News Posts

Hi DIYers! We are happy to announce that Honeywell has released firmware update MR7 for the Lyric Controller. This is also known as firmware version 01.07.07648.491. The main purpose of this update is to restore HomeKit functionality for those who had previously lost access to the service.

Honeywell Lyric Controller Systems that use a WIFI-only communication path recently had Apple HomeKit service made unavailable by Honeywell. This is because HomeKit was causing problems for the panel's WIFI connectivity. But with this new firmware update, users will have Apple HomeKit functionality restored for their Lyric Controller Panels.

To upgrade the system firmware, start from the home screen on the Lyric Controller. Then go to Security > Tools > Installer Code (default is 4112) > Update Firmware. The panel must be registered with AlarmNet360, and it will need to be connected to the network for this update to go through.

It is also possible to have the firmware updated remotely. This is useful for users running an older firmware version of the Lyric Controller that does not feature the Update Firmware button. A user can do this by contacting their alarm monitoring company to have them push the update.

Users can check their system firmware at any time by going to Security > Tools > Master Code > Advanced > System Information. This will display the following screen of information:

Please note that the HomeKit feature may still need to be re-enabled before it can be used. This is done by the user's alarm monitoring company. Any Alarm Grid customer who has a Lyric Controller running the proper firmware version and who does not have HomeKit re-enabled should reach out to us.

Users may contact us at 888-818-7728 from 9AM to 8PM Monday thru Friday, or email us at support@alarmgrid.com to have HomeKit re-enabled. Make sure to check your system firmware version before contacting us! We will then re-enable the HomeKit function for your panel.

We hope that you enjoy using Apple HomeKit with your Lyric Controller, and we will continue to provide any further updates as they are made available.

Hi DIYers! Alarm Grid is proud to officially offer DSC Panels and security sensors. As of today, DSC equipment is now available for purchase from Alarm Grid. This includes the wireless all-in-one DSC Impassa System, legacy DSC 433 MHz Sensors, DSC PowerG Sensors and DSC hardwired sensors.

DSC (Digital Security Controls) is a Canadian company that has been providing great innovations in security technology since 1979. The company is known for its reliable equipment that is used for monitoring homes and businesses worldwide. Their panels and sensors provide exceptional performance, and they are constantly providing great innovations for the security industry as a whole.

Our launch for DSC products is based around the DSC Impassa. This is a wireless all-in-one system with an integrated touch-button controller. The main benefit to the Impassa is that it is the only wireless DSC System that provides support for 433 MHz sensors and offers local installer programming. And with an Alarm.com cellular communicator, the system can readily receive cellular monitoring and access the Alarm.com service. All of the DSC Impassa Systems being sold by Alarm Grid will include an integrated cellular communicator designed for use with either the AT&T or the Verizon network.

We are also extremely excited to offer the new DSC PowerG Sensors as well. These are some of the most powerful and versatile security sensors we have ever seen. The PowerG Sensors operate at a wireless frequency of 915 MHz, which prevents them from interfering with system peripherals that operate on the lower 300-400 MHz bands. What makes these sensors particularly amazing is their ability to operate nearly half a mile away from an alarm system in an indoor setting. This makes them perfect for many applications, such as in barns or detached garages. All PowerG Sensors are also protected by 128-bit AES encryption to prevent them from being taken over.

Please note that the DSC Impassa will NOT work with the DSC PowerG Sensors. At this time, we do not offer any panels that can support these devices. However, Qolsys has stated that they should soon be releasing a PowerG daughtercard for their IQ Panel 2 System. This is a perfect solution for users who want to integrate PowerG Sensors into their setup. Additionally, we plan to add DSC Security Systems that do support the PowerG devices in the near future. We'll make sure to provide you with any updates through our daily blog.

If you need sensors for a DSC Impassa, you should go with the legacy DSC 433 MHz Sensors. These are reliable sensors that have proven to be very effective in countless installations. We are happy to announce that these sensors are now available on our site. Additionally, we also have a brand-new selection of DSC hardwired sensors that are available as well. These hardwired sensors can be used in essentially the same way as hardwired Honeywell sensors, and we have many options to choose from.

