I am fairly new to the DIY home security and automation stuff. I currently have a Vivint SkyPanel (2GIG) installed but they are coming to pull their system out in a couple of weeks. I am looking to purchase and install my own equipment and then purchase monitoring through SuretyDIY and control/notifications through Alarm.com
I believe I have narrowed my selection down to either the 2GIG GC3 panel or the Qolsys IQ panel. It seems as if the GC3 is getting all the buzz right now, but unless I am missing something, the IQ panel has all of the same functionality plus WiFi is already working and it has a disarm camera on the panel. Are there advantages I am missing to the GC3?
Also, I currently have the Vivint doorbell camera installed and I really like that feature of their system. When someone rings my doorbell, I receive a push notification. I can launch the app to see who is there and have 2-way conversations with them. From that very same screen I can choose to unlock the front door or open the garage for the guest if I desire. It also records and alerts me upon motion even if the guest knocks on the door or just lurks around. I can also just stream the feed (with audio) live any time I want to have a look. Is there a similar product that works with either panel mentioned above? If not currently, which panel would be more likely to add this feature in the future?
Thanks in advance.
Is there a similar product that works with either panel mentioned above? If not currently, which panel would be more likely to add this feature in the future?
This type of product would almost certainly not be in communication with a panel in any way. It would be IP based and communicate directly with Alarm.com. I have spoken with ADC about a doorbell cam in the past many times, and it is a work in progress, but no doorbell cam is currently available.
I believe I have narrowed my selection down to either the 2GIG GC3 panel or the Qolsys IQ panel. It seems as if the GC3 is getting all the buzz right now, but unless I am missing something, the IQ panel has all of the same functionality plus WiFi is already working and it has a disarm camera on the panel. Are there advantages I am missing to the GC3?
Largely personal preference. GC3 has a fully capacitive screen, touch-sensitive front panel buttons. It uses Honeywell protocol sensors, whereas the Qolsys uses GE.
For the most part, sensor options between the two will be the same, though Honeywell does tend to have more specific use case options and outdoor wireless equipment.
GC3 also has 2 programmable output relays for analog integration.
This type of product would almost certainly not be in communication with a panel in any way. It would be IP based and communicate directly with Alarm.com. I have spoken with ADC about a doorbell cam in the past many times, and it is a work in progress, but no doorbell cam is currently available.
The one I currently have definitely integrates with the Vivint SkyPanel (2GIG). When there is motion at the door or the bell is rung, the panel chimes and automatically pops up the video feed on the panel screen. But even something through ADC would probably suit my needs. Hopefully that’s coming in the near future.
Largely personal preference. GC3 has a fully capacitive screen, touch-sensitive front panel buttons. It uses Honeywell protocol sensors, whereas the Qolsys uses GE.
For the most part, sensor options between the two will be the same, though Honeywell does tend to have more specific use case options and outdoor wireless equipment.
GC3 also has 2 programmable output relays for analog integration.
I think I am leaning towards the Qolsys panel mainly because I am turned off by how long it took 2GIG to bring the GC3 to market after they announced it. It’s one thing to take your time and make sure a product is ready for the market, but they seemed to have dragged people along for almost 2 years and continued to make promises they didn’t keep along the way. They finally released the panel and the WiFi radio isn’t even functional. If they use this same philosophy for firmware updates, I would probably end up pulling my hair out.
That being said, the Vivint system I currently have uses 2gig 433 sensors. Since my doors and jams have already been drilled for these sensors, I’m wondering if I can keep these in place and use a translator for the 319.5 IQ Panel. Do you have a translator you recommend? Is this installation and integration fairly easy and perform flawlessly once installed? Or am I better off just getting the Qolsys/GE sensors?
The one I currently have definitely integrates with the Vivint SkyPanel (2GIG). When there is motion at the door or the bell is rung, the panel chimes and automatically pops up the video feed on the panel screen. But even something through ADC would probably suit my needs. Hopefully that’s coming in the near future.
Ah interesting. I think an ADC solution would likely focus on app integration rather than panel screen (so video is across smartphone) and an IP device solution. However, obviously I cannot say for sure and it is not available. You never know.
That being said, the Vivint system I currently have uses 2gig 433 sensors. Since my doors and jams have already been drilled for these sensors, I’m wondering if I can keep these in place and use a translator for the 419.5 IQ Panel. Do you have a translator you recommend? Is this installation and integration fairly easy and perform flawlessly once installed? Or am I better off just getting the Qolsys/GE sensors?
Are you saying the sensors your panel uses on a 433 mhz frequency? (this might explain an issue in a separate recent thread.) That would be the frequency DSC uses.
The DSC Touch, (DSC radio version of the Qolsys IQ) if you can get hold of one, may work directly with the sensors if that is the case.
Qolsys/GE uses 319.5, and a DSC to GE translator may do it in that scenario. You would want to verify. Do you have a copy of any of the sensor manuals?
Are you saying the sensors your panel uses on a 433 mhz frequency? (this might explain an issue in a separate recent thread.) That would be the frequency DSC uses.
The DSC Touch, (DSC radio version of the Qolsys IQ) if you can get hold of one, may work directly with the sensors if that is the case.
Qolsys/GE uses 319.5, and a DSC to GE translator may do it in that scenario. You would want to verify. Do you have a copy of any of the sensor manuals?
I misspoke. I apologize. I had just been reading about the DSC Touch. The Vivint SkyPanel I have and the current sensors I have operate on 345MHz. I apologize for the confusion. Can you recommend a 345 to 319.5 translator?
No trouble, certainly. We do not directly sell this model, but here is a link to its manual and model number, the RE124TG.