Honeywell GSMX4G-TC2

AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 Upgrade Kit

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(based upon one review)

The GSMX4G is a cellular only communicator for the VISTA series systems. This particular unit is powered by the panel itself, unlike the other, transformer powered cellular communicator the GSMV4G. The -TC2 version comes with a Total Connect 15P and 20P upgrade chip that will make certain that your system can function with AlarmNet's Total Connect 2.0.

This product is not sold by Alarm Grid at this time. As an alternative, we recommend:

Description

The Honeywell GSMX4G-TC2 is an AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 upgrade kit that includes a GSMX4G cellular alarm communicator and a control panel micro-controller chip (PROM) for a VISTA-15P and a VISTA-20P alarm control panel. When upgrading your VISTA Series alarm control panel, you will only have to use the chip that is compatible with your system. If you are upgrading a VISTA-20P, use the V20P chip and if you are upgrading a VISTA-15P, use the V15P chip.

The GSMX4G-TC2 is perfect for anyone with an existing VISTA-15P or VISTA-20P security system that is looking to add a cellular alarm communicator and get the advanced Total Connect 2.0 service. The GSMX4G is a 4G cellular alarm communicator that provides cellular alarm monitoring service to a Honeywell VISTA Series control panel. Cellular alarm monitoring allows you to get alarm monitoring service without needing a traditional phone line. Cellular monitoring is more secure than phone line or internet monitoring because there is no wire that can be cut to defeat the alarm communications. Even though cellular monitoring is $10 per month more than phone line monitoring, you can actually save by switching to cellular monitoring if you are able to eliminate your monthly phone bill. Many people that are monitored now, only pay for their phone line service because the security system uses the phone line. If those people stopped their phone service and added the GSMX4G-TC2 cellular upgrade kit, they would actually end up saving money and they would have a more secure alarm communication path.

When AlarmNet released the newer version of their interactive alarm monitoring service (Total Connect 2.0), it was only compatible with VISTA-15P and VISTA-20P alarm control panels that had a revision of 9.12 or higher. Total Connect 2.0 is much more advanced than the original Total Connect service. While Total Connect could only send out a maximum of eight different system event notifications, Total Connect 2.0 can send out any number of system event notifications. The original Total Connect could only notify you that the system went into alarm but Total Connect 2.0 will actually send you an email or a text message with the specific zone number and zone descriptor so you know exactly what tripped the alarm. Also, Total Connect 2.0 can tell you the specific user that armed or disarmed the system. The original Total Connect service could only tell you that the system was armed or disarmed. Unfortunately, all existing VISTA-15P and VISTA-20P control panels that are not revision 9.12 or higher were not able to switch to the newer Total Connect 2.0 service once it was released.

The GSMX4G-TC2 AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 upgrade kit makes it as easy as possible to upgrade your security system to be compatible with the more advanced Total Connect service. Simply swap out the existing PROM chip in your VISTA-15P or VISTA-20P with the Total Connect 2.0 upgrade PROM chip. Make sure that your security system is fully powered down, by removing the battery and the AC transformer, before replacing the PROM chip. Once the new PROM chip is installed, all of the existing programming will remain the same but the system that previously did not support Total Connect 2.0 will now be compatible with the service.

Brand: Honeywell

Reviews
Replaced by Honeywell LTEXA-TC2
Submitted on 08/01/2019 Alarm Grid

We do not recommend the Honeywell GSMX4G-TC2. This product has since been replaced by the Honeywell LTEXA-TC2. The GSMX4G-TC2 includes both a GSMX4G AT&T 3G Communicator and the latest PROM Chip upgrades for VISTA 15P and 20P Panels. While the PROM Chips are still good, the GSMX4G can no longer be activated with the 3G Sunset. As a result, it makes no sense to purchase this kit. You should get the LTEXA-TC2 instead. That kit includes the latest PROM Chips and the newer communicator.