If you have any questions about DSC Systems or Sensors, please contact us for additional support. You may email us at support@alarmgrid.com or call us at 888-818-7728 from 9am to 8pm M-F.

Honeywell's Total Connect 2.0 service has received a much anticipated update that provides the platform with new functions and capabilities. The new features should currently be live and available for Honeywell users. Both the browser version and the TC2 Mobile App have received the update.

This is version 5.1.2 of Total Connect 2.0. It is an update over 5.1.1, which featured some bugs that Honeywell wanted to correct. With this update, users should find that Total Connect 2.0 will run smoothly and without issue.

The following features are included in the update:

Multi-Partition Support

Users can now access Total Connect 2.0 to control multiple partitions on their compatible Honeywell VISTA Alarm System. Users can access this type of control through the "Partitions" tab within Total Connect 2.0.

The following partition functions are available:

• Name partitions
• Arm and disarm individual partitions
• Bypass sensors
• Assign partition control to different users
• Enable or disable event notifications
• Set remote disarming capabilities for individual partitions
• Choose which user codes can activate and edit partition settings
• View activity of fire partitions remotely (cannot control a fire partition remotely)

Please note that users with an existing Total Connect account may not see the Partition tab right away. Honeywell is currently in the process of rolling out this update, and it is slowly being made available to existing users over time. According to Honeywell, all TC2 users with a compatible VISTA Alarm System should be able to access the Partitions tab by June 25th.

For more information on the TC2 multi-partition support, please review this helpful guide.

Amazon Alexa Skill

We previously announced that Amazon Alexa support was available for Total Connect. However, there was no way to control smart scenes through Alexa. But this latest update from Honeywell has made scene control possible.

Honeywell users can now control home automation scenes by providing voice commands to their Amazon Alexa device. Users will be able to ask Alexa to perform any Z-Wave scenes that they have programmed through Total Connect. To use this feature, a user will need to enable the Total Connect 2.0 Alexa Skill on their Android or iOS device.

Here is a video demonstrating the feature:

Multi-Language Support & Stability Fixes

Total Connect 2.0 is now available in French, Spanish and Portuguese. The platform has also received patches to improve overall stability.

If you have any questions about this update, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at 888-818-7728 M-F from 9am to 8pm.

After much anticipation, partition support for Total Connect 2.0 will soon be available for compatible VISTA Systems! With this update, users will gain full access to each live system partition. This includes controlling, checking the status and receiving updates for individual partitions.

The TC2 partition update applies to the following panels:

• VISTA-20P
• VISTA-20PSIA
• VISTA-21IP
• VISTA-21IPSIA
• VISTA-128BPT
• VISTA-128BPTSIA
• VISTA-250BPT
• VISTA-128FBPT
• VISTA-250FBPT
• VISTA-32FBPT

By using TC2, users can control up to eight different partitions on their alarm system. However, if their VISTA System supports fewer partitions, the user will only be able to control the number of partitions that are supported by their respective system (e.g. VISTA-20P can only support three partitions, with one being a common partition). With this update, users with compatible systems will be able to perform the following functions from Total Connect 2.0:

• Name partitions
• Arm and disarm individual partitions
• Bypass sensors
• Assign partition control to different users
• Enable or disable event notifications
• Set remote disarming capabilities for individual partitions
• Choose which user codes can activate and edit partition settings
• View activity of fire partitions remotely (cannot control a fire partition remotely)
• Additional features to be announced

To ensure a successful rollout, Honeywell is making partition support available for a small percentage of customers each day. The process already started on Monday, June 11th, and it is expected to continue until the week of June 25th. By the week of June 25th, all compatible VISTA Systems should have TC2 partition support. Also note that any new Honeywell Total Connect VISTA partition account programmed during the rollout will be enabled for partition support the next regular business day.

Sometime during this rollout period, you should notice an update on your Total Connect 2.0 account. The message will state that partitions for your location have been made available. You will then be able to configure the partitions for your VISTA System through both the Total Connect 2.0 web browser and the TC2 Mobile App.

Please note that you will not be required to set up multiple partition configurations for your system right away. You can also choose to save the set up process for a later time. To configure partitions for your system immediately, select "Configure Now". To save the process for another time, choose "Later". You will be able to access partition support by clicking the "Partitions" tab on Total Connect 2.0.

