January 2021 Archives

We recently came across an article from Bonka Bird Toys expressing their satisfaction with Alarm Grid and their new security system and security camera setup. Bonka Bird Toys is a local business, located right down the road from Alarm Grid. Thank you Bonka for your continued support!

Bonka Bird Toys has quite an intricate setup, centered around a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Security System. It is a dual-path system, complete with encrypted PowerG Sensors, and four (4) IQ Remote Keypads. Bonka says that they opted to not mount their IQ Remote Keypads, and instead carry them around loose like small tablets, and keep them at their desks. They particularly love being able to check their security cameras right from their IQ Remote devices. Having an IQ Remote at each workstation is really convenient!

According to Bonka Bird Toys, their favorite part of their setup is their security cameras. They used two (2) types of commercial grade Alarm.com Security Cameras, including the Alarm.com ADC-VC736 and the Alarm.com ADC-VC836. They even added the Alarm.com ADC-CSVR126 Commercial Streaming Video Recorder to facilitate a continuous 24-hour recording schedule. In addition to their IQ Panel 2 Plus and their IQ Remote Keypads, Bonka also set up a dedicated monitor that shows their camera feeds. They placed it up in a prominent spot where they can check it any time. We think this is a fantastic example of what kind of setup you can achieve with a security system and Alarm.com Cameras!

Bonka Bird Toys also set up a complete automation network of Z-Wave Plus devices, including lights, door locks, and thermostats. They love being able to control these devices locally from their alarm panel and keypads, and remotely from the Alarm.com platform on their phones and computers. Bonka Bird Toys also states that it was really easy to install their equipment. It took them just a single afternoon to get everything ready and going, and they saved thousands of dollars by doing it themselves rather than hiring a professional installer. This is the same type of robust setup that you can achieve for your home or business. And you can easily install everything yourself to save money,

If you are looking for the best bird toys, birdcages, aviaries, and accessories, then be sure to check out the Bonka Bird Toys website. And if you have any questions about how you can get started with Alarm Grid monitoring service, then reach out to us by emailing our support team and security system planners at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check 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!

We have been covering the 2GIG Edge quite a bit recently, but only just now have we gotten a look at what features we expect the panel to bring. The award-winning, yet still unreleased, alarm panel promises to be the cutting-edge system that we have been wanting from Nortek for years.

This list of features comes from an informative PDF regarding the 2GIG Edge Beta Test. While we cannot show the actual document quite yet, we can go through the list and give our thoughts as to what they likely mean. Again, none of these features are promised or guaranteed to be supported by the 2GIG Edge in its official release.

When looking at the list of features, there's nothing in here that sounds unreasonable. In fact, most of this is pretty standard stuff that we would expect out of any capable system in 2021. But it does help confirm our expectations for the 2GIG Edge as a feature-filled, high-end alarm system. And if the panel delivers in terms of intangibles like build-quality and user interface, then the Edge can still go down as an all-time great security system.

Here's what the 2GIG Edge looks to bring:

• Face Recognition: The integrated camera is used to recognize faces. This may involve receiving alerts regarding an "unexpected face" disarming the system. But the documentation suggests that the feature may be used to activate personalized smart home features based upon the detected face.
• Data Privacy: The 2GIG Edge will use "on-the-edge analytics" to process facial recognition without sending it to "the cloud". Other data will also be kept protected. Really, this is just 2GIG's way of saying "we won't expose you". Still, it's good to see that 2GIG is doing what they can to protect end-users and their personal data.
• Bluetooth Disarm: This will involve pairing your phone with the system for automatic disarming upon detecting the return of your phone (and presumably you along with it). Some timer settings will likely be involved to prevent the feature from being abused. It will likely be optional, as some users may not feel comfortable using it.
  
• Geofencing: The panel can arm/disarm and have scenes activate automatically based upon the location of the user. This will likely involve tracking the user's phone to determine their probable location. It is also likely that Alarm.com will be used in this feature, though that has not been confirmed.
  
• Smart Home Controls & Scenes: This is likely a cover-all for the smart home automation features of the system. Again, it is likely that Alarm.com will play a role in this feature. It is fair to expect that scenes will be able to be performed both locally at the panel and remotely using the Alarm.com Mobile App.
  
