Qolsys vs 2GIG System?

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Reading the advice and analysis from Ryan and the other bloggers/admins/mods at Surety has been a huge help, so thanks first of all, for your work on making this knowledge accessible to the public, with no strings attached. It’s certainly better than any other home security resource I’ve been able to find.

I’m looking to replace my existing ‘Netgear VueZone’ Set of 8 Cameras (these cameras have reliable motion detection & e-mail alerts, poor image quality, moderately priced cloud storage, questionable encryption methodology, and zero central station monitoring) with a [Surety-Programmed Control Panel + Alarm.com Sensors + Alarm.com Cameras + Alarm.com CloudVideo + Alarm.com Gold Interactive Central Station Monitoring].

It looks like you may begin selling the Qolsys system, which brings to mind a few questions:

(1) are the many Z-Wave/Alarm.com peripherals/door locks/cameras/light controls/driveway monitors/garage tilt sensors/etc. (devices that are for sale at your Surety and other sites) going to be compatible with the new Qolsys panel, in addition to the 2GIG panel?

(2) It seems that the Qolsys has many of the SAME features as the 2GIG (2-Way comm with Central Station, CDMA connection), as well as some ADVANTAGES (6 Radios - some level of redundancy in the event of low CDMA signal, IQ Panel Camera takes photos and video during alarm events, Photo Frame Disguise, Android OS). However, other than being new/untested, are there are discrete/definite DISADVANTAGES of the Qolsys (relative to the 2GIG), in terms of raw hardware features, and/or effective functionality (i.e., the way that Surety will implement it, and given its current state of development)?

(3) Is Surety indeed planning to offer the Qolsys Panel within the next few weeks?

(4) Do you think it would be reasonable/advisable/wise to wait for the Qolsys to become available at Surety, before making a purchase? For the general consumer? For the consumer who is interested in the maximum-level feature set and functionality?

Thanks very much for whatever answers you are able to give to this rather long-winded set of questions! :slight_smile:

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I’m glad to hear that you find our forum so useful. We try to create an environment where any question gets answered and information is available for anybody who wants it. Now, on to your questions:

  1. All of the Zwave devices should be compatible with the Qolsys panel. However, 2GIG and Qolsys use different communication methods for their security sensors, so those won’t work for eachother. Qolsys can use GE sensors in addition to their own branded sensors and 2GIG can use Honeywell sensors in addition to their own branded sensors. They can both use Resolution Products sensors but you have to be careful that you’re purchasing the correct communication type (Ie: Qolsys=GE Compatible, 2GIG=Honeywell Compatible).

  2. One big disadvantage with Qolsys at the moment is that they have not designed a secondary touchscreen keypad. The secondary keypad they do have is just a small keypad with numbers and not much else. While this may work for customers in many different cases, it is not something that I find particularly useful. I have not tested with Qolsys enough at this point to say anything towards it’s effectiveness or functionality. That being said, I really like a lot of the features it has. They feel new and innovative and have that “Why didn’t anyone else think of this?” quality to them.

  3. We do plan on offering Qolsys at some point in the future. However, I do not believe there is a time table yet as to when that will be though. When we do start offering, I would expect that it would be big news. I’m fairly excited to begin offering Qolsys sometime down the road.

  4. Again, I haven’t tested with the Qolsys panel enough to really comment on its effectiveness. We currently do not offer any of the sensors the panel is compatible with on our DIY Store so you would have to purchase all of your equipment elsewhere, which can create some issues when it comes to defective equipment, equipment quality, etc. At this time, if you are interested in immediate security you can always purchase the 2GIG equipment we have available on our store.

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1- We have a list of fully tested and supported Z-Wave devices for those dealer who have access to our dealer portal. That does not mean others will not work today, as many do. The IQ panel was designed to be flexible and currently handles up to 47 z-wave devices ranging from locks, lights, outlets, thermostats, and more. That list will grow as we continue to improve the software on the panel, and new software updates will include improved user-interfaces for these devices and larger breadth of control and automation.

2- We actually do have a secondary keypad called the IQ2. It is still in beta and not released to the public at this point, but looks identical to the primary panel (it only includes a wi-fi radio rather than all 6 wireless radios) but almost any primary panel could be converted to be a secondary panel too. (again, this is in beta and not released to the public yet)

3- We’re excited for you to offer the IQ panel in the future too. We believe it will change the way you approach security and automation forever!

