Can I Update the Firmware On a Honeywell L5000 Alarm System?

No, you cannot update the firmware on a Honeywell L5000 Alarm System. The system is not compatible with the Honeywell LYNXTOUCH-MSD Firmware Updater Tool, which is the standard method for updating the firmware on a LYNX Touch Panel. There is no easy way to monitor a Honeywell L5000.

It was once possible to push an update down to a Honeywell L5000 Panel through the AlarmNet360 Servers. However, Honeywell removed this capability for LYNX Touch Systems. Now the only way to update a LYNX Touch Panel is by using a Honeywell LYNXTOUCH-MSD Firmware Updater Tool. Unfortunately, this updater tool does not work the the L5000 or L5100 Systems. This leaves the L5000 and L5100 Systems with no way to update the firmware, and no easy methods for setting up alarm monitoring service.

The only feasible method for monitoring a Honeywell L5000 System is to use a Honeywell ILP5 IP Communicator. This will require you to run an ethernet cable to the panel. Keep in mind that the L5000 does not support Total Connect 2.0, thereby making self-monitoring service impossible for the system. It is also important to note that you cannot use an L5100-WIFI module with the L5000. The L5100-WIFI was never compatible with the L5000, regardless of system firmware version.

As for cellular monitoring, there are no viable options for the L5000 System. Honeywell released two (2) LTE communicators for LYNX Touch Panels, which are the Honeywell LTE-L57A (AT&T LTE) and the Honeywell LTE-L57V (Verizon LTE). Both of these communicators require a firmware version beyond what is possible for an L5000. And with the impending 3G sunset, Honeywell no longer allows activations for older 3G and CDMA communicators. This leave the L5000 with no options for cellular monitoring service.

If you have an L5000 System, then the standard option is to upgrade to a newer alarm panel. The most popular options are the Honeywell Lyric Controller and the 345 MHz Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. Of these two panels, the IQ Panel 2 Plus is generally seen as the superior option. But we must mention that only the Lyric can be used for IP-only monitoring service. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus requires cellular monitoring, per requirements made by Alarm.com. Fortunately, the IQ Panel 2 Plus comes with a built-in LTE cellular communicator (AT&T or Verizon), meaning that no communicator will need to be added to get the system monitored.