What is the Best Keypad for the VISTA-20P?

The best keypad for the VISTA-20P is arguably the Honeywell 6160RF. This device has everything you need if you are looking for an initial keypad. Other popular keypad options for the Honeywell VISTA-20P include the Honeywell Tuxedo Touch, the Honeywell 6280 and the regular Honeywell 6160.

The VISTA-20P is a hardwired alarm control panel that serves as the central hub for a complete security system. Like any wired alarm panel, you will need to add a keypad so that you can control the system on-site. This is necessary for arming and disarming, bypassing sensors, making programming changes and more. A great aspect of a VISTA Series Panel like the VISTA-20P is that there are many keypad options to choose from.

Perhaps the most complete keypad option is the Honeywell 6160RF. This keypad allows for basic functions like arming, disarming and bypassing sensors. This is also an Alphanumeric Keypad, meaning that you can safely make deep-level programming changes. It also has a built-in wireless transceiver, which will let you use wireless Honeywell 5800 Series Sensors with the system. You can also use the keypad to perform the backdoor method if you get locked out of programming. Overall, if you can only get one keypad for your VISTA-20P, this is the one to get.

But not everyone will need all the features that the VISTA-20P will provide. There are other keypads that offer a limited range of features, but they might be suitable if you already have a 6160RF or some existing equipment. For example, the 6160 is exactly the same keypad as the 6160RF, except that it lacks the built-in wireless transceiver. You can still use the 6160 for arming and disarming, bypassing sensors, deep-level programming, and performing the backdoor method. You might get a 6160 if you already have a wireless receiver or if you don't plan on using wireless sensors.

If you already have a 6160RF or a 6160, you might consider getting a Honeywell 6150. This is a Fixed English Keypad, meaning that it cannot be safely used for deep-level programming. However, you can still use it for arming, disarming, and bypassing sensors. There is also the 6150RF, which adds a built-in wireless transceiver so that you can start start using wireless sensors with your system. The 6150RF can support up to 16 wireless zones, while the 6160RF can support as many wireless zones as the panel will allow.

Finally, you might consider adding a touchscreen keypad for your VISTA-20P. Touchscreen keypads are great for users who want a more user-friendly option than a standard push-button keypad. The Honeywell 6280 is a touchscreen keypad that allows for arming, disarming and bypassing sensors. You can also use it for deep-level programming through the special Console Mode feature. This feature allows the 6280 to emulate an Alphanumeric Keypad.

There is also the more advanced Tuxedo Touch Keypad. The Tuxedo Touch provides all of the same great features as the 6280, along with the addition of a built-in Z-Wave controller for using Z-Wave smart home devices, as well as a convenient 4-day weather forecast on the right side of the main screen.

Please note that both the 6280 and the Tuxedo Touch do not support the use of the backdoor method for getting into programming if you are ever locked out. You will need a standard push-button keypad to get into programming if you get locked out. Additionally, the 6280 and the Tuxedo Touch are both considered Advanced User Interface (AUI) devices. There is a limit of up to four (4) AUI devices on a VISTA-20P System. Remember, the Total Connect 2.0 platform also takes up one of these AUI address slots.