4- Our panel and full line of peripherals is available at one of our distributors, feel free to reach out them: http://qolsys.com/page_distributors.html

Qolsys-Supported-Z-Wave-Devices.pdf (250 KB)

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Just curious, are you planning to support the Aeotec MultiSensor?

Several customers have asked about that and been disappointed that 2GIG doesn’t support it.

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Hmmm, this is just my opinion, the panel UI looks like Android Froyo/Gingerbread (what is the Android version used by the panel? Current Android Version is KitKat 4.4.2, and does the panel support OTA/DIY Android/firmware updating?), and after having looked at the limited available gear for Qolsys (and the smoke detector design, which is a ‘life safety device’ is it (or the Qolsys panel) even ETL, UL 985,ULC 5545, FM Approved?, there is no reference to this on the site, or pages regarding any ETL/FM Approval/UL Listing of panel/devices, if so, I would like to see the listing/approval regulatory reference, and if it isn’t, then that panel/devices/sensors are nothing more than toys that may just get you killed one day)…
http://qolsys.com/page_devices.html

I think I would rather stick with 2GIG, especially the GC3 and the listed GE Smokes. The Qolsys…seems…cheap…and limited…and if the panel,CO detector/Photo smoke/ROR heat devices lack ETL/UL Listing/FM Approval it may just cost someone their life, and possibly open up manufacturer and/or dealer to liability…

Example…2GIG Regulatory
2GIG Regulatory Info

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Further note…never mind found it for the panel…what about the CO,Photo/ROR detectors?

qolsys reg

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What’s limited about the Qolsys sensor selection? The only really useful device I see 2GIG has that Qolsys doesn’t is the recessed door sensor. Anything else?

Obviously Qolsys relies on Resolution Products to make most of their sensors and I know how you feel about how the Resolution Products stuff looks :wink: but that may be a good business decision for a start up, focus on the panel and utilize an experienced sensor manufacturer for the sensors.

At a glance the Qolsys IQ panel does beat the current 2GIG Go!Control when it comes to features and capabilities. I think the real showdown is going to be Qolsys vs the upcoming 2GIG GC3. Qolsys gets an 8 or 9 month head start in the market but 2GIG gets to watch and learn from Qolsys’ successes and failures as they tweak/finalize the GC3 before mass production. Qolsys gets features for free by utilizing Android that 2GIG’s operating system probably won’t have even in the GC3 and they’ll be able to add/improve features easily using the Android update facilities.

I would be willing to bet the Qolsys/Resolution Products life safety sensors do have the obligatory laboratory testing and standards certifications. Don’t they?

Actually, one thing 2GIG does have that Qolsys doesn’t is the FireFighter which is only compatible with Honeywell wireless.

You have to admit even if you prefer 2GIG that it’s good to see a new player come in and give them some serious competition and light a fire under their asses. This is shaping up to be a fun year in the security and affordable home automation world.

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Yep it is good, and I think the Qolsys has potential…let’s see what happens when it goes retail and is up and running in homes.

As for the firefighter, and using the 120v interconnected ion smoke alarms… I am still on the fence about that, and here is why…

Ion smoke alarms are notorious for poor detection of most home fires (smouldering), ions are good for flame fires only. Your window to escape a typical home fire is about 10 min, and when you are sleeping and your home fills with dense smoke, you may be overcome with smoke inhalation and be rendered unconscious, an ion detector could take up to 40 min to sound the alarm…and you and/or your loved ones will die…

Fire Marshals/NFPA recommends having both type installed in your home (photo and ion), but I suspect most will forgo photo detectors in lieu of the ions already installed per electrical codes, and rely solely on the 120v interconnected ions, and the firefighter module/sensor.

To me it makes sense to use the firefighter for the existing ions, and also install the monitored photo detectors, then no matter what type of fire you have, the panel goes into alarm

But like I said, I doubt this will occur, and those homeowners will instead rely on the firefighter sensor and the ions…

A lot of people die because they rely solely on ions, or don’t replace the batteries, or test them regularly…

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The Qolsys panel is looking to be a very quality product, I have been testing 3 of them and they perform pretty well. I did not like the d/w Sensor But I Just Switched All The Sensors To Ge while testing. Captain 2 gig needs to keep an open mind, the Qolsys can use the Ge smokes,heats and carbons. I don’t know where he got the cheap and limited line at. The touchscreen is high quality and the thermostat look is really designed well, from a programming standpoint it is a breeze and the air fix tools on alarm.com are outstanding, I think think this panel will take off, just watch

