Honeywell Vista 20P Shopping List

New construction home. Framed but not drywalled. Windows installed.

I'm looking to install the security system myself.

I am a big fan of Home Assistant which I understand the Honeywell Vista 20P has an integration using via Envisalink (eyezon EVL4 module).

I'm happy to wire as much as needed although I would prefer not to drill into window frames.

I do not need central monitoring although I do intend to have it; I just want the ability to use the system, get text/email/app alerts without central monitoring.

Here are the items I believe I need, although I don't know what part numbers or options are available:

• Three keypads. One main and two supplemental. I suspect these should all be wired.
• Wire...... what type of wire do I run?
• Motion/Presence Detectors. Would prefer to be wired.
• Glass break detectors. Will likely never go off so wireless is probably fine.
• Window/Relay contacts. Would prefer not to drill into window frames so probably wireless. Since the windows won't be opened often the batteries should last a long time. I don't particularly like the look of wireless contacts though near windows.
• Door/Relay contacts. Would prefer wired but same with windows, can handle wireless.
• Four sirens. Two outdoors and Two indoors.
• Panel
• Battery Backup
• Smoke dectectors? The electrician has already boxed up smoke detector locations with a plastic junction box Do I need very specific smoke detectors to work with Honeywell 20P?

What else do I need?
Where do I buy this stuff?
Where do I get the manual and installer instructions?
Do I need anything else like certain jumpers or fuses or anything like that?

What am I giving up by going Vista 20P versus the other Honeywell products? Cost differences in products is not a major concern. I would rather spend more for a better product so please don't take this post as trying to do alarm as cheaply as possible.

Thank you all for all the wonderful help this community offers!

forumviewer said:

New construction home. Framed but not drywalled. Windows installed.

I'm looking to install the security system myself.

I am a big fan of Home Assistant which I understand the Honeywell Vista 20P has an integration using via Envisalink (eyezon EVL4 module).

I'm happy to wire as much as needed although I would prefer not to drill into window frames.

I do not need central monitoring although I do intend to have it; I just want the ability to use the system, get text/email/app alerts without central monitoring.

Here are the items I believe I need, although I don't know what part numbers or options are available:

• Three keypads. One main and two supplemental. I suspect these should all be wired.
• Wire...... what type of wire do I run?
• Motion/Presence Detectors. Would prefer to be wired.
• Glass break detectors. Will likely never go off so wireless is probably fine.
• Window/Relay contacts. Would prefer not to drill into window frames so probably wireless. Since the windows won't be opened often the batteries should last a long time. I don't particularly like the look of wireless contacts though near windows.
• Door/Relay contacts. Would prefer wired but same with windows, can handle wireless.
• Four sirens. Two outdoors and Two indoors.
• Panel
• Battery Backup
• Smoke dectectors? The electrician has already boxed up smoke detector locations with a plastic junction box Do I need very specific smoke detectors to work with Honeywell 20P?

What else do I need?
Where do I buy this stuff?
Where do I get the manual and installer instructions?
Do I need anything else like certain jumpers or fuses or anything like that?

What am I giving up by going Vista 20P versus the other Honeywell products? Cost differences in products is not a major concern. I would rather spend more for a better product so please don't take this post as trying to do alarm as cheaply as possible.

Thank you all for all the wonderful help this community offers!

Click to expand...

I replied to your post in the other thread comparing two different system (Qolsys IQ Pro and Vista 20P). I prefer the IQ Pro over the 20P but if you want self-monitoring with the Envisalink than you need the 20p.

Keypads- Honeywell 6160 for standard keypads or Honeywell Tuxedo or 6290 for touchscreen.

Wire- 22/4 alarm wire for sensors, keypads, motions etc. 18/2 alarm wire for sirens and to power the panel. Buy only brand name wire such as Honeywell genesis. DO NOT buy knockoff brand wire from amazon.

Motion Detectors - Highly recommend dual tech Honeywell or Bosch detectors. If wireless, the Honeywell 5898

Windows sensors- Honeywell 5800mini

Door sensors- Honeywell recessed if wired, if wireless, 5800mini

Sirens- That's a lot of sirens. You're going to need a aux power supply unless you use low power sirens. The Honeywell Wave2 EX is a low power indoor siren. Amsesco makes good outdoor sirens but I would have to find one that will keep you within your siren output budget.

