What is the Best Wired Security Control Panel?

The best wired security control panel is the Honeywell VISTA-21iP. The VISTA-21iP stands out in the Honeywell VISTA Series of wired security systems, due to the fact that it is capable of connecting to the internet with no additional add-ons. From there, the system can be easily upgraded as needed.

What makes the VISTA-21iP different from its counterparts is the fact that it includes a built-in Honeywell 7847i, which allows the system to connect to the internet using a hard-wired ethernet connection. This can be used for connecting with Total Connect, which allows for the sending of email and text alerts whenever a system event occurs. Users who want to make their connection even more reliable can also add a cellular communicator, such as the Honeywell VISTA-GSM4G.

The video below shows how to install the Honeywell Vista-GSM4G:

In order to control the VISTA-21iP, you will need to add an external keypad. We recommend using the 6160RF keypad. This keypad includes a built-in wireless receiver, and it will allow you to use most wireless security devices with your 21iP system, including all Honeywell 5800 Series devices. This is arguably the easiest way to make a VISTA panel compatible with wireless sensors.

The video below shows wiring a keypad to the Vista-21iP:

Users who want to get even more functionality out of their VISTA-21iP can also add a Honeywell VAM to provide Z-Wave control for their system. Once the 21iP has Z-Wave compatibility, the Total Connect mobile app can be used to control these devices from a remote location. This will allow you to turn on a Z-Wave light or adjust your Z-Wave thermostat from across the room or across the world.

From the start, the VISTA-21iP will support up to 8 hard-wired zones, but this can be easily increased with zone doubling or a 4219 Wired Zone Expansion Module. A total of 48 zones (wired and wireless) can be used with a VISTA-21iP. However only up to 40 of these zones can be wireless. All 48 can be hard-wired, but expansion modules are required. As mentioned earlier, a wireless receiver must be added for wireless zones to be be used with a VISTA-21iP.

The videos below show how to wire the resistors for use with zone doubling: