Noice Article!
I would like to see Nortek's actual response on why they are taking so insanely long getting the GC3 updated. It has been over a year since its release. It seems like their is something else at play.
2Gig Intrusion Megatest (GC2 & GC3 Panels Tested)
Published Mar 28, 2017 14:33 PM
****** *** ** *** **** ****** used intrusion *******, **** *** ******* ***** that *** *** **** ******** ** many ***** *********, **** ******** ********** and ***** *** & *** ***** alike.
** **** ****-****, **** ****** **** variants ** **** ***-**-*** ***** ****** and ****** **** ** *** *** they ******** ** ***** ******, *** to **** *****.
******, ** ******* **** **!******* ****** - ************- ** ******* *** ******** **** ** these ******:
- ****-**-**** **********
- ******** ********
- *********** ***********
- ******** ****** **********
- ***** ******** *******
- ******* *** ********
- ******** ******
- ********** *** ************
- ********** *******
- *********** *********
******, ** ****** *** **** ******* that ******** **** ******* ** ***** typical *********** *** ***** ******** ********* alarm *******.
*********
****'* **!******* ************** ****** *** ******** **** **** ******** widely ********* ** *** *********** ****** ******:
- ****** ********: ** *** *******, ************ ****** ***** *** ****** ****** ************* compared ** *********** ********* ***** ***** systems. ****'* ********** ******** *** ********* sensor *********** **** ***** **% ** long ** *** ********** ***** **** in enclosure ***** ***** ******* ** **** tested, **** ** ********* *****,*** ***** ****** ***, ***** ** ******. ***** ********* *** ******** ******** ******* *** ***** sensor **********.
- ***********, ****** ***********: ** ***** ********* ** *** ****: 2Gig's ********* **** *** ******* ********** touchscreen *** **** ** ***-**** ********* for *** *** ***********. *** ********** showed **** ******* ***** *** ** programmed *** ********, *** *** ******* can ** ***** ********** **** **-****** buttons, ****** *** ***** ****** **** and ************ ********* ***** ** ********* systems.
- ***-*** *****: ** ******** ******* *** ***** ***** intrusion ******* ** ****'* ***-*** ***** support, ***** ****** *** ***** ** the ******* ******* *** **** ****** and ***** ** *** *********. ** our *******, **** ****** ** ** an ********* **** ****** **** ********** call-lists ** ******* *****, *** ***** permits ***** ************* ******* ******* *** to *** **********.
**********
*******, ****'* ********* **** **** ********* that *** ********* ********* ** ******* by *********** ** *** ********* ******:
- ******* ****** ******:*** ********** ***** ******* **** ******* are *********** ******** *** ***** ********* detection ****, *** *** ******* **** deep ****** ********* ** ******** ***** like '***-***' ** ****** ***** **** basic **** ***** (**: ** *****). While *** ****** ***** *** ********** for **** *********** ************, **** *** not ******** *** **** ****** ** aggressive ************, *** **** **** *** be ******* ****** ***** ** *** panel. **** *** ***'* **** ** suitable ****** *********, *** ****** ** even ******* ******* ****** *****, ******* sized *********** ************.
- ******* **** ******** ****: ***** *** '***-**-***' ****** ***** for **** ********, ** **** ********** vulnerability *** * ********* ******* ******** to ********* ***** ******* **** *** often ** ****** **** ** ******* or ******. *** ********** ****** ** 2Gig's ******* **** ******* *** ****** large ***** ** ***** **** **** easy ****** ** ***** ***** ** criminals *****, *** ******* ** ****** tampers ** ***** ** ******* *******.
- ** **********: ******* *** ** *** ****** support ******** **********, * ********* ******* for ********** ** ***** *********** *******.
- ** ***** ****** ***:** *** *********** ****** **********, ****** ****** and ******* ** *** ***** ** almost * ***********, *** **** **** not ***** ****. ***** *** ****** support * ****** ** ******** *****-****** monitoring ******** **** ****, **** *****.*** or ****, *** ***** ***** ****** offers ******* *** *** ********** *********** alone *** *******.
- *********** ********: ***** ****'* ******** ** '**********' per *** ******* *** ******** **** physical ********* ** *********, ************* ** not *********, ******* *** ****** **** to ********* ******* & ******** ******** detailed ** ****** ** **** ** *** ***** System ****. ***** *** ****** **** ** such * **** ******* *** *** to **********, ** ****** ** ***** by ********* **-**** *** ** * vulnerability ********* ** ***** ******* **** ***'* ** ******.
Loose *******
******** ** ***** ********* ******* **** limit ****** ** ********* ******* *** tightly ******* ****** *******, **** ******* controls *** *****. ***** ********* ***** selling ******* ************, **** ******** *** widely **** ** '***' ******* ** kit **** **** *********** ******* ******** *********.
GC2 ** *** **********
******* ***** * ***** *******, *** testing ***** *** *** ***** **** of *** **** ****** ** *** older *** *****. **** ****** *** roughly *** **** ****, *** *** newer *** ***** * ****** ********** touchscreen ********* ***** *", ***** *** older **** *** * ******* ~*.*" resistive ****. ***** **** ***** ******, with ****** *******, ** *** ******* the ********** ***** ******** ** **** dependable *** ******** ***** ********* ** commands.
* ****-**-**** ** **** ****** ** shown *****:
*** ******** ** *** ****** ** enclosed ** * ***** *****/******** *******, with *** ****** **** ******** **** into * ***** **** ***** ***********. Depending ** *****, *** ******* ** the ***** ********** ~ */*" - 1 */*" **** *** ****. ****** the ***** ******** *** ****** (*** serviceable) ***********, ****** *******, ***** ******* board, *** ********* ******** *****:
*** ***** ***** ******** **** ***** units ****-**-****:
******** ** * *********** ********* ***** based ******, ********* *********** **** ***** and ******* *** ***** *** *** easy ** ******. ** *********** ** maintenance ***** ** ****** ** ***** connection ******, *** ****** **** ** removed **** *** **** *****.
*******, ******* *** *** *** *** is ******** ** ********* *** ********* sensors, *** **** *********** *** *** wireless ******* *******. **** ****** **** with *** ********* ****** *****, ******** they *** *** ******** **** ** most ********* *******.
**** ****** **** **** * ***** integral ******* **** *** ****** *****, and ***** ** ******** ******** ***** is ****, ***** ****** *+ ***** in *** ****, ****** ** ******* most *******.
******* ***** ** ********* **** * communication ****** ** **** ******, ******** the ********* ** ******** **** * removable **** **** ***** * ******* unit *** ** ********* ******* **** of ******** *** **** **** *** wall.
GC3 ******** *******, '***** ***********'
***** **** ***** ******* **** ****/****** contacts *** ****** ********* *** ********* by **** ********, ******** *** ***** ********** ***** ***** ******:
- *****/**** ******
- **** ******
- *** *********** *******
- ******* ***/*** *****, ******* *** **** Z-Wave *****
** ****, *** **** ** ****** ******** * *********** *** **** *******, since *** **** ***** ****** **** be ********* ******* *** **** ******** reception. *** **** ** * ******* keypad **** ******** ****** ******** ** points ** ***** ** * ***** drawback.
******* ***** ******* *** ********* ** WiFi *************, ***** ******* ***** ******* in *** ******** ***** ** *** GC3, ******* ******** *** *********** ** the *******, ******** * '****** ******** *******'**** ******** **.
**** **** ******* ****** **** **** of *** ******** *** ********* ******* in *** *** *** ******** ********, but **** ****** *********** ** *** year ***** *******. ******* *********** *******, in *** **** ******, ************** ***** ************* **** ********* **** ** ******* on ********.
*** **** ******, *** **** ********* GC2 **** **** ****** ******* ** often ********* ** **** **** ******* instead ** *** ***** ***.
Physical ******** ** **** ******
******* ****** **** ********** ********** ******* versions, **** ****** ***** **** ******** and ***************. *** ***** ***** ********* *** shared *** ******* ******:
GC2 *** *** ******** ***********
***** **** *** ****** ***********, *** GC3 **** ****** **** ******** **** (100 **. ***'* **) *** *** Z-Wave *******. *** ***** ***** ********* those ******** ***********:
Home ********** **********
***** **** *** ********* ******, **** touts **'* ****** ** '********** ****', able ** ********* ** *** ******* non-security ******* **** ***********, ******, ****** detectors, *** *****/ **** *******. ***** devices *** ********** ********* ******* *** panel's ********* **** **** *** ***** system. *** ******* ****** *** *-**** hub ** ** ******** *** ********** in ******* ** ********* ******* **** no ******** **** ** ******* *********** to *** ******.
