Still Using a Hills Reliance or NX Alarm System? This Upgrade Is for You
Have you got a Hills Reliance alarm relies on outdated phone lines, you may be missing real-time alerts and remote access. With R4, R8, R12 and R128 parts being phased out, upgrading to Reliance XR or XR Pro adds 4G, app control and long-term reliability.
If your Hills Reliance alarm relies on outdated phone lines or limited connectivity, you may no longer be getting real-time alerts or remote control access.
At the same time, spare parts for older Hills Reliance and NX systems are being phased out, following the release of the new Reliance XR and XR Pro — the modern replacements for the R4, R8, R12 and R128.
Below we breakdown the differences between the older Hills Reliance alarms and the latest
Hills Reliance Alarms vs XR /XRPRO Alarm
|
Feature |
Old R4/R8/R12/R128 Alarm |
New Reliance XR / XR Pro |
|
Smartphone App Control |
❌ Not Supported |
✅ Yes- Arm/Disarm anywhere |
|
Internet Connectivity |
❌ Limited / none |
✅ Ethernet and modern IP options |
|
Zone Capacity |
⚠ Limited expansion |
✅ Expanded Zones for Upgrades |
|
Motion Detector Compatibility |
⚠ Older PIR support |
✅ Fully compatible with modern PIRs |
|
User Management |
⚠ Basic |
✅ Advanced user access levels |
|
Event History & Logs |
⚠ Limited |
✅ Detailed activity logs |
|
Monitoring Integration |
⚠ Legacy Formats |
✅ Modern Monitoring Support |
|
Replacement Parts Availability |
❌ Discontinued/ Scarce |
✅ Fully Supported current range |
|
Installation Impact |
- |
✅ Minimal rewiring required |
|
Installation Impact |
❌ End-of life platform |
✅ Designed for future upgrades |
Why Homeowners Upgrade Their Hills Alarm:
✅ Control your alarm from your phone
✅ Get faster alerts and system responses
✅ Add new sensors without replacing everything
✅ Future-proof your security system
✅ Keep Using most of your existing wiring and devices
Hills Reliance Alarm Upgrade Path options
- Best for users who want to retain their existing motion sensors and door/window sensors but modernise the control panel and add mobile 4G capability
- The XR Pro Upgrade Kit is the most fully featured option — offering support for IP/4G reporting and smartphone app control while keeping existing wired equipment
- Choose a complete XR / XR Pro kit with keypad and PIRs if you want to refresh not just the panel but also the keypad interface and motion detectors. Home Security Online’s range of Reliance XR and Reliance XR PRO upgrade kits are ready to install combining theses alarm components
- If budget is tight and existing PIRS are in acceptable working condition, a panel-only XR upgrade board keeps costs lower while adding modern features such as phone control while retaining compatibility
|
Current System |
Upgrade Type |
Upgrade Option (Panel +Keypad ) |
Add PIR Detector Kit Option |
|
|
NX4 / NX8 / R8 |
Basic Modern Panel (No New PIR sensors) |
XR panel board only. Keep your existing sensors. Backward compatible with existing wiring and PIRs. Keypad compatibility: While the panel works with legacy keypads, some advanced features (like touchscreen or app control) may require newer XR Touch Keypad
|
|
|
|
NX8 / R8 / R12 / R128 / R16 |
Panel + Full Modern Features |
Reliance XRPRo Security Alarm with Optex PIRs or Hills Reliance Security Alarm System XRPro Kit with Touchnav Keypad |
XR Pro panel with more advanced features (4G/IP, app support). Keeps existing PIRs & sensors. Secures 16 + Zones
|
|
|
NX4 / NX8 / R8 / R12 / R128 / R16 |
Panel + Modern Keypad + PIRs / Full Kit |
Hills Reliance Alarm Upgrade Kits
|
Yes (varies by kit) Secure up to 8 zones - Reliance XR is for you Secure 16 + Zones - Reliance XR PRO is for you Note: Some kits include PIR motion sensors & keypads — check specific XR / XR Pro bundles on the upgrade kits page |
. |
|
|
Panel + Battery/ Backup Power Only |
Reliance XR Upgrade Kit OR Reliance XR PRO alarm Upgrade Kit
|
Lower-cost XR upgrade panel alternative (may require additional keypad / PIR purchases |
|
The Bottom Line:
Both Reliance XR and XR PRO are seamless upgrade options for existing Hills Reliance alarm systems. If your system has 8 zones or fewer - the Reliance XR alarm provides a modern, cost effective replacement solution. For larger homes, systems with more than 8 zones or anyone planning future expansion, XR PRO is the smarter long-term solution.
Not sure how many zones your system has? Our team is here to help you select the right upgrade with confidence. Contact Us Now