces IR reflection
CX4AWMFTJB – Wall Mount with Junction Box Wall mount providing added depth and protection for turret camera wiring.
CX4AWMFTDB – Wall Mount Bracket Used for angled installations or combined with other mounts.
CX4AJBFTB – Extended Junction Box Shared accessory for turret or bullet cameras; conceals cabling for neat installs.
CX4AGBCP – Gangbox Converter Plate Adapter plate for gangbox mounting.
First Alert CX4D Dome Camera First Alert CX4D 8MP AI Dome Camera
Model: CX4DE08F28PW
  • Discreet, low-profile design
  • IK10 rated tamper-resistant dome housing
  • 125° field of view for wide coverage
  • Perfect for retail, lobbies, or offices
  • Built-in microphone for one-channel audio
CX4AJBFD – Fixed Dome Extended Junction Box Adds space for wiring and conduit; helps weather-seal cable entry.
CX4AWMFDJB – Wall Mount with Junction Box Mounts dome camera securely on vertical surfaces; includes cable space.
↳ CX4AWMFTDB – Fixed Turret/Dome Wall Mount Bracket Universal bracket shared between turret and dome models.
CX4ACMFD – Fixed Dome Ceiling Flush Mount Provides clean, recessed ceiling mounting option for a low-profile look.
CX4AGBCP – Gangbox Converter Plate Adapter for dome camera installations using standard gangbox openings.

*All accessories are rated for operation from -40°F to 140°F (-40°C to 60°C) and are constructed of durable aluminum alloy or PC+ABS materials. Junction boxes are sold separately and recommended for clean, weather-resistant installations.

First Alert CX4 Product Feature Matrix

Feature CX4B
Bullet
CX4T
Turret
CX4D
Dome
Model Number CX4BE08F28PW CX4TE08F28PW CX4DE08F28PW
Form Factor Bullet – visible deterrent Turret – flexible aiming Dome – discreet, tamper-resistant
Supports WIFI No, Ethernet is required • Power over Ethernet is optional
Image Sensor / Resolution 8 MP (3840 × 2160) • 1/2.8″ CMOS • Fixed 2.8 mm Lens FOV: 104° Horizontal / 55° Vertical / 125° Diagonal)
Wide Dynamic Range 120 dB 120 dB 120 dB
Infrared (IR) Range 98 – 165 ft (30–50 m) 65 – 98 ft (20–30 m) 65 – 98 ft (20–30 m)
Built-In Microphone Yes Yes Yes
Edge Recording microSDXC slot (up to 1 TB) for 24/7 edge storage • microSDXC card sold separately
Cloud Storage Event-based clips via AlarmNet 360™ Plans (1–12 device options; 7 or 30 days) — Total Connect 2.0 account required
AI Event Detection Detects people, vehicles, packages, and animals to reduce false alerts
Video Compression / Frame Rate H.264 / H.265 • 15 fps @ 8 MP (3840×2160)
Ingress Protection / Impact Rating IP67 IP67 IP67 + IK10 (impact-resistant dome)
Operating Temperature –22 °F to 140 °F (–30 °C to 60 °C) –22 °F to 140 °F (–30 °C to 60 °C) –22 °F to 140 °F (–30 °C to 60 °C)
Power Options / Usage PoE (802.3af) or 12 VDC • <9 W
Integration / Apps Total Connect 2.0 (App + Web) • ProSeries AIO and VISTAH3 panels • AlarmNet 360 Dealer Portal
Security Protocols Secure boot • AES-256 encryption • TLS 1.2/1.3 • Encrypted video at rest and in transit • Automatic firmware updates
Regulatory Compliance NDAA Section 889 Compliant • RoHS • WEEE • REACH (EC 1907/2006)
Physical Dimensions / Weight 8.57" × 3.17" × 3.16" (21.76cm x 8.05cm x 8.02cm) • 1.5 lb (.68kg) Ø 3.72 × 3.25 in (94.6mm x 82.8mm) • 1.0 lb (.453kg) Ø 4.69" × 3.47" (119mm x 88mm) • 1.4 lb (.653kg)
Compatible Accessories CX4AJBFTB • CX4AGBCP CX4AWMFTDB • CX4AWMFTJB • CX4AJBFTB • CX4AGBCP CX4ACMFD • CX4AWMFTDB • CX4AWMFDJB • CX4AJBFD • CX4AGBCP