Secondary Controller *******
*** *********** ******* ******* ** **** panels ** ** ****** **** ** secondary ***********. **** ******* ***** ** primarily *** ******* *** ** *** central ********* *** **** ********** (**:*****************) **** ******* **** ****** ************ and **** **** **** *** **** intrusion ******.
*** ************ ******* ** ****'* ****** are ********** ********** *** **** **** of *****, ** *** ******* ********** could ** **** ** ******* * secondary ********** **** ******* *******, ******** separate **********. ***** * **** ********** as ********* ***** **** ******* ******** like ******** ******** *****, '***********' ******* of **** ******* *** *-**** ******* **** may *** ** ********* ******* *** primary *** *****.
*******, *** *** ********* ******* **** with ****-********** ******. *** *******, **** door ***** *** **** ** ****** to *** ******* ********** ********, ********** any ********* ******** ** ***** ******** (ie: **** '****' **** ** ******, lock *****) ** ***** **** ******.
System ***********
******** ****** ********** *** ****** *********** are ******* ** **** ******, *** distinctively ******* **** *********** ********* ***** and ****** ***** *******, **** ***** using ********* *******.
****** ********* **** ********* ****** ***** ** **** *** *********** *** ***** **** ****** **** ** ***** into * ***** *** ******** **** external *******, ****'* ********* *** ****-********* and ******** *** ***********. *** ***** below ***** *** *****'* "******" **** for ****-********* ******* **** ********* *** inserted *** *** **** ** **** in *****.
*** ***** ***** ***** **** ******* in ******, ****** **** * *** seconds *** ******:
* ******* *********** ****** *** ** programmed **** ******* *******, **** *** panel's ******** '**** ****' ******* ********** one-man ************ ** ****** ***********. *** programmatic ****-**** ** *** ********* ** most ********* *******, *** ****** * single ********* ** **** **** *** zones **** ********** **** ****** *******.
Alarming *******
*** ************ ******* ** ******* ** either *****, **** * ****** *********** button ********* ****** * '****' ***** (perimeter ******* ****) ** '****' ***** (all *******) ****.
*** ***** ****** * ****-******* ********* clock, ********* **** ** ****** ***** and *** ***** ********:
*** ******* *****/************ ** ***** ** 85 ***, *** ***** *** ******* intensity ********** ***** ******. ***** **** ****** ** ** heard ** * ***** ****** ***** dwelling, ********** ******** *-**** ***** *** needed *** ***** ** ******* ***** notifications.
Power ***********
* ****** *** *********** ********* ********** between ****** ** ***** ** *** plug-in **** ************:
*** ***** *** ********* ******* ** ******* terminated *** *********** ** *** ****, forcing ** ********* *** ****** ** hide *** ***** *** **** ** to *** *****'* **** ******** ** snip *** ****** *** ********, *********** destroying **. *** *********** ****** ****** be ******* **** ** ******** **** place, ********* *** ******* ** ***** requirements *** ********* *******.
**** *********** *** **** ******* ** the ***** *** ******, ***** ******** a ******* ******** ** *** ********* transformer ** ****** **, *** ********* relies ** *** ********* ** ****/*** their *** ***** ***** ** *** panel **** ***** *********.
***** **** ***** ******** ** ****** part ** * '************' *******, * DIYers **** *** **** ********** **** cable ** ********** ******, ** **** is ********* ** *** ***.
System *******
**** *** *** *** ****** **** to ** **** ********* **** ***** platforms *** ***** ** *** ***-*** for **** ***** ******* *********** ****.
** *******, *** ***** (*** ***** widely *********) *** ****** ** **** expensive **** *** ***, **** *** including ***** ******** ********, *** ****** sensor, * ******, *** * ***** running ~$***, **** **** *** ***** closeouts ******* ~$***.
*** ***** *** ***** ** * similar *** *********** ***** ~$***, * difference ** ********* $*** *** * better *********** *** ****** ****** *******. While **** ** * ****** *****, channel ******** *** *** ****** **** with **** ******** ****** ** *** 'grey' ****** ** ******.
