Honeywell GSMX4G-TC2
AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 Upgrade Kit
This product is not sold by Alarm Grid at this time. As an alternative, we recommend:
Description
The Honeywell GSMX4G-TC2 is an AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 upgrade kit that includes a GSMX4G cellular alarm communicator and a control panel micro-controller chip (PROM) for a VISTA-15P and a VISTA-20P alarm control panel. When upgrading your VISTA Series alarm control panel, you will only have to use the chip that is compatible with your system. If you are upgrading a VISTA-20P, use the V20P chip and if you are upgrading a VISTA-15P, use the V15P chip.
The GSMX4G-TC2 is perfect for anyone with an existing VISTA-15P or VISTA-20P security system that is looking to add a cellular alarm communicator and get the advanced Total Connect 2.0 service. The GSMX4G is a 4G cellular alarm communicator that provides cellular alarm monitoring service to a Honeywell VISTA Series control panel. Cellular alarm monitoring allows you to get alarm monitoring service without needing a traditional phone line. Cellular monitoring is more secure than phone line or internet monitoring because there is no wire that can be cut to defeat the alarm communications. Even though cellular monitoring is $10 per month more than phone line monitoring, you can actually save by switching to cellular monitoring if you are able to eliminate your monthly phone bill. Many people that are monitored now, only pay for their phone line service because the security system uses the phone line. If those people stopped their phone service and added the GSMX4G-TC2 cellular upgrade kit, they would actually end up saving money and they would have a more secure alarm communication path.
When AlarmNet released the newer version of their interactive alarm monitoring service (Total Connect 2.0), it was only compatible with VISTA-15P and VISTA-20P alarm control panels that had a revision of 9.12 or higher. Total Connect 2.0 is much more advanced than the original Total Connect service. While Total Connect could only send out a maximum of eight different system event notifications, Total Connect 2.0 can send out any number of system event notifications. The original Total Connect could only notify you that the system went into alarm but Total Connect 2.0 will actually send you an email or a text message with the specific zone number and zone descriptor so you know exactly what tripped the alarm. Also, Total Connect 2.0 can tell you the specific user that armed or disarmed the system. The original Total Connect service could only tell you that the system was armed or disarmed. Unfortunately, all existing VISTA-15P and VISTA-20P control panels that are not revision 9.12 or higher were not able to switch to the newer Total Connect 2.0 service once it was released.
The GSMX4G-TC2 AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 upgrade kit makes it as easy as possible to upgrade your security system to be compatible with the more advanced Total Connect service. Simply swap out the existing PROM chip in your VISTA-15P or VISTA-20P with the Total Connect 2.0 upgrade PROM chip. Make sure that your security system is fully powered down, by removing the battery and the AC transformer, before replacing the PROM chip. Once the new PROM chip is installed, all of the existing programming will remain the same but the system that previously did not support Total Connect 2.0 will now be compatible with the service.
Brand: Honeywell
Reviews
Submitted on 08/01/2019 Alarm Grid
We do not recommend the Honeywell GSMX4G-TC2. This product has since been replaced by the Honeywell LTEXA-TC2. The GSMX4G-TC2 includes both a GSMX4G AT&T 3G Communicator and the latest PROM Chip upgrades for VISTA 15P and 20P Panels. While the PROM Chips are still good, the GSMX4G can no longer be activated with the 3G Sunset. As a result, it makes no sense to purchase this kit. You should get the LTEXA-TC2 instead. That kit includes the latest PROM Chips and the newer communicator.
The AT&T 3G Network used with the Honeywell GSMX4G-TC2 is going to be shut down in the next few years. As a result, the carrier no longer allows activations for 3G models like the Honeywell GSMX4G. In our experience, users in areas with strong service from AT&T should find that an AT&T LTE Communicator will work even better than an AT&T GSM Communicator. The AT&T LTE Network is superior in virtually every way, and it should provide faster and more reliable connectivity. There really is no reason to get a GSMX4G or its associated GSMX4G-TC2 Kit when you can just get the newer equivalent. You should find that the LTE-XA or LTEXA-TC2 works better in every aspect.
LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. Cellular service providers have stated that they plan to support their LTE Networks for many years to come. By getting an LTE communicator like the LTE-XA or LTEXA-TC2, you are "future-proofing" your VISTA System so that it can be used for alarm monitoring for many years to come. Anyone looking for a new cellular communicator should make sure to get an LTE model. Additionally, Honeywell is expected to offer a dual-path LTE/IP option called the LTE-IA in the near future. There is already a Verizon dual-path option with the LTE-IV, and the LTE-IA should serve as the AT&T LTE equivalent. There are PROM Chip upgrade kits available for these dual-path communicators as well.
Bottom line, do not get the GSMX4G-TC2. Get the LTEXA-TC2 or one of the other LTE options instead.
