Brinks (Livewatch) transfer questions

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1

I had to discontinue subject service because of incessant malfunctions, sensors not being detected off and on continuously, repeated false alarms. It seems this all started after the old Qolsys panel was replaced (due to an expanding Lithium Ion battery) by the Iq2 panel. Now the iq2 is unregistered. If I sign up with your company, will I have the same unending problems?

How well are the sensors protected? Is the communication between the sensors and the base encrypted with 128 bit encryption? Do you utilize frequency hopping for communicating between the sensors and iq2? How strong are the signals between the sensors and the base station? Are they prone to easy jamming by an interfering device outside the house?

2

Hi, happy to help!

How well are the sensors protected? Is the communication between the sensors and the base encrypted with 128 bit encryption?

This depends on the sensor type. Do you have the IQ Panel 2+ or the original IQ Panel 2?

If you have the IQ Panel 2+, it would be compatible with a couple different sensor lines that have encryption: S-Line and Power G

What model of sensors do you have installed? (Door Sensors, motions, etc.) I can confirm whether or not these have encryption based on the model.

Do you utilize frequency hopping for communicating between the sensors and iq2?

Who your service provider is would not affect this. The sensors themselves would need to support it.

Power G sensors are compatible with the IQ Panel 2+, and Power G sensors use encrypted, Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technology.

How strong are the signals between the sensors and the base station?

This also is determined by the model of sensor. For example, IQ S-Line encrypted sensors have a range of roughly 600 feet open air, while Power G sensors have an effective range about 4 times that distance with the IQ Panel 2+.

Are they prone to easy jamming by an interfering device outside the house?

Encrypted transmissions are not, no. Power G sensors offer the best security for wireless sensors.

I had to discontinue subject service because of incessant malfunctions, sensors not being detected off and on continuously, repeated false alarms. It seems this all started after the old Qolsys panel was replaced (due to an expanding Lithium Ion battery) by the Iq2 panel. Now the iq2 is unregistered. If I sign up with your company, will I have the same unending problems?

Issues with sensors like you are describing are typically caused by environmental interference, range issues, battery levels, or in the case of false alarms: magnet-sensor misalignment.

We can certainly help with troubleshooting any problems, and I can provide specs on the sensors you have. Can you provide the model numbers of your sensors in reply?

A photo of the sensors that are causing trouble (in their installed location) and the type of problem you are having with that sensor would help us suggest possible fixes for errors.

3

Thanks for all the information. Model number for panel is qi9201-1208-840, which is declared to be iq2+ at Qolsys.com. Is that true? They don’t sell iq2 panels and it is a whole mess in Amazon where it is unclear if anything is really iq2+ or iq2. Anyway it seems the only difference between iq2 and iq2+ is that the plus has a backwardly compatible card to accommodate legacy sensors. So it seems iq2 is has just PowerG. If that is so, it may be better to have, to make sure to avoid the legacy crappy, low security sensors.

Some sensors are Interlogix 60-362n-10-319.5. which seem to transmit at 319.5 MHz. Does this mean they do not use z-wave since z-wave in N America transmits at 908.4-916 MHz? In fact my other sensors are classified as S-Line at Qolsys.com. Do S-Line sensors adhere to z-wave s0 protocol? Or maybe they’re not at all using z-wave, if so what are they using? Qolsys doesn’t have any PowerG sensors at their website even though their iq2+ panel advertises it has PowerG. Is PowerG the same as z-wave s2?

4

Model number for panel is qi9201-1208-840, which is declared to be iq2+ at Qolsys.com. Is that true?

Yes, the QS9201-1208-840 is the IQ Panel 2+. Same model we sell in our bundles.

They don’t sell iq2 panels and it is a whole mess in Amazon where it is unclear if anything is really iq2+ or iq2.

I would discourage verifying product data on Amazon unless the listing is by the manufacturer. It is very difficult to trust the third party seller content.

Anyway it seems the only difference between iq2 and iq2+ is that the plus has a backwardly compatible card to accommodate legacy sensors. So it seems iq2 is has just PowerG. If that is so, it may be better to have, to make sure to avoid the legacy crappy, low security sensors.

No, it’s the other way around. Both the original IQ Panel 2 and the IQ Panel 2+ have 319.5 GE support (and S-Line, which is encrypted 319.5).

The IQ Panel 2+ also has support for Power G.

The regular IQ Panel 2 does not support Power G.

Some sensors are Interlogix 60-362n-10-319.5. which seem to transmit at 319.5 MHz. Does this mean they do not use z-wave since z-wave in N America transmits at 908.4-916 MHz?

None of the compatible security sensors transmit using Z-wave. Z-wave is used as a protocol for automation devices like lights and thermostats with the panel, not the security sensors. Power G, 319.5, and Z-wave are all mutually exclusive transmission methods.

Interlogix 60-362n-10-319.5 are standard 319.5 mhz sensors and are not encrypted.

In fact my other sensors are classified as S-Line at Qolsys.com. Do S-Line sensors adhere to z-wave s0 protocol? Or maybe they’re not at all using z-wave, if so what are they using?