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@corxgold…

I am not a big fan of the resolution sensors/smokes

And as you said, perhaps the Qolsys will take off, and that would be great…but I am hedging my bets on the 2GIG GC3 with its large display screen (similiar to the Go2.0 and Qolsys screen), the video/camera on screen capability, Bluetooth capability, WiFi capability, USB camera capability, 5 day weather on panel, etc

To me, the new GC3 seems to blow the Qolsys out of the park…

2GIG GC3

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The Qolsys has 6 different radios built in and WiFi, it has a Built in video camera and can take a picture of whoever arms and disarms the system. It’s a 7 inch high resolution touchscreen, it has 5 day weather, you can also view your video cams on the screen. You don’t need resolution products for it to use GE sensors. It works with the GE sensors right out of the box, but the Qolsys is out NOW, the GC3 is not due until quarter 4 so it’s got a big head start and alot of big names worked together in building this panel

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QOLSYS panel is up and running at my home…I absolutely love it, I have all Ge sensors on it and no problems, the alarm.com unit gets 5 bars in my house as compared to my Simon XT panel that was only getting 2 bars and that was with the 6 ft antenna installed. The Qolsys does not have the external antenna, the radio is well shielded. The panel automatically looks for panel updates every 24 hours and downloads them if they are avaliable. No update cable needed. The only option that is not available yet is viewing the alarm.com cameras from he panel.

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Which ever you prefer, suretyDIY now offers both Qolsys and 2GIG panels. We’re still anxiously awaiting the release of GC3, but are pretty excited to have Qolsys online. :slight_smile:

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Any chance of an updated list of devices that Qolsys supports? Just got my alarm and while I already have a bunch of Z-Wave gear, I’m looking at various thermostats. In particular, I’m dreaming about the Honeywell color Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat, but in general just trying to get a solid feel for my options.

Looks like the September Qolsys update added device support, but everything feels really vague. http://qolsys.com/qolsys-unveils-new-user-interface-and-expanded-z-wave-home-control-device-support-at-esx-nashville.html

Maybe a wiki where we could build up a list of devices people have tried with both Qolsys or 2Gig panels and results?

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Not a bad idea. As a quick and dirty solution we can start a forum specifically for Qolsys compatibility testing/compatible device list.

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Let us know when that gets set up. :slight_smile:

FYI, just tried an Aeotec Multisensor on the Qolsys…I was able to add the device, but it’s recognized as “other.”

I used to use a Vera…maybe I’ll try going the route of using both devices…

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Nor does Qolsys seem to want to work with the Schlage DWZWAVE1 door/window sensor - it also recognizes it as “other.” This is fairly disappointing as I have about 5 of these.

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Qolsys is currently incapable of adding additional controllers (or being a subcontroller) in its zwave network, unfortunately. I have spoken to their techs regarding this, and strongly suggested adding this capability. With panels like 2Gig and Qolsys, integration is an ideal benefit, and what a fair number of users are looking for.

In general, Zwave alarm sensors won’t be supported, nor would it be high priority, because Zwave, unless there are a lot of AC powered devices in the network, is not as reliable as the standard RF used by wireless security sensors, has severely limited range comparatively, and the controller used in this case is a security panel with lots of sensor options.

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A few more:

  • GE ZW4101 Fluorescent Light & Appliance Module - works
  • Intermatic HA02 Appliance Module - doesn't work
  • Intermatic HA03 Lamp Module - doesn't work
  • Intermatic HA04 Outdoor Appliance Module - doesn't work

For the Intermatic modules - once I press the pair button on the devices, the Qolsys panel goes from the “searching for device” dialog back to the “add device” screen, without asking for more info on the discovered device, or showing that the device was discovered/added/errored. This isn’t a timeout thing - it clearly makes some amount of progress and then bails out.

finds them, possibly starts communicating with them

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Qolsys is currently incapable of adding additional controllers (or being a subcontroller) in its zwave network

Bummer, thought I had read the opposite.

In general, Zwave alarm sensors won't be supported, nor would it be high priority, because Zwave, unless there are a lot of AC powered devices in the network, is not as reliable as the standard RF used by wireless security sensors, has severely limited range comparatively, and the controller used in this case is a security panel with lots of sensor options.

Unfortunate, but makes sense. In this case the environment would have a good mix of powered repeaters, and I’ve reliably secured a previous home with this mix in the past.

So, for documentation sake for those Googling around in the future - to move from a working self-monitored Vera setup with zwave and wifi cameras to a Surety/Qolsys/Alarm.com setup, all existing components will have to be replaced - save the occasional zwave light/appliance device that is compatable with Qolsys.