Technology Posts

There is currently a big push within the security industry to update the regulations and standards associated with central station monitoring. Many monitoring centers are pressing for key regulatory changes that will allow central station operators to work from home on a permanent basis.

Anyone familiar with central station monitoring knows that there are many policies and rules that govern central stations and their operation. Any certified and accredited monitoring center must adhere to these guidelines, or else they are subject to fines, penalties, and other repercussions. In the United States, such policies are largely authored by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL), a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) that wields significant authority over the security industry.

You may recall back in August of last year, it was learned that UL was working to revise the UL-827 Standard for Central-Station Alarm Services. The changes were being made to facilitate remote workers during any "disruption event" that warrants the use of off-site monitoring. Now, many monitoring centers are pushing for policy changes that will allow operators to work from home not only during a so-called "disruption event", but at all times.

Most alarm monitoring centers have reportedly been pleased with the transition of their operators from a traditional monitoring center environment, to a non-traditional home office environment. As one might expect, there are many challenges associated with the changes. While central station operators can be easily seen and supervised in a traditional monitoring center, supervising an employee from home is much more challenging, or even downright impossible.

With possible changes on the horizon, here are some ways that we might see the UL-827 standard updated to accommodate central station operators working from home:

• Work space updates to ensure that operators cannot have their screens viewed by unauthorized parties. There must also be updates to minimize the noise distractions that can occur in a home office environment. This will require auditing methodologies to ensure that these standards can be consistently maintained.
• Power requirement updates that may require at-home workers to have backup power supplies to remain operational during electrical outages. This might not be required if the operators are strategically placed in such a way that regional outages should not have a big impact on the performance across the entire monitoring center.
• Data protection and privacy updates to protect customers. This will likely involve methods of encryption and multifactor authentication. It may be necessary to implement some backup protection measures against data breaches and possible vulnerabilities.
• Automation updates to ensure that any customer or end user who becomes disconnected from an operator is automatically rerouted to another operator who can assist with the situation. There must also be auditing and reporting requirements to keep track and record when this happens and the resulting action(s).

It must be stressed that even if UL-827 is updated to facilitate permanent at-home operation, not all monitoring centers will change their current operating procedures. Really, it will come down to the discretion of the monitoring centers on how they want to proceed moving forward. The proposed changes to UL-827 will provide monitoring centers greater flexibility in how they conduct business moving forward. In other words, while some monitoring centers may embrace these changes and allow their workers to operate from home, other monitoring centers will likely proceed with no changes and require their staff to continue operating from the central station.

Alarm Grid has not received any word from Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS) regarding any changes they may make in response to updates of UL-827. CMS serves as the central station for all Alarm Grid monitored customers who receive central station monitoring service in the United States. If you have any questions about CMS, or if you are interested in starting new monitoring service, send us an email at support@alarmgrid.com. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Our support hours for checking emails run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

You may recall that we made a post about a month ago discussing "issues" that have been affecting the IQ Panel 2 Plus and its ability to be used as a secondary Z-Wave controller. We have a rather extreme follow up today, as Qolsys has revealed that the system never supported the feature!

When we released the initial post on the subject, we were not aware of the true" extent" of the issue. We certainly didn't expect to find out that Qolsys never even made it possible for the feature to work. We won't dive super deep into the subject here, as there really isn't much to say, The raw truth is that you cannot use the IQ2 as a secondary Z-Wave controller.

It is possible to add a secondary Z-Wave controller to the IQ Panel 2 and have the IQ2 operate as the primary controller. But you can never make the IQ Panel 2 System a secondary Z-Wave controller. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion that this may have caused. For a more in-depth look at the subject, we strongly recommend reading this comprehensive FAQ that explains the inability of the IQ2 to be used as a secondary controller in much greater detail.

Now, maybe you have explored the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Advanced Z-Wave Settings Menus in glorious detail, just like we have. If you have, then you will know that secondary controller options do exist within the IQ2 menus. Based on that alone, you would think that there must be a way to get this type of setup to work, right? That's the problem. The menu options might be there, plain as day. But trust us, if you try to make the IQ2 a secondary Z-Wave controller, then it will not work,

What we need to do now is focus on the implications that arise from the system's inability to be used as a secondary controller. As a result of the IQ Panel 2 being unable to operate as a secondary Z-Wave controller, the system loses out on potential compatibility with a wide selection of automation hubs. This includes compatibility with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Smart Controllers, Nexia Smart Home Automation Systems, and much more. Seriously, while the IQ2 once had excellent prospects of pairing nicely with almost any centralized Z-Wave hub, those prospects are all but gone.

