New Security Panel Recommendation

[timmypop]

Did some searching, but need a suggestion on upgrading my security panel. My panel is starting to go I think and looking to upgrade. I was in the integration business some time ago and have not stayed up on it. I currently have a GE Concord 4. RS-232. No IP control.

C4 OS 3.31

Any panel recommendations that I can start looking into? Thx

[penn65000]

6 minutes ago, timmypop said:

Did some searching, but need a suggestion on upgrading my security panel. My panel is starting to go I think and looking to upgrade. I was in the integration business some time ago and have not stayed up on it. I currently have a GE Concord 4. RS-232. No IP control.

C4 OS 3.31

Any panel recommendations that I can start looking into? Thx

Honeywell vista. Avoid DMP at all costs. Their stuff is junk and burns batteries. 

[booch]

Qolsys IQ Panel 2+ (or newer model) is great IMO (and popular here so will probably get suggested again). Full and easy integration with good company support for self-install, including official C4 support.

[dreres]

The elk m1 integration with c4 is seamless. It is also a great alarm panel.

[ekohn00]

8 hours ago, booch said:

Qolsys IQ Panel 2+ (or newer model) is great IMO (and popular here so will probably get suggested again). Full and easy integration with good company support for self-install, including official C4 support.

Suggested Again!

I replaced my old dying Concord and was amazed at how well it integrated and worked with C4

[Amr]

2 hours ago, ekohn00 said:

Suggested Again!

I replaced my old dying Concord and was amazed at how well it integrated and worked with C4

So I did have the concord security panel installed since 2017 but never activated or connected as I did use the work around that was manufactured by CardAccess @ the time, security sensor bridge v2 allowed the direct integration of specific Windows/Doors sensors, Firealarm, Carbon monoxide sensors and some other devices to C4 without any panel, programing was used instead to Arm/Disarm as if I had the panel.

Now this Bridge is discontinued and still works with current OS3 release, I will need to find another solution to this in case it stops working, like a new panel but need this panel to work with existing sensors, what are my options? Probably the Qolsys Panel 2+ is one of the solutions that will work with whatever I have!?

[ekohn00]

@amr exactly.  I have the old sensors and old concord wireless fire detectors going qolsys.  

If memory serves, the only annoyance is a different resistor on qolsys. But the ease of prgrming makes up for it all. 

[C4 User]

On 5/26/2023 at 5:20 AM, dreres said:

The elk m1 integration with c4 is seamless. It is also a great alarm panel.

Does anyone know if homeowners can get the ELK RP software for programming the elk m1 gold panel?

[dreres]

Yes, you need to sign up on the elk website as a user and that unlocks the rp software and all firmware updates. I can send you you if that doesn't work.

[C4 User]

Thank you! It will take me a few months but I am going to replace my current panel. 

[C4 User]

So I just found out that the IQ4 Pro is being released - combining the capabilities of the IQ4 and Neo. Since I have the Neo, it would be much easier and a few thousand cheaper to switch my Neo to the IQ4 Pro. Would love to know if anyone on this forum has experience with the new IQ4 Pro and if so, thoughts on C4 integration?

[C4 User]

I’ll be switching my panel over to the IQ4 Pro this weekend. The literature says C4 integration. Does anyone know if the driver is the same as the IQ2 driver or is there a different one? Thanks in advance. 

[nxr]

Dumb question as I was looking at the IQ4 but am unclear as to whether I actually need a panel as will be using the C4 panels to turn alarm on/off. I really just need a hub that deals with security logic (although agree that not sure why this can’t just be programmed directly into C4 since I am just using wireless windows and door sensors that are C4 compatible)  but can’t find that. 

[South Africa C4 user]

1 hour ago, nxr said:

Dumb question as I was looking at the IQ4 but am unclear as to whether I actually need a panel as will be using the C4 panels to turn alarm on/off. I really just need a hub that deals with security logic (although agree that not sure why this can’t just be programmed directly into C4 since I am just using wireless windows and door sensors that are C4 compatible)  but can’t find that. 

I’d be interested in hearing what the experts say on this. 

I had (have) a similar view when it comes to irrigation and programmed all of the irrigation logic into C4 and use an IO extender to control the zones and have no irrigation system.  I love the outcome.

Security is a more complex animal and I am glad that I have a separate control panel (which is out of sight in the garage as, like you plan, I use C4 for all of my interaction with the security system).  The reason that I am pleased that I have the panel is two fold.  Firstly, I prefer that my alarm installer uses this when he is making any changes and on the 2 occasions when C4 has been down (that is twice in 10 years across 2 houses), I have still been able to control my alarm.

Turning to  why a separate alarm system is necessary.  The main reasons that I can think of (apart from simplifying programming significantly) would include: a reliable panic (and medical response) setup integrated to your security company, reliable handling of things like siren on alarm, and bypass after a certain period of time. I.e. I would leave the specialist functions which can be life saving to the specialists.