Each of the new First Alert CX4 Cameras offers the same 8MP ultra-HD clarity, AI-driven motion analytics, and Total Connect 2.0 integration, but each form-factor has distinct advantages:

  • The CX4B Bullet Camera is best for exterior spaces where visibility and deterrence are of particular importance.
  • The CX4T Turret Camera offers the best balance between installation flexibility and features, making it a great all-around option for both indoor and outdoor use.
  • Meanwhile, the CX4D Dome Camera delivers a sleek, tamper-resistant design suited for interiors like offices, stores, and lobbies, and outdoors such as parking lots, driveways, and exterior entrances where both aesthetics and protection against vandalism are key.

We’re genuinely excited to see how these new CX4 cameras help our customers feel safer and more connected. Whether you’re adding your first camera or upgrading to a full Pro Series or VISTAH3 system, these new models make it easier than ever to protect what you care about most.

To unlock remote viewing, cloud storage, and full Total Connect 2.0 integration, you’ll need a professional monitoring plan. If you’re not already set up, you can explore our no-contract monitoring plans here. If you have questions, we'd be glad to help, email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM EST/EDT.

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It was a crazy day across the internet. Like a lot of other websites you might use, Alarm Grid was affected by the disruptions from the outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS). We wanted to let you know what happened, how it affected us, and the good news that things are getting back to normal.

What Happened?

According to Amazon, at around 3:11 AM EDT Amazon's huge AWS US-EAST-1 region (which is a massive data center in Virginia) started having issues. The first signs of trouble were increased latencies and error rates for sites and applications serviced by US-EAST-1. This regional data center runs a huge portion of the internet, so when it has a bad day, it can create a domino effect that takes down lots of services.

The crux of the problem appears to have been two-fold. Early in this event, at around 5:00 AM EDT, Amazon identified an issue with DNS resolution to the DynamoDB endpoint within the US-EAST-1 region. DNS or Domain Name System is how a URL like alarmgrid.com gets tracked down to its source IP address. By 6:35 AM EDT, Amazon reported that this issue had been fully mitigated.

The second source of trouble has to do with an underlying system designed to monitor the health of AWS load-balancing servers. It's unclear exactly what happened with this system currently, but mitigation efforts are progressing well for that issue as well. You're likely still seeing latency with some sites and apps that you visit. At 4:03 PM EDT, the AWS Health Dashboard said:

"Service recovery across all AWS services continues to improve. We continue to reduce throttles for new EC2 Instance launches in the US-EAST-1 Region that were put in place to help mitigate impact. Lambda invocation errors have fully recovered and function errors continue to improve. We have scaled up the rate of polling SQS queues via Lambda Event Source Mappings to pre-event levels. We will provide another update by 1:45 PM PDT."

How Did This Affect Alarm Grid?

Alarm Grid uses AWS in several ways to keep our website and services running smoothly. When AWS went down, it meant we had trouble with:

  • Access to our site: The site alarmgrid.com has been unavailable at times, throughout the day today.
  • Website features: You might have noticed our site was super slow, or that parts of our customer portal weren't loading at all. If you are attempting to place an order, you may see some issues. Please, retry any failed operation. You can reach out to support@alarmgrid.com if you need assistance.
  • Our own support tools: Our web-based phone system was affected earlier in the day, but seems to have recovered as of now.

We know how frustrating this is, especially when you're trying to get something done. We sincerely apologize for the headache. Our site is up, but is still experiencing significant latency as of this writing. Rest assured, we're here and we'll help however we can.

Good News: Things Are Coming Back Online!

As of this afternoon, AWS says they've identified the issue and are well on their way to a resolution. We're already seeing our systems come back to life, and the Alarm Grid site should be getting back to normal.