Fortunately, there are other alarm systems that do not share this same limitation of the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 and IQ Panel 2 Plus. Most notably, we will recommend the Honeywell Lyric Controller. The Lyric has proven on repeated occasions to "play nicely" as a secondary controller. One example can be seen in this FAQ, which explains the benefits of making the Lyric a secondary Z-Wave controller, while also helping users get started. If you are thinking about purchasing a new Honeywell Lyric Alarm System for its excellent versatility in smart home automation, then you may also want to check out this buying guide. Although that particular buying guide was written for the Lyric during a holiday buying season a couple of years prior, it is still relevant in helping new Lyric System users explore their options for getting the most out of the system.

If you have any questions about the Honeywell Lyric or any other popular alarm control panel, or if you want to learn more about our monitoring services, send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have some exciting new products from Alarm.com now available on our site. The main highlight is the Alarm.com Slim Line II Doorbell Camera from SkyBell. We also have some great new accessories for the existing Alarm.com ADC-VB770 Doorbell Camera. These products are available now!

The SkyBell ADC-VDB105X (Satin Nickel) and SkyBell ADC-VDB106X (Bronze) refer to the new versions of the ADC-VB105 and ADC-VDB106. You may recall these as the "Slim Line" versions of the Alarm.com SkyBell Video Doorbells. The new models retain all of the existing features, while also offering some general improvements. While officially being titled as "SkyBell" devices, they are more commonly referred to as the Alarm.com Slim Line II Video Doorbell Cameras.

Some of the highlights for the Alarm.com Slim Line II Doorbell Cameras include their adjustable 720p recording resolution, their 1.3 MP full-color video camera, two-way voice functionality, WIFI connectivity, a 170° horizontal and 110° vertical field of view (FoV), IR night vision, an IPX4 weather-resistant rating, adjustable PIR sensitivity, real-time alerts, automation rules, an integrated battery heater for seamless operation in cold weather, doorbell-triggered and motion-triggered clips, and much more.

Since these are SkyBell devices, you can technically add one (1) of these devices to your Alarm.com account, even if you do not have true video monitoring service. If you do this, then you will be restricted to only one (1) SkyBell Doorbell Camera, along with 400 monthly clips and 400 total clips. This is a great option if you have an Alarm Grid Gold Plan, and you don't want to upgrade all the way to an Alarm Grid Platinum Plan for true video surveillance. More information can be found in this FAQ covering Alarm.com Clip Limits. Please note that if you want to use additional video devices or increase your clip limits, then you will need to upgrade to a full video monitoring plan. If you use one of these devices with a true video monitoring plan, such as an Alarm Grid Platinum Plan, then the doorbell will just count toward your regular Alarm.com Camera limits, as well as your Alarm.com Clip limits. Also keep in mind that since these are Alarm.com SkyBell models, they should not be used with any interactive platform outside of Alarm.com. They should also not be used with the native SkyBell App. Attempting to use one of these devices with the SkyBell App may make the camera completely incompatible with Alarm.com.

In addition to the Alarm.com Slim Line II Video Doorbell Cameras, we are also now offering several new doorbell camera accessories. These accessories are not for the new Alarm.com Slim Line II Doorbell Camera, but rather they are for the existing Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 Doorbell Camera. This is the "higher-end" doorbell camera that we began offering late last year. It represents the ultimate option for Alarm.com users who are looking for the very best doorbell camera available.

The new accessories for the ADC-VDB770 include:

• ADC-VDBA-COVER - Touchless Doorbell Cover that lets guests know to not touch the video doorbell. Used in conjunction with the Video Doorbell Mat.
• ADC-VDBA-MAT - Video Doorbell Mat that lets guests know to activate the camera by standing on the mat. Used in conjunction with the Touchless Doorbell Cover.
• ADC-VDBA-PSU-PD - Video Doorbell Wall Power Supply Kit that is used if there is no existing chime circuit, or if the chime circuit is incompatible. Can be used with or without a power module. Device is rated at 16 Volts DC, 1.25 Amps, or 20 Watts.
• ADC-VDBA-TC - Temperature Collar Accessory that allows the doorbell camera to be safely used in temperatures as low a -40°F. Can be used with or without the Wall Mounting Plate.
• ADC-VDBA-WP - Wall Mounting Plate that hides blemishes such as missing paint or screw holes. Goes in-between the wall and the doorbell camera. Dimensions are 5.43"L by 3.43"W.

