Qolsys, a leading security and smart home technology provider, announced support for the line of PowerG sensors to its flagship product, the IQ Panel 2.  The updated IQ Panel 2 will also support multiple legacy technologies including 345 MHz, typically used by Honeywell and 2Gig, and 433 MHz used in DSC wireless systems, in addition to the Qolsys S-Line encrypted 319.5 MHz line. 

“We’re taking range off the table,” said Qolsys senior vice president sales and marketing, Mike Hackett. “Never needing a repeater, never going back to fix a non-reporting sensor, is powerful. Now add proprietary takeover proof military grade 2-way encryption and it changes the way dealers approach every install and measure their business.”

There are 30-40 million residences in America with active or inactive legacy security systems. The IQ Panel 2 will allow security dealers to support legacy sensors while enabling dual installation of a powerful, reliable and long range next generation wireless sensor line, the company described. 

“This best-in-class integration is a result of our close relationship with Johnson Controls Inc.” Hackett said.  “PowerG has a robust wireless sensor line that has been protecting large format installs such as schools, retail establishments and businesses of all sizes.  We’re excited to bring the entire PowerG product line to the residential space through the Qolsys IQ Panel 2.” 

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Todd Homitz, Guardian Protection Services’ marketing project manager, has been with the company for 11 years. “Two years ago, I transitioned to my current role as the marketing project manager and really enjoy getting to interact with all teams, staying on top of the latest projects and trends, and even helping ideate new programs and projects,” he said. In late February, he told Security Systems News about his home alarm system.

What kind of system do you have?

I have the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 with one outdoor camera, two indoor cameras, one HD video doorbell, smart thermostat, garage door controls, lights, locks, CO and smoke detectors. 

The IQ Panel 2 is the flagship panel from Qolsys, a relatively new security company that has already made great strides in the industry. Qolsys sought out to create a modern and easy to navigate security panel that would appeal to every type of homeowner and business owner. In the end, they accomplished exactly that, as the IQ Panel 2 meets all of the requirements that a new buyer would look for in a security system. Overall, it is pleasing to the eye, offers a quick learning curve and presents a plethora of outstanding features and capabilities.

Bench Test reviewer Bob Grossman shares what it was like to beta test the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 over 18 months.

Back in December of 2014 we reviewed the Qolsys IQ Panel as one of our earlier bench tests. When we review a product, it is generally done over a fixed time period ranging from a few days to a couple of months.

This gives us enough time to learn the product, put it through its paces, and verify the stability and operability as best we can under the usual time constraints. We don’t live with a product for an extended period, so our reviews are, by necessity, educated first impressions.

When Qolsys started working on the follow up IQ Panel 2, they invited us to participate in its beta program. We’re not sure if this was done because of our enthusiasm for the first-generation IQ Panel, our fresh approach to the product (also called “inexperience, I believe), or the relentless stream of questions they got from us the first time around.

The IQ Panel 2 remains the Swiss army knife of alarm panels with a strong lineup of security and home automation features.

In December 2014, we reviewed the Qolsys IQ Panel, mentioning that it was an extremely difficult product to review. This is not a single function device but rather what I would term a partnership product.

It requires the panel itself, myriad accessories, the back-end support of Alarm.com, and the involvement of a skilled and trained dealer for installation, support and alarm monitoring.

The IQ Panel 2 remains the Swiss army knife of alarm panels and includes several features we believe are unique to this platform.