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Qolsys IQ Panel 4: An In-depth Review, Pros and Cons
The Qolsys IQ Panel 4 is an innovative security system that delivers an intuitive interface, top-notch features, and seamless integration with professional monitoring services. This comprehensive home security solution combines simplicity in setup and operation with advanced technology to ensure the highest level of safety.
This review will dive deeper into the IQ Panel 4, focusing on its ease of installation, user-friendliness, integration with Alarm.com’s professional monitoring services, and advanced technology features like dual-path connectivity, Z-Wave compatibility, and Bluetooth disarming. We’ll also discuss the system’s potential drawbacks and weigh its pros and cons.
Simple Setup
One of the critical aspects that set the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 apart is its simplicity in setup. The IQ Panel 4 is specifically designed to be user-friendly, ensuring an easy installation process, even for individuals who might not be technically inclined.
Unbox and Plug
The traditional perception of security system installations involves complex wiring, drilling holes in walls, and a time-consuming setup process. However, the IQ Panel 4 completely changes this narrative.
The system comes with a wireless design that eliminates the need for complicated wiring. The control panel, the core of the system, includes a table stand and a power supply. This means that the setup process is as easy as unboxing the panel and plugging it into an electrical outlet.
User-friendly Interface
A fundamental component of the IQ Panel 4 is its 7-inch HD touchscreen. It comes with clean, high-resolution graphics and a well-organized layout. This makes navigating through the interface an easy task, even for a first-time user.
The system also includes a user-friendly on-screen guide that walks users through the process of connecting devices to the panel. The guide offers step-by-step instructions, simplifying the setup process and ensuring users do not need to flip through bulky user manuals or seek external assistance for installation.
Automatic Sensor Pairing
Connecting sensors to the control panel is a critical step in setting up any security system. The IQ Panel 4 significantly simplifies this process with its auto-learn feature.
When you activate a sensor, the panel automatically detects it and prompts you to confirm the device type and its assigned name. This process saves valuable time and removes the need for manual programming, a task that can be daunting for many users. It’s a testament to how the IQ Panel 4 makes the setup process as hassle-free as possible.
User-Friendly Experience
The Qolsys IQ Panel 4 is not just designed for an easy setup; it is also built for straightforward operation. The system embraces a user-centered design philosophy and employs advanced technology to deliver a seamless user experience.
Intuitive Touchscreen Interface
The IQ Panel 4 comes with a 7-inch HD touchscreen interface that is highly responsive, providing a smooth user experience. The intuitive, icon-based menu ensures that navigating through the system’s controls and features is easy to understand and operate.
Whether you need to arm or disarm your system, connect new devices, or configure settings, every feature is just a few touches away. The high-resolution display also makes it easy to view important notifications, system status, and other vital information at a glance.
Voice Control
In a world where digital voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are becoming a standard part of households, the IQ Panel 4 is designed to integrate seamlessly with these technologies.
Users can control their security systems using simple voice commands. For instance, you can ask your digital assistant to arm or disarm your system, control smart home devices connected to your system, or even inquire about the status of your system. This hands-free operation adds an extra layer of convenience, ensuring the system is easy to use for all members of your household.
Customizable User Codes
Another notable feature that contributes to the user-friendly experience is the system’s ability to support multiple user codes. This means that every family member can have a unique code to arm or disarm the system.
The feature enhances the ease of use by removing the need for shared or easily guessable codes. Additionally, it adds an extra layer of security, allowing you to monitor who is accessing your home and when.
Integration with Professional Monitoring
A significant advantage of the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 is its integration with Alarm.com’s professional monitoring services. With this integration, users can rest assured that their homes are continuously monitored by professionals, even when they are away. Our central stations are all US based, fully redundant with each other, and UL certified for both Residential and Commercial Burglary and Fire.
Real-time Alerts
With professional monitoring services, the IQ Panel 4 ensures you’re always aware of the status of your home. The moment an alarm is triggered, the monitoring center is notified immediately.
In response, the center will quickly reach out to you to verify the situation. If it’s a true emergency and you cannot be reached, they will dispatch local authorities to your location. This quick response time can be critical in mitigating potential damage or loss.
Robust Infrastructure
Alarm.com operates a robust and reliable infrastructure with multiple redundant monitoring centers. This ensures that their monitoring services remain uninterrupted, even if there’s a power outage, natural disaster, or any unforeseen circumstances at one of their centers.
In essence, the IQ Panel 4, combined with Alarm.com’s resilient infrastructure, ensures that your home remains protected 24/7, offering you peace of mind.
