DIY Security Systems Posts

Welcome to Day 2 of ISC West 2019 DIYers! We just got a great look at the Interlogix booth. The company really impressed us with what they have in the pipeline. In particular, their new Simon XTi-5i and Simon XTX Alarm Systems should be a great match for budget-conscious consumers.

The Simon XTi-5i and Simon XTX both provide support for up to 80 wireless zones. These systems can both interface with the upcoming lineup of encrypted Interlogix Sensors. Additionally, they are also backwards compatible with the company's existing 319.5 MHz sensors, as well as those from Qolsys. Interlogix states that the encrypted sensors should provide a wireless range of up to 1,600 feet in open air.

Modeled after the current Simon XTi-5, the new Simon XTi-5i features a 5-inch touchscreen. End users will also be able to customize the appearance of the menus with various color options. The touchscreen controls feel similar to the company's current offerings. If you have used an Interlogix Simon XTi or XTi-5 before, then you know what to expect. The system also offers voice annunciation and chime functionality for announcing system status changes. Please note that the name on the display reads "Simon XTi-5 V2". However, we confirmed with Interlogix that the new system is indeed called the Simon XTi-5i.

The Simon XTX is a touch pad alarm panel with a small LCD display. The numbers light up when they are available, which will help DIY users in navigating the menus. The panel's side features a bright LED light bar that changes color based on the current system status. Just like it's big brother the XTi-5i, the XTX offers 80 zones, as well as voice and chime support. Overall, it looks like a solid option for users who want a simple, affordable alarm system.

Both the Simon XTi-5i and the Simon XTX will utilize Z-Wave Plus technology that is provided through an Alarm.com Cellular Radio. Interlogix was also eager to show-off their new command buttons. These buttons can be easily mounted with double-sided foam tape, which is perfect for self-installations. Each individual button can perform up to three unique smart scenes, which are selected based on how long you hold the button.

The new panels will also support the upcoming Simon 5" TouchScreen V2 Keypad. This keypad offers easy to navigate menus and a bright and vibrant customizable display. Up to four keypads can be added to either a Simon XTi-5i or a Simon XTX.

Overall, we are very pleased with the new offerings from Interlogix. We will keep you posted with more information from ISC West 2019 soon. Stay posted!

More ISC West excitement DIYers! Our team just checked out the Nortek and 2GIG booth at ISC West 2019. We can certainly say there were many intriguing new 2GIG products to look at. Nortek went all out this year, as the company has some great new systems and sensors coming in the pipeline!

The key word for 2GIG this year is "Encryption". The company is planning to release their new GC2e System this May and their new GC3e System this July. These systems are modeled after the existing GC2 and GC3 Systems respectively. The exact release dates are still up in the air, but 2GIG is confident that they will both hit the market by the aforementioned months.

The "e" in these names stands for encryption. 2GIG will finally offer systems that support encrypted sensors. The GC2e and GC3e will both support the company's brand-new lineup of encrypted "eSeries" devices that will stop hackers dead in their tracks. Although 2GIG is somewhat late to the party in adding encrypted sensors, this is still a huge addition to their lineup.

The new eSeries Sensors are designed exclusively for use with the GC2e and GC3e Systems, and they will not be backwards compatible with the current GC2 and GC3 models. However, you will be able to use current non-encrypted 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors and the legacy Honeywell 5800 Series Sensors with the GC2e and GC3e Systems.

The GC2e System is the standard, more-affordable option of the two new panels. Modeled after the current Go!Control GC2, the new GC2e Panel offers a larger 5-inch touchscreen display and a slightly re-tooled designed. We tested this panel, and we were particularly impressed with the overall design and satisfying touch controls. It also offers Z-Wave Plus technology.

Meanwhile, the GC3e System offers everything available for the GC2e, plus a little bit extra. The panel adds WIFI connectivity, which is unavailable for the GC2e. The Smart Areas feature from the original GC3 is also being carried over to the GC3e, as the system will be capable of supporting up to four "Smart Area" partitions. Finally, GC3e users will appreciate the panel's 7-inch touchscreen display and its touched up design. Just like the GC2e, the GC3e also supports Z-Wave Plus devices.

It should be noted that there were no new keypads announced for either system. However, the systems will be able to support the existing models for their older counterparts. In other words, the GC2e will support the 2GIG TS1 Keypad, while the GC3e will support the 2GIG SP1 Keypad. Both will support the 2GIG PAD1-345 Touch Button Keypad.

