This may seem like a dumb question (and a bit blasphemous on this site butā¦ Can a 2Gig system serve as a primary controller and perform all the same functions that my current Vera system handles? Not that I want to throw away my Vera system, but I need to add a security system and I already have a bunch of zwave light switches, thermostat, etc. that Vera has been managing for a couple years now quite well.
So I guess what Iām asking is that, rather than try to interface the two, can the 2Gig system simply replace Vera? (albeit, requiring paying alarm.com to handle remote management and pay the monthly fee). If so, wouldnāt that be a simpler solution to implement and maintain?
[quote=āmdconnelly, post:21, topic:167739ā]This may seem like a dumb question (and a bit blasphemous on this site butā¦ Can a 2Gig system serve as a primary controller and perform all the same functions that my current Vera system handles? Not that I want to throw away my Vera system, but I need to add a security system and I already have a bunch of zwave light switches, thermostat, etc. that Vera has been managing for a couple years now quite well.
So I guess what Iām asking is that, rather than try to interface the two, can the 2Gig system simply replace Vera? (albeit, requiring paying alarm.com to handle remote management and pay the monthly fee). If so, wouldnāt that be a simpler solution to implement and maintain?[/quote]
My experience is that these panels have VERY limited functionality for controlling zwave devices. For example no scene construction, conditional logic, extensible plug-in support, non-zwave / zwave integration etcā¦
I understand that, as a secondary controller, the 2Gig system cannot āinformā Vera when a specific 2Gig sensor is tripped. But, can it, as a secondary controller, āinformā Vera of a change in status? For example, when the 2Gig system is armed, or disarmed, or an alarm is triggered?
Short of that, Iām not really seeing a lot of benefit in the zwave aspect of 2Gig unless all you want is an alarm system with rudimentary zwave capability.
So I was responding to āserve as a primary controller and perform all the same functions that my current Vera system handles?ā Being no. To answer the other part is that as a controller (Primary or secondary) we are taling only zwave functions NOT alarming functions. THe 2gig panel provides the bridge so that if an alarm turn on light. In order to get the alarm states that has to happen over the āinterfaceā. You could use a zwave module as your bridge by having the 2gig turn this module on which could tell Vera (ether as Primary or Secondary) via trigger to fire a scene.
OK, Iāve ruled out using the 2Gig as a complete replacement for my Vera system. Vera has been extremely stable for me for well over a year and Iād rather not disturb that. While 2Gig may work well as a secondary controller that can trigger Vera scenes and events, the comments here suggests perhaps not.
What Iām looking for is a relatively inexpensive home security system (windows, doors, monitoring service) that, ideally, can also trigger zwave events/scenes on Vera on alarm events.
I have absolutely no experience with alarm systems and ātrustingā installers is a big stretch - particularly when they require a 3 year contract. Few seem to have any in-depth experience with zwave despite claiming that their systems support zwave (GE Simon, 2Gigā¦).
The alternate would be to go down the path of a non-zwave wireless monitored security system (e.g. SimpliSafe) and just strengthen how Iām using Vera independently (cameras, motion sensors, ā¦)
Any and all advice and insight is highly welcomeā¦
Right now I have several lighting modules paired with my primary controller (Vera Lite) and several secondary controllers (remote controls). If I add the 2Gig as a secondary controller, wonāt the door sensors and motion detectors (and lights) pair with both the Vera Lite and the 2Gig? If so, tripping the sensors will initiate alarm actions (calling police, setting off siren) via the 2Gig system and other actions (turning on lights, etc) via a scene setting trip in the Vera Lite. Will that work? The only glitch is if I want the Vera Light to take action EVERY time those sensors are tripped or only when those sensors are tripped AND the alarm is on.
This has been discussed many times. The alarm sensors will not show up on the Vera. They are only tired to the 2gig. There is no way to have the alarm sensors integrate as 2gig does not provide any way to do so.
OK then, final question (I hope): Does the 2Gig status show up on Vera? That is, does the 2Gig state of alarming vs. not alarming or armed vs. not armed show up on Vera?
[quote=āgarrettwp, post:29, topic:167739ā]None of the 2 gig alarm functions will show up on Vera. They are completely independent.
Garrett[/quote]
Understood, but if I understood aschwalb in an earlier post, can not the 2Gig alarm trigger a zwave action which would then be seen by Vera? With either 2Gig or Vera being primary and the other secondary. It all sounds feasible but Iām sure the devil is in the details.
I think youāll bump into the fact that for the other controller to pick up the change, you need to rely on polling. Thatās a slow process; so updates will be far from instant.
