Honeywell SiXCT vs SiXMINICT

The Honeywell SiXCT and the Honeywell SiXMINICT are both wireless door and window contacts from the Honeywell SiX Series. They are both built for use with the Resideo Lyric Alarm System. The SiXMINICT the is smaller of the two, but the SiXCT has a longer wireless range and a hardwired input.

Both the SiXCT and the SiXMINICT operate in the same way. They consist of a sensor with an internal reed switch and a smaller accompanying magnet. The sensor is mounted on the door or window frame. The magnet is aligned with the sensor and mounted on the moving portion of the door or window. For best results, the sensor and magnet should be no more than 0.75 inches apart when the door or window is closed. Ideally, they should be direct contact.

Both sensors communicate at a wireless frequency of 2.4 GHz. And both sensors are designed exclusively for use with the Resideo Lyric Alarm Panel. Both sensors also utilize 128-bit AES encryption when communicating with the panel. This is military-grade encryption that makes these sensors virtually impossible to hack or takeover wirelessly.

The SiXCT is bigger than the SiXMINICT. The SiXCT measures 3.13"L x 1.61"W x 1.0"D. The SiXMINICT measures 2.44"L x 1.25"W x 0.45"D. Please note that these dimensions are only for the sensor itself. They do not include the accompanying magnet. Many users will choose the SiXMINICT over the SiXCT because they want a smaller and more discreet sensor.

But one advantage of the SiXCT is that it has a longer wireless range than the SiXMINICT. The SiXCT can be expected to work from up to 300 feet away from the Lyric when used indoors without a direct line of sight. For the SiXMINICT, this expected range is only 200 feet. If you need a sensor with a longer wireless range, you should probably go with the SiXCT.

Additionally, the SiXCT has a hardwired terminal for supporting a single normally closed (NC) contact sensor, while the SiXMINICT does not. The SiXCT uses a programming option called "Terminal Block" for this function. If you are planning to use the sensor as a wireless transmitter for a single hardwired contact, then you will definitely want to go with the SiXCT. You cannot use a hardwired contact sensor with the SiXMINICT.

Both sensors have an expected battery life of five (5) years with typical use. However, they use different batteries. The SiXCT uses a CR123A battery, which is commonly referred to as a "camera battery". The SiXMINICT uses a CR2450 coin battery. Both batteries can be easily replaced by an end user when needed.

The table below outlines the SiXCT and SiXMINICT:

	SiXCT	SiXMINICT
Compatible Systems	Lyric Controller	Lyric Controller
Dimensions	3.13"L x 1.61"W x 1.0"D	2.44"L x 1.25"W x 0.45"D
Wireless Range	~300 feet indoors	~200 feet indoors
Magnet Spacing Gap	0.75 inches	0.75 inches
Wireless Frequency	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
Encryption	128-bit AES	128-bit AES
Hardwired Input	Yes	No
Battery	CR123A	CR2450
Expected Battery Life	5 Years	5 Years