Range on a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Security System

Hi, DIY-ers. I'm Jorge from AlarmGrid. Today, we're going to be going over the range on the Qolsys IQ 2 Plus alarm system. So here, I have a Qolsys IQ 2 Plus that has the PowerG daughterboard card at it. Now, the one thing about the IQ 2 Pluses is that they come in three different versions, and what that means by that is every single IQ 2 Plus has a PowerG daughterboard card built in. So you're always going to have the PowerG capability with any IQ 2 Plus that you buy. What's going to change is the legacy daughterboard card that's in it. There's three different legacy daughterboard cards that you can use in the system. There is one that comes with a Honeywell and 2GIG daughterboard card which uses 345 megahertz. There's another one that comes with the Qolsys and the Interlogix GE daughterboard card that uses 319.5 megahertz. And then there's another one that uses the DSC which is 433 megahertz. Now, those are the three different versions, and then obviously, each one of those, they have an AT&T version and they also have a Verizon version. So you want to make sure that whenever you're looking at the alarm system, you want to make sure you're getting the correct one. Now normally, the IQ 2 Plus is really good if you're looking at replacing a system in a house that already has wireless sensors. So for instance, if I was moving into a house and had a wireless Honeywell sensors and I wanted to get the IQ 2 Plus, instead of buying complete brand new sensors, I would just get the IQ 2 Plus that has the Honeywell and 2GIG daughterboard card, the 345 version. And I would make sure I get the correct AT&T or Verizon one. And then any other sensors that I need added on after that, let's say there is a detached garage, there's something that's further away that the normal sensors can reach, I would use PowerG sensors for it. That would save you guys a lot of money. You won't have to buy new sensors. You can use the existing sensors. Again, this is just an example. Some of you guys may move into a house that has a 433 megahertz. Some of you may move into a house that has the GE or Interlogix Qolsys sensors. So you do want to make sure you're using the correct one. Now, it doesn't matter which version you get if you're starting fresh because you're going to more than likely be using PowerG sensors if you're starting with a brand new system just because PowerG pretty much is the same price if not a little bit less than some of the sensors you'll see out there. And it also offers the best range. So PowerG range is about 2,000 feet. Now remember, this is open air, so when you're trying to get a range to go through obstacles such as walls, doors, if you guys have cement, metal, brick, these are all objects that is harder for radio frequencies to travel through. So it's going to greatly decrease that range. However, it's 2,000 feet, not many-- 2,000 feet, that's enough range for a normal sized house apartment, even a business sometimes. And if you guys are having any range issues, you guys can get a PowerG repeater which doubles the range. So instead of having 2,000 feet open air, you'll have 4,000 feet open air. So if your sensor is just not making it, you just need to add that PowerG repeater. So basically, if you're starting fresh, you're getting the IQ 2 Plus, that's going to be your range for the PowerG. Now, if you're going to be getting Legacy sensors that work with the Legacy daughterboard card that's in your IQ 2 Plus, your range is probably going to drop a lot. Normal sensors usually give you anywhere from 100 to 300 feet open air. The only exception to this is Qolsys' is S-line sensors. Those S-line sensors actually have a range of up to 600 feet. But again, 600 feet open air, when it's going through obstacles and everything is going to be greatly decreased. So we normally recommend if you're doing PowerG, just do PowerG sensors. If you're starting fresh, if you already have sensors in the house, then just by the correct Legacy panel. So that's the range for PowerG, 2,000 feet. It can be extended up to 4,000 if you buy a PowerG repeater. You got the normal Legacy sensors which give you a range of 100 to 300 feet, and then 600 feet if you're using S-line. And again, this is all open air. And now, let's talk about the Z-Wave range. If you're using normal Z-Wave range, you normally have up to 30 or 40 feet of range with Z-Wave sensors-- sorry, Z-Wave devices-- not Z-Wave sensors. And then if you're using Z-Wave Plus devices, you usually have a range of 80 to 100 feet. Now remember, the only devices that can do Z-Wave hopping, which means the Z-Wave can bounce from one Z-Wave device to another to another to another, back to the panel are the Z-Wave devices that actually get plugged in for power. Battery-operated Z-Wave devices do not allow for Z-Wave hops. And when you guys are taking into consideration the Z-Wave hops, the signals can only hop a maximum of four times. So if you have a Z-Wave plug module that's all the way on one side of the house or a Z-Wave switch that's all the way on one side of the house, it can only hop from that switch one, two, three, four, would be back to the panel. And that would be that fourth hop. So you want to make sure that if you guys are using Z-Wave devices, its normal Z-Wave, 30 to 40 feet. Z-Wave plus is 80 to 100 feet. Now, when I say Z-Wave devices, I'm referring to the lights, locks, thermostats, switches, light bulbs, plug-in modules, garage door controllers. You cannot add Z-Wave security sensors to the system. You can't add Z-Wave smokes, Z-Wave seals, Z-Wave doors, windows, motions. I know, I always have a lot of people contact me, hey, I'm looking at the Z-Wave sensor to work with my IQ 2. Z-Wave security sensors do not work with the system. Z-Wave home automation devices work with the system. So that'll basically sum up the range for-- that will sum up the range for all of the IQ devices that you may be looking at buying. If you guys have any questions on a range, if you guys have any questions on how to get your IQ 2 Plus activated, please feel free to email us to support@alarmgrid.com. If you find the video helpful, make sure you hit Like underneath, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and enable the little bell icon so that whenever we upload new videos, you guys get notified. I'm Jorge, and I'll see you guys next time.