If you have any questions about the Alarm.com Slim Line II Doorbell Camera or any of the new accessories for the ADC-VDB770, please email our support team at support@alarmgrid.com. That is also a good email to use if you are interested in starting new alarm monitoring service with Alarm Grid. We're here to answer your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have learned that Verizon has confirmed the sunset date for their CDMA Network for December 31, 2022. This is Verizon's equivalent of the 3G Sunset. Anyone with a security system using a Verizon CDMA Communicator is urged to upgrade to LTE ASAP to avoid monitoring service disruptions.

The 3G Sunset has been covered extensively on the Alarm Grid Blog. It refers to the phasing-out of old 3G and equivalent communicators, in favor of newer technology, specifically LTE. The Verizon CDMA Network is the Verizon equivalent of a 3G Network. While AT&T is known to be shutting down their 3G Network after January 31, 2022, the Verizon CDMA Sunset date it a bit later at December 31, 2022. While there was earlier confirmation by Resideo for the CDMA shutdown date, this time the confirmation is directly from Verizon themselves.

In preparation for this major event, Alarm Grid has been encouraging users to replace their old 3G and CDMA Communicators with newer LTE communicators. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to LTE as soon as they can. While it's understandable to wait until the last minute, especially if money is tight, you should realize that many other users will also try to wait until the final opportunity. Our support staff is limited, and we cannot upgrade everyone all at once. If you put-off the required upgrade as long as possible, then there's a chance you might get left behind at the deadline. Our goal is to prevent that from happening and ensure that all Alarm Grid customers with cellular monitoring service make a seamless and undisrupted transition.

We know that the 3G Sunset might still be a bit confusing, and you might still have some questions. That's okay, because we're here to help you. If you aren't sure about the LTE communicator replacement options available for your system, then you may want to check this post for some further assistance. If you have recently purchased a new LTE communicator for your system, and you need us to activate the unit, then head on over to the Alarm Grid Communicator Replacement Portal so that you can choose a time that works for you. And if you have any other questions, or if you are still confused about the 3G and CDMA Sunset, please email our support team and security system experts at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to answer your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

For Alarm.com Cameras, it can be a bit overwhelming with all of the great options available. Today, we're going to keep things simple by checking out the three (3) cameras that provide the best features and ease of use for the typical homeowner. Here are the top picks for Alarm.com Cameras.

The cameras we are checking out today are all built for residential use. However, you should have no problem using them to monitor a small business if needed. These cameras are differentiated from the Alarm.com Commercial Cameras because they do not have an extra C in the SKU, or name. Any Alarm.com Camera with a SKU of ADC-V###, with the ### representing a three digit number is a residential camera. They should not be confused with the cameras with SKUs in the ADC-VC### format. That extra C after the V indicates Commercial. And while the Alarm.com Commercial Cameras are fantastic, and they can certainly be used in the home, most residential users will have an easier time getting started with the corresponding residential cameras.

As far as what makes the residential cameras different from the commercial cameras, there is one feature that really stands out. The Alarm.com Residential Cameras are WIFI cameras that connect wirelessly to the local WIFI you already have set up in your home. But the Alarm.com Commercial Cameras are typically Power Over Ethernet (PoE). A PoE camera will not connect wirelessly to WIFI. Instead, you will need to run an ethernet cable to the camera, which will supply both internet and electrical power. A non-PoE WIFI camera will instead have its own plug-in transformer that you can just plug into any outlet. While many users appreciate the ability to set up a camera with PoE, most homeowners will have an easier time just connecting the camera to WIFI and finding a nearby outlet to use. Therefore, when it comes to residential cameras, WIFI is considered supreme.

