Honeywell Ademco VISTA-21IP Control Panel w/Onboard IP Communicator

I bought this panel to replace my 20 year old Ademco Via 30Plus panel that had recently gone a little flaky. It had been rock solid for all that time following my DIY install that included the whole 5800 series wireless functionality including RX, TX, and a suite of sensors including window and door contacts as well as PIRs and glass break. I had the old Via 30+ panel initially monitored by a local outfit via the panel dialer over copper phone lines, then later switched to internet monitoring by Alarm Relay with one of their pre- provisioned VoIP ARIM modules. That worked out well and was less costly so I wanted to stay with Internet monitoring.The picture on the item listing is a little misleading but I knew that. This is the bare Vista 21ip main panel and it does not come with a 4G antenna or module. It does have the onboard ip communicator that works with Honeywell's Total Connect system. That's exacty what I wanted. I was able to transfer all the other 5800 wireles gear over to the new panel since it had the exact same form factor and cabinet. Also, with minor differences programming was the same as the old panel. After addressing the hardwired alpha numeric keypas (that was different from the Via30+ that did not require them to be addressed) the programming interface was the same Ademco setup that has been used for decades. That is not to say it is easy if you have never done one. It's not. But if you have then at least it is familiar if still somewhat cumbersome.I simply pulled out my old zone chart and duplicated it in the new panel and had it up and running in no time. Ran an ethernet cable and plugged it in, then literally less that 5 minutes on the phone with Alarm Relay and I was good to go. The Total Connect monitoring costs a few $ more than my old basic monitoring package but well worth it for the PC and smartphone connectivity and reporting.Highly recomended... but if you haven't done one of these "real" alarm systems before do not underestimate the complexity of install and difficulty in programming. It can be a DIY project if you have the aptitude and time but if not you may find you need to "phone a firend" or have an installer finish the job.

good product

I debated between this and the Vista-20. The 21IP provides internet and 4G connection but only if you buy into the Honeywell Total Connect system from a central alarm company and 4G only if you add a Honeywell GSM4G card. I added a Eyez-On Envisalink EVL-4 IP Security Interface Module to provide iOS remote arming and did not buy into Total Connect but wanted the option to add Total Connect later.The Vista-21IP does not have wireless sensor capability unless you add something like the Honeywell 6160RF keyboard to it. Most of the reviews I read warn that this unit is very hard to program. I did not find that to be the case. Once you understand the basic terminology, programming is straight forward.Zones: Sensors or groups of sensorsPartitions: Separate clusters of sensors (like having a separate alarm system)Doubling: Putting two hardwired sensors on one zone. Uses sensor circuit resistance to identify what sensor is active.Contact ID: Identification number used by central alarm company to identify your house.Primary Phone Number: phone number used by your central alarm company to report alarms and error codes.Report Codes: identifies what information to report to your central alarm company.I found that very few of the default codes programmed into the 21IP needed to be changed. Once I understood the basic terminology, wiring and programming the unit was easy. Honeywell makes good equipment though their manuals are definitely not written for the DIYer.

I had a Vista 20P, but it stopped working with my Vonage VOIP phone line, so I needed to replace the main board with one that would connect direct to the Internet. This is almost the exact same board, except it has an RJ-45 jack to connect to my router, and does not have X-10 features like the 20P did.Installed easily with no problems, and most all settings remained the same as the 20P.These boards are NOT for the inexperienced do-it-yourselfer. There are hundreds of settings that are not always obvious what they do. If you are setting up a system for the first time, I would look elsewhere.

New box with manufacture date of 4/2018. The picture has an antenna, but this doesn't have it. I think that's for the wireless. Works with the tuxedo. Wiring is easy enough, but programming it is difficult. I got the low battery fixed, but still has other errors. So, if you are planning on upgrading to system, be prepare to do a lot of research. No manual, so good luck. I found the password is 4112. That would get you to the cs setup and system settings. If I can only fix the 103 longrange error. I even bought a wireless to ethernet, but still doesn't work. I know the wireless to ethernet work after testing it on PC. All the lights do lite up green but error still there.

Unless this is for a commercial install and you need lots of hardwired zones, don't bother. IP communication is nice, but the panel programming is an absolute NIGHTMARE compared to the Lynx line. I carry around a thick folder of manuals to work on these. DIYers, go with a wireless Lynx panel and use a wired-wireless conversion (5800C2W) instead. Trust me, you'll be thanking me if you do.Also, the Tuxedo Touch is advertised as Honeywell's top of the line automation panel, and what you would normally use with a VISTA series panel. They are NOT compatible with the garage door control kit (5877). The "lower end" wireless Lynx 5200 and 7000 panels are. Nice move, Honeywell.