Remote Control and Notifications
Integration with Alarm.com also offers users the advantage of remote control and real-time notifications. With the Alarm.com mobile app, users can control their system from anywhere. You can arm or disarm your system, view sensor status, and even control connected smart home devices directly from your smartphone.
Additionally, the app sends real-time notifications for any detected events. For example, if a door or window sensor is triggered, you’ll receive an instant alert on your phone. This feature keeps you in the loop, ensuring you’re always aware of what’s happening at home, even when you’re away.
Video Surveillance
If your security setup includes compatible security cameras, Alarm.com can also provide video monitoring services. This means you can view live video feeds or recorded clips from your cameras directly from the Alarm.com app.
This feature can be particularly useful in various situations, like verifying an alarm event, monitoring a delivery, or just checking in on your home. Video surveillance, combined with other features of the IQ Panel 4, offers a comprehensive security solution for your home.
Advanced Technological Features
The Qolsys IQ Panel 4 does not stop at being user-friendly and easy to install; it goes a step further by integrating advanced technological features that enhance its performance and reliability. This integration of cutting-edge technology makes the IQ Panel 4 one of the most sophisticated home security systems available in the market.
Dual-Path Connectivity
A standout feature of the IQ Panel 4 is its dual-path connectivity. This feature leverages both Wi-Fi and cellular networks to ensure the panel maintains a steady and reliable connection with Alarm.com’s monitoring center.
In the event of a Wi-Fi outage or instability, the system automatically switches to its built-in cellular connection, ensuring there is no interruption in the monitoring services. The system is engineered to prioritize Wi-Fi to conserve cellular data but will switch paths as needed to maintain constant communication.
Additionally, dual-path connectivity enables faster transmission of alarm signals. When an alarm is triggered, the system sends out signals via both Wi-Fi and cellular pathways simultaneously. This dual transmission ensures the alarm signal reaches the monitoring center without delay, ensuring a swift response.
This dual-path connectivity is not a common feature in many home security systems. Yet, it offers significant advantages in terms of reliability and speed, ensuring your home remains protected under any circumstances.
Z-Wave Capability
The IQ Panel 4 system is compatible with Z-Wave technology. Z-Wave is a wireless communication protocol designed for home automation. This compatibility means the IQ Panel 4 can control and manage a wide range of smart home devices that also use Z-Wave technology.
With this feature, your home security system transforms into a smart home hub. You can connect and control devices such as smart lights, locks, and thermostats directly from the IQ Panel 4 or via the Alarm.com app. This integration offers the convenience of managing your home’s security and automation devices from a single platform.
Z-Wave technology also supports the creation of “scenes” and “rules.” A scene is a preset configuration of multiple devices, while a rule is an automated action based on specific conditions.
For example, you can create an ‘Away’ scene that, when activated, locks your doors, turns off lights, and adjusts your thermostat to an energy-saving setting. Or, you can set a rule that turns on your porch light when your front door is unlocked after sunset. This level of automation adds convenience and can also contribute to energy efficiency.
Bluetooth Disarming
One of the unique and impressive features of the IQ Panel 4 is Bluetooth disarming. With this feature, you can set your system to disarm automatically when it detects your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone within a certain range.
This hands-free disarming method can be particularly convenient when you’re coming home with your hands full. You won’t need to rush to the panel to enter a code, reducing stress and enhancing the user experience.
Additionally, the Bluetooth disarming feature only works with paired devices. This ensures that your system cannot be disarmed by any Bluetooth-enabled device in range, thus maintaining security.
You can also choose to receive notifications whenever your system is disarmed through Bluetooth. This feature can give you insights into when family members arrive home, offering peace of mind when you’re away.
Unprecedented Frequency Compatibility
One of the most distinguishing features of the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 is its compatibility with multiple wireless frequencies. This system can communicate with devices across four different frequency bands, specifically:
- 319.5 MHz – This frequency is commonly used by GE/Interlogix and Qolsys S-Line devices.
- 345 MHz – This frequency is used by Honeywell 5800 series and 2GIG devices.
- 433 MHz – This frequency is commonly used by DSC devices.
- PowerG 912 MHz – This frequency band is used by PowerG devices.
This broad frequency compatibility is a key selling point. It allows the IQ Panel 4 to interface with a wider variety of devices than most other home security systems. It’s also an excellent feature for homeowners who have existing security or automation devices operating on these frequencies, as they can integrate these devices with their IQ Panel 4 without needing to buy new equipment.
Enhanced Range with PowerG
Among these frequencies, PowerG stands out due to its impressive signal range. PowerG devices communicate over a 912 MHz frequency and offer an extended range between the wireless sensors and the Qolsys IQ Panel 4.
