Honeywell VAM vs Tuxedo Touch

The Honeywell VAM and the Tuxedo Touch are Z-Wave controllers designed for use with Honeywell VISTA Systems. Both devices enable the use of Z-Wave devices with a VISTA system. However, the VAM itself cannot be interacted with, while the Tuxedo Touch also serves as a touchscreen keypad.

In order to use Z-Wave devices with a Honeywell VISTA System, a Z-Wave controller must be added. This can come in the form of either a Honeywell VAM or a Honeywell Tuxedo Touch Keypad. Once the device has been added, the user will be able to use Z-Wave devices with their system. They will also be able to use Honeywell's Total Connect service to operate Z-Wave devices. This can also be done remotely using the Total Connect Mobile App.

The main difference between the two devices is that the Honeywell VAM is just a Z-Wave Controller, while the Tuxedo Touch serves as an entire touchscreen keypad for the system. By using a Tuxedo Touch, a user can arm and disarm their system, operate Z-Wave devices, make programming changes and even check the current weather in the area. The device truly serves as a secondary point of access for a VISTA System. However, we do not recommend using the Tuxedo Touch as the only keypad for the system. This is because the Tuxedo Touch offers no backdoor method for getting into programming if the user is ever locked out.

On the other hand, the Honeywell VAM provides a VISTA with Z-Wave compatibility, but nothing more. The VAM cannot actually be interacted with in any sort of way. Instead, any Z-Wave control will need to be done either through Honeywell's Total Connect service or using the web browser on a device that is connected to the same network as the VAM. If a user wants to operate Z-Wave devices remotely, they can do so using the Total Connect Mobile App.

If you need to add a Z-Wave controller to a VISTA System, both the VAM and the Tuxedo Touch are great options. If you also need a secondary keypad, we recommend going with the Tuxedo Touch. But if you only need a Z-Wave controller and you don't mind controlling Z-Wave devices through Total Connect, then the VAM is the right choice.