Honeywell VISTA-20P Ademco Control Panel, PCB in Aluminum Enclosure

Purchased this panel directly from an authorized Honeywell dealer. This was to replace an existing Vista 20se which did not support the Tuxedo Touch console. The unit powered up correctly, but 20 minutes later AC failure was displayed on the console. I assisted the installer in tracing the failure to a burnt power brick. The unit was considerably hot and could have caused a fire. The installer checked all power leads and verified the board was properly cased in the panel. On further examination, there was a loose 1/2 inch solder lead found under three components. This leads was snipped during construction and was causing a short between several components. This led to a short in the external power brick which overloaded the unit. The enclosed power brick had no thermal fuse and continued to short until the unit literally burned up. Upon removing the solder lead and replacing the brick the unit continued working correctly. I have not observed any issues since that time. I personally contacted Honeywell Customer support and they completely ignored my information. I was told that any issues with the unit were in the hands of the installer and dealer. They wash their hands of any responsibility if the unit burns down your house due to manufacture defects. I would use this product at your own risk, and keep a smoke detector nearby.

This is a great price for a new and up-to-date 20P. Resistors, lock/key and documentation provided were complete. However, be aware that although the image on the main page showed the unit with a battery, the unit received did NOT have a battery. Also, the image did NOT show a power transformer but the unit did come with the necessary power transformer. Neither the battery nor transformer are mentioned in description. Hopefully this will be corrected by the seller, and if not for this Id have rated this listing with 5 stars. As for the batteries: Typical Vista 20P kits that are furnished with a battery include a small (4.5ah) 12V battery. I have learned that this small capacity battery is hardly sufficient to sustain a typical system over repeated or extended power outage(s), as necessary to ensure reliability for security and emergency (i.e. panic & fire/smoke detectors). My practice has been told to use no less than a 7ah battery in a Vista 20P at a minimum. Even then, one must consider that batteries are living things and will degrade over time, even if not used. For this reason I run my Vista systems with two 7ah batteries in parallel (providing 14ah support to the Vista), and also with the power transformer connected to a UPS. Using the UPS helps protect the Vista power supply from utility/power line fluctuations and spikes, from lightening damage, and also prevents discharge/recharge cycles on the Vista batteries thereby extending their service life too. I replace my batteries in my UPS every two years and in my Vista 20Ps every three years. Failure to regularly replace batteries can also lead-to equipment failures because the battery cells can short-circuit thereby drawing higher current from the power supply. Disclaimer: I am not an authority on this subject matter. The statements made are my own opinion and may not be accurate. Use them at your own risk.

Very recently priced. My original vista 15 died, it was an easy upgrade to the Vista 20. I used all my existing wiring and equipment.

I bought this box (on Amazon) as a kit along with many of the other pieces I needed to construct a full system. I have a background as both a computer software and hardware engineer. I installed my own professional system in a different house many years ago. Even with my background, it still took me numerous hours to setup and program this system, along with a few questions in an alarm forum. The system I installed years ago had a computer interface with a program specific to the unit I had. That was a much easier setup. All of my programming was on the 6160RF keypad. The is a new keypad out (6260) which is supposed to have some programming aids built in, but I could not find anyone who had actually used one. The documentation is helpful in some areas and non-existant in others. Again, this system is sold expecting that it will be installed by a professional alarm installer. It is a good piece of hardware, but there are much better choices for a total novice. If you are getting one, here are my recommendations: 1. Get the RF option on the keypad even if you think you will not need any RF devices. The difference in cost is small and you will likely find out later that you do want one or more RF sensors. 2. Get a 7 ah battery rather than the 4 most people include in the kits. It will take longer to die of old age and last longer under load. Again the cost difference should be small. 3. Get an outside horn (#702). The Wave2 that most people sell is not fully weather proof and is not loud enough to wake up the neighbors. Use the Wave2 inside as a second horn. 4. Include fire detectors in your system. If you have both burg and fire, you will get a very large discount on your homeowners insurance. My discount pays for all my monitoring costs. Also it is good protection to have the fire department called if there is a fire when you are not home.

The product is used by most pros. Installing it myslef was fun. Make sure you add a battery and, I suggest, add also EYEZ-ON EVL-3 which give capability to send you alerts (email and sms). Also suggest that you combine it with 6160 alpha keypad because you will need it to do all the needed programming.

As a retired professional alarm installer you get what you need at ,great price

Perfect replacement for our old existing one.

will buy again

Easy to install and the directions were ok. Replaced an old Vista 10 system with this it is working great!!!

Arrived on time. The product worked great. I was worried that it might be flimsy per one other review. I was pleased with the steel thickness.