Qolsys IQ Siren Posts

Alarm Grid is excited to announce we are now offering certain Qolsys products at a lower price. Price reductions occur from time to time, and we're always happy to pass those savings on to our customers. The products we'll be talking about today cover a wide range of uses. Let's take a look.

The Qolsys Hardwire 16-F: This wired to wireless translator for 319.5 MHz panels sets the Gold Standard for these types of devices. With support for up to 16 wired zones, including one 2-wire smoke zone with up to ten (10) smoke detectors, 500 mA of power for devices such as motion detectors, and a 500 mA siren relay compatible with panels on RF PIC Version 11.1.4.G2 or higher. The Qolsys Hardwire 16-F is one of the most versatile expansion modules we've ever seen.

Qolsys IQ Carbon: The Qolsys IQ Carbon transmits at 319.5 MHz and is compatible with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 and Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus as well as older Interlogix/GE Simon panels. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 and IQ Panel 2 Plus come in several different varieties, so be sure your panel supports 319.5 MHz wireless sensors before purchasing the Qolsys IQ Carbon. These panels customarily come in a box with a gold edge.

The IQ Carbon should be used in homes with a high chance of Carbon Monoxide gas build-up. CO gas is odorless and colorless, and is formed whenever carbon-based fuels are not burned efficiently. Carbon-based fuels include coal, oil, natural gas, and even wood. Homes with gas furnaces, gas appliances, fireplaces or portable gas heaters should definitely have properly placed Carbon Monoxide detectors.

Qolsys IQ Dimmer: The Qolsys IQ Dimmer is a Z-Wave plug-in on/off dim capable lamp module. It supports 120VAC/60 Hz and operates at 908.42 MHz, the Z-Wave frequency used in the United States. It can support the equivalent of 2.5A, 300W incandescent, 65W dimmable CFL/LED. If you plan to use this device for dimming, be sure that the bulb being used also supports light dimming. Although this is a standard Z-Wave device, rather than Z-Wave plus, it might be useful in a location where you need to add a device where you aren't concerned with range, and you know that the device won't need to act as a repeater. Although this device WILL repeat Z-Wave signals, it will do us using standard Z-Wave limitations.

Qolsys IQ Siren: The Qolsys IQ Siren uses standard Z-Wave technology, allowing a user to easily add a remote siren that produces up to 105dB siren sounds. This device plugs into any standard outlet. It is then paired with the alarm panel. On Qolsys panels, that's all you have to do. Once the siren is paired as a Z-Wave device, it will automatically follow the alarm sounds from the panel by default. The IQ Siren can also be used on other Z-Wave compatible panels, but may require additional programming in order to sound upon alarms on those panels.

Qolsys Image Sensor: The image sensor is a motion sensor with a still camera built-in. This affordable device just got even more affordable! For situations where you want to be able to see what's going on, but you don't want to add a full video system, the Qolsys Image Sensor is perfect. In conjunction with Alarm.com and the right monitoring plan, you can use the Image Sensor to peek-in and see what's going on at your home or business. You can set it up so that you receive an image capture upon the panel being disarmed, or when motion is detected in an area after a long period of inactivity. It's great for making sure the kids got home from school safely, or just to check in on your dog or cat who may be home alone.

Hi DIYers! As you may know, testing your equipment is an integral part of owning an alarm system. But your testing should go beyond just making sure your sensors work properly and that your panel communicates with the central station. Testing your sirens and sounders is also important.

When you activate your monitoring service with Alarm Grid, there will undoubtedly be some testing involved. Our team will be checking to see if your system sends out signals successfully. This is a vital part of receiving a certificate of alarm so that you can get a discount on your homeowner's insurance. And as a DIY installer, you will be checking to make sure that all your sensors work properly. This includes things like walking through a room to see if your motion sensor notices your presence and opening and closing your doors and windows to check that your contact sensors perform correctly. But what about your sirens?

Look, we know that testing your sirens isn't the most fun. They're loud. They scare pets. They make children cry. With that in mind, it's no surprise that some users decide to disconnect their sirens during system testing. This is perfectly fine in theory. After all, your system will still be able to communicate out, and its sensors will still work properly. You might think that you can just add your sirens later after testing. However, we're here to tell you that testing your sirens and having them activate is a step that every alarm system owner should take.