Yes. Make the 2GIG secondary controller. Thatās very simple to do and is located in the Zwave Toolbox.
The 2 Gig will NOT share itās sensor status with the vera. But it does not have to. The 2Gig being a secondary controller does not lose its controller abilities. If you want a light to turn on when a door is opened, then program the 2Gig panel to send the on command to that light on a sensor trip.
Yes it means having programs in two locations (one set of programs on the 2Gig and one one set on the Vera), but all you have to remember is that alarm triggered events go in the 2Gig. Everything else goes on the Vera.
The one gotcha on this (I think) is if you want to use door locks with the 2Gig. I donāt believe it can see the door locks if itās secondary. Anyone have any success doing that?
I currently run two fully separate zwave networks because of this very issue. One on a vera3 that controls lights, christmas decorations, and my home theater. The second on my 2 gig system that controls specific entry and exit lights based on triggers from the alarm sensors and states.
2Gig customer support is horrible. Donāt even bother calling them. Knowing what I know about them today, Iād never had bought their system. It works, but it is way over sold in their sales pitch and documentation.
The sad thing is with a some minor software updates 2Gig could go from just being an alarm that supports SOME zwave to an alarm that integrates with zwave. Big difference. Of course, theyād need to actually care about their customers first.
Iām in the same boat. I needed a good security system that wouldnāt break the bank and I opted for 2Gig, in part, because I thought I could integrate it with my Vera zwave system. Bad thought. But overall, Iām quite happy with 2Gig as a security sytem. And if all you want is to control a few lights, thermostat or door locks I think 2Gig is a nice, simple solution. But, it aināt no Vera nor is it really capable of working with Vera without a few painful compromises. I will say that my experience with 2Gig support has been good as long as I stayed within what they sell. Any questions I had they answered promptly and fully.
I was going to setup the 2Gig to work as a secondary to Vera, but then learned that it couldnāt do so for door locks (which really should be tied into the security system) so I bagged it.
Be that as it may, Iām keeping the 2Gig for security, thermostat, door locks, sensors and a couple lights, but will be switching back the bulk of my lights and a couple sensors to Vera. Perhaps 2Gig will someday expand what it can do with zwave, but it really isnāt there now.
Hi guys - jumping on this thread to see if anyone has had luck adding a secondary controller to the 2Gig Control Panel. I want to keep the 2Gig as the primary so it can control locks but want to add the GE Advanced Remote to it as a second controller to run scenes and groups.
Iām not sure how to add the remote to the 2Gig. Itās also my understanding that since the z-wave modules (lights) are already paired to my 2Gig controller they canāt be paired independently to the GE controller? But Iām hoping that last part is incorrect.
My take on what you want to do is that it is likely possible, but not without having to work with one of the 2Gig installers. There are menus on the 2Gig system to allow secondary controllers I believe, but their hidden away behind installer access. I tried to get them to give me the installer code but they would not.
If anyone finds a way to do so without needing to bring in an installer, Iād love to hear about it.
I initially tried using my 2GIG as a controller and it was not a great experience. The only good thing was that it drove me to Vera. I too am happy with both, but would like an alarm trip to interact w/ Vera to turn on all the lights.
Sorry to bump an old thread but I just installed a 2GIG system over the weekend. I made it a secondary controller, which was very easy. I was surprised to see that it pulled in my Kwikset lock and is able to see the status and control it. The VeraLite unit is still the primary and of course controls the lock. Iām not sure if this is a fluke or if something has changed in the 2GIG firmware.
Iām going to try to setup a scene with the 2GIG and see if it works, such as when the door is unlocked have it turn on a light or disarm the system. The 2GIG does have a menu for creating scenes, but I havenāt had a chance to play with it yet. Iāve read that the functions were fairly rudimentary but maybe theyāve been enhanced lately.
The only probably I seem to be having is the unit pulling in my Honeywell thermostat. It is showing up as a device but it canāt pull info or control it. Have never had any issues with the VeraLite controlling it.
Anyway, I will play around with the scenes and report back.
Interesting! I do know that the 2Gig software has been getting better but I havenāt recently tried making it secondary to Vera. Perhaps itās time to tackle this one more time. Please continue to post any progress or problems you have.
butā¦ Can a 2Gig system serve as a primary controller and perform all the same functions that my current Vera system handles? Not that I want to throw away my Vera system, but I need to add a security system and I already have a bunch of zwave light switches, thermostat, etc. that Vera has been managing for a couple years now quite well.