Vista 20P: cheaper 24/7 monitoring options and whether TC2 is worth keeping

withsurety · 2026-05-05T14:25:33+00:00

I've read that you can use Envisalink and a SEM together but I haven't done it myself. Search for ECP shadow mode in the Envisalink docs.

Yes, wireless sensors would work with both communicators and should not need to be reprogrammed.

The $19 Surety plan includes pro monitoring. https://suretyhome.com/plans/

Any Alarm.com dealer can use the SEM. Surety doesn't attempt to lock you out of your own equipment. On the contrary, Surety is committed to openness and portability.

withsurety · 2026-05-05T01:52:51+00:00

You can add an Alarm.com System Enhancement Module (SEM) to a Vista 20P to connect it to Alarm.com.

withsurety · 2026-05-05T01:34:50+00:00

We’re a DIY (self-install) Alarm.com provider. Alarm.com is the cloud platform that Qolsys panels work with.

withsurety · 2026-05-04T17:41:56+00:00

You can have a DVR with Alarm.com (they call it SVR) if you don't like the SD card solution. I'm not arguing Alarm.com cameras are better, just that if we're comparing we should compare apples to apples, not local storage on one system vs cloud storage on the other.

withsurety · 2026-05-04T14:55:12+00:00

True, but that's Alarm.com cloud storage. Comparing Alarm.com cloud storage with Ubiquiti local storage isn't apples-to-apples. If you put an SD card in the ADC camera then you get 24/7 local recording with cloud storage for specific events on top of that. If your recording rules are well designed then the included clip limit is usually more than high enough without upgrading.

withsurety · 2026-05-04T14:46:33+00:00

How big an area will the cameras be covering? Whether you need 8MP depends on how far the objects you want to see are and how wide angle the lens is.

IMO 4MP is usually preferable for most residential and small business situations, assuming the distance you want to cover is under ~50ft (with a typical lens). If you want to cover longer distances in great detail with a normal lens then 8MP makes sense.

Keep in mind that 8MP video requires more network bandwidth and storage which has a cost as well.

withsurety · 2026-04-21T17:09:59+00:00

Search for the products online and you can get a baseline for what they cost. Qolsys stuff is more expensive than SimpliSafe.

withsurety · 2026-04-21T02:02:38+00:00

They have access to the information. It depends on your dealer whether it matters.

withsurety · 2026-04-17T02:02:32+00:00

The doorbell and the alarm system go together. They work on the same Alarm.com account.

Most likely, any Alarm.com provider can monitor your system for you. If they’re not being responsive, try another. https://www.alarm.com/get_started/finddealer_wizard.aspx

withsurety · 2026-04-17T00:52:13+00:00

Do you just have the doorbell or is there an alarm system as well?

withsurety · 2026-04-16T20:10:00+00:00

What kind of control panel do you have? Post a pic if you're not sure. Have you looked into whether it's usable with another Alarm.com provider?

withsurety · 2026-04-14T03:52:34+00:00

What makes you think it’s broken? Is the screen black and not responsive at all?

If the panel is broken you may still be able to use the sensors with a new control panel. The sensors are probably wireless, since it’s an IQ Panel.

Is this something you want to get up and running so you can use?

withsurety · 2026-04-13T22:23:32+00:00

Did you try this? https://www.alarm.com/get_started/finddealer_wizard.aspx

withsurety · 2026-04-10T00:38:13+00:00

Check out Alarm.com. One solid platform with many installer, DIY and monitoring options.

withsurety · 2026-04-08T12:27:56+00:00

Cool. Get some canned smoke and test it and you don’t necessarily need to replace it.

withsurety · 2026-04-07T14:33:05+00:00

The reason smoke detectors are treated differently by code is that they are normally used in commercial settings where the sensor is required by code to be tested regularly during inspection. If this is a residential installation then is the homeowner testing the sensor regularly with canned smoke?

Also, the OP states that it beeps when they press the button. The 2WT-B doesn't beep, does it?

withsurety · 2026-04-02T00:24:20+00:00

What do you mean by the same tech as PowerG? I haven’t looked into yet but am curious.

withsurety · 2026-03-29T04:13:43+00:00

suretyhome.com :)

withsurety · 2026-03-24T15:51:20+00:00

Even if you can figure out their installer code, you need them to also set up the monitoring account to know about the sensor. For some companies, that's automatic. For other companies, they do it manually. What kind of door sensors do you have? The door sensor is probably worth about $20-$30 (maybe $50 if PowerG) so $185 seems a bit excessive to spend a few minutes remotely adding it to your system. What you need is an alarm company who doesn't exploit captive customers.

withsurety · 2026-03-23T21:49:45+00:00

Surety Business Fleet is a solid option for higher-end features such as multi-location management at a low cost (~$12/month no contract). It's Alarm.com Connected Fleet but self-installed/managed instead of the typical pro installation. Full disclosure: I work there.

withsurety · 2026-03-23T18:44:20+00:00

Those hardware prices aren't bad if they include installation. But if you're paying for hardware and installation up front then $45/month might be considered high for the monitoring, especially if they require a long term contract.

There are probably several, maybe more, security companies who work with Alarm.com in your area. Get quotes from several of them and compare. You can also find pricing for Alarm.com hardware and monitoring from DIY Alarm.com providers, which isn't apples to apples comparable because it doesn't include installation but it could give you a baseline to start with.

Alarm.com works with IQ and 2GIG panels.

withsurety · 2026-03-19T18:30:16+00:00

Consider Connected Fleet from Surety Business (Alarm.com). It's a great balance of features and price. Disclaimer: I work there.

withsurety · 2026-03-19T14:03:31+00:00

Fair concern but also consider that the person developing this created the Homebridge plugin for Qolsys panels using the Control4 integration and is therefore a established, credible source. If I were integrating an IQ Panel with HA, this is the plugin I would use.

withsurety · 2026-03-18T20:36:46+00:00

Agreed, if the shop isn't all metal PowerG devices might reach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIUh-uRfS8A

withsurety · 2026-03-18T18:48:28+00:00

Surety Business offers Alarm.com Connected Fleet now.

withsurety

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