But why should you test your sirens? The reason actually goes beyond the obvious answer of making sure the sounders and strobes work. It's also smart to have a good idea of exactly what your system's sirens sound like. That way if an emergency does occur, you will have a better chance of knowing immediately what is going on. Keep in mind that not all sirens are created equal. They can differ in terms of volume and pitch. By taking the time to listen to your siren, you are more likely to be ready if there ever is an emergency.

Another thing that many users don't realize is that there are usually different noises for different types of alarms. For example, an activated smoke detector will typically produce a temporal 3 sound (three consecutive tones, then a pause, repeated), while an activated carbon monoxide detector will typically produce a temporal 4 sound (four consecutive tones, plus a pause, repeated). There are also continuous tone alarms (one long, steady tone) that are commonly used for burglary and intrusion alarms. Knowing what each alarm sounds like can potentially save your life in an emergency. For example, how you respond to a break-in won't necessarily be how you respond to a fire!

At Alarm Grid, we want all our customers to be prepared when alarms occur. This includes knowing what sounds your equipment makes. If you're a monitored customer, we are happy to help you however we can. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com with your questions. You may also call us at (888) 818-7728 during our normal business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to helping you get the very most out of all your alarm system equipment. That includes your sirens, sounders and strobes!

Hi DIYers! Today, we're taking a closer look at the Qolsys IQ Siren. Specifically, we want to go into the details of how it is used when paired with a Honeywell Alarm System. As you may know, the IQ Siren is a Z-Wave device that pairs with most Z-Wave controllers, including Honeywell Panels.

What's interesting is that the Qolsys IQ Siren learns-in with Honeywell Alarm Systems not as a Z-Wave siren, but as a Z-Wave light switch. This is not the case with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2, which immediately recognizes the IQ Siren for what it is - a siren. This way, the siren automatically activates during audible alarm events, with no special automation functions required. The 2GIG GC2 and 2GIG GC3 Alarm Systems also properly recognize the IQ Siren as a siren. We even wrote an FAQ and shot a video about this.

But since Honeywell Systems view the Qolsys IQ Siren as a light switch and not a siren, things become a little bit tricky. After all, you want the siren to operate like a siren, not a light switch! Fortunately, there's a way around this problem. That is using Total Connect 2.0 to create smart scenes. These scenes will tell the siren to activate when the Honeywell System experiences an audible alarm event, and also to stop sounding when the system is disarmed and the alarm is cleared. How's that for a creative solution?

It might take a little bit of extra work to get the Qolsys IQ Siren working on a Honeywell Security Panel, but it really is worth it. This is a 105 dB siren with a built-in strobe light to provide a visual indication of an alarm. For a sound comparison, 105 dB is about as loud as a table saw. It blows the 85 dB sounder built into the Lyric and LYNX Touch Systems out of the water. It's much easier to install than a hardwired siren, and it is extremely versatile overall. This makes the IQ Siren a winning option for many DIY users.

The Qolsys IQ Siren is great for any Honeywell System with a Z-Wave controller. Remember, the Lyric already includes a built-in Z-Wave controller, while the other panels need to have one added separately. The LYNX Touch Systems need a Honeywell L5100-ZWAVE Card, while the VISTA Panels need either a Honeywell VAM or a Honeywell Tuxedo Touch Keypad. It is also helpful to have access to Total Connect 2.0. If your monitoring plan does not include TC2, now is a great time to get started!

Please note that while you can create the necessary scenes from the panel and not from TC2 (with the exception of the Lyric system) we find that using TC2 is the easiest option. You can use the TC2 website or the mobile app on Android and iOS devices. We like using the website to create scenes. But if you prefer the mobile app, that's okay too!

Once you have paired the IQ Siren and logged into your TC2 account, it's time to create the scenes! Most users will want three scenes. These are:

• A scene to activate the siren during a burglary alarm
• A scene to activate the siren during a fire alarm
• A scene to deactivate the siren during a panel disarm

For our example, we will be creating a scene for the fire alarm. The other scenes will follow a similar process. Start by navigating to the Scenes Menu. Then choose Add Scene. You will then name your scene:

Then you will include the IQ Siren into the scene. It will be listed under "Others". Since we are setting it to activate during an alarm, we will set the device to On for this scene. But if you wanted to have the siren stop sounding when an alarm is cleared, then it would be set to Off.

