Which Control Panels are Compatible w/ a Honeywell VISTA 21iP?

There are no control panels that are compatible with a Honeywell VISTA 21iP. The Honeywell VISTA 21iP is already an alarm control panel, and panels are not designed to interact with other panels. If you want to add a second access point to a VISTA 21iP, you should add another keypad.

Many people are often confused by the differences between keypads and alarm control panels. Every security system has one single alarm control panel, no more and no less. This piece of hardware serves as the central hub, or the "brains", for the rest of the setup. However, a user can almost always add multiple keypads to an alarm system. These keypads serve as the primary or secondary access points for controlling the security system.

If the system is wireless, a user will typically be able to control the system directly from the control panel. But for a hardwired system like the VISTA 21iP, a user will need to add at least one keypad for basic system operation. In the case of the VISTA 21iP, it is recommended that the user adds an alphanumeric keypad, such as the Honeywell 6160 Keypad, before adding any fixed English. That way, they can perform deep level programming if necessary.

The thing about the Honeywell VISTA 21iP Alarm System is that it is just a circuit board housed inside a metal box. It is usually tucked away inside someone's property, perhaps in an attic, storage room or basement. Some users might not even know that this panel exists. Instead, they incorrectly believe that the keypad used with their system is the actual control panel itself. This is not the case, as it is just a keypad!

A general rule about alarm systems is that multiple control panels are not used together. There is only one control panel per alarm system. It is possible to have multiple alarm systems on the same Total Connect 2.0 account (with multiple alarm monitoring plans), but again, these would still be considered completely separate systems. This rule applies across all systems and all alarm control panels.

However, some users might want to add a second on-site access point for controlling their Honeywell VISTA 21iP Alarm System. This is possible by adding a second keypad. A common setup is to have an alphanumeric keypad serve as the primary controller and then have a fixed English keypad, like the Honeywell 6150, mounted in a second spot inside the building. Meanwhile, the Honeywell VISTA 21iP itself will most likely be hidden away somewhere else.

But adding a second Honeywell VISTA 21iP and trying to use it with the first one would be absolutely pointless. This is because they will not work with each other! The only conceivable instance in which anything like this would be done is if the user ran out of zones on their VISTA 21iP System, and they needed to add a second system to cover their property. Still, these two panels would be considered two completely separate alarm systems, even if they were accessed on the same Total Connect 2.0 account. And even then, a much better solution would normally be to just upgrade to a panel that can support a greater number of system zones, such as a Honeywell VISTA 128BPT or a VISTA 250 BPT. This option makes much more sense than trying to operate two completely different alarm systems on the same property.

That said, if you are trying to determine which keypads are compatible with the VISTA 21iP, then there are many options available. Remember, are not control panels. They only provide a means for operating and controlling and alarm system. Every VISTA 21iP System should have at least one keypad for basic operation and control. It is also recommended that a DIY user has at least one alphanumeric keypad on hand so that they can perform deep level programming if needed. Please note that a VISTA 21iP System can support up to eight keypads.

Here is a list of compatible keypads for the VISTA 21iP:

• Honeywell 6160: Alphanumeric keypad with backdoor entry into programming.
• Honeywell 6160RF: Same as Honeywell 6160 with an integrated wireless transceiver for supporting uni-directional and bi-directional Honeywell 345 MHz wireless devices.
• Honeywell 6160V: Same as Honeywell 6160, but with voice annunciation.
• Honeywell 6150: Fixed English keypad with backdoor entry into programming.
• Honeywell 6150RF: Same as Honeywell 6150, but with an integrated wireless transceiver for supporting uni-directional and bi-directional Honeywell 345 MHz wireless devices.
• Honeywell 6150V: Same as Honeywell 6150, but with voice annunciation.
• Honeywell 5828: Bi-directional wireless fixed English keypad from the Honeywell 5800 Series. Requires that the VISTA 21iP has a wireless transceiver in the form of a 6160RF or 6150RF.
• Honeywell 5828V: Same as Honeywell 5828, but with voice annunciation. Requires that the VISTA 21iP has a wireless transceiver in the form of a 6160RF or 6150RF.
• Honeywell Tuxedo Touch WIFI: Touchscreen keypad with built-in Z-Wave Controller. Features a console mode for deep level programming, but cannot backdoor. Requires one of the four AUI slots on the system.
• Honeywell 6280: Same as Tuxedo Touch WIFI, but without Z-Wave functionality. Requires one of the four AUI slots on the system.