To learn more about this feature, please review this helpful guide from Honeywell.

If you have any questions about Total Connect 2.0 partition control, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@alarmgrid.com or call us at 888-818-7728 from 9am to 8pm M-F.

Just last week, millions of US Comcast customers experienced issues with their landline telephone service. The outage occurred during the morning of Wednesday, June 6th. During this time, these users were unable to place or receive phone calls using their standard telephone service.

According to outage maps, the problem occurred throughout the country. The cities of San Francisco, Chicago, Portland, Mountain View, Denver, Seattle, Atlanta, Houston, New York, and Philadelphia were notably affected. Perhaps more troubling is that several emergency services were down, including certain police and fire departments in New Hampshire.

This is an important reminder to all regarding the risks of using POTS (plain old telephone service) with an alarm system. Not only is POTS connectivity slow, it also quite unreliable. Many signals sent out from an alarm system through a telephone line fail to go through properly. This can be incredibly dangerous during an emergency. Additionally, an intruder can potentially cut a phone line to prevent the system from working properly.

That is why we encourage all our users to sign up for cellular monitoring. Most security experts agree that cellular service is the optimal communication path for an alarm system. Cellular communication is extremely reliable, with the service almost never being down or unavailable. It is unaffected by power outages, and it is next to impossible for an intruder to tamper with the connection. Additionally, the LTE cellular speeds of today are right on par with those of WIFI connectivity.

Cellular monitoring will allow allow you to connect your system with an interactive service platform, like Total Connect and Alarm.com. These services can be accessed at any time to operate an alarm system. By accessing their service, a user can arm and disarm their system, check the current status of sensors, control Z-Wave devices, view their security cameras and more. And with the service's mobile app, these actions can be performed from virtually anywhere with your smartphone.

To get cellular monitoring, you will need a panel with a cellular communicator and an alarm monitoring plan that includes cellular service. For Alarm Grid, these are our Gold and Platinum level plans. For more information, please check out our monitoring page. If you want to get started with monitoring, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at 818-888-7728 from 9am to 8pm M-F.

Hi DIYers! We would like to announce that Alarm Grid has created a special Alarm.com test account for new customers. Anyone can access this account to test out the exciting features and capabilities of Alarm.com. This can help you decide if the Alarm.com service platform is right for you.

This account can be accessed even if you do not have your own Alarm.com account. By accessing this test account, you can see what Alarm.com is like before you actually obtain the service for yourself. Existing Alarm.com customers may want to access this test account so that they can try out different settings without messing with their own configurations. This test account is also useful for users who are new to Alarm.com and want to learn how to properly use the service.

To access this test account, go to https://www.alarm.com/login. Then provide the following information:

Username: AGCust@alarmgrid.com

Password: AlarmGrid123

Please note that the password is cAsE sEnSiTiVe, and A and G in AlarmGrid123 must be capitalized.

If you have any questions about this account, or if you are having trouble accessing it, please send us an email at support@alarmgrid.com.

One of Alarm Grid's best partners Qolsys has announced that their upcoming IQ Panels with PowerG support have officially received UL certification. It appears as though the company is currently on track to have these new systems ready for a public release later this summer season.

PowerG is a wireless sensor lineup from DSC. These are state-of-the-art security sensors that boast some highly impressive capabilities and features. They operate at a considerably higher frequency (915 MHz) than most other wireless sensors, meaning that they will not interfere with other devices. The range of these sensors is absolutely insane, as they can operate from nearly half a mile away from the panel when used indoors. The sensor also use 128-bit AES encryption to prevent them from being hacked or spoofed. Needless to say, we are very excited that Qolsys Systems will soon be able to support these sensors.

Qolsys previously announced at ISC West 2018 that a PowerG daughtercard would be made available for their IQ Panel 2. By installing this daughtercard, the system will be able to support PowerG sensors. Qolsys will also likely produce IQ Panel 2 Systems with the daughtercard already integrated, and also possibly other PowerG-compatible systems as well. So far the PowerG lineup includes outdoor PIR motion detectors with integrated cameras, outdoor siren/strobe devices and a door contact with a wired input for long-range expansion.