What Wasn't Affected

Fortunately, monitoring services were apparently unaffected. We received no reported issues from our central station partners: Criticom Monitoring Service for customers in the United States, and Rapid Response for our Canadian customers. Alarm signal processing continued as usual. Likewise, the Total Connect 2.0 and Alarm.com remote services also appear to have been unaffected.


A Few Quick Stats on the Outage:

Just to show how big this outage was, at its peak, Downdetector.com showed nearly ten thousand reports for AWS. It also caused problems for major services like Snapchat, Ring, Roblox, Fortnite, and many others.

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Due to an ongoing strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the delivery of packages through Canada Post is currently suspended. As a result, Alarm Grid will temporarily use UPS to fulfill all Canadian orders until postal service in Canada resumes. It's unclear how long that may be.


This measure ensures that Canadian customers continue to receive their equipment and supplies without unnecessary delay. When we ship international orders, the cost of shipping is calculated at checkout, based on the postal code of the delivery address.

Once the strike is resolved and regular Canada Post operations resume, Alarm Grid will revert to our usual shipping methods for Canadian customers. You can check back here for an update as soon as that happens.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while this situation unfolds. Our team is monitoring the developments closely and will continue to prioritize fast and reliable delivery for all of our customers.

If you have any questions about your order or shipping options during this period, please contact us at support@alarmgrid.com. You can also take advantage of our live chat support by visiting alarmgrid.com and clicking the icon in the lower right portion of the screen. Chat support is available Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern, except on holidays. If you request support outside normal business hours, we'll respond via email as quickly as possible the next business day.


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We would like to inform you about a temporary delay affecting some recent orders. Due to a major system upgrade on our vendor’s end, certain shipments are taking a little longer to process than usual. This may affect orders placed between Thursday, the 24th at noon, and today. Orders placed in the next couple of days may also be impacted.

Please rest assured—if you selected fast or expedited shipping, your order will still ship using that method and will arrive as quickly as possible once processed.

We are actively working with our vendor to move orders through the system and get them out the door as quickly as possible. We’re confident this situation will be short-lived and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

If your order is past the expected timeframe outlined in our shipping policy, feel free to reach out by emailing us here. This will open a support ticket and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and continued support of Alarm Grid. We will continue to provide any further updates as we receive them.

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Qolsys is rebranding as IQ, taking a cue from its product line. IQ's parent company, JCI, announced the change on July 1, 2025. The end-user-facing site has already been updated with new branding. It will likely take a little longer for product packaging to follow suit. But, what does this mean?

Honestly, for customers not a lot. I don't know what precipitated the change, but it could be the result of market research showing that IQ is a more recognizable name than Qolsys. Or, perhaps, just a name that is more positively viewed. Whatever the reason, the product line we've all come to know and love will remain unchanged.

Speaking of changes, IQ has a new panel lineup on the horizon. The IQ Panel 5 debuted at ISC West this year. This panel lineup will follow the format of the IQ4 systems. Meaning there will be a good version in the IQ5 NS. A better version in the IQ5 Hub, and a best option in the IQ Panel 5. The differences that exist in the similar IQ Panel 4 lineup will be mirrored in the IQ5 series.

IQ Panel 5

Let’s start with the highlight of the new IQ Panel lineup, the upcoming IQ Panel 5. This next-generation panel will build on the foundation of the IQ Panel 4, launching with base firmware equivalent to version 4.6.1 — likely renamed as 5.0 for the new release.

The IQ Panel 5 will feature a Qualcomm Dragonwing™ chipset and run on Android 14, a big upgrade from the IQ Panel 4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon™ chipset and Android 9 base. This major update paves the way for new and enhanced features and a refreshed user experience, with future refinements driven by customer feedback once the system is in use.

With its base firmware, the IQ Panel 5 will support PowerG+ devices right out of the box. Another key improvement is how the panels will be configured and offered. Every IQ Panel 5 model will include a built-in PowerG transceiver rather than a PowerG daughter card. This includes the IQ5 Hub and IQ5 NS. If support for a legacy SRF frequency is needed, it can easily be added with a simple daughter card. This makes selecting the right panel variant much more straightforward.

