Joshua Unseth Posts

Alarm Grid's Youtube channel has just hit an incredible milestone. More than 1 million unique visitors have visited the channel and watched the videos. Many of you have been introduced to the very idea of DIY home security through the channel, a fact that we are proud of.

Every month, users are spending more than 100 combined days of their time watching how to do everything from installing a security system to programming 5811 sensors.

The most liked video on the channel is the short, but very helpful video that helps users get out of programmer lockout. It's a small contribution, but before Alarm Grid, information on getting back into programming after you were locked out was nearly impossible to find, not to mention there were no simple demonstrations of it.

If you have seen the videos, you will know that they are some of the most information-packed videos available on the subject of home security products. Sterling has introduced us to an astounding amount of content about everything security system related.

Thank you to everyone for helping us reach this milestone. If you haven't subscribed to the Youtube Channel yet, we would love for you to do it now!

Join the 3,500 other subscribers and get alerts letting you know when we release any new videos.

Recently, we have released a set of videos that review the new Lyric Security system's main unit and contacts. These videos are some of the first videos anywhere of the much anticipated panel. This is the kind of high-quality content we've been delivering, and we promise that we will continue to deliver even more of it.

Honeywell's Lyric thermostat is one of the real gems of their smart thermostat collection. While released about a year ago as a precursor to the coming Lyric security system, the familiar circular design is evocative of Google's Nest thermostat which has been out for some time now and changed the way that we think of smart thermostats. For about a century, Honeywell has been the leader in thermostat technology, and has decided to take that experience into the proverbial boxing ring where they will be taking on Nest.

Introducing features like like Geofencing make the Lyric smart thermostat a cut above the rest, as it allows users to get the most out of their technology by leveraging the now-ubiquitous smart phone. While traditional smart thermostats often "learn" the habits of their users, Honeywell has taken it to a degree of simplicity that makes the Lyric a much more practical device.

It's integration with HomeKit will make the thermostat even more powerful. According to NextWeb, HomeKit compatibility will allow users to "set scenes designed to automate functions," as well as integrate with other HomeKit compatible devices. Simply, as HomeKit becomes better used, Lyric's 2nd generation thermostat becomes a more powerful and interesting thermostat. Honeywell has indicated to us at Alarm Grid, that the Lyric will be made compatible with Total Connect as well, which will mean, very soon that the security system will have a much more powerful WIFI integration with the most advanced thermostat that Honeywell has ever released.

If you are interested in getting email alerts when the Lyric Security System has been released, sign up below!

Alarm Grid's tech support will be closed on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th) and Christmas day (Dec. 25th).

Should you have a pressing technical issue, please email support@alarmgrid.com. Otherwise, please call our office number 888-818-7728 and leave a message. We will get back to you as soon as we get back from the holidays.

Worry not, the central station will be up and running, monitoring your alarm system through the holidays.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season, and hope that it is filled with family and friends.

If you are interested in financing your system, so that you pay for its cost over the next 12 months, then we have some incredible news!

Affirm, the company we have partnered with to offer financing, has announced that they will be offering that financing with absolutely no need to do a hard credit check. What that means is you do not have to worry about your credit score being affected when you apply for financing!

For those trying to figure out whether paying our great rates for monitoring is worth the up-front cost of a system, the ability to pay for that system over 12 months is a game changer. For most, the monthly cost of a financed system + monitoring is going to still be cheaper than paying for ADT or Vivint monitoring. What's more, when you're done paying off your system, you don't have to keep paying the high cost of monitoring.

If you are interested in learning about Affirm, take a look at our information page. You select Affirm at checkout, as a payment option, and you make your payments to them. It is simple, easy, and 100% transparent.

The L7000 kit is the winner of ESX's "Best in Show" in 2014, is being reduced in price. The most popular security system we have sold to date, the L7000 is head and shoulders above the rest. It's large screen supports up to 4 cameras, all the security functions of its high quality predecessors, and a number of robust Z-Wave home automation cameras to boot.

The standalone L7000 unit is now priced $102 cheaper than it was for a 36% reduction in price, while most of the kits are now between 4 and 7% cheaper. In all the savings are pretty excellent, and we're proud to be able to bring them to you. Below is the price chart showing our old price, and our new prices.

SKU	Old Price	New Price	% Reduced
L7000	381.99	284.99	36.43%
L7000PK	369.99	345.99	6.94%
L7000PK-5811	365.99	349.99	4.57%
l7000PK-WIFI	417.99	399.99	4.50%
L7000PK-3G	474.99	449.99	5.56%
L7000PK-WIFI-3G	526.99	499.99	5.40%
L7000PK10	505.99	479.99	5.42%
L7000PK10-WIFI	557.99	529.99	5.28%
L7000PK10-3G	614.99	589.99	4.24%
L7000PK10-WIFI-3G	666.99	639.99	4.22%

For those trying to decide whether to go with an L7000 or an L5200, we have a simple little chart detailing the differences between the two panels. While the L5200 is going to be about $50 cheaper than the L7000, these new prices are bringing it in line with the less powerful unit which might be a great reason to get the L7000 instead of the L5200 even if you don't need all the incredible features of the L7000 immediately or ever. The big screen might be enough to entice you.