The AT&T 3G Network used with the Honeywell GSMX4G-TC2 is going to be shut down in the next few years. As a result, the carrier no longer allows activations for 3G models like the Honeywell GSMX4G. In our experience, users in areas with strong service from AT&T should find that an AT&T LTE Communicator will work even better than an AT&T GSM Communicator. The AT&T LTE Network is superior in virtually every way, and it should provide faster and more reliable connectivity. There really is no reason to get a GSMX4G or its associated GSMX4G-TC2 Kit when you can just get the newer equivalent. You should find that the LTE-XA or LTEXA-TC2 works better in every aspect.

LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. Cellular service providers have stated that they plan to support their LTE Networks for many years to come. By getting an LTE communicator like the LTE-XA or LTEXA-TC2, you are "future-proofing" your VISTA System so that it can be used for alarm monitoring for many years to come. Anyone looking for a new cellular communicator should make sure to get an LTE model. Additionally, Honeywell is expected to offer a dual-path LTE/IP option called the LTE-IA in the near future. There is already a Verizon dual-path option with the LTE-IV, and the LTE-IA should serve as the AT&T LTE equivalent. There are PROM Chip upgrade kits available for these dual-path communicators as well.

Bottom line, do not get the GSMX4G-TC2. Get the LTEXA-TC2 or one of the other LTE options instead.

Look for similar items
It certainly sounds like your company is not offering you the best options. I would encourage you to consider switching to us and using the GSMX4G-TC2 kit to simply upgrade your panel's PROM (no re-programming required) and upgrade to a 3G/4G communicator. We offer no-contract plans online at https://www.alarmgrid.com/monitoring and our central station with TC2 service plan would be our Gold level for $35/month. You'd have to ask them if they will activate a unit that you buy elsewhere and install yourself.
I have a 2010 Vista 20P Rev 8.1 and I use Total Connect 1.0. I also have an old 2G cellular communicator/radio that needs upgrading. My monitoring company is telling me that I need a new GSMX4G (I understand and agree) but that my whole motherboard needs replacing and the system reprogrammed to get TC 2.0. Given what was noted above about this kit, their advice seems off. Also, they're charging a ton at $550: New motherboard ($200), Install & program ($275), Install and program GSMX4G ($75). And that's if I buy GSMX4G myself. Is there any reason I couldn't buy this kit, pop in the new PROM, wire the GSMX4G (likely using the existing wiring of the old radio) and then simply have them remotely activate/program the radio and be done? Any views would be welcome!
If those are the only two devices you have connected to terminals 4 and 5 (the power output terminals), you should be okay for power. If you have anything else landed to 4 and 5, you'll probably need an auxiliary power supply, transformer and backup battery and we'd suggest moving the Tuxedo over to the aux power supply.
Can a tuxedo touch WIFI and this module both be powered by the AUX PWR connection on a Vista 20P? Or is that too much power drawn from the panel?
The AT&T 2G network will be formally discontinued by the end of this year. Your area may lose coverage before that time but the end of 2016 is the last time it could possibly work. The 3G/4G networks have no end of life currently. You will need to work with your alarm company (or us if you choose to have us monitor your system with one of our no-contract monitoring plans available at https://www.alarmgrid.com/monitoring ) to get the new unit activated.
GSMX4G I have a Vista 20/15 Panel and the GSMX communicator (2010)When does the 2G/3G network cease to function? And when I replace with the 4G do I need the installer to program the unit?
The difference between the radio (not the chip) is that the GSMX4G is powered by the panel, and the GSMV4G has it's own power supply and back up battery. In addition, the transformer that comes with the GSMV4G can power both the 20p and the GSM, so you only have to use one big bulky transformer. Just be sure you use the one that comes with the GSM, not the one that came with the panel. The chips that come in either of these kits will be the same.
Honeywell GSMX4G-TC2 Honeywell GSMV4G-TC2 I have a Vista 20p, what is the difference in these two chips, is one powered by the board and the other has it"s own power supply?
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