• Slideshow & Video Playback: This is a feature seen on many wireless panels. You can have the screen default to show images and have the system operate as a digital picture frame when it is not in use. Our hope is that the 2GIG Edge makes it easy to add photos, as other panels tend to make this simple feature absurdly difficult to use.
  
• Video Live View: Up to eight (8) cameras and video doorbells can be live-streamed from the panel. You can stream up to four (4) camera feeds at once. Again, our hunch is that Alarm.com will be used to facilitate this feature. This has been one of the best features for the IQ Panel 2 Plus, so we're very excited to see it available on the Edge.
  
• Photo Snapshot: The onboard camera will take disarm photos. No word on whether these photos will be available on Alarm.com for quick and easy access on the go. We have seen this feature on other panels, and it can be fairly useful when set up well. A photo to go along with a notice that your panel has been disarmed can come in handy.
  
• Encrypted and Non-Encrypted Sensors: The 2GIG Edge will support encrypted sensors, and also be backward compatible with older 2GIG Sensors. No word on whether the encrypted sensors refer to the existing 2GIG eSeries Sensors, a new lineup of encrypted 2GIG Sensors, or both.
• Smart Area: This refers to the return of Smart Area Partitioning for the system. Users can section off the system into different partitions for greater flexibility and control. It's a great feature for multi-family homes, businesses, and households with "secure" rooms. Up to four (4) Smart Areas will be supported. It's no surprise to see this return.
  
• Built-In Glassbreak: The 2GIG Edge will operate as a glassbreak detector for detecting broken windows. This is a really cool feature that we have seen work great when configured on other panels. The feature will likely require that the panel be installed with a direct line-of-sight to a window in order to function properly.
• LTE Communication: Both AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE options will be available. No surprise here, as virtually every current security system has LTE connectivity. We were almost expecting a 5G option here, but it seems like that technology just hasn't arrived yet. Still, LTE is excellent for future-proofing a security system.
• Dual-Path: You can use both WIFI and LTE cellular connectivity with the 2GIG Edge. Alarm.com will most likely require that cellular connectivity is used. WIFI connectivity will likely be optional, but it's also fair to assume the features like camera streaming will require a WIFI setup. Again, no surprise here. Dual-path connectivity is expected.
• WIFI Access Point: You can use the 2GIG Edge as a wireless access point for other WIFI devices. As Nortek puts it, the Edge Panel "becomes a router". Again this is a fairly common feature. Most users will not need to bother setting their alarm panel as an access point, but it can help you overcome WIFI range issues in certain situations. It can also be helpful when the panel is used in a secondary home where a constant internet connection is not available, but some WIFI capability is needed, such as for secondary keypads.
• Mobile System Control: This refers to the ability to control the 2GIG Edge System remotely using an interactive platform. We assume that the feature is referring to the Alarm.com platform, but we do not see specific mention of ADC. Being able to control a system remotely through Alarm.com is standard for any system that uses ADC.

And there you have it, the features specifically mentioned by 2GIG and Nortek in the 2GIG Edge Beta documentation. We honestly expect all of these features to make their way over to the final release. Nothing is too surprising, but it's still really cool to see some features like local panel camera streaming, optional automatic Bluetooth disarm, and an integrated glassbreak detector. And the facial recognition feature should also not be overlooked, as it could really offer some cool options if set up properly. Just imagine being able to arm your system by simply staring at it, rather than entering a command. That's about as close as we can get to just using mind control to operate a system!

If you have any questions about the 2GIG Edge, please email our support team at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check email questions from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We still have a little over three (3) weeks to go until the 2GIG Edge is released, so stay tuned to our blog for more content. We look forward to hearing from you!

As a friendly reminder, we are now just over a year away from the AT&T 3G Network shutdown. The date for the shutdown is January 31, 2022. If you haven't upgraded to an LTE communicator yet, then now is the time. Avoid the inevitable last minute rush, and future-proof your security system!

If your security system is using an AT&T 3G Communicator, then you must upgrade to LTE before January 31, 2022 to avoid a loss of monitoring service. If your system is using a Verizon CDMA Communicator, then you need to act before December 31, 2022. You may also want to check out our communicator replacement guide for more information. That guide will help you decide whether to keep your existing panel and just get a new communicator, or to upgrade your system entirely.