The lyric, which will be released sometime during this quarter (we're told) will be our premier, more expensive security system (for updates, you can sign up for our mailing list). So this price reduction should allow users who maybe don't want to pay as much for a

The LYNX Touch series security system sported what has become the most iconic looking glass break detector in the industry. The Honeywell 5853 glass break detectors is a simple device with a small microphone that listens for a thud, then the crash of glass. It is a reliable piece of equipment that looks sleek and blends in well with the decore of any home.

The newer Honeywell SIXGB takes the same reliable technology and wraps it in a new aesthetic. As is the case with any of the new Lyric sensors, the new glass break detector communicates with the panel using secure encryption. The small, sleek sensor looks like any smoke detector an user has in their house and works just as well as any of the older Honeywell sensors. The technology is similar and the product is made with the Honeywell name, which means you know that the hardware is excellent.

The sensor features three hidden LEDs as well that will help an end user know the system's status. The unit features four sensitivity settings that will allow an end user to protect windows that are between 0 and 25 feet away which is the same range as the 5853, and takes a single CR123A battery.

For those that do not like the look of the new sensors, and are not concerned with the encrypted communications between the glass break detector and the panel, the old 5853 will still work with the Lyric security system. In fact, all of the 5800 sensors will continue to work with the new panel, which means that upgrading from an older LYNX Touch panel will not require that anyone purchase new sensors.

If you are interested in getting information on the new Lyric security system, then sign up for our email updates below!

If you are interested in getting email alerts when the Lyric Security System has been released, sign up below!

Update: The Lyric has been released and can be purchased on Alarm Grid.

Honeywell has long been known as the premier producer of security equipment in the United States. Therefore, it's no surprise that the new Lyric security system (coming soon!) is the most full-featured home security and automation controller ever made.

Much like the L5200 or the L7000 (and their predecessors - the L5100 and L5000), the Lyric wireless security system's UI has been given a complete overhaul compared to traditional wired alarm systems. It's new interface and capacitive glass front, give the new system an appearance unlike any that have ever come before it. Reminiscent of the 2GIG's Go!Control, the Lyric has all the best features of the 2GIG's front-end user UIs, along with simplicity of the LYNX Touch's system / sensor programming.

Unlike traditional, self-contained systems, the Lyric is a beautiful addition to any wall - protruding out only 1.3 inches. Honeywell has also streamlined the plastic housing so it's only 8.5 inches in width, and 6.65 inches high. This Apple-like security system has everything you didn't even know you wanted. Honeywell has done an incredible job building the most advanced security system ever sold.

Honeywell has taken a measured approach to building this system. Mimicking many of the best features of the 2GIG system, Honeywell has taken their expertise as hardware manufacturers, learned from the interfaces on the market, and added the best of the best features. The most notable feature borrowed from the 2GIG interface is the use of the 3rd hand, which lets an user work on the system while still being attached to the backplate hanging on the wall.

It's a perfect feature for the DIY-er who is interested in working on their system. Rather than having to dismount the system entirely from the backplate, or cut your finger on a hard to remove backplate (as Sterling has done multiple times).

Unfortunately, in spite of the Lyric being Honeywell's foray into a simple to use, DIY panel, they have eliminated one of our favorite elements of the old LYNX Touch security systems, the ability to use a barrel connector when installing it. Our LT-Cable is one of the simplest ways for an end-user to install the old systems. The Lyric takes a step back from the ease of use of a barrel connector and forces you to connect your power wires to internal screw terminals. While the older LYNX Touch panels (and the 2GIG as well) boast the simple to use DC input connection, the Lyric has eliminated it for inexplicable reasons. Using wire purchased from Home Depot isn't a difficult proposition, but it does make things a bit more difficult to the end user. This is, perhaps, the biggest drawback of the system.

Ultimately, the Lyric is way more compact than any of the LYNX systems before it. Nowhere is it more evident than in the new Lyric's communicators. The Lyric-3G, one of a number of GSMs that will be released for the final product, is a little bit thicker than a credit card. Unlike the older 3GL which protrudes from the circuit board itself, the Lyric-3G is super thin.

Unlike the LYNX security line, the Lyric-3G goes in through the side of the unit. No need for tools, save for what you will need to mount the unit on the wall, to install the GSM communicator.The Lyric wireless security system allows you to simply slip the 3G or CDMA communicator (yes, there will be a Verizon module available!) into the side of the unit with almost no hassle. Also, Honeywell has added a panel feature where you can click a button to turn off the internal power to the GSM so that you can install or remove a cellular communicator without fully powering down the system, which is a really nice addition.

Notice that I have not yet mentioned a Z-Wave or WIFI communicator. Unlike the L5200 or L7000, the Lyric does not have an optional WIFI or Z-Wave module. They are built in! This system is pre-equipped to connect to your local area network and integrate with Z-Wave lights, locks and thermostats. Older systems allowed users to add the L5100-WIFI and the L5100-ZWAVE optionally, which was a nice option, but definitely added complexity and made putting a system purchase together on our site more difficult. Building the WIFI and Z-Wave into the system adds to the usability of this amazing piece of consumer-friendly equipment.

