Do I Need a 5881ENH on My VISTA Security System?

No, you do not need a 5881ENH on your VISTA security system. If you do not intend on using wireless sensors with your system, then no wireless receiver is needed. Additionally, if wireless sensors are going to be used with your VISTA panel, there are other options besides the 5881ENH.

The Honeywell 5881ENH is a wireless receiver that will allow your hard-wired VISTA security system to receive RF signals from wireless devices. This is only necessary if you intend to use wireless sensors with your VISTA panel. If you plan on using a strictly hard-wired setup, then there is no need for a wireless receiver like the 5881ENH.

Even if a wireless receiver is needed, the 5881ENH is not the only option available. A great option is to use a keypad with a built in wireless receiver, such as the 6160RF Alphanumeric Keypad. This is a convenient method because it will serve as a fantastic keypad for the panel, while also enabling the system to receiver RF signals from wireless devices.

If you do decide to use a stand-alone wireless receiver with your VISTA system, then the 5881ENH is really only needed if you require a system with support for a large number of wireless zones. Although the 5881ENH provides support for an unlimited number of wireless zones, you will still be restricted by the number of zones that can be supported by your VISTA panel. The VISTA 10P can support up to 24 wireless zones, the VISTA 15P can support 34, and both the VISTA 20P and the VISTA 21iP can support up to 56 wireless zones. As for the commercial VISTA panels, the VISTA 128BPT can support up 127 wireless zones, and the VISTA 250BPT will provide support for up to 249 wireless zones.

In situations that require fewer than 17 wireless zones, either the 5881ENM or the 5881ENL can be used instead of the 5881ENH. The 5881ENM will provide support for up to 16 wireless zones, while the 5881ENL will support up to 8 wireless zones. These are both more affordable wireless receivers that provide the same function as the 5881ENH. The only difference is that the 5881ENM and the 5881ENL will not support as many wireless zones as the 5881ENH. As a result, you can save money by choosing either a 5881ENM or a 5881ENL when support for a smaller number of wireless zones is needed.