If you are just upgrading the communicator, then you can sign-up for an appointment using our communicator replacement portal. You will need to have your new communicator installed inside your system before your appointment. Remember to always power down your system completely before removing an old communicator or installing a new one. Failing to power down your system before making hardware changes could result in permanent damage.

Please direct any questions about communicator upgrades or system upgrades to support@alarmgrid.com. If you are currently monitored through Alarm Grid, and you aren't sure if you need to upgrade, then you can reach out to us for help. We can check your system, let you know if an upgrade is needed, and provide you with some possible options for moving forward. Please use our support email for all questions regarding communicator upgrades and system replacements. Our staff is here to check and respond to your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F.

There is still time before the 3G and CDMA Sunset. You can still make the switch to LTE and ensure that your home or business continues receiving reliable monitoring service. Avoid any service disruptions, and make the move now! Our support team appreciates you being proactive and ahead of the game. There will undoubtedly be a big rush of people trying to make the move at the last minute, with a limited number of appointments available. By starting early, you will save yourself a lot of stress and worry down the road. And remember, we're here to help! Email us at support@alarmgrid.com to get started, and we look forward to working with you!

Important Update: Alarm Grid has opted out of the two-factor authentication (2FA) requirement for Alarm.com. The post below was written before Alarm Grid opted out, and it was believed that 2FA would soon be required for all Alarm Grid monitored customers who receive access to Alarm.com.

Alarm Grid has received notice from Alarm.com that two-factor authentication (2FA) will soon be required for all Alarm.com users. Alarm.com is making this requirement to protect user accounts against unauthorized access. Users can set up 2FA for Alarm.com through email or text message.

At the time of this writing in late January 2021, 2FA for Alarm.com is optional, but it is recommended for keeping accounts as secure as possible. However, starting on Monday, February 15, 2021, any user who has not yet set up 2FA will be required to do so upon logging into their Alarm.com account. According to Alarm.com, the goal is to have every Alarm.com user set up with 2FA by Spring of this year.

When setting up 2FA for Alarm.com, you can choose to have codes sent via text message or email. Once the feature has been set up, you will need to perform 2FA upon logging into Alarm.com on an unsaved device. After you provide your ADC username and password, Alarm.com will send you a secret code via text or email. You must provide this secret code to verify your identity. Only then will you gain access to your Alarm.com account. Alarm.com will then allow your to "save" that device so that you don't need to perform 2FA the next time you use that device.

For most users, this will only mean performing 2FA when logging into Alarm.com through the mobile app on a new phone or through the Alarm.com website after clearing cookies. It's good that Alarm.com allows you to "save" trusted devices, as it would be very inconvenient to be required to perform 2FA every single time you go to access the Alarm.com service. However, it's a nice extra layer of protection for those times if you ever access Alarm.com through a public computer or some other computer that you don't normally use. While we are a bit surprised to see Alarm.com requiring 2FA for every user, we understand their rationale in wanting to keep accounts as secure as possible. Remember, anyone who is able to access your Alarm.com account and disarm your security system basically has full access to your property. Therefore, any extra protection is appreciated!

You can enable 2FA for your Alarm.com account at any time through the website. Simply login to your account through the website, and then select the Settings option on the left-hand side of the screen. From there, choose Login Information, and then Two-Factor Authentication. Then choose to set up the feature through text or email by following the on-screen prompts.

If you have any extra questions, or if you are interested in starting new monitoring service for use with Alarm.com, please email our team at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check your emails and provide support from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you get started with Alarm.com.

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!

Nortek Control, the parent company of 2GIG, recently won an award for its much-anticipated 2GIG Edge Security Panel. The 2GIG Edge was named the Consumer Technology Association 2021 Security and Surveillance Product of the Year, despite the product not even being available for sale yet.

According to Nortek Control, the 2GIG Edge "incorporates the very latest in smart technologies" and is "built on a more secure platform" than prior offerings. Judges from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) were reportedly impressed with the panel's speed, intuitive UI, and general design. The CTA judges were supposedly working with Beta Test versions of the 2GIG Edge. Needless to say, the reception surrounding these Beta Tests must have been quite positive if awards are already being handed out.

Nortek also reports that the Edge will showcase a "host of unprecedented new features" and offer "a giant leap forward in security system operational ease..." Alarm Grid reached out to Nortek to try to get more insight on how exactly the 2GIG Edge System will accomplish these promises. Unfortunately, the company declined to offer us any new information ahead of the release. We intend to pursue the matter further in the coming weeks, as we work to learn as much as possible about the product to most effectively serve our customers who will most likely be using the system to protect their homes and businesses.