Panel- Honeywell Vista 20p

Battery backup- Name brand (Power Sonic) 12v 7ah or 8ah with F1 terminal tabs

Smoke Detectors- The vista 20p supports 2 or 4 wire smoke detectors or wireless detectors. Hardwired smoke detectors use System Sensor and wireless use the Resideo 5800SMOKEV or 5808W3. DO NOT attempt to integrate the 120v smoke detectors into the 20p. Electricians usually install low quality ionization smoke detectors which are prone to false alarm and don't activate in timely manner for slow smokey fires (which are the ones that will kill you). Alarm system smoke detectors use photoelectric sensors which are superior to ionization sensors and don't false alarm when you toast bread. Search "ionization vs. Photoelectric" on YouTube if you wan to learn more about it.

Depending on your total amount of powered hardwired sensors (keypads, GB's, motions) you might need an aux power supply. Altronix makes a good aux power supply but we'll cross that bridge when we know the total amount of sensors you intend to install.

forumviewer said:

New construction home. Framed but not drywalled. Windows installed.

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The sequencing of various trades is important. It's not uncommon for plumbers, electricians, and hvac to get in each others way and NONE of them will care about your wires.
It's best if you can do your part after them, but then you have less time. Also don't do anything stupid like drill massive holes or cut notches out of your floor joists.

Here are the items I believe I need, although I don't know what part numbers or options are available:

• Three keypads. One main and two supplemental. I suspect these should all be wired.
• Wire...... what type of wire do I run?
• Motion/Presence Detectors. Would prefer to be wired.
• Glass break detectors. Will likely never go off so wireless is probably fine.
• Window/Relay contacts. Would prefer not to drill into window frames so probably wireless. Since the windows won't be opened often the batteries should last a long time. I don't particularly like the look of wireless contacts though near windows.
• Door/Relay contacts. Would prefer wired but same with windows, can handle wireless.
• Four sirens. Two outdoors and Two indoors.
• Panel
• Battery Backup
• Smoke dectectors? The electrician has already boxed up smoke detector locations with a plastic junction box Do I need very specific smoke detectors to work with Honeywell 20P?

Click to expand...

The full alpha keypads make programming easier and it's nice to see labels like 'Front Door' rather than zone numbers.

22 gauge 4- conductor copper wire

On motion detectors the main thing is placing them in intelligent locations at the correct height.

Wired glass breaks are often cheaper than the wireless ones. Broken glasses in and clanging pots and children can sometimes set off acoustic glass break sensors.

Four sirens is almost certainly overkill and is also more than your alarm panel can handle without auxiliary power supplies, batteries, relays, etc. 2 is likely plenty.

Smoke detectors, building code requires interconnected smoke detectors, which are typically 120V and not connected to an alarm system. You may opt to add a smoke detector or two that is connected to the alarm system.

What else do I need?
Where do I buy this stuff?
Where do I get the manual and installer instructions?
Do I need anything else like certain jumpers or fuses or anything like that?

What am I giving up by going Vista 20P versus the other Honeywell products? Cost differences in products is not a major concern. I would rather spend more for a better product so please don't take this post as trying to do alarm as cheaply as possible.

Thank you all for all the wonderful help this community offers!

Click to expand...

DSC makes their manuals easily available online if you're considering the PC1832 or PC1864. With Honeywell/Residio just google and you'll find them, just be aware that you could be looking at an old somewhat out of date manual. Not that much has changed, but some of the top hits at 20 year old versions of the manual.

DSC has their newer PowerSeries Neo line which makes some nice changes but the data bus is encrypted so you can't use the EVL-4. Resideo's newer products are mostly all in one touchscreens without much support for wired sensors. Both of these newer systems use encrypted wireless sensors that can also be locked by an alarm company so you can switch monitoring companies.

Depending on the number of zones, you could need some zone extenders

@smiticans and @tangent thank you for taking the time to reply.

Regarding Qolsys IQ Pro versus Honeywell: What makes me nervous is the "newness" of Qolsys. It seems like a brand new company with a brand new company which has ended very badly many times in the past. Honeywell product is tried and true albeit missing a lot of features.

I am not opposed to forever being locked into central monitoring or a nominal alarm.com subscription fee for self-monitoring. I just don't like being "locked in" to one company whether it is the hardware or the monitoring.

My understanding is that the Honeywell 20P is fully compatible and integrated with Home Assistant using the EVL-4 (it is actually the EVL-4 that is compatible). I plan to use Home Assistant wherever possible for some lighting control, alarm control and even camera viewing. It would be nice to have one phone app or web address to see "everything". My understanding is that Qolsys is that there are attempts at hackish ways of getting it to work with Home Assistant and therefore doesn't have an actual official integration.