For any Alarm.com Camera, you will need a monitoring plan that includes video surveillance to start using them. If you already have a security system that uses Alarm.com, such as a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus or a 2GIG GC3e, then you will likely just need to upgrade your existing monitoring plan. If you are new to alarm monitoring and plan on setting up a security system as well, then the Alarm Grid Platinum Plan is a great option that combines top-of-the-line alarm monitoring service, including central station coverage, with the video surveillance features that you and your family need. Or if you don't have a security system, and you just want to use Alarm.com Cameras, then you may explore the Alarm Grid Video Only Plan, which offers affordable video surveillance for users who just want that service.

Of course, for any video monitoring plan, you will need some cameras, so let's get into the three Alarm.com Cameras we intend on checking out today!

First up we have the Alarm.com ADC-V523, which is honestly the go-to Alarm.com Residential Camera for standard, indoor use. It is the gold-standard of Alarm.com Cameras, offering all of the features and performance you could possibly want. It has a premium image sensor (1/2.7” CMOS, 2.1 MP, 1920 x 1080, HDR) and camera lens (3.0mm, F2.0) to capture activity around your home in true 1080p quality, with High Dynamic Range (HDR). Also included is IR Night Vision, which effectively captures video at night or in an otherwise dark setting from up to ~15 feet away. And a viewing angle of 117° ensures that no action is missed, providing a wider coverage area and field of view (FoV) for when you need it most. Simply put, if you need an indoor camera, and you don't want to sacrifice anything in terms of quality, then the Alarm.com ADC-V523 is for you.

But if you don't need quite all the bells and whistles, then you might instead consider the new budget camera from Alarm.com, presenting the Alarm.com ADC-V515. This camera offers all of the same features as the premium ADC-V523, with a slightly toned down image. You still get the 1080p quality and High Dynamic Range (HDR), but the image sensor is a bit reduced (1/3", 2.12 MP, 1920x1080, HDR), and the lens is just a bit smaller (3.19 mm, F2.2). Also viewing angle FoV is 7-degrees reduced at 110°. But otherwise, this is pretty much the same camera. You still get the ~15 Feet IR Night Vision and all of the other great features. Quite frankly, most users will not notice any bit of difference with this camera. If you want an outstanding camera at the best price Alarm.com can offer, then the Alarm.com ADC-V515 is for you.

Last but not least is Alarm.com's best offering for a residential outdoor camera, the Alarm.com ADC-V723. This premium outdoor model brings the same features and performance as the ADC-V523, but presents it in a package that can withstand the harshness of an outdoor environment. Returning is the same fantastic image sensor (1/2.7” CMOS, 2.1 MP, 1920 x 1080, HDR), camera lens (3.0mm, F2.0), and wide viewing angle FoV (117°), but there are two (2) things that separate this camera. First, the ADC-V723 has an amped up IR Night Vision range of ~40 feet, compared with just ~15 feet of the indoor model. This is important if you have a big backyard and need to capture night prowlers in the act. And the second change, making the camera perfect for ourdoor use is the ingress protection, IP66. You can trust this camera to work perfectly even with exposure to rain, snow, wind, heavy sunlight, and heavy dust. It will keep on recording strong and monitoring your home for suspicious activity. If you want a tremendous 1080p HDR outdoor camera, then look no further than the Alarm.com ADC-V723.

If you have any questions about the Alarm.com Cameras we presented here today, or any of the other cameras offered from Alarm.com, please send an email to suppor@alarmgrid.com. We are happy to help you find the perfect cameras to use around your home. Our hours for checking email run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F, so keep that in mind when contacting our support team. We look forward to hearing from you!

A recent article indicated that 52 publicly traded companies dealing in smart home automation experienced an average stock price increase of 34.5% in 2020. This is yet another indication that the smart home industry is stronger than ever, as expectations are being set high for 2021.

Of the 52 publicly traded smart home automation companies followed from January 2020 to January 2021, 38 saw their stock price increase, compared with only 14 that experienced a decline in stock price across the same time frame. For comparison, a similar study of 52 smart home automation companies from the year prior reported that only 8 companies saw stock price declines in 2019, while the other 44 companies had their stock prices increase. Because of this, we can't say that the smart home industry was stronger in 2020 compared with 2019. But 2020 was still a fairly successful year. And as the economy looks to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect that things will only get better in 2021.