Competitive *********
**** ** *** *** **** ***** integrated ******** ****** ** *** ******. In ****, **** ***** ********* ****** offer * ******* ********. ***** ********** device ******* *** ***** ******* ****, comparatively ***** ********* *** ***** *** '3/1/1' **** (* ****/****** ********, * panel, * ******):
- *** *****, ~$***
- ****** *** ***** [**** ** ****** available], ~$***
- ********* **** ***** *****, ~$***
Remote ***
*************, **** **** *** ***** * stock ***-***** ****** ******* *** *** panels. *******, *** ******** **** *** a *****-***** ****** *** ******** **** companies **** *****.*********. *** ******* **** ** ***** remote *** ******** ***** **** ~$** - $**, **** ******* ********** **** 'add-on' ******** **** ***** ************, ***** video *******, *** *-*** ***** ******* are *****.
***** *** ***** ****** ***** ******** generally ******* ***** ****** ** *** device *****.
Free *****/******** ***
** ***** ** ******** *** ***** aids, **** ****** * ****,***-***** ***** ************ *********** ***** ********* ** ***** people '*** ****** *** ***' ****** and ****** *** ******** *** ********** on ************* *** *********** ******* ****** equipment.
***** *** ********* ************ ** ***** installers, *** *** ****** '***** **' experience **** ** ******* ******, *** that *********** *** **** ****** ******** proceed ****** ** *** *****.
Central ******* ********** *******
** ***** ** *** *** ******* automation ******** ** *** *****, **** often * *********** ********** ******* ** a '***** **********' ******* *********.************* **** ** ** ****. ****** a ******* ******* ************ ***** ****** user ********* ********, ** **** *** likely ** * ********** ********* ** monitor **** ******.
*********, **** ****** ** **** *** common ******* ** ****** *** ***** reporting *****, ** ******* ******* ******* *** 2Gig ****** ** *********** *** *******, with **** ********** ***** ******** ******** monitoring ******* ********** **.
2Gig *********** *******
** ****** *****, **** *** **** acquired ** ****** *** ****** *** company **** * ******* ******* *** a ******** $*** ******* [**** ** longer *********]. **** ******* ******* **** purchased *** ** ****'* ****-******* *********, alarm ************* ** ******* ** *** **** **** ** $* ******* ********** Intrusion *** ****.
Major ******** ********* ********
***** **** *** *** ***'* ******* customers *** ******** ***** ********* *********:
****'* ********* **** ***** ******** **** Vivint *******, *** ********** *** ** exclusive ******** ******** ********* **** *** company ****** ***********.
2Gig's ********* ********** ***** ****
******* *** ******** ****** ** *** GC ***** ** *********** ********, **** has ***** *** ***** **** **** of *** ********* ******** *** ************** required ** ********** *******. ** ********, **** ******* **** ********** ********* **** Vario, ***** ** * ******* ******** enclosure ***** ***** ********.
Comments (17)
Sean Nelson
Mar 28, 2017Brian Rhodes
Mar 28, 2017Nortek did not comment on the cause of the delays, only saying it is taking 'longer than expected' due to complexity. They also did not give us an expectation date, but just assured us 'it is coming'. Which essentially is meaningless, but congruent with their other statements to those who've asked.
They have told us they will release new products around ISC West 2017, but did not confirm to us whether GC3 updates are included.
Ari Erenthal
Apr 05, 2017Just spoke to Nortek. They say the GC3 update will be available by the end of May.
SS
Scott Sheldrake
Apr 06, 2017Sean Nelson
Apr 06, 2017I wont hold my breath. The gc3 announcements have been coming out like that for a year and thats all they are, announcements
SS
Scott Sheldrake
Mar 28, 20172GIG is a nice system, really easy to set up and program, but they are killing us with the new GC3 panel. We try to sell it but when a customer wants a second touch keypad we have to revert back to GC2 panels or switch to the more complicated and expensive DSC options.
One thing not mentioned in the article is multi-partition which neither GC2 or GC3 panel supports. 2GIG has been promising multi partition support on the GC3 forever and it still has not happened.