I'm not married to Honeywell 20P. I don't know if they have a superior product or if there are superior DSC products. I've just seen 20P with EVL-4 mentioned a lot here and it seems like it is a technology that is rock solid, again, albeit missing some features (that Home Assistant seems to fill the gap). Maybe I'm totally wrong but that is part of the reason for inquiring of the group.

Here is a count of sensors/relays:
14 Windows
9 Doors (3 of these are sliding glass doors if that matters)
3 Keypads (one main in master bedroom I assume, then garage and front door)
1 Outdoor Siren (locate near garage toward front of house?)
1 Indoor Siren (centralized in the middle of the house?)
2 Glass Break

By the way, I hate most touch screens. I don't know if they have got better over the years but my experience with most touch screens that aren't a smart phone or tablet is that they are complete garbage, not responsive, etc. Nothing like touching a physical key!

If you want easy integration with things like Home Assistant via an EVL-4, stick to the Vista 20-P or DSC PC1832 / PC1864. Both of which are compatible with the EVL4. They're both fine.

Qolsys isn't a new company. They've been around since 2013 or perhaps a bit earlier, in 2020 they were acquired by DSC's parent company (Johnson Controls). They have been a relatively innovative company, integration with something like Home Assistant could be challenging (not sure what's possible via zwave. One of the comm modules for newer DSC does have a serial home automation interface, but Control4 may be the only authorized integration.

All of these panels have 8 zones built in. Some can do zone doubling (not the smoke zone). The IQ Pro supports addressable sensor loops (requires special sensors). You'll likely need some zone extenders.
The Vista 20P supports a maximum or 48 zones, the PC1864 a max of 64 zones.

9 wired Door Zones + 2 Glass + 2 motion detectors + 1 (2 wire) smoke zone = 15 zones. Smoke detectors have to be wired to a specific zone. On the windows, it's a question of how or if you want to monitor if they're open / closed (wired, wireless, not at all). You can combine multiple sensors on a single zone, but you wouldn't be able to tell which window is open.

Low Voltage pre-wire tips and secrets help!
1. Keypads - Homerun to the 20P Panel using 22 gauge 4 conductor wire. Do I use a junction box at the keypad location sites or do I just leave the cable dangling? I've also thought maybe block that area and then drill a small hole in the block where I want the keypad and stick the cable through the hole and pray that the drywallers don't cut or push the cable into the hole. Any thoughts?

2. Sensors - For wired sensors, similra to above any secrets? This can be a can of worms as I understand some products may have to drill through the window frame and door frames. Homerun for each so that I can assign a zone to the sensor and know exactly what sensor got triggered otherwise can daisy chain?

3. Siren - What cable? Any secrets or tips?

4. Glass Break - What cable? Any secrets or tips?

5. Motion Detector - What cable? Any secrets or tips?

If one of your goals is to do useful things via home automation, you may actually want quite a few wired motion detectors. The wireless ones for security systems are less useful for automation because they time out to save battery.

I believe alarm dot com isn't an option for the 20P; what company do you recommend for central monitoring? I'm planning on getting the EyezOn EVL-4CG for IP but would also like LTE capability (I see EyezOn has an IP/LTE combo product but I don't see people talking about it.

For pre-wire motion detectors and siren is there some secret or tip on wiring the 18/2 cable in this pre-drywall stage? Do I just put it in the general location of where I'll mount the motion detector/siren and hope that the drywall people don't ruin it?

forumviewer said:

I believe alarm dot com isn't an option for the 20P; what company do you recommend for central monitoring? I'm planning on getting the EyezOn EVL-4CG for IP but would also like LTE capability (I see EyezOn has an IP/LTE combo product but I don't see people talking about it.

For pre-wire motion detectors and siren is there some secret or tip on wiring the 18/2 cable in this pre-drywall stage? Do I just put it in the general location of where I'll mount the motion detector/siren and hope that the drywall people don't ruin it?

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You can use the Vista 20p on the alarm.com platform using the alarm.com SEM (System Enhancement Module)- Alarm.com ADC-SEM300-VT-VZ-M - System Enhancement Module (SEM) for VISTA w/ Verizon LTE Cat-M1 and IP Communicator

To answer your other question, Keypads, Motions, Glassbreaks use 22/4. All of those devices use 4 wires. The door/window sensors only need two wires but I suggest you just run 22/4 that way you have an extra pair. You'll use the 18/2 wire for power from the transformer to the alarm panel and to wire the sirens.

Any hardwired fire alarm device such as a smoke detector or heat detector should use 18/4 or 18/2 FPLR (red fire alarm wire).