We are amazingly excited to be getting ready to add the Lyric to our line of security systems. We hope you are as well. If you are interested in receiving updates about this coming system, please sign up for our newsletter below!

If you are interested in getting email alerts when the Lyric Security System has been released, sign up below! #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */

Product Announcements

• L5200
• L7000
• Lyric Security System

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Alarm Grid is getting ready to embark on the Lyric Security System beta test with Honeywell. Perhaps the most user friendly, advanced security system ever to be released, the Lyric line of products are unlike anything we've ever seen before. It's the first (as far as we know) consumer system that features encrypted communication between the sensors and the hub, and it might be the best looking security system we've ever seen with Apple-esque menus, and an intuitive interface that will make any DIY security lover gush.

Sterling has been testing the system at the Alarm Grid lab, and has taken a few preliminary photos to show off each of the different pieces. Over the next few days, we will be giving anyone that reads our blog a little introduction to each of the new system's pieces. We have opened them up, and are going to discuss the amazing new features that this system will bring to the DIY market. If you are interested in getting updates on the Lyric security system, fill your email in below.

If you are interested in getting email alerts when the Lyric Security System has been released, sign up below!

Are you ready? Because... we're really excited.

Alarm Grid has partnered with interactive service powerhouse Alarm.com. Well-known as the pioneer of modern-day interactive, the Alarm.com product, along with Total Connect and Telguard, are well-known names in the industry. "Alarm Grid is excited to offer the whole suite of Alarm.com products to our customers. The product provides an incredible consumer experience and we're excited to be offering it alongside our other interactive options," said Sterling Donnelly, president of Alarm Grid. "We have really come to love the interactive services provided by Alarm.com. Their focus is on making sure that our customers are satisfied so that we can retain them for years to come. As you can imagine, that sort of loyalty is something that a no contract alarm monitoring company like Alarm Grid is trying to find." In addition to adding the new product line, Alarm Grid is rolling out new alarm monitoring plans to accommodate the new features that Alarm.com customers have come to know and love. "We're going to start giving automation away for free, basically," said Joshua Unseth, Alarm Grid's Director of Marketing. "It's included with any of the plans we offer that are not the most basic."

In addition to the Alarm.com rollout, in an effort to expand their reach, Alarm Grid, best known for making Honeywell panels accessible to end users, is now offering 2GIG panels. Powered by the interactive services of Alarm.com, the panels can do anything and everything one would expect a professional panel to. "There is a lot of demand for 2GIG's product line," said Joshua Unseth. "We want to make sure that our consumers can get the product that they want." Donnelly reiterated the point, "we absolutely love Honeywell and are going to be supporting and selling them for as long as we're selling home security equipment, but there is a need for a consumer friendly site that sells 2GIG as well. We will do our best to service both markets."

2GIG's become a well-known security panel in the DIY space. But for many end users, the Alarm Grid touch might be just what is needed to convince them to consider the consumer panel. "2GIG's documentation is written for installers, and even then, if you're not super familiar with the equipment, there just aren't really a lot of places that a person can go to get answers. Alarm Grid is going to change that," Joshua said. "With about 90 FAQs already on-site, we expect the Alarm Grid roll out of the 2GIG product line to change the way consumers can expect to interact with these products going forward. DIY videos showing both programming and installation are coming soon, and there are no shortage of FAQs that we will be producing over the next year."

While there are other smaller outfits that sell and support both Honeywell and 2GIG panels, Alarm Grid's made a name for itself by offering unparalleled support for the panels it does sell. "We have heard reports of techs in the field using Alarm Grid's site to get answers when they get stuck," said Sterling Donnelly. "Our experience has shown us the level to which there is a knowledge gap in the field. Some techs know everything about all the panels. Some know almost nothing. As far as our techs, we simply don't want to sell something on our site that our techs don't know in and out. We want our customers to be able to ask hard questions and get great answers no matter what the customer wants to know. We spent the last couple months getting 2GIG products into the hands of our support team and making sure that they encountered as many situations as they could so that they are prepared to give technical support that exceeds everyone's expectations."

Alarm Grid has re-vamped it's plans, and we hope you're as excited about them as we are!

We have done our darndest to simplify our plans so that they are understandable without explanation. We still offer our great low-cost self monitoring plan for $10 that everyone likes, but we have spent a lot of time trying to design the plans such that the home automation options are much much more affordable. For only $5 more, anyone who wants to take advantage of the L5200 or L7000s home automation benefits, it can be added to a plan. For those that have a Z-Wave thermostat, their is absolutely no way that you won't be able to make up the $5 difference with good, energy management settings.

DO NOT WORRY! Alarm Grid isn't going to make anyone switch plans. And our legacy plans will always be available though we aren't going to be displaying them anymore.

For those that are on the current plans, but would like to get the awesome benefits of remote home automation, and would like to upgrade, please email support@alarmgrid.com. We will do everything we can to make the transition easier.