We would also like to briefly touch upon new sensors, some of which are already available on our site. Just last week, the 2GIG STVGRL1-345 Stove and Grill Guard, the 2GIG GNGRD1-345 Gun Trigger Lock, the 2GIG DW30 Outdoor Sensor and the 2GIG F1-345 Personal Safety Pendant were all made available for purchase on the Alarm Grid site.

And it wouldn't be ISC West without some new sensors! We were particularly excited by the new 2GIG Water Leak Detector and the 2GIG Bypass Door and Window Sensor. The water leak detector has a useful design that should help it detect leaks more accurately than standard flood sensors. Meanwhile, the 2GIG Bypass Door and Window Sensor can be conveniently bypassed by pressing a button right on its front!

We plan on taking a closer look at the new 2GIG offerings later during ISC West 2019. Until then, stay tuned for more information from ISC West 2019 and Alarm Grid!

Welcome to ISC West DIYers! We wanted to get our first post up as soon as we had some juicy details. Right now, we're taking a look at the upcoming Resideo Pro SiX Series. The future of Resideo certainly looks bright with their state-of-the-art equipment that will be coming to the market.

The all-new Pro SiX Series is headlined by the all-in-one wireless panel, the Resideo Pro Series 7" All-In-One Plus. This panel will support the all new lineup of Pro SiX Series wireless sensors. These encrypted sensors will feature the latest technology, as they do everything the current Resideo SiX Series Sensors can do, and more. Users can expect the new Pro SiX Series Sensors to feature convenient auto-enrollment capabilities, an impressive wireless range and highly advanced security to thwart hacking attempts.

Just to be very clear, the Pro SiX Series devices are completely different from the current SiX Series devices. The Pro SiX Series devices will NOT work with the current Lyric Controller. They are being designed exclusively for the new Resideo Pro Series 7" All-In-One Plus.

The Resideo Pro Series 7" All-In-One Plus also offers support for up to four partitions. This will be great for users with roommates and businesses that want to section off different areas. Resideo says that the system will feature a completely new user interface that end users should find simpler and cleaner. If you are used to working with any of the current Honeywell Wireless Panels, you will find the new Resideo Pro Series 7" All-In-One Plus even easier to use.

You may also be excited to know that the system uses Z-Wave Plus technology for home automation. This is a real treat, as the current Lyric Controller only supports classic Z-Wave. End users will surely appreciate the increased battery life and the extended range that comes with Z-Wave Plus and the Resideo Pro Series 7" All-In-One Plus.

And with a new system comes all new devices! The Pro SiX Series lineup is diverse and all-inclusive, as it features all the sensors you would expect to find available. Some highlights include a combination smoke and CO detector, an outdoor siren and an indoor motion viewer with night vision capabilities.

We would like to give special recognition to the Pro SiX Series life-safety sensors. The biggest news is that they are all one-go-all-go. This means that they all tie in with each other. If one actives, every other Pro SiX Series life-safety sensor on the network will activate as well. If your smoke detector activates, your carbon monoxide detector will also go into alarm. Each of these sensors has an 85 dB sounder for alerting anyone on the premises. And with the outdoor siren being available, you can rest assured that those on the outside will be alerted as well.

The indoor motion viewer is also particularly interesting; it's basically a motion sensor with a built-in full-motion video camera. The upcoming device will send 10 second video clips to the end user through Total Connect 2.0. This will be great for confirming a break-in, especially for those in verified response areas. Resideo also says that the video clips will be made available to the central monitoring station so that dispatchers can also confirm an emergency event. And IR night vision is built-in!

Another feature is the ability to support up to eight wireless touchscreen keypads. These keypads feature 7-inch touchscreen displays, and they look like an absolute joy to use. This will be great for users in larger homes or businesses who want to access their systems from multiple on-site locations. And having multiple wireless keypads will certainly tie-in nicely with the ability to establish up to four unique partitions.

Finally, we asked about the backwards compatibility of the Pro Series 7" All-In-One Plus. According to Resideo, the system will only support the new Pro SiX Series out of the box. However, they promised an add-on module that will allow the system to support the legacy 345 MHz frequency used by the Honeywell 5800 Sensors and the 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors. They also stated that the module will be able to support 319.5 MHz sensors (Qolsys and Interlogix/GE), 433 MHz sensors (legacy DSC) and Bosch Sensors.

We will make sure to keep you updated as we learn more about this exciting new lineup from Resideo. Keep checking our blog for more information.