S-Line sensors use an encrypted form of 319.5 mhz transmissions and are a good option in terms of RF security.

Qolsys doesn’t have any PowerG sensors at their website even though their iq2+ panel advertises it has PowerG. Is PowerG the same as z-wave s2?

Correct, Power G sensors aren’t made by Qolsys, they are actually made by DSC.

Power G sensors are at the top of the industry however in terms of wireless security, so Qolsys made them compatible with their system.

Power G is not the same as Z-wave. They are two separate communication protocols.

Z-wave is a mesh network where individual devices have a shorter range, but AC powered ones repeat signals, which makes it great for automation device networks like light switches and thermostats. It is not as reliable for security sensors, since battery operated Z-wave devices do not repeat signals. It is because of this and other factors that no Z-wave security sensors are yet compatible with any Alarm.com system.

Power G on the other hand has comparatively extreme range and the most RF security benefits as mentioned in the prior post.

5

I looked but couldn’t find any articles evaluating Power G anywhere, not in trade journals, not in magazines, newspapers. It has been around since 2013-14, Tyco states ~40% some Fortune 500 use it, many educational institutions use it, yet there are no evals! Its certified by UL Canada but not by US?

As for the panel, would it be better to use the Neo (which alarm.com can communicate with right?) since it is the real Power G base panel? Would there be glitches and problems using the Qolsys panel with Power G? There is a convenience issue, Neo requiring a panel, a wireless ic card, and a separate keyboard panel. Qolsys has all of these combined, that’s great but only if it works smoothly with Power G.

How is Power G frequency hopping if it is only using 915 MHz?

6

As for the panel, would it be better to use the Neo (which alarm.com can communicate with right?) since it is the real Power G base panel?

Correct, the PowerSeries Neo Panel is an Alarm.com compatible, so long as it is on the DSC panel firmware version 1.11 or higher and you possess an Alarm.com compatible cellular module, like the TL880LT module.

Both the Qosys IQP2+ and the PowerSeries Neo can communicate with PowerG sensors equally. I have yet to run into an issues or glitches in testing/use with PowerG and Qolsys.

Overall, I prefer the IQ Panel 2+ for its convenience and ease of programming.

How is Power G frequency hopping if it is only using 915 MHz?

It’s not communicating at just 915Mhz. PowerG uses multiple frequencies throughout that 915 band (912-918MHz) The network does not stay in one frequency but switches frequencies many times per second.

Its certified by UL Canada but not by US?

Products are UL listed on an individual basis. You can find UL Listings for individual PowerG sensors directly from DSC. For example, navigate to the PowerG Door & Window Security Contact - PG9975 page from DSC. UL listings can be viewed under the Product Approvals tab.

7

Great, per the link you provided all the Power G motion/door/window sensors are US UL certified. Can S-line sensors be combined with Power G sensors with the Qolsys iq2+ panel? Does monitoring charge vary between Power G and S-Line, ie do you charge more for monitoring a system with Power G sensors? Is it possible to start out with a bunch of S-Liine sensors and add Power G sensors on an ongoing basis? Where to find instructions for adding Power G sensors to the iq2+ panel? Alarm.com website says S-Line sensors use encryption communicating with iq2 panels. Do they also use encryption to communicate with iq2+ panels?

When there is an alarm, does Surety call first to verify it is not a false alarm, before calling the police? Is it possible to call Surety for troubleshooting or is this support forum the only way to communicate and troubleshoot?

8

Can S-line sensors be combined with Power G sensors with the Qolsys iq2+ panel?

The IQ Panel 2+ has both a Power G radio and a legacy sensor radio. The standard version we sell in our bundles is the 319.5 version which is compatible with S-Line.

Yes, you can have a mix of both types of sensors at one time.

Does monitoring charge vary between Power G and S-Line, ie do you charge more for monitoring a system with Power G sensors?

No. Monthly service charges can be viewed on our plans page here.

Is it possible to start out with a bunch of S-Liine sensors and add Power G sensors on an ongoing basis?

Yes, you can add any compatible sensors whenever necessary.

Where to find instructions for adding Power G sensors to the iq2+ panel?

We’ll be putting out some comprehensive guides for Power G, but sensor programming steps are identical whether they are regular 319.5, S-Line, or Power G.

If you have questions on any models we can provide a step by step guide to programming them.

Alarm.com website says S-Line sensors use encryption communicating with iq2 panels. Do they also use encryption to communicate with iq2+ panels?

Yes.

When there is an alarm, does Surety call first to verify it is not a false alarm, before calling the police?

Yes. With an active service plan, you have control over who gets called and in what order prior to or after Police in your Surety System Manager.

Is it possible to call Surety for troubleshooting or is this support forum the only way to communicate and troubleshoot?

Technical support is handled online here and through private messages. Tickets can also be sent through the Alarm.com app.

Our operators at the monitoring center are available 24/7 by phone to verify test alarm signals, etc., but they cannot provide technical support.