This longer range is advantageous for larger properties, where sensors may be located far from the main panel. With PowerG, you can install sensors in outbuildings, gates, or at the far corners of your home, and still maintain reliable communication with the IQ Panel 4. This makes the system a versatile solution for both small and large properties.
Cellular Model Options
Understanding that connectivity is crucial for home security, the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 is available in two cellular models: Verizon and AT&T. This allows customers to choose the model that aligns with the stronger cellular network in their area, thus ensuring reliable and consistent performance.
When purchasing the IQ Panel 4, consumers can choose between the Verizon and AT&T models based on the coverage and service quality they experience in their location with these providers. With this flexibility, Qolsys ensures that your alarm system can maintain its crucial link to the outside world, notifying you and the professional monitoring center of any alarm events promptly, regardless of your internet status.
With these additional features, the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 demonstrates its commitment to offering a highly flexible, compatible, and dependable home security system. It ensures a comprehensive security solution that caters to a broad spectrum of homes and user needs. From small city apartments to large countryside properties, the IQ Panel 4 remains reliable and effective. The system brings together simplicity, advanced technology, professional monitoring, and unparalleled flexibility, making it a standout choice in the realm of home security.
Potential Drawbacks
Despite the numerous advantages, it’s crucial to note that the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 has certain aspects that some users might consider as drawbacks.
Cost
Being a high-end security system, the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 comes with a significant cost. The initial cost for the panel, combined with the necessary add-ons such as sensors, cameras, and other devices, can add up quickly.
Moreover, to enjoy all its advanced features, the system requires a subscription to Alarm.com’s professional monitoring services. This ongoing expense can make the system seem pricey for some users but if using SafeHomeCentral for Alarm.com Self or Dispatch monitoring our no contract pricing is unbeatable!
See our affordable Alarm.com monitoring plans here.
Limited Compatibility
While the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 is compatible with a wide array of Z-Wave devices, it may not work with all types of smart home devices. For users who already have non-Z-Wave smart home devices or those who prefer other protocols like Zigbee, this could pose a compatibility issue.
Dependence on Alarm.com
The IQ Panel 4’s professional monitoring and smart features rely heavily on Alarm.com’s services. This dependence could be a drawback for users who want to choose a different monitoring service or prefer self-monitoring options. The good news is Alarm.com is the #1 security app the past ten years.
Learning Curve
Despite its user-friendly design, the IQ Panel 4 has a host of features and settings which could present a learning curve for some users, especially those who are not tech-savvy or are new to smart home technology. Understanding and utilizing all its functionalities might take some time.
Conclusion
The Qolsys IQ Panel 4, despite a few potential drawbacks, is a powerful and advanced home security system. Its easy setup, user-friendly design, integration with Alarm.com’s professional monitoring services, and advanced features offer a comprehensive solution for home security. Users who value these attributes and are willing to invest in the system will likely find the IQ Panel 4 to be a worthwhile choice. However, as always, consumers should consider their specific needs, preferences, and budget when deciding on a home security system.
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The new 4G LTE cellular communicator needed for Alarm.com service requires a firmware version of at least 3.1.3 or higher to recognize the cell module. You can update the GC3 firmware yourself without incurring an Over-The-Air (OTA) cellular charge from Alarm.com.
Today homeowners are very cost conscious when it comes to home security alarm systems. This is because not only may there be a large upfront investment in equipment and installation labor, but the monthly alarm monitoring charge can set you back several thousand dollars if you go with a national company like ADT that requires a three-year monitoring commitment with every sale. Professional-grade systems from well known industry leaders such as Honeywell, DSC, Alula/Resolution, 2GIG, and Qolsys are now available to homeowners to install themselves in just an hour or two without having to rely on a local alarm dealer to install.
I’m talking security systems made by Honeywell or DSC for example. Honeywell has been used by ADT for several decades now, though white labeled since ADT does not manufacturer any hardware. What I’m not referring to is no name brands sold on eBay or big box retailers such as Home Depot or Best Buy. This also includes consumer-grade security equipment from SimpliSafe.
Local dealers make their real profit from recurring monthly revenue (RMR), better know in the security industry as alarm monitoring. This is why your local dealer such as ADT will require alarm monitoring and lock you in for a 3 to 5 year agreement with an expensive early termination fee, even if you move. Online dealers monitoring dealers such as SafeHomeCentral can offer pretty much the same (if not exact) as the local dealers for half the price. If installing a Honeywell Lyric wireless system for example (their newest and best on the market for 2018) you’ll need Honeywell’s AlarmNet interactive services (