Is the Honeywell Home Tuxedo an AlarmNet Communicator?

No, the Honeywell Home Tuxedo is not an AlarmNet Communicator. A Honeywell VISTA Security System cannot use a Tuxedo Keypad to connect with the AlarmNet servers and Total Connect 2.0. There are many communicator options available for a Honeywell VISTA System to provide monitoring service.

Many people mistakenly believe that the Tuxedo is an internet communicator, due to its ability to connect to a local WIFI network. But that is not the case. The Tuxedo connects to the internet to receive firmware updates and to relay automation commands from Total Connect 2.0. But it cannot provide internet connectivity for its connected VISTA Alarm Panel. The system will still need its own AlarmNet Communicator for this purpose. For most VISTA Systems, adding an external communicator is essential for setting up monitoring service. The VISTA-21iP and VISTA-21iPLTE are exceptions, as both of those panels have internal IP communicators that they can use to connect with AlarmNet.

One of the primary functions of the Resideo Tuxedo is to function as a touchscreen keypad for a Honeywell VISTA Alarm System. When you use the Tuxedo to perform a command for the VISTA System (e.g. Arming/Disarming), you will likely notice that the status updates on Total Connect 2.0 as well. But that's not because the Tuxedo is speaking with AlarmNet to relay the update to TC2. What is actually happening is that the Tuxedo is communicating to the VISTA, and then the VISTA is using its AlarmNet Communicator to speak with AlarmNet so that the status update can be passed on to TC2. Remember, the Tuxedo is not an AlarmNet Communicator. It merely speaks with AlarmNet for the purposes of relaying smart home automation status updates and commands, receiving firmware updates, and receiving a local weather forecast to display on the screen.

If you are looking for a communicator for your Honeywell VISTA System to get it monitored, then there are multiple options available. As we mentioned earlier, the VISTA-21iP and VISTA-21iPLTE both have their own internal IP communicators that they can use to connect with AlarmNet. If you have a VISTA-21iPLTE, then you can add a Honeywell LTE-21V to the system. The VISTA-21iPLTE will use the Honeywell LTE-21V for cellular connectivity and its own internal communicator for IP connectivity. This will make the system dual-path ready. Please note that the LTE-21V communicates across the Verizon LTE Network.

All other VISTA Panels need an external communicator. The Honeywell 7847i is an IP-only communicator that works great with VISTA Systems. If you're worried about internet outages, then you might want to go with a cellular communicator instead. The Honeywell LTE-XA (AT&T LTE) and the Honeywell LTE-XV (Verizon LTE) are options if you want cellular monitoring. There are also dual-path communicators like the Honeywell LTE-IA (AT&T LTE & IP) and the Honeywell LTE-IV (Verizon LTE & IP) that use both cellular and IP connectivity. Keep in mind that an alarm monitoring plan will be needed to activate any communicator. If your communicator is using cellular connectivity, then you must obtain a monitoring plan that includes cellular service.