Can I Make My Honeywell VISTA Security System Wireless?

Yes, you can make your Honeywell VISTA Security System wireless. In order to do this, you must add a compatible wireless receiver module to the system. This will allow you to use compatible wireless sensors with the system. By doing this, you can use the panel without any hardwired sensors.

A Honeywell VISTA System can only support hardwired sensors out of the box. These wired sensors must connect with the on-board zone terminals on the panel. If you want to use wireless sensors, then you must add a wireless receiver module to the system. This can either be a standalone wireless receiver module like the Honeywell 5881ENH or a wired keypad with a built-in receiver module, such as the Honeywell 6160RF. Whether you use a standalone module or keypad with a built-in receiver, the end result will be the same. Your VISTA Panel will then be able to support compatible wireless sensors. Keep in mind that there may be a limit to the number of wireless zones that the added wireless receiver can support. Make sure to check the specifications of the wireless receiver. Some wireless receivers can support an unlimited number of zones, and you will only be restricted based on the zone limitations of the panel itself.

Most wireless receivers used with a Honeywell VISTA System will provide the ability for the panel to support wireless 345 MHz sensors. This includes sensors from the Honeywell 5800 Series. The 345 MHz frequency has been used with Honeywell Sensors for quite some time. Just keep in mind that a 345 MHz receiver for a VISTA Panel will only provide support for Honeywell 345 MHz Sensors. You won't be able to use 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors with your VISTA System, as their wireless protocol is not supported by the added wireless receiver. You also cannot use Honeywell SiX Sensors, as they do not operate at the 345 MHz frequency. Only Honeywell 5800 Series Sensors and wireless sensors that operate at that same legacy Honeywell 345 MHz protocol will work.

It is also important to consider whether the module you add is a uni-directional wireless receiver or a bi-directional wireless transceiver. For example, the module built into the Honeywell 6160RF Keypad is a wireless transceiver, while the standalone Honeywell 5881ENH is a wireless receiver. The difference between a receiver and a transceiver is that a transceiver can send and receive signals, while a receiver can only receive signals. In other words, a wireless receiver is not able to send signals, as it can only receive them. This is important because you need a wireless transceiver if you want to use certain bi-directional devices with your VISTA System. If you only add a wireless receiver, then you will not be able to use bi-directional devices. With a standard uni-directional wireless receiver, your system will only support one-way communication devices. Some examples of two-way, bi-directional 345 MHz devices that require the use of a wireless transceiver include the Honeywell 5800WAVE Siren, the Honeywell 5800RL Relay, and the Honeywell 5828 Wireless Keypad.