ISC West 2018 was also when Qolsys announced that they would soon be offering legacy daughtercards for the IQ Panel 2. These daughtercards are available in 319.5 MHz (Qolsys and Interlogix/GE Sensors), 345 MHz (legacy Honeywell and 2GIG Sensors) and 433 MHz (legacy DSC Sensors). Please note that the system will only support one PowerG daughtercard and one legacy daughtercard at any given time.

Alarm Grid will make sure to keep you up to date with any of the latest news regarding Qolsys and PowerG support. Keep an eye on our blog for more information.

The Alarm Grid office will be closed on Monday, May 28th in observance of Memorial Day. Our support technicians will be unavailable during this time. We will resume our normal business hours on Tuesday, May 29th.

If you require any assistance over the Memorial Day weekend, please email support@alarmgrid.com. Our team will make sure to send you a response as soon as we receive your email on Tuesday. Once we reopen, you may continue to contact us through our support email. You may also call us at 888-818-7728 during normal business hours, which are 9am-8pm EST M-F.

Alarm Grid would like to thank those who have served and defended our country. We hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend, and we look forward to providing you with support in the future.

Hi DIYers! Today we are very excited to announce that Alarm Grid will now begin selling Interlogix Panels and sensors. Interlogix has offered excellent security products for decades, with their equipment previously being sold under the GE brand. By offering these tremendous panels and sensors, we are providing customers with yet another option in terms of security equipment that they can choose for their home or business.

Alarm Grid has always taken great pride in providing monitoring support for as many alarm systems as possible. However, we have been strategically selective in terms of the equipment that we offer for sale. This has allowed us to provide comprehensive and detailed support for all of the equipment that we offer. Shortly after Alarm Grid was founded in 2012, we began offering Honeywell equipment because we believed that it was the most accessible for DIY consumers. We later expanded our offerings to include 2GIG equipment and Qolsys equipment as well. Now today, Interlogix represents the fourth major equipment manufacturer to receive full support from Alarm Grid. We can now officially say that we are an Interlogix Dealer.

Customers can browse our site and check out Interlogix panels, sensors and even entire system kits. We view Interlogix Systems as a viable budget and economical option for consumers. The equipment is relatively less expensive, and the panels arrive with fewer bells and whistles than their Honeywell, 2GIG and Qolsys counterparts. However, these systems can be fully upgraded to perform virtually any action or function that is possible with other modern alarm systems. Additionally, Interlogix sensors and peripherals tend to be more affordable than those from other manufacturers. All of this makes Interlogix a fantastic choice for any customer who is looking for a complete and total security setup at a reduced cost.

Our Interlogix offerings will be based around three major alarm systems. These are the Simon XT, Simon XTi and Simon XTi-5. These are all self-contained wireless all-in-one alarm panels that provide support for up to 40 wireless zones. The Simon XT features an integrated push-button keypad and a dual-line ext-based LCD screen. The panel also features quick-access panic buttons in case of an emergency. The touchpad system is surprisingly easy to program, and it offers the full capabilities as the other Interlogix Simon Alarm Systems.

The Interlogix Simon XTi represents an upgraded version of the Simon XT. The Simon XTi provides the complete functionality of the Simon XT, but it includes an integrated 3.5 inch touchscreen controller. This makes navigating the system menus more user-friendly, and it offers a more engaging experience overall. The integrated touch screen also allows users to control any programmed Z-Wave home automation devices directly from the panel itself. Interlogix also products the Simon XTi-5. This system is exactly the same as the Simon XTi, but the Simon XTi-5 features a larger 5 inch touch screen, as opposed to the 3.5 inch touch screen found on the Simon XTi.

