Qolsys IQ Pro Systems

All IQ Pro alarm systems come with the same basic features, offering 128 security zones across up to 8 partitions, up to 1000 user codes, and they are all hybrid systems with both a PowerG wireless card and Alarm.com dual-path communicator built in. However, there are numerous versions of the IQ Pro alarm system, and ensuring you select the right model is crucial to your installation. IQ Pro models vary depending on a few major factors, including the cabinet style, possible secondary wireless cards, and cellular SIM card. For cabinet styles, you can choose from either a plastic or a metal enclosure. Secondary wireless cards include the 319MHz, 345MHz, and 433MHz SRF cards that allow different legacy wireless tech to be used with the system. Lastly, you'll need to decide whether you want your IQ Pro outfitted with an AT&T or Verizon SIM card for the cellular connection of your dual-path communicator. Keep in mind, the SIM card you choose does not affect the cost of the system or the services required to operate it. Ensure the model you choose fits your needs best to allow a seamless installation process.

The first IQ Pro model listed here is the PowerG-only IQ Pro with a plastic cabinet. These are great for those building a brand new system that will be mostly wireless, or taking over a medium-sized or smaller hardwired system. The Plastic cabinet offers space for up to 4 HSM2108 hardwired zone expanders and its required backup battery; however, it offers no other space for hardwired expansion. Since the cabinet is plastic, wireless signals can easily pass through the enclosure itself, meaning everything, including the wireless transceiver, is contained within the cabinet. This allows for a smaller cabinet and less restrictive mounting hardware since it weighs significantly less than its metal counterpart. As such, these models will generally work best for residential or small business applications, and can take over standard hardwired systems with 40 zones or fewer, while offering a huge amount of wireless expansion. This version of the IQ Pro comes with 2 part numbers, which dictate which cellular SIM card is built into the unit. The IQPRO17P includes the AT&T SIM card, while the IQPRO19P includes a Verizon SIM card.

Following that, we have the PowerG-only IQ Pro with the metal cabinet. The metal cabinet for the IQ Pro has mounting holes drilled for up to 6 HSM2108 zone expanders and can be modified to fit even more if you're comfortable doing so. This makes the metal cabinet more ideal for systems that will incorporate more hardwired components, fitting up to 56 wired zones out of the box; however, it works well for any application if you prefer the more secure cabinet style. Since the enclosure is made of metal, the antennae for the wireless features of the alarm system are built into a plastic "fin" mounted on the top of the cabinet to avoid any potential interference from the metal. It is recommended that, when mounting the metal cabinet version, you mount the cabinet to studs in standard walls to keep it secure. A nice additional feature of the metal cabinets is that you can use a cabinet lock to secure the cabinet door as well; however, you will need to make a hole for the lock at the indicated location on the cabinet door. The PowerG-only metal cabinet version of the IQ Pro also has 2 part numbers identifying the built-in SIM card. The IQPRO17M has an AT&T SIM card, and the IQPRO19M comes with a Verizon SIM card.