The panel’s front-facing camera has also been improved. Instead of being adjustable up and down, the camera is now fixed in place, but rotated 90 degrees to provide a portrait view rather than a landscape one. This means the camera can capture clear disarm images whether the user is a child or an adult. The camera resolution has also been improved, increasing from 9MP to 13MP for better image clarity.

The following improvements have also been made:

  • LEDs: Smaller, less glaring.
  • Power Supply: Now uses a 12VDC power supply, allowing for longer power wire runs and better overall operation.
  • Mounting Plate: Improvements have been made to the smart mount layout so that it better lines up with single, double, and triple gang boxes.
  • Power Terminals: A new terminal block design uses pins rather than blades to connect the panel with power (when the barrel connector is not being used). This prevents power fluctuations during touchscreen use, when the panel may flex against the mounting plate.
  • Panel Tamper: The panel tamper has been moved slightly toward the center of the unit and is now a solid plastic piece, rather than a foam-tipped one.

IQ5 Hub

The IQ5 Hub, assuming it will follow in the footsteps of the IQ4 Hub will still be a powerhouse system, but will be slightly less feature-rich than the IQ Panel 5. The table below shows a comparison between the IQ Panel 4 and the IQ4 Hub. This will give an idea of the differences we can expect between the IQ Panel 5 and the IQ5 Hub.

Feature Comparison between the IQ Panel 4 and the IQ4 Hub:

(Features that differ are highlighted in yellow)

Feature IQ Panel 4 IQ4 Hub
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 core SOM Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 core SOM
Memory 16GB of NAND Flash 16GB of NAND Flash
User Codes Up to 242 (Role-based) Up to 242 (Role-based)
WIFI Support 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band 2.4/5Ghz - includes built-in Access Point Capability 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band 2.4/5Ghz - includes built-in Access Point Capability
Cellular Technology LTE Category 4 LTE Category 4
Automation Support Z-Wave Plus (800): Up to 137 Devices) Z-Wave Plus (800): Up to 137 Devices)
Bluetooth Support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 4.2: For Disarming and Audio Streaming Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 4.2: For Disarming and Audio Streaming
LCD Display 7" LCD, 1280 x 800 pixels, 300 cd/㎡, RGB 24 bit, 16.9 Million Colors 7" LCD, 1024 x 600 pixels, 300 cd/㎡, RGB 24 bit, 16.9 Million Colors
Touchscreen Type Capacitive Glass Multi-touch Capacitive Glass
LED Indicator (Status LED) Triple, Full-color RGB LED Single, Full-color RGB LED
Speaker 4W x 4, QuadSound, 4x 4W Front-facing speakers w/85 dB siren 4W x 1, Front-facing speaker + 85 dB Piezo Siren
Microphone MEMS x 3, (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) with Echo Cancellation MEMS x 1 (Front-facing)
Camera Front-facing Camera, 8MP, Wide-Angle 120° Field-of-View, Fixed-Focus Camera, with Flex-Tilt Adjustment No Camera
Two-Way Voice Support Yes No
Supports IQ Base Yes No

IQ5 NS

The IQ5 NS is a screenless version of the IQ Panel 5. While full specifications have not yet been released, the differences between these two systems will likely mirror those between the IQ4 NS and the IQ Panel 4. For the DIY installer, the most significant change will be the programming, which is handled through an app or web portal rather than an integrated touchscreen.

For local programming, the IQ Installer Interface app must be used. This is a free app available from the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. This allows you to connect to the panel via its built in wireless access point and program using the phone or tablet's touchscreen. The programming interface is very similar to programming through the panel's touchscreen. Below, you can see an example of the screen used to connect to an IQ4 NS.


The IQ5 NS is an excellent choice for those on a budget who still want many of the great features associated with IQ panels. These features include Z-Wave Plus with Z-Wave Long Range support, support for PowerG, and an updated Qualcomm Dragonwing™ processor. The chart below shows a comparison between all three versions of the IQ4 panel line. It's safe to assume that the differences between the panels in the IQ5 lineup will be similar.