Next, you will set when the scene should run. Since it is being controlled by either a system alarm or a system disarm, you will choose "Triggered by another device". Then choose the appropriate function.

Finally, save your scene!

And that's it! Remember, you must do this for each individual scenario (burglary alarm, fire alarm, and to turn off upon disarm) if you want the IQ Siren to provide complete functionality. Alarm Grid monitored customers can always get further assistance by emailing support@alarmgrid.com. You can also call us at (888) 818-7728 during our normal business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. If you aren't already monitored with Alarm Grid, make sure to press the orange Alarm Monitoring button at the top of this page. We look forward to working with you!

If you're like many system owners, you're looking for a way to add a new noisemaker to your security setup. Maybe you need a louder sounder or you want audible alarms to occur in a second location. In any case, a wireless siren may provide the perfect solution, especially for DIY users.

External alarm system sirens aren't just for users with hardwired alarm control panels. These devices make a great addition to almost any setup. Adding an external sounder is now easier than ever before thanks to the rise of wireless sirens. Unlike their hardwired predecessors, wireless sirens do not need a relay module or a complicated power supply. Most can receive power through regular batteries and stay operational for years on end. Programming is generally very easy even for novice users. And we're not talking about a conventional hardwired siren that is operated using a wireless relay like a Honeywell 5800RL We're talking about true wireless sirens that communicate directly with the security panel.

There remains a common misconception that hardwired sirens are significantly louder than their wireless counterparts. While there are still industrial and commercial locations that need hardwired sounders, the reality is that there are some extremely loud wireless sirens available for almost any alarm system. Nearly every home can get the results they need using a wireless sounder. And if you're a DIY user installing your own home security system, there's practically no reason to even consider using a hardwired device when you can get great results using a wireless sounder.

At the end of the day, there are still louder wired siren options than wireless sirens. But the difference is not as big as you might expect. We have encountered wired sirens that produce sounds of up to 120-125 dB. Meanwhile, the most powerful wireless sirens tend to top out at the 105-110 dB rang. But there are almost no residential applications that need the power of a hardwired siren! A 105 dB wireless siren will still alert everyone in the building to an alarm event. Keep in mind that 105 dB is about as loud as a powerful table saw. You will certainly hear it!

Once you decide that a wireless siren is right for you, the question becomes which one to get. It can be difficult to decide with all the great options available. But we're here to break down the options and point you in the right direction. One of the easiest devices to recommend is the Qolsys IQ Siren. This is a Z-Wave siren that operates at 105 dB. Since it communicates as a Z-Wave device, it can successfully pair with almost any alarm system with a functional Z-Wave controller. This makes it one of the most versatile and easy to use wireless sirens available. All you have to do is enroll it with your system and keep it plugged into a wall outlet.

A very similar wireless siren is the Linear WA105DBZ-1. This is a 105 dB Z-Wave siren manufactured by Linear, a company well-known for its Z-Wave offerings. This device also plugs into a wall outlet using an included transformer, and it has a backup battery for situations when the power is out. A white LED strobe light with red plastic cover provides visual indication of any alarms that occur. Just like the Qolsys option, the Linear WA105DBZ-1 can pair successfully with virtually any alarm system that has a functional Z-Wave controller.

If you're looking for a louder siren, then you might consider the DSC PG9911B. This siren communicates using PowerG RF signal, making it compatible with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Systems and the DSC PowerSeries Neo Panels. Unfortunately, PowerG is not as widespread as Z-Wave, so there aren't as many panels that can use the PG9911B. But the upside to this device is that it offers an incredibly loud sound rating of 110 dB. PowerG sensors also boast a highly impressive signal range, making this siren perfect for spots like detached garages or barns located across the property. The PG9911B is also one of the few wireless outdoor sirens available, which only adds to its excellent versatility!