One company in the list that had a particularly strong showing was Alarm.com. They enjoyed a fantastic 141% stock price increase, as their price of $42.97 in January 2020 was up to $103.45 in January 2021. Johnson Controls, the owner of Qolsys and DSC, experienced a more modest gain of 14%, as their stock price rose from $40.71 in January 2020, to $46.59 in January 2021. The same can be said for Silicon Labs, the operator of the Z-Wave Alliance. Their January 2020 stock price was $115.98, and it rose to a January 2021 stock price of $127.34, for a nice 10% increase.

Alarm Grid was happy to see some of the companies and manufacturers we work with have a successful 2020 year, despite all of the global challenges involved. If you are interested in starting alarm monitoring service with Alarm Grid so that you can take full advantage of great equipment from companies like Alarm.com, Johnson Controls, and Silicon Labs, please feel free to email us at support@alarmgrid.com for more information. We're here to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Alarm.com has announced that some of their most popular security cameras will soon be receiving important over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates. The models receiving firmware updates include the ADC-V523 Indoor Camera, the ADC-V723 Outdoor Camera, and the ADC-VDB770 Doorbell Camera.

End users will not need to take any special action to receive the automatic firmware updates. The updates will be pushed down to the cameras from the Alarm.com servers throughout the coming weeks. As long as the device is online and connected with Alarm.com, then it should receive the update successfully.

The ADC-V523 Indoor Camera and the ADC-V723 Outdoor Camera are both receiving Firmware Upgrade Version 0.6.1.151. The update will provide support for the recently released Onboard Recording Schedules Feature. Users can also expect general stability fixes and device performance improvements.

The Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 is receiving Firmware Upgrade Version 02088. As the Alarm.com Doorbell Camera was only released a couple of months ago, this is believed to be the first significant firmware update for the device. The update will primarily focus on improving WIFI connectivity and overall network stability for the doorbell camera. Users should notice fewer streaming disruptions as a result.

If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer with questions about these upcoming firmware updates, or if you are interested in starting new alarm monitoring service so that you can use Alarm.com Security Cameras, then please email our support technicians and alarm system planners at support@alarm.com. We check email and respond to inquiries Monday thru Friday from 9am to 8pm ET. We look forward to hearing from you!

Update! Although this product has been discontinued and will no longer be manufactured, Alarm Grid has managed to obtain a small amount of stock, so the 5877 is currently still available for purchase on our site, but for a limited time.

We have learned that the Honeywell 5877 Garage Door Relay has been discontinued, effective immediately. This leaves the Honeywell Lyric and the Honeywell LYNX Touch Panels with no viable option for a smart garage door controller. The associated Honeywell GDCK Kit is also discontinued.

The Honeywell 5877 was widely seen as one of the most important automation accessories for the Lyric and LYNX Touch Systems. Thanks to this module, a user could integrate their garage door motor with their wireless Honeywell Alarm System and the Total Connect 2.0 platform. This allowed users to open and close their garage doors from anywhere using TC2, and they could also use the platform to check its current OPEN or CLOSED status when a separate garage door sensor was used. Users could also include their garage doors with smart scenes for automatic operation based on a schedule or with predetermined events.

With the 5877 being discontinued, there is no longer a viable method for setting up a Lyric or LYNX Touch System for local garage door control. The decision by Resideo to discontinue the Honeywell 5877 does not strike us as a big surprise. An increasing number of users have been finding good alternatives to the 5877 lately. One example is the Chamberlain and LiftMaster Integration for Total Connect 2.0. While this server-to-server integration does not allow for local control of the garage door at the security panel, being able to control the garage door remotely from TC2 is considered by most users to be more important. You can learn more about that integration here. The 5877 also has a big limitation, in that it does not work with the increasingly popular LiftMaster MyQ Garage Motors.

It is also important to note that the Lyric and LYNX Touch Systems are not compatible with most third-party Z-Wave garage door openers. This somewhat forced Lyric and LYNX Touch users to go with the first-party 5877 device from Resideo, rather than buying a third-party device that they do not manufacture. But the game has been changed with the newest Resideo System, the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS. This new system offers a much wider selection of possible integrations. For example, Alarm Grid offers the popular GoControl GD00Z-8-GC Z-Wave Plus Garage Door Opener, which is often used with various Alarm.com Security Panels. That unit works with the PROA7PLUS, but not the Lyric and LYNX Touch Systems. The bottom line is that fewer people were buying the Honeywell 5877, and Resideo decided it was no longer in their best interest to continue manufacturing it.

