Apologies if I posted in the wrong spot. I am looking to get a new alarm system and have not installed one before. Our new home had an old alarm system that had not been operational. When we moved in we did some work and the control panels were removed so I am starting over. Our house is 2 stories with 4,700 SF and we get great Wifi throughout. I am not sure what IQ panel to get but they all seem solid (my preference is not to mount the control panel to the wall (which seems like a stand can be used instead). In our doors downstairs, several have recessed door sensors inside. I believe they are the old DSC EV-DW4917. From reading reviews, it seems like most recommend spending more money to get the PowerG Recessed Door Sensors? In looking at the specs, the PowerG Recessed Door Alarm seems pretty close in size to my current but not exact. If I get the PowerG, is it as easy as just inserting them in the prior hole or will I need to do some drilling? For the window sensors, should I just get the PowerG’s to be consistent and does it make a difference of the frequency? Lastly, I have large bifold doors downstairs. Should I bother with a sensor for these or just get a glass protector and motion detector? My only concerns with no sensors for the bifold is that I probably won’t use motion detector when we are home. Thank you very much in advance for the help and apologies for all of the questions.
The IQ Panel 4 does have a few more features than the IQ4 Hub. One big difference is the IQ Panel 4 433mhz will be able to handle your existing wireless DSC 433mhz sensors as well as PowerG sensors.
PowerG would have greater signal strength and better encryption. You can find more info on PowerG here
It appears that the requirement for the PowerG recessed sensor is a 3/4 inch hole. This would be a bit bigger than the slightly above 11/16 required by the DW4917. It is very close but it might be a bit to small for the PowerG sensors. You would need a 3/4 inch bit to make it the correct size. Another option would be to abandon the recessed sensors and use the surface mount PG9303 sensors
PowerG has improved range and encryption but you would be able to also use 433mhz sensors.
It would be best to add a door if you think you may leave it accidentally unlocked. A glass break can create an alarm if the glass is broken on both away and stay but a motion would only create the alarm if armed to away. If the door is left unlocked and someone opens it, they would be able to walk in without an alarm being created. If you’re thinking of just using the system when you’re away from home, then the motion and glass break should be enough.