Feature IQ4 NS IQ4 Hub IQ Panel 4
HARDWARE
7" Touchscreen NO YES YES
8-Core CPU YES YES YES
Built-in LTE & WIFI Comms YES YES YES
Dual SRF (PowerG + 1) NO NO YES
Single SRF YES YES NO
Z-Wave Plus (800-Series) YES YES YES
Bluetooth Disarming NO YES YES
Music Streaming NO YES YES
Microphones 0 1 3, with echo cancellation
8MP Panel Camera (w/Flextilt) NO NO YES
Built-in Panel Glass Break NO NO YES
Built-in Panel Motion Detector NO NO YES
24-Hour LiPo Backup Battery YES YES YES
Smart Mount Installation YES YES YES
Compatible with IQ Base NO NO YES
Available in Black Housing NO NO YES
SOFTWARE
Live View, Live Answer Doorbell & Cameras NO YES YES
Weather on Home Screen NO YES YES
Photo Frame Screensaver NO YES YES
Full Alarm.com Integration YES YES YES
SECURITY
4-Watt Speakers YES, 1 YES, 1 YES, 4
85dB Siren YES YES YES
Support for 128 Zones YES YES YES
Support for Partitioning YES, 4 YES, 4 YES, 4
242 User Codes YES YES YES
Encrypted Sensor Support YES (with PowerG or 319.5 MHz SRF) YES (with PowerG or 319.5 MHz SRF) YES
Support for Hardwired Zones YES (SRF will determine how) YES (SRF will determine how) YES (via PG9WLSHW8 or other SRF)
2-Way Voice NO NO YES
Residential Certification YES, (UL1023, UL985) YES, (UL1023, UL985) YES, (UL1023, UL985)
Commercial Certification YES, (UL2610) YES, (UL2610) YES, (UL2610)

So, the brand name change from Qolsys to IQ won't affect any existing customers or their products, and it won't change the product lineup, or the roadmap for future products. It's just less of a mouthful when discussing the brand and its products, and that's a good thing!

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Alarm Grid is closed today, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. This holiday gives us a chance to relax and enjoy time with our families. We hope you're doing the same! On Monday, July 7, we'll return to our normal schedule. Tech support will be available from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM EDT.

Please remember that our commitment to your safety and security never takes a holiday! Our 24/7 central station partners will remain fully staffed and operational throughout the holiday. Dedicated operators are always ready to process any alarms or other signals from your security system, ensuring uninterrupted protection for your home or business.

You can rest easy knowing that even when our administrative team is away, your alarm system is being monitored, and signals processed around the clock. If you need to contact the monitoring station to cancel an alarm, or verify a signal, it's easy:

Alarm Grid Monitored Customers In the United States:

  • Contact Criticom Monitoring Service (CMS) by calling 888-818-7728 and choosing Option 9.
  • Be ready to provide the monitoring station operator with your name, address, and your false alarm password. If you provide the wrong password, or provide the duress password, they will dispatch authorities, so be prepared.

Alarm Grid Monitored Customers In Canada:

  • Contact Rapid Response by calling (800) 932-3822 and following the prompts.
  • Be prepared to provide the operator with you name, address, and false alarm password. If you provide the wrong password, or the duress password, the operator will dispatch authorities.

The monitoring station can't take requests for account changes, billing inquiries, vacation scheduling, or other administrative tasks. If you need to contact Alarm Grid for those types of issues please send us an email. Our email address is support@alarmgrid.com. If you prefer to speak to someone, you can call us at 888-818-7728 during our regular business hours. Please be patient on Monday while we process any backlogged requests received during the long weekend.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

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The Alarm Grid support office will be closed at 6:00 pm EDT tonight. The late shift support staff is out of the office. We will return tomorrow, Wednesday, June 26 at our regular time of 9:00 AM. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you need to contact the monitoring station to check signals or cancel an alarm, you can do so using the regular methods. For customers in the United States, call 888-818-7728 and choose Option 9 to reach Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS). For Canadian customers, call (800) 932-3822

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