Of course, the unfortunate result of this is that the Lyric and LYNX Touch Panels do not have a good option for smart garage door control. If you have an existing Honeywell 5877 Module, then it will continue to work fine. Or if you find a used one somewhere, then that should also be okay for setting up new service. The other components of the Honeywell GDCK Kit are still available, including the Honeywell 5822T for monitoring a garage door's current status. But if you were in the market for a new 5877 for an existing Lyric or LYNX Touch, then we are sorry to say that you are out of luck. You should try finding a used model if possible, or you may consider upgrading to a newer alarm system.

This truly represents the end of an era, as the Honeywell 5877 was a mainstay accessory for the longest time. But all good things must come to an end. If you have any questions about the discontinued 5877, or if you need help integrating your alarm system with your garage door, then please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. Being able to control your garage door remotely is a great perk of alarm monitoring service, and we are here to help you explore your remaining options. Our team is here to answer your questions from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

One of the more interesting things about the Honeywell Home PROSIX Sensor lineup is that it features two (2) different "mini" door and window sensors. These are the Honeywell Home PROSIXMINI and the Honeywell Home PROSIXMINI2. Today, we will be comparing and contrasting these sensors.

PROSIXMINI (Left) and PROSIXMINI2:

When the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS Alarm Panel first hit the market, a new lineup of sensors also made their debut. These are the Honeywell Home PROSIX Sensors, and they make the perfect complement to Resideo's latest security system. These devices are best-known for their 128-bit AES encryption and their improved wireless range over the Honeywell and Resideo Sensors that came before them. The PROSIX Sensors can only be used with the PROA7PLUS, and until Resideo makes local programming available for the system, you will need the help of your monitoring company to enroll any new sensor.

At first glance, the PROSIX Sensor Family seems pretty straightforward. It is a very robust lineup, featuring everything from security sensors like motion detectors and glassbreak listeners, to environmental sensors like flood sensors and temperature sensors. But there is one anomaly that often makes people turn heads. That is the presence of two (2) different "mini" door and window contact sensors, the PROSIXMINI and the PROSIXMINI2. Both are surface-mounted contact sensors, and both monitor an interior door or window for opening and closing. A third sensor in the lineup, the PROSIXCT also accomplishes the same task, but that sensor is considerably larger and features an auxiliary input to provide wireless transmitter functionality. But it begs the question - why is there both a PROSIXMINI and a PROSIXMINI2?

Starting with the PROSIXMINI, this sensor actually looks virtually identical to the Honeywell SiXMINICT from the Honeywell SiX Series Lineup made popular by the Lyric Controller. It's likely that Resideo took the same plastic casing from the SiXMINICT and repurposed it for the PROSIXMINI. And when compared the alternative option from the same sensor generation, the PROSIXMINI2, the only category where the PROSIXMINI "wins" is in size. The PROSIXMINI (2.44"L x 1.25"W x 0.45"D) is the smaller and more discrete sensor when compared with the larger and slightly bulkier PROSIXMINI2 (2.9"L x 1.15"W x 0.75"D). The reason why the PROSIXMINI is able to maintain a smaller profile and relatively "flat" design is thanks to its use of a CR2450 coin battery. Meanwhile, the PROSIXMINI2 uses a CR2 battery, which has a more traditional, cylindrical shape,

But before you go declaring the PROSIXMINI to be the winner, you might to consider the fact that the PROSIXMINI2 outshines its smaller and flatter competitor in virtually every other possible aspect. The PROSIXMINI2 has a wireless range of 300+ feet in open air, while the PROSIXIMINI is limited to 200+ feet. The PROSIXMINI2 also wins in the battle of battery life, as its lithium CR2 battery should last about seven (7) years before a replacement is needed. The lithium CR2450 battery inside the PROSIXMINI can only be counted on for about five (5) years. Also, some equipment testing has shown that the use of coin cell batteries inside a sensor can be problematic. It's likely that Resideo wanted to give users an alternative option that uses a more trustworthy battery.

Now, you're likely wondering, which sensor should you get? The PROSIXMINI or the PROSIXMINI2? If aesthetics are the single most important concern to you, and you simply want the smallest and most discreet sensor, the you can make a case for the PROSIXMINI. But if you ask us, we think the PROSIXMINI2 is the superior option, because of its improved signal range, extended battery life, and more reliable battery performance in general. But rest assured, both the PROSIXMINI and the PROSIXMINI2 should work very well on any PROA7PLUS Security System.