Not every user will need an external siren in the 105-110 dB range. Some users just want a second sounder to install in the second area of the property. Honeywell offers a couple of wireless sirens that fit this bill. These are the Honeywell 5800WAVE and the Honeywell SiXSIREN. Both devices operate at 85 dB, which is about as loud as the integrated sounder inside most wireless alarm panels. They are great for users with larger properties who need sounders in multiple areas. The 5800WAVE will work with LYNX Touch Systems, as well as VISTA Systems that have an added wireless transceiver. Meanwhile, the SiXSIREN works exclusively with the Lyric Controller. DSC also offers a similar siren, the DSC WT4901, which works with their 433 MHz systems.

If you're an Alarm Grid monitored customer looking for a wireless siren, our team is here to help. We invite you to email us at support@alarmgrid.com with any questions you might have. We also offer phone support for monitored customers at (888) 818-7728 during our regular business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to assisting you and helping you find the perfect wireless alarm siren for your needs!

Hi DIYers! Today we're highlighting the Qolsys IQ Siren. This easy-to-use system add-on is great for IQ Panel 2 users who want to increase the siren volume for their system. The device communicates using Z-Wave Plus technology, and it is offers exceptional functionality and versatility.

There are many advantages to using a Qolsys IQ Siren. The most obvious is that it will increase the siren volume for the IQ Panel 2 Security System. The internal siren for the IQ Panel 2 is 85 dB, the minimum volume level for an alarm system. But the IQ Siren is rated at an astounding 105 dB. This is the volume equivalent to a jackhammer or a helicopter. Once the IQ Siren has been activated, everyone in the building will be made immediately aware of the emergency.

The great thing about the IQ Siren is its ease-of-use. Wired sirens can be tricky to install with wireless alarm panels, and extra equipment is usually required. But the IQ Siren can be installed by simply plugging it into a standard wall outlet. From there, it can be programmed with the IQ Panel 2 System in the same manner as any standard Z-Wave smart home device. Should the power go out, the IQ Siren will still be able to activate thanks to its 430 mAh rechargeable lithium backup battery.

In addition to the 105 dB sounder, the IQ Siren also includes a built-in strobe light for providing a visual indication of an alarm. This can be good for hearing-challenged or deaf users. Since the IQ Siren is a certified Z-Wave Plus device, it will serve as a viable repeater for other Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus devices. Remember, it's always smart to add new Z-Wave devices to strengthen your Z-Wave mesh network!

At just 3.25" tall and 1" deep, the siren is unobtrusive, and it will only require a single wall outlet. And of course, it's compatible with the brand-new IQ Panel 2 Plus Systems! This makes the siren an exceptional add-on for any Qolsys user who wants to easily and effectively increase their system's siren volume.

The IQ Siren is available for purchase right now from Alarm Grid. Get yours today!

Alarm Grid has been working tirelessly to launch the full line of Qolsys's panels. These panels are state of the art, built on Google Android, and they look great. They are built to work on Alarm.com, and have already come out with a line of encrypted sensors. This distinguishes the line from the GC3, which has the capability of communicating with encrypted sensors, but 2GIG has not yet release the compatible encrypted sensors.

Just like the 2GIG GC3 or the Honeywell Lyric, the Qolsys is simple to use. We have tested it extensively and we are comfortable offering this line to our customers. Like our other panels, we will be putting together a full set of FAQs on the Qolsys panels so that our DIY folks can do most of their own installation and programming.

Qolsys has two panels, despite having only been around a little while. Their first one, the IQ Panel, made a big splash. Built on Android, the system function astoundingly well, standing up to the major players in the space. The IQ Panel 2, however, is on a different level. It's clean, thin, made of glass. The system joins the pantheon of modern systems as a great looking item to have on the wall of any home.

Armed with all the basic features of a security system, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 comes with it some amazing little extra touches that neither Honeywell nor 2GIG have added to the Lyric or Go!Control lines as of yet. The ease of updating this system is unparalleled, and its got some great diagnostic features to help setup Z-Wave sensors. In-all, it is the perfect panel for the avid DIYer, and it won't disappoint anyone who is used to the Honeywell and 2GIG quality,

For those who don't like the look of the Qolsys's sensors, Alarm Grid is making available a new sensor. The Alarm Grid 319.5 MHz sensor which is reliable, cheap, and looks great. We are selling them as single units, in packs of 5, and in packs of 10.