All of the Interlogix Simon Alarm Systems come with an integrated wireless receiver so that they can readily communicate with wireless sensors. The wireless sensors used with the Interlogix Systems communicate at a frequency of 319.5 MHz. This is the same wireless frequency used by Qolsys sensors. This means that any unencrypted Qolsys sensor (non S-Line) can interface with an Interlogix System. It is also possible to use Interlogix sensors with the Qolsys IQ Panel and IQ Panel 2 Systems. Qolsys owners can certainly turn to Interlogix sensors as a cost-effective option for upgrading their systems

Most customers who purchase an Interlogix System will want to obtain a cellular module upgrade as well. Cellular service for alarm systems is known for its lightning fast communication speeds and its exceptional performance and consistency overall. This type of communication almost never experiences any type of service disruption, and it is not affected by power outages. This outstanding performance and reliability makes cellular communication the gold standard for alarm systems. Installing a cellular module in an Interlogix System is a very quick and easy process that can be fully completed by most end users.

Interlogix offers LTE cellular communicators for all of their alarm systems. LTE is currently the fastest and most consistent form of cellular communication available, and cellular service providers have committed to supporting LTE communication for many years to come. For those reasons, we strongly encourage users to choose LTE cellular communicators for their Interlogix Systems. These LTE communicators will provide the best possible performance, and they will ensure that the user's equipment can be fully supported for monitoring well into the very distant future. Customers can choose between LTE service from Verizon, AT&T and Telus (Canada only).

As part of our Interlogix product launch, Alarm Grid will offer full support and guidance for Interlogix Systems and equipment. Users can read dozens of FAQs to help them get started with a new Interlogix System. Our team is also planning on releasing helpful how-to videos for Interlogix Systems in the near future. Additionally, any monitored customer is invited to speak with one of our helpful support technicians online or over the phone for help with using or setting up their Interlogix System. Our team has recently spent time training and learning the intricacies of these systems so that we are fully prepared to help you with any issues that you might experience.

Alarm Grid is very pleased to welcome the Interlogix brand to our growing family. We are sure that Interlogix Systems monitored by Alarm Grid will quickly find their way into homes and businesses everywhere. As always, thank you for choosing Alarm Grid, and we look forward to providing you with industry-leading support in the future.

With the recent release of the LTE-L57V for the L5210 and L7000 Systems, there is now a viable LTE cellular communication module available for all of the most popular Honeywell Alarm Control Panels. Whether you own a Lyric, LYNX Touch or VISTA panel, there is an LTE communicator for you!

The current LTE options are as follows:

• Honeywell Lyric Controller: LyricLTE-A supports AT&T LTE
• Honeywell L5210 and L7000 (Firmware 9+): LTE-L57V supports Verizon LTE
• Honeywell VISTA Systems: LTE-XV supports Verizon LTE

Please note that for the Honeywell VISTA 21iP, there is currently no "snap-on" LTE module like that of the AT&T 3G/4G based VISTA-GSM4G. In order to use the Honeywell LTE-XV communicator with the VISTA 21iP, the "internal communications" jumper on the board must be set to the bottom two pins. Make sure to power the system completely down before making this adjustment. The communicator must then be installed as an external radio-like wiring on a VISTA-20P. By adjusting the jumper in this way, the integrated ethernet port for the VISTA 21iP will be disabled. However, this is not a huge concern. LTE cellular connectivity is extremely reliable, and it provides communication speeds that are comparable to that of IP. So even though IP connectivity will no longer be accessible, it is a worthwhile sacrifice to obtain LTE service over older cellular technologies like 3G and CDMA. Remember, LTE service is widely recognized as being the single best communication path available for modern alarm systems.

By releasing these new communicators, Honeywell has made it very clear that LTE cellular communication is the way of the future. This news is also important for users of the Verizon CDMA Network. AlarmNet (Honeywell's cloud server) has stated that new CDMA activations will no longer be permitted after June 1, 2018. This includes cancelling an existing CDMA account and then trying to reactivate it later. Anyone hoping to use CDMA with their Honeywell System must get the communicator active before it's too late. Verizon has promised that CDMA support for existing equipment will remain active until their CDMA network is shutdown. After that, the communicator will need to be upgraded.

All of the current LTE communicators for Honeywell Systems are available for purchase on the Alarm Grid website. We'll be sure to keep you updated with any news regarding additional Honeywell LTE communicators that are released in the future. We do not have any exact timelines for the release of a Verizon LTE module for the Lyric, nor AT&T LTE for the Lynx Touch and VISTA panels. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to our support team at support@alarmgrid.com.