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.