If you need help deciding on sensors for your system, or if you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer needing us to help you enroll new sensors with your PROA7PLUS, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. This is also a good email to use if you are interested in starting new monitoring service with Alarm Grid. We're here to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We know that 2021 has been a busy year so far. And things are just getting started! We thought we would take a moment to catch our breath and review some recent tidbits, while also giving a preview on some new things coming soon. Here are some miscellaneous bits of news to take in.

Alarm Grid is now offering the Honeywell LTEMXA-TC2 and the LTEMXV-TC2. These are special bundles for Honeywell VISTA users that include a new communicator (LTEM-XA or LTEM-XV) and PROM Chip upgrades for the 15P and for the 20P. These upgrade kits are good if you need a new communicator for your Honeywell VISTA System, as well as PROM Chip upgrade to support Total Connect 2.0. Remember that the minimum PROM Chip Version for a 15P or 20P to support TC2 is 9.12. If you missed our post announcing the new LTEM-XA and LTEM-XV, then make sure to check it out! These modules are truly state-of-the-art with their ability to utilize the LTE Cat M1 Networks from AT&T and Verizon.

By the time this post goes live, there will be roughly 18 days remaining on the countdown timer featured on the mysterious 2GIG Edge Website. We can assume that the 2GIG Edge is indeed set to make its much-anticipated debut in less than three (3) weeks. A new alarm panel from a leading manufacturer is always something to get excited about. We still don't know very much about the 2GIG Edge. But let's just say, we're hoping it lives up to the hype. If you missed our initial post on the upcoming panel, you can take a look here.

We made a couple of new Alarm Grid videos to kick-off 2021. It has been awhile since our video team has been able to resume their usual work in the studio. We hope to have our team back and performing business as usual very soon. But we did manage to make a pair of videos featuring Jorge. For anyone who missed the latest Alarm Grid videos, click here.

There has been some recent activity in the always existing world of smart home automation. The Z-Wave Alliance recently released the specifications for the upcoming Z-Wave Long Range protocol. Z-Wave LR promises to change the game by supporting wireless signal transmissions from distances of "several miles", while also allowing more than 4,000 nodes on a single network and drastically improving battery life. From what we can tell Z-Wave LR will be a subset of the Z-Wave 700-Series that represents the "next generation" after Z-Wave Plus 500-Series. For more on Z-Wave LR, visit our post on the subject.

A new Alarm.com Camera recently hit the market. The Alarm.com ADC-V515 represents a new "entry level" indoor camera option that offers virtually all of the same features and performance of their higher-end cameras, but at a more affordable price. Highlights for the ADC-V515 include its 1080p recording, High Dynamic Range (HDR), 110° viewing angle, ~15 feet IR night vision. and 2.4 GHz WIFI connectivity. You can read our blog about the camera to learn more.

Don't forget that the 3G and CDMA sunset is getting closer every day! Make sure to upgrade to LTE early so that your system does not get left behind. Our sources indicate that AT&T 3G Communicators will stop working after January 31, 2022. And the shutdown date for Verizon CDMA Communicators is December 31, 2022. In preparation, you can no longer activate a 3G or CDMA Communicator for monitoring service. If you want more information regarding the 3G and CDMA sunset, then please check out this detailed post. You may also want to access the Alarm Grid Communicator Replacement Portal if you are actively making an upgrade to a newer LTE Communicator. Remember, an LTE Communicator will extend the lifespan of your security system for many years to come!

We have some final notes regarding a couple of things to look forward to in 2021. First, be on the lookout for the new Qolsys IQ Hub Security System sometime this year. Qolsys hasn't said much on the subject lately, but we're still expecting it at some point. And if you're an IQ Panel 2 Plus user, then make sure to read about IQ2 Firmware Version 2.5.4 if you somehow missed the recent announcement. And if you were an early adopter of Resideo's latest offering, the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS, then make sure to keep a close lookout for a firmware update that will allow the new panel to support local end user programming. We still don't have an official date from Resideo, but we are very hopeful it will be made available sometime in the next few months. Fingers crossed!

If you have any questions about any of the aforementioned news, or if you are looking to start new monitoring service with Alarm Grid, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. Our team is here to check your emails and answer your questions from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!