[C4loso]

Dumb question as I was looking at the IQ4 but am unclear as to whether I actually need a panel as will be using the C4 panels to turn alarm on/off. I really just need a hub that deals with security logic (although agree that not sure why this can’t just be programmed directly into C4 since I am just using wireless windows and door sensors that are C4 compatible)  but can’t find that. 

You definitely need the IQ panel as that’s the “smarts” of Qolsys and interface point. You can have it in a central location and use the touchscreens to disarm and arm system. Only thing is if you want Auto Unlock or disarm of alarm it needs to be close to your front door or within range. Alternatively you could set it that when you use your keyfob to open the garage it’ll do activate the alarm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Andrew luecke]

DELETED

[drmark12pa]

Very interesting post as I'm in the exact same position.  I had the GE Concord 4 at my old house, was never hooked up to a security company and I used it mostly for C4 activities but now need new panel/system for new house and looking for what will be good for monitoring company cost AND C4 functionality (ie door opens lights come on).  I'm open to any suggest as I really did enjoy the GE Concord

[drmark12pa]

My dealer has suggested the Clare system which appears to be SnapOne product.

I'm looking at the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 and wondering a few things .

1) do you just buy a panel or is there additional hardware needed for setup like a central hub or box such as the Concord had?  Looks like a Qolsys IQ Panel 4 panel runs $500+ which if that's all that's needed to get up and running (other than sensors) isn't too bad

2) can older Ge Concord sensors be used in this system?

3) how easy is setup with C4 integration?

4) what monitoring service do users like?

[SpencerT]

27 minutes ago, drmark12pa said:

My dealer has suggested the Clare system which appears to be SnapOne product.

I'm looking at the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 and wondering a few things .

1) do you just buy a panel or is there additional hardware needed for setup like a central hub or box such as the Concord had?  Looks like a Qolsys IQ Panel 4 panel runs $500+ which if that's all that's needed to get up and running (other than sensors) isn't too bad

2) can older Ge Concord sensors be used in this system?

3) how easy is setup with C4 integration?

4) what monitoring service do users like?

Iq4 panel will run wireless sensors by itself. There is a takeover panel (iq hardwire 16) you can get if you have wired sensors you want to add to the iq4. The takeover panel communicates wirelessly back to the iq4 panel. 

If you have wireless GE sensors, you can get the 319.5 version of the panel that will let you add in those sensors. It's powerG and 319.5. 

Integration with c4 is easy and the driver works well. You have to setup the panel for 6 digit codes and coordinate with your dealer when you enable the Integration to add in the panel to c4. I believe there is a limitation of 2 partitions on the integration (but I could be wrong).  Dealer then creates the sensors so you can program off of them in c4. 

[C4 User]

2 hours ago, drmark12pa said:

My dealer has suggested the Clare system which appears to be SnapOne product.

I'm looking at the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 and wondering a few things .

1) do you just buy a panel or is there additional hardware needed for setup like a central hub or box such as the Concord had?  Looks like a Qolsys IQ Panel 4 panel runs $500+ which if that's all that's needed to get up and running (other than sensors) isn't too bad

2) can older Ge Concord sensors be used in this system?

3) how easy is setup with C4 integration?

4) what monitoring service do users like?

Consider the IQ4 Pro. At least compare it to the IQ4 for your application. 

[SpencerT]

3 hours ago, C4 User said:

Consider the IQ4 Pro. At least compare it to the IQ4 for your application. 

I think I remember you were getting the IQ Pro. I'm assuming you got it and integrated it into c4. Is it the same driver for the iq2 and iq4 panels? How do you like it so far?

[C4 User]

2 hours ago, SpencerT said:

I think I remember you were getting the IQ Pro. I'm assuming you got it and integrated it into c4. Is it the same driver for the iq2 and iq4 panels? How do you like it so far?

I did buy the IQ Pro and I’m in the process of replacing my old panel now. Stay tuned. 

[DanITman]

Do any of the security panel integrations support adding users?  I would LOVE if I could add a new users to my locks and simultaneously add them to the security system.  I'm not sure if anyone has implemented that yet.  You could do it through the lock proxy. 

[Andrew luecke]

18 hours ago, DanITman said:

Do any of the security panel integrations support adding users?  I would LOVE if I could add a new users to my locks and simultaneously add them to the security system.  I'm not sure if anyone has implemented that yet.  You could do it through the lock proxy. 

Could be worth speaking to Bosch or elk and requesting it maybe. We have it to a limited extent on m1.

A new Bosch Solution 2000/3000 driver was actually released a few days ago: https://chowmain.software/drivers/control4-bosch-solution (for those who needed a driver)

[DanITman]

8 hours ago, Andrew luecke said:

Could be worth speaking to Bosch or elk and requesting it maybe. We have it to a limited extent on m1.

A new Bosch Solution 2000/3000 driver was actually released a few days ago: https://chowmain.software/drivers/control4-bosch-solution (for those who needed a driver)

You guys do a good job with the security proxy.  Its a beast of a proxy. 

I think there is a ton of real estate on the screen for C4 to combine zones with current alarm status.  Maybe take a page out of the IQ Panel 4 interface and show open zones next to the status.