If 2GIG could just add a 900 Mhz module for TS1 secondary keypad support and add multi-partition through a firmware update they would be unstoppable. At the moment they are extremely vulnerable to competitor stepping in. We would switch in a heartbeat if there was anything else comparable on the market. I liken 2GIG to Blackberry, just waited to be made irrelevant by iPhone/Android.
Brian Rhodes
Mar 28, 2017One thing not mentioned in the article is multi-partition which neither GC2 or GC3 panel supports.
Good point, added in. Thanks for that.
Sean Nelson
Mar 28, 2017You nailed it on the head with the blackberry example. They were such leaders with their GC2 panel, and the GC3 I thought was also going to be a ground breaking product but it was a failed product release. For them not to get these things updated in this amount of time is unacceptable for a tech company.
Their slogan is "always innovating". Not lately!
BG
Bill Glover
Mar 31, 2017FYI, they just released new firmware in the last few days. It includes Wifi support but I'm not sure what else. The Wifi support is yet to be supported by alarm.com though so no dual path yet.
SS
Scott Sheldrake
Apr 22, 2017Do you know what version of firmware allows Wifi support? And are you referring to Wifi support on the GC3 or GC2?
BG
Bill Glover
Apr 24, 2017Wifi support on GC3. The new firmware came out a few weeks ago. Another update is expected sometime in May. The Wifi does not connect you to alarm.com yet just secondary touch screens. I believe the connection to alarm.com and the secondary touchscreen are due in May. I'm not a dealer or installer but I do own the system and have a technical background.
Support for LTE Cell Radio
The GC3 panel now supports an LTE Cell Radio. The 2GIG-LTEV-A-GC3 works with Alarm.com on the Verizon network to
providing the latest cell technology available. The patent-pending CellSled cell radio is easily replaced by a technician or
even a home owner for easy upgrades.
Support for additional Z-Wave Devices
The GC3 firmware now supports the following additional ZWave devices:
– GoControl Garage Door Controller – GD00Z-5
– Yale Lock Models – YRD210, YRD220, YRD 240, YRL 220
– Schlage Lock Models – BE468, FE599
– AEON Labs DSC24-ZWUS, DSC06100ZWUS
System Pairing & Network Settings
– Two new features in the GC3 firmware have been added to support secondary touchscreens. System Pairing and
Network Settings will be used to securely pair and connect upcoming touchscreens.
NOTE: Connecting to a WiFi network using Network Settings will allow connection to secondary touchscreens. It does not
connect to Alarm.com
General Enhancements
– Improved Two-way Voice performance when switching between modes
– Eliminated beeps after firmware update completion
– Various system performance enhancements
SS
Scott Sheldrake
Apr 24, 2017What secondary touch screens? The ts1? Or is there a new WiFi enabled touch screen?
Brian Rhodes
Apr 24, 2017BG
Bill Glover
Apr 24, 2017A WiFi enabled touch screen is supposed to come out soon. Various dealer forums online say May. I guess we will see. WiFi right now on the panel is effectively useless as you can connect it to your router but that is it.
Brian Rhodes
Oct 04, 20172Gig is bundling a SmartThings hub inside GC3 panels for ADT. (See note here)
It's an interesting pairing for sure, and makes the home automation control aspects of these GC3s better, although they are already strong.
It will be interesting to see if the 'professional monitoring via ADT' aspect is a net positive or net negative. Many of the customers who find SmartThings appealing are equally opposed to professional monitoring contracts, which is why they undoubtedly sought out SmartThings vs other platforms like Alarm.com or Honeywell Total Connect to begin with.
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
May 18, 2018Bump
2GiG Dealers how is the GC3 panels doing? ADI is really pushing the product now so I’m curious to see how the panel has come along.
SS
Scott Sheldrake
May 18, 2018The Gc3 is a really nice panel. There were some early bugs, but many were fixed with firmware 3.1. They also now have secondary touch screens that work with the GC3 and communicate via WiFi (you can use the customers wifi or the built in AP wifi from the gc3 but nobody knows this including the 2gig sales reps) It's nice to have the wifi option because it essentially means the range for a secondary keypad is unlimited.
The multi partition support promised by 2gig for several years now (a decade maybe?) is still not here.
Honestly though despite how nice the GC3 panel is, why even bother using 2gig when Alarm.com supports so many panels. Just use an inexpensive alternative to 2gig with an alarm.com SEM and you're set.