While Alarm Grid certainly offers congratulations to Nortek on the (very) early success of the Edge, we still find it a bit surprising that an unreleased panel still heavily shrouded in mystery is already being praised. Outside of a murky website, information regarding the 2GIG Edge is scarce to say the least. We're not very surprised, as 2GIG has often been more secretive regarding product information and technical specifications, especially when compared with other manufacturers like Resideo and Qolsys. We are very hopeful that Nortek Control becomes a bit more transparent with the 2GIG Edge Panel as its release date inches ever closer. It's hard to believe, but it's now only a month away! Greater insight into the system may make it easier for us to recommend this award-winning panel over its competition.

For now, we are eagerly awaiting the 2GIG Edge and seeing if it can deliver on the rather high expectations being set. Our team intends to follow-up with Nortek Control again in the coming days and weeks to see if they might be willing to share some information. Indeed, everything from the supported sensors, to the automation capabilities to the unique features is still in the dark. But that won't stop us from trying to get the information into your hands as quickly as possible!

If you want to ask us about the 2GIG Edge or any other alarm panel we carry, or if you just want to learn more about our monitoring services, send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Alarm Grid is now offering a new "alternate" version of the Resideo ProSeries 7" All-In-One Panel. In addition to the existing Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS, Alarm Grid customers now have the option of the new Resideo PROA7PLUSC Security System. Both options are the same, except for one aspect.

Before you get super excited and full of anticipation, we're sorry to spoil the fun. The change really isn't anything too revolutionary. While the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS reads "Honeywell Home" across the front of the panel, the Resideo PROA7PLUSC instead reads "Resideo" across its front. Yes, other than that small aesthetic change, these are the same alarm panels, with the same features, the same compatibility, and the same performance.

Why did Resideo bother to do this? From what we can tell, it's a marketing decision. They wanted the brand recognition of the "Honeywell Home" namesake, but since businesses may not want to use a product with "Home" in the title, the "Resideo" version is available as well. Indeed, the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS is officially the "residential" version, while the Resideo PROA7PLUSC is officially the "commercial" version. We know, it's a bit redundant, but ask yourself this - are you really surprised?

You are free to throw caution to the wind of course. If you want to use the "commercial" Resideo PROA7PLUSC with the corporate sticker of "Resideo" boldly adorning the alarm panel that you use in your residence, feel free. Or conversely, if you're a business owner wanting to bring the comfort of "home" into the office, then you're welcome to use the "residential" Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS with the "Honeywell Home" moniker. It really won't make much of a difference, but you can go with whichever option makes you happier.

You may actually recall that Resideo did something similar with the new Tuxedo Keypad for their hardwired Honeywell VISTA Security Systems. In that realm, you can choose between the Honeywell Home TUXEDOW with "Honeywell Home" emblazoned across the front panel, or you can opt for the Resideo TUXEDOWC with "Resideo" taking the spotlight. Again, that is the only difference between the two keypad models. Now Resideo is doing it again with their wireless panels. Will it be the last time they do this? Our bets are on "No", but time will tell.

Anyway, whether you choose the PROA7PLUS or PROA7PLUSC, you are getting a fantastic wireless alarm panel with some outstanding features. We have already covered the system in extensive detail before, so please check out our introduction and buying guide for the system that we put out late last year.

We must also report that local programming is still yet to be released, so you will need your alarm monitoring company to perform virtually all tasks remotely when it comes to setting up the system. Our understanding is that the systems (yes, both of them) will soon be made to support local programming, hopefully in the coming months. We also have no word on when, or even if, Apple HomeKit functionality will become a reality. For now, if you want a panel that does support end-user programming AND offers a robust integration with Apple HomeKit, you might instead consider the Honeywell Lyric Alarm System, which in many ways is still the superior option.

If you have any questions about the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS, the Resideo PROA7PLUSC, the Honeywell Lyric, or if you just want to learn about alarm monitoring in general, contact our team via email at support@alarmgrid.com. We are here to check your email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

One thing we have noticed about the 2GIG GC3e is that it seems to be prone to erroneous Supervision Trouble conditions. This has left some users confused as to why their system zones are not working properly. But luckily, we have some tips to prevent this from happening to you and your GC3e.

