Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus vs. DSC Iotega

The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus and the DSC Iotega are both wireless alarm panels that support PowerG Sensors. If you are trying to choose between the two, then we will strongly recommend the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. This is because the DSC Iotega will not allow for local end user programming.

There are many things that the IQ2+ and the Iotega have in common. Both support up to 128 wireless zones. Both support Z-Wave Plus technology for automation. Both come with a built-in LTE cellular communicator. Both have integrated WIFI. And both support PowerG Sensors. Both have a built-in 85 dB sounder. Both connect with the Alarm.com platform for monitoring and automation purposes. For all those reasons, these are actually fairly similar panels at first glance.

But once you get past the similarities, the difference quickly become noticeable. Just looking at the panels, only the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus has a touchscreen. The DSC Iotega has a numeric touchpad and no LCD display screen. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus has a built-in camera, while the Iotega does not. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus can use its camera as a built-in motion sensor. Since the Iotega does not have a camera, it cannot do that. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus has a built-in glass break sensor, while the Iotega does not. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus can support one of three (3) legacy sensor frequencies (319.5 MHz, 345 MHz, or 433 MHz) in addition to PowerG Sensors. The Iotega cannot support any legacy sensors, and it can only support PowerG Sensors. The 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus has a compatible wired to wireless converter, which makes it possible to use wired sensors with the system. The DSC Iotega does not have a compatible converter option as of January 2020. All of these reasons are in favor of the IQ Panel 2 Plus.

But the biggest reason of all to choose the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus over the DSC Iotega is that the Iotega does not support local end user programming. If you have an Iotega, then you will need to contact your alarm monitoring company to make nearly any system change. This includes enrolling new sensors, adding new Z-Wave devices, and adjusting various settings. Only a very minimal selection of settings can be adjusted locally from a DSC Iotega. And since there is no display screen, you will need to use the numeric keypad and understand the nuances of the system. With the IQ Panel 2 Plus, the menus are straightforward and intuitive. Any DIY user should avoid the DSC Iotega at all costs.

The one and only advantage that the DSC Iotega has over the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus is that the Iotega can support Apple HomeKit, while the IQ Panel 2 Plus cannot. As of January 2020, there is no HomeKit support for the IQ Panel 2 Plus. We are very hopeful that the compatibility may be added at a later time. But for now, the DSC Iotega holds the advantage in this one category. If you really want to use HomeKit with your system, then we recommend getting a Honeywell Lyric Controller. Unlike the Iotega, the Lyric is easy to use, and it supports end user programming.