Update: We did receive word that the new Pro Series 7" All-In-One Plus will support existing Honeywell SiX Series Sensors. However, any SiX Series Sensor must be deleted from the current system before it can be enrolled with a Resideo Pro Series Panel. This means that you will need to have access to the system's Installer Programming to clear the settings for the sensor. If Lyric Lock is enabled, then you may need to replace your existing sensors. When the SiX Series Sensor is enrolled with the Pro Series 7" All-In-One Plus, a firmware update will be applied to the sensor to make it compatible with the new equipment.

Hi DIYers! Unfortunately, we have to keep this news brief, as we are currently preparing for ISC West 2019 in Las Vegas, NV. But a new dual-path communicator from Resideo for their VISTA Systems is now available. Presenting, the all-new Honeywell LTE-IV Verizon LTE Dual-Path Communicator!

The Honeywell LTE-IV uses a hardwired ethernet cable to connect a VISTA Panel to an IP network. If the internet goes down, it will have the ultra-fast and reliable Verizon LTE Cellular Network as a backup. Either way, the system will remain connected with the AlarmNet 360 Servers and the Total Connect 2.0 Service.

This release is huge, as this is currently the only dual-path communicator for a VISTA System that can connect with an LTE Network. Before this, the VISTA Panels had to rely on the Honeywell LTE-XV and Honeywell LTE-XA modules, which had no IP capabilities. Now with the Honeywell LTE-IV, VISTA owners have a dual-path LTE option that will keep their system connected for many years to come!

Note that the Honeywell LTE-IV connects with the Verizon LTE Network. We expect a similar AT&T communicator to be released at some point. You can purchase the Honeywell LTE-IV from the Alarm Grid website. If you have any question, please email support@alarmgrid.com or call (888) 818-7728 from 9am to 8pm EST M-F.

Alarm Grid will post more information about the Honeywell LTE-IV as it becomes available.

Get ready DIYers! We're here to inform you that next week is the International Security Conference & Exhibition West, more commonly known as ISC West. Our content and video teams will be in Las Vegas, NV to cover all the exciting action and the latest news from the security industry!

ISC West is the largest converged security industry trade show in the United States. This year's edition runs from Wednesday, April 10th thru Friday April 12th. Our content and video teams will be exploring the massive convention and talking to some of the brightest and sharpest minds in the security industry. We will learn all about the upcoming products and offerings from the industry's leading security and home automation manufacturers - products that you can expect on Alarm Grid soon. And you can be sure that we will keep you posted on all our findings. Expect exclusive pictures, videos, interviews and more, as we bring ISC West directly to you!

From Wednesday thru Friday of this week, you can expect multiple posts per day covering our findings at ISC West 2019. You will certainly want to be checking our blog often, as our goal is to get any important news out quickly. And don't worry if you need help or support during this time! Our support and planner teams will still be at Alarm Grid headquarters to provide you with any assistance you need. Remember, the best way to reach Alarm Grid is to email support@alarmgrid.com. If you need to call us, you can do so at (888) 818-7728 from 9am to 8pm EST M-F. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us, as we love supporting our monitored customers!

Let's get ready for a great ISC West 2019, and make sure to stay tuned for more updates!

We have learned that Version 5.8.5 of the Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App for iOS has a bug that affects WIFI thermostats. The update leaves users unable to control their WIFI thermostats with the mobile app. However, iOS users can still control their WIFI thermostats through the TC2 website.

Many users have found that upon updating to the latest version of Total Connect 2.0, they have been left unable to operate their WIFI thermostats through the app. This includes any Honeywell Lyric Round Thermostats and any WIFI thermostat that pairs with TC2 through a Total Connect Comfort, Honeywell Home or Redlink integration.

Please note that the bug only affects the iOS version of the Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App. Android users are not affected. Additionally, Z-Wave Thermostats are also unaffected. If you are currently running iOS Mobile App Version 5.8.5, then you can still use the TC2 website to control your WIFI thermostat. You should be able to access the website using the standard web browser on your iPhone or iPad.

We expect that Resideo will release an update to fix this bug in the near future. But it may take some time before this happens. Until then, Alarm Grid monitored customers should reach out to support@alarmgrid.com with any questions. Alarm Grid will provide an update when we learn that the bug has been fixed.

Hi DIYers! Today, we're taking a look at our best wireless recessed door contacts. These devices are great for when you want sensors that are completely hidden and not visible when the door is closed. They take a little bit of extra effort to install, but it's worth it for many users!

