Honeywell GSMV4G-TC2

AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 Upgrade Kit

Average rating:

(based upon one review)

The Honeywell GSMV4G-TC2 is an AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 upgrade kit that includes a GSMV4G cellular alarm communicator and two control ...

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Description

The Honeywell GSMV4G-TC2 is an AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 upgrade kit that includes a GSMV4G cellular alarm communicator and two control panel micro-controller chips (PROMs). Each GSMV4G-TC2 kit includes a PROM for a VISTA-15P and a PROM for a VISTA-20P alarm control panel. The PROM upgrade chip turns an older VISTA-15P or VISTA-20P alarm control panel into one that supports the newer Total Connect 2.0 service. Therefore the GSMV4G-TC2 is the perfect addition to an existing Honeywell VISTA-20P control panel. The GSMV4G provides a 4G cellular connection for alarm monitoring purposes and the PROM upgrade chip ensures that your security system will be compatible with the more advanced Total Connect option.

Total Connect 2.0 is only compatible with VISTA-20P and VISTA-15P control panels that have a revision of 9.12 or higher. Even with a GSMV4G, which is compatible with Total Connect 2.0, a VISTA control panel with a revision before 9.12 will not be able to use the newer Total Connect service. Therefore if you have a VISTA-20P or VISTA-15P that is not revision 9.12, you would have to replace the entire control panel. You would have to spend money on a new control panel, switch all of your wiring over to the new panel and reprogram the system from scratch. The real value of the GSMV4G-TC2 upgrade kit is that the PROM chip prevents you from having to go through that process. Instead of paying for a new control panel, you can pay just slightly more than a GSMV4G cellular communicator and get the PROM chip. Once you have the PROM chip, all you have to do is power down your security system by removing the battery and AC transformer and then replace the existing PROM chip with the new Total Connect 2.0 upgrade chip. Your existing control panel and wiring stays the same and you don’t even have to reprogram your system. All of your current system programming will remain the same, but you will now have a system that supports Total Connect 2.0.

When determining if the GSMV4G-TC2 AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 upgrade kit is right for you, you should first find out exactly which Honeywell VISTA Series control panel you have. Your control panel is located inside a beige metal can that is normally installed in a laundry room, garage, basement or utility closet. Once you have located your control panel, you will need to open the can and look at the green circuit board. Towards the middle of the circuit board, you will find a square black chip. You will find your VISTA control panel’s model number and revision printed on the chip. All chips begin with ‘WA’ followed by the model number and then a dash or period before the revision number. If you need help determining what model number or revision your system is, please call us today and we will help you.

Brand: Honeywell

Reviews
Upgrade to LTE Instead!
Submitted on 05/13/2020 Alarm Grid

The Honeywell GSMV4G-TC2 is a discontinued AlarmNet Communicator and upgrade kit that was sold by Alarm Grid. It included a Honeywell GSMV4G Communicator and the latest PROM Chip upgrades for VISTA-15P and VISTA-20P. If you have this communicator activated for monitoring service already, then it will continue to work until AT&T shuts down the associated network. That is expected to occur sometime in 2022. Once that happens, you will no longer be able to use the communicator for monitoring service. You must upgrade to an LTE communicator if you want to continue receiving cellular alarm monitoring. As such, this communicator upgrade kit has been discontinued. While this communicator was once top-of-the-line we can no longer recommend using it. As such, we only give it 4 Stars, and we recommend upgrading ASAP if you have one still in use.

There were some great aspects regarding the Honeywell GSV4G-TC2. It can still be used for monitoring until the associated cellular network is shut down, provided that the communicator has already been activated. The communicator allowed for use with Total Connect 2.0, which is a super convenient platform. The appropriate PROM chip upgrades are also included, so you can upgrade your VISTA, as long as it is at least version 2.0. Remember that firmware 9.12 or higher is needed to support TC2. This communicator upgrade will make that possible.

But the downsides of the Honeywell GSV4G-TC2 cannot be ignored. The kit has been discontinued, and the communicator can no longer be activated for monitoring service. We recommend getting an LTE communicator like the LTE-IV or LTE-IA instead, as those can be activated for monitoring. Alarm Grid sells the appropriate update for those LTE communicators as well. Since we can no longer recommend the GSMV4G-TC2, we give it a 4 Star rating.

Good: Reliable Cellular Monitoring, TC2, PROM Chip Upgrades

Bad: Discontinued, Cellular Network Being Shut Down

Bottom Line: 4 Stars

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You may also be able to replace the Vista-50P with something like the Vista-21IP, or the Vista-20P, but it will depend on how much zone expansion you have, if any, and what type it is. If you have a lot of polling loop expansion, you'd be better off to go with the Vista-128BPT, but if not, or if you have wireless expansion, you can probably switch to the smaller panel.
You can use the GSMV4G with a 50P but the 50P doesn't support Total Connect 2.0 so you won't be able to remotely arm/disarm. If you want Total Connect 2.0, I suggest replacing your VISTA-50P with a VISTA-128BPT as the 128BPT supports this communicator and supports TC2.0.
Can i use this GSM with a Vista 50p panel? If not, what GSM do i use with a Vista 50P? Will this give me the capability to arm and disarm the system through the total connect app? Is there an additional charge associated with the Total Connect app / GSM Cellular, besides the basic Monitoring Charges? Thank you
I don't know that we've ever tried a PROM upgrade on a Guardian version of the panel. We do know that Guardian panels have certain features that are different than a regular First Alert or VISTA-20P. I think our best answer will be that we can try the PROM and if it doesn't work, you'd have to then upgrade the entire control panel board.
I have a guardian FA168C-GP panel which is a branded Vista 20P. But when I look at the chip, it just says "WA Guard 7.0". Can I use this kit?
This GSMV4G-TC2 will include the VISTA-15P PROM upgrade chip you need. If your chip says WA15P-3.1, you actually have a VISTA-15P, not a VISTA-20P.
I have a Vista-20P with a chip WA15P-3.1 and need to upgrade to cellular. What replacement prom will work?
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