Before we give our three (3) tips to follow, let's make sure we're all on the same page by explaining what Supervision Trouble normally refers to. Supervision Trouble occurs when a system does not receive a periodic "check-in" signal from an enrolled wireless sensor. This is usually either the result of the sensor not being able to send out its check-in signal, or the check-in signal not reaching the intended destination of the alarm panel. Some reasons why the sensor might not send out the signal include the sensor being powered down due to a dead or removed battery, or the sensor being physically destroyed. Some reasons why the the sensor's wireless check-in signal might not reach the alarm panel could include the sensor being moved to a new location in the building, or new obstacles, such as thick walls or large metal structures, being added inside the building. Regardless of the cause, you need to make it so that the sensor's check-in signals successfully reach the panel. Once you do that, you can clear the trouble condition. For GC3e users, you can learn how to clear the trouble condition by reviewing this FAQ.

But for the 2GIG GC3e, we have seen Supervision Trouble conditions occur, even when the sensor is powered on, successfully enrolled, and in clear communication range of the alarm panel. The issue seems to be particularly prevalent for the encrypted 2GIG eSeries Sensors that were built specifically for new 2GIG Alarm Systems. The good news is that our research has found that these sensor consistently and reliably work as intended, without causing any Supervision Trouble, as long as you follow some basic principles when using and setting up these devices. In addition to making sure that your sensor is powered on and communicating successfully with your 2GIG GC3e Panel, here are three (3) quick and easy tips to keep in mind whenever you are enrolling or configuring your 2GIG eSeries Sensors with your GC3e.

1) Reprogram from scratch when replacing an old sensor. If you have a sensor enrolled with your 2GIG GC3e, and you need to replace it with a new one, then you should remember to clear or delete the zone first, and then reprogram the entire zone from scratch, this time using the new sensor. Many users will need to do this if an old sensor becomes lost or damaged. While it might seem easier to just go in and remove the enrolled Serial Number for the zone, and then auto-learn the new one, this process has been known to cause Supervision Troubles. It's true that a sensor is identified based on its Serial Number, but you can't just delete the old Serial Number, add the new one, and expect everything to work perfectly. This is even the case if you are deleting a sensor and replacing it with one of the exact same model, for the exact same Sensor Type. Instead, take the extra time, delete the zone entirely, and then program it from scratch. For more information on the process, please review this page.

2) Reprogram from scratch when moving a sensor to a new partition. The same rule applies if you are moving an existing sensor to a new partition. This may be something to keep in mind if you are setting up system partitions for the first time, or if you want to change which zones users on a certain partition are able to control. If you are unaware, the 2GIG GC3e supports four (4) partitions, which are referred to as "Smart Areas", and the feature must be enabled at Q69 of System Configuration. More information on Smart Areas and how to set them up can be found here. Regardless, many users think that they can simply change the Partition Assignment within a zone, while keeping all other zone settings the same, and expect it to then function without a hitch. Unfortunately, it isn't that easy, as not completing this process properly may result in Supervision Trouble. Again, you must clear out the zone, and reprogram it from scratch. The only difference is that this time, you must assign the correct partition number, instead of the one it used originally. Alarm Grid invites you to check out this FAQ on switching GC3e Partition Assignments.

3) Always use the correct Equipment Code for 2GIG eSeries Sensors. The last tip we have involves the use of proper Equipment Codes. Before the rise of encryption, the Equipment Code setting was largely symbolic, and as long as an appropriate "equivalent" equipment code was used when programming a sensor, no issues would likely occur. But since the encrypted 2GIG eSeries Sensors use advanced "two-way" communication, using an incorrect Equipment Code can cause unwanted behavior, including Supervision Trouble. This one is a bit easier to fix, as you can often just replace the improper Equipment Code with the correct one in zone programming. If that doesn't work, then you can take the next step of trying to reprogram the entire zone from scratch. But you should be able to clear the trouble condition as normal once the Equipment Code is correct, based on the eSeries Sensor you are using.

The table below shows the Equipment Codes for 2GIG eSeries Sensors:

If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer needing help with your 2GIG GC3e, or if you are interested in starting new service with Alarm Grid, please email our technical support team and security system planners at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to help you 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!