Honeywell Lynx L5100 vs Honeywell 6160

The Honeywell Lynx L5100 is a wireless alarm system with an onboard siren, backup battery and integrated graphical touchscreen keypad. The Honeywell 6160 is an alphanumeric wired keypad that integrates with a wired VISTA series alarm panel. The 6160 consists of a number pad with 4 function buttons which can be mapped to preprogrammed macro commands. Both units are capable of doing deep level programming of zones but the distinct the difference is that the 6160 is simply a keypad console that sends commands to a wired security system. These commands are performed via button sequences based on specified fields of programming. The touchscreen of the Lynx Touch L5100 makes the icon based programming more user friendly and intuitive.

The L5100 Lynx Touch has a built in bi-directional RF receiver which allows you to pair wireless sensors directly to the panel. For awired Honeywell alarm system, you must add and enable a wireless receiver. There are several types of RF receivers including ones like the 6162RF keypad which have the receiver built into a keypad itself. If you are looking to add a graphical touchscreen display to an existing Honeywell VISTA alarm system you are limited to the Tuxedo Touchand Tuxedo Touch WIFI. They both have z-wave controllers which allow you to integrate automated devices with your alarm panel. You can also do z-wave control on the L5100 by adding a L5100-ZWAVE module.

All in all, the 6160 alphanumeric keypad can only perform a fraction of the features that the L5100 Lynx Touch can. However the 6160 grants a user the ability to do any level of programming. So for anyone with a wired Honeywell panel the 6160 is a great device to ensure independence and customization of the alarm system. The Lynx Touch is hands down the better option for a DIY alarm solution.