When you have a recessed contact, you actually need to drill holes into the door and its frame. The hole in the frame is larger and sized to support the main sensor. The hole in the door is smaller and designed to support the magnet. Some recessed contacts use extremely small magnets that can be mounted without drilling holes. There is also the Honeywell 5800RPS, which uses a plunger switch rather than a magnet.

The key with wireless recessed contacts is knowing which ones are compatible with your system. This depends on the wireless receiver that your system has installed. If you have a hardwired panel with no wireless receiver, then you cannot use wireless sensors. It's really no different than any other wireless sensor. You might also want to know the size of the holes you will need to drill. For your convenience, we put together a nifty table that outlines nearly all of the information you could want:

Sensor Name & Picture	Wireless Frequency	Hole Size for Sensor	Hole Size for Magnet	Notes
Honeywell 5818MNL	345 MHz	3/4" Diameter, 3" Deep	3/8" Diameter, 1/2" Deep	Honeywell 5800 Series Sensor. Compatible with all Honeywell and 2GIG Panels and 345 MHz IQ2+
Honeywell 5800RPS	345 MHz	3/4" Diameter, 1.25" Deep	None needed!	Honeywell 5800 Series Sensor. Recessed plunger switch. Needs inner 1/4" hole in center of existing hole for antenna. Compatible with all Honeywell and 2GIG Panels and 345 MHz IQ2+
2GIG DW20R	345 MHz	11/16" Diameter, 2.6" Deep	11/16" Diameter, 1/2" Deep	2GIG 345 MHz Sensor. Compatible with all 2GIG Panels, Honeywell Lyric Controller and 345 MHz IQ2+
Interlogix TX-E221	319.5 MHz	3/4" Diameter, 2.5" Deep	3/4" Diameter, 1/2" Deep	Interlogix/GE Sensor. Compatible with all Interlogix/GE Systems, legacy Qolsys Systems and 319.5 MHz IQ2+
Qolsys IQ Recessed Door-S	319.5 MHz	3/4" Diameter, 2.25" Deep	3/4" Diameter, 5/8" Deep	Qolsys S-Line Sensor. Compatible with all Interlogix/GE Systems, legacy Qolsys Systems and 319.5 MHz IQ2+. Encrypted when paired with Qolsys IQ2 or IQ2+.
DSC EV-DW4917	433 MHz	11/16" Diameter, 3" Deep	3/4" Diameter, 5/8" Deep	Legacy DSC Sensor. Compatible with all DSC Systems and 433 MHz IQ2+. Screw mount and press fit installation options available.
DSC PG9307	915 MHz	0.75" Diameter, 2.66" Deep	None needed!	PowerG Sensor. Uses a 2 mm magnet that requires no hole. Uses 128-bit AES encryption. Compatible with DSC PowerSeries Neo Panels, DSC Iotega, every IQ2+.

If you're monitored with Alarm Grid, or if you're interested in monitoring, our team would be happy to help you find the best wireless recessed contact for your needs. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. You may also call us at (888) 818-7728 from 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to helping you find the perfect security equipment to protect your home or business!

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! We have learned that Resideo put out a new feature for Total Connect 2.0 in the form of "No Activity Alerts". Users can now receive text and/or email alerts when no system activity occurs after a set period of time. This can be great for making sure that a loved one is active.

The No Activity Alert feature represents an ideal method for keeping tabs on a relative or loved one and ensuring that they are moving around and using their system like normal. The feature can be be set to send notifications after every hour, four hours, eight hours, 12 hours or 24 hours. If no system activity occurs after the set period of time, then a notification will be sent to out to any phone number or email address listed as a recipient.

Total Connect 2.0 previously made it possible to send out a notification if a specific event did not occur within a set period of time. Users had to create individual notifications for each activity that did not occur. This general No Activity Alert feature is more of a "catch-all" to eliminate the need for setting up a series of notifications.

Additionally, this new feature will continue to send out notifications every time the set period passes without activity occurring. For example, if you have the feature set to send alerts after four hours of no activity, you will receive a first notification after four hours of no activity, then a second notification after eight hours of no activity, and so on.

Users should keep in mind that No Activity Alerts will only be sent out when the system is in a Disarmed state. If the system is Armed, then No Activity Alerts will not be sent out. The list of activities that can prevent a No Activity Alert from being sent out is extremely extensive. No notification will be sent out as long as at least one of the following events occurs during the set time period:

• Sensor Open
• Sensor Closed
• Sensor Trouble
• Sensor Trouble Cleared
• Sensor Alarm
• Sensor Alarm Cleared
• Sensor Bypass
• Sensor Bypass Cleared
• Sensor Tamper
• Sensor Tamper Cleared
• Sensor Supervision
• Sensor Super. Cleared
• Sensor Low Battery
• Sensor Low Batt Cleared
• Sensor Close Left Open
• Sensor UnMask
• Disarmed
• Armed Away
• Armed Away (Bypass)
• Armed Stay
• Armed Stay (Bypass)
• Armed Away Instant
• Armed Away Instant (Bypass)
• Alarm
• Alarm (Bypass)
• Armed Stay Instant
• Armed Stay Instant (Bypass)
• Disarmed (Bypass)
• Fire
• Alarm Cancelled
• Disarmed Not Ready
• CO Alarm
• Alarm Silenced
• Exit Alarm
• Night Stay
• Night Stay (Bypass)
• Night Stay Instant
• Night Stay Instant (Bypass)
• Armed Custom
• Armed Custom (Bypass)
• Armed Custom Instant
• Armed Custom Instant (Bypass)
• Comm Fail
• Comm Fail – Resolved
• AC Restored
• System Battery Restored
• Phone Line Restored
• Program Exit (New Config)
• Arming
• Disarming
• Cover Tamper
• Cover Tamper Restored
• Duress Alarm
• Partition Removed

Overall, this feature is particularly useful for making sure that loved ones are using their system like they are supposed to. You can set it up for an elderly or disabled user to make sure they haven't fallen down or experienced an injury. It's also great for making sure that your kids or your spouse has returned home safely.

You can set up this feature from the Total Connect 2.0 website or mobile app. For this post, we're going to show the feature on the website. Start by logging into your Total Connect 2.0 account, and then choose the Notifications tab on the left, followed by List. Then choose the Add Notification button:

Choose Security > System. Then provide a Notification Name. In our example, we chose "No Activity Example". Then select No Activity Alert. Finally, choose the time interval for when a notification should be sent out. We chose 12 Hours in our example. Press Continue when you have finished:

Next you will choose who will receive the notification. You can use an existing group, or you can create a new one. In our case, we used a group called "Example", but you can set yours accordingly. Press Save when finished, and then press Yes to confirm:

Your new notification should then appear somewhere in your list under the Security section:

If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer with questions about this new feature, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. You may email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at (888) 818-7728 during our normal business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hi DIYers! We are happy to announce that the Honeywell LYNX Touch Updater Tool is now available for purchase on our website. This easy-to-use module allows users to conveniently update the firmware for any Honeywell L5210 or L7000 and get it running on the latest software version.

As you may recall, LTE Communicators for the L5210 and L7000 were released last year. There is the LTE-L57A for the AT&T LTE Network and the LTE-57V for the Verizon LTE Network. But these systems require a minimum firmware version to support these modules. The LTE-L57A requires firmware version 9.00.209 or higher, while the LTE-L57V requires firmware version 9.00.201 or higher. Any newly manufactured L5210 or L7000 will already be running a high enough firmware version. However, older L5210 and L7000 Systems may require a firmware update.

It used to be possible to push down an over-the-air (OTA) firmware update to an L5210 or L7000. However, this is no longer the case. All firmware updates for these two systems must be applied using the Honeywell LYNX Touch Updater Tool, officially known as the Honeywell LYNXTOUCH-MSD. This tool allows users to update the firmware for their L5210 or L7000 System at their own leisure. It will also come in handy if Resideo decides to release any future firmware updates for these systems at some point.

Alarm Grid has already released an FAQ to help you use this new device to upgrade your L5210 or L7000 System. We also invite you to check out the Installation Guide for the module for even more information. Remember, you will want to get your LYNX Touch System connected with an LTE network sooner rather than later. The 3G sunset is rapidly approaching, and LTE connectivity will allow you to greatly extend your system's lifespan!

If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer with any questions about the Honeywell LYNXTOUCH-MSD Updater Tool, or if you would like to know why upgrading to LTE is important, we encourage you to reach out to us. You may email us at support@alarmgrid.com or call us at (888) 818-7728 during our normal business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you might have!

Update: As of October 2019, the LYNXTOUCH-MSD Updater Tool can also be used with an L5200 Panel. See this blog post for more information.