Stick with Dual Tech motions detectors such as the Honeywell DT-8035V. They're worth the extra couple of dollars.

smiticans said:

You can use the Vista 20p on the alarm.com platform using the alarm.com SEM (System Enhancement Module)- Alarm.com ADC-SEM300-VT-VZ-M - System Enhancement Module (SEM) for VISTA w/ Verizon LTE Cat-M1 and IP Communicator

To answer your other question, Keypads, Motions, Glassbreaks use 22/4. All of those devices use 4 wires. The door/window sensors only need two wires but I suggest you just run 22/4 that way you have an extra pair. You'll use the 18/2 wire for power from the transformer to the alarm panel and to wire the sirens.

Any hardwired fire alarm device such as a smoke detector or heat detector should use 18/4 or 18/2 FPLR (red fire alarm wire).

Stick with Dual Tech motions detectors such as the Honeywell DT-8035V. They're worth the extra couple of dollars.

Click to expand...

Can I have BOTH the Alarm.com ADC-SEM300-VT-VZ-M as well as the EyezOn EVL-4CG? I really want the EVL-4CG for Home Assistant integration and potential future self-monitoring. I would love to have LTE for alarm.com so that I have more choices for central monitoring. Ideal world is that I can have both!

I'll stick with the Honeywell DT-8035V for motion detectors; thank you.

Do you have a recommendation for a smoke detector or heat detector? The electrician will have their own that they install that just chirp but it would probably be wise to have a few of my own integrated into the alarm system.

smiticans said:

Stick with Dual Tech motions detectors such as the Honeywell DT-8035V. They're worth the extra couple of dollars

Click to expand...

Bosch makes good motion detectors too. Whether or not they have pets that roam the house is relevant to the choice/placement of motion detectors.

forumviewer said:

Can I have BOTH the Alarm.com ADC-SEM300-VT-VZ-M as well as the EyezOn EVL-4CG? I really want the EVL-4CG for Home Assistant integration and potential future self-monitoring. I would love to have LTE for alarm.com so that I have more choices for central monitoring. Ideal world is that I can have both!

I'll stick with the Honeywell DT-8035V for motion detectors; thank you.

Do you have a recommendation for a smoke detector or heat detector? The electrician will have their own that they install that just chirp but it would probably be wise to have a few of my own integrated into the alarm system.

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The Envisalink 4 has a "shadow mode" which allows it to be installed along with a Honeywell LTE/IP communicator. So I believe it'll also work with the alarm.com module but I can't be 100% sure.

Bosch also has a good line of dual tech motion detectors especially if you don't have any pets and want a high security detector (Look for Bosch detectors with anti-cloaking).

Wireless smoke detectors either Resideo 5800SMOKEV or 5808W3. You should also hardwire heat detectors in locations such as attics (use 194 degree detectors), garage, utility room etc. Use System sensor heat detectors. Heat detectors are 2 wire devices.

tangent said:

Bosch makes good motion detectors too. Whether or not they have pets that roam the house is relevant to the choice/placement of motion detectors.

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I agree, I mentioned them previously in this post and in the other thread. They have a good lineup of high security motions.

We do have a dog although I imagine being on "stay" the motion detectors won't do anything so I'll seriously consider the Bosch motion detectors otherwise the DT-8035V seems great. Any particular Bosch motion detectors to recommend?

@smiticans what wired smoke detector would you recommend? What about wired heat detectors? Walls are open right now so I want to wire as much as possible and don't want to have to deal with constant draw/batteries if I can avoid them now.

forumviewer said:

We do have a dog although I imagine being on "stay" the motion detectors won't do anything so I'll seriously consider the Bosch motion detectors otherwise the DT-8035V seems great. Any particular Bosch motion detectors to recommend?

@smiticans what wired smoke detector would you recommend? What about wired heat detectors? Walls are open right now so I want to wire as much as possible and don't want to have to deal with constant draw/batteries if I can avoid them now.

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I believe the ISC-BDL2-WP12G is the Bosch motion detector with 100lb pet immunity. Just make sure you pull up the manual and install it exactly to the specifications otherwise the pet immunity might not work properly

For hardwired smoke detectors I would recommend the System Sensor system sensor 2wt-b. Keep in mind this is a 2-wire smoke detector and 2 wire smoke detectors can only be installed on zone 1 on the vista 20p. You can have up to 16 of them but only on zone 1. 2 wire smokes are the easiest to install and program. You can install 4 wire (2 for zone and 2 for power) smoke detectors on the rest of the zones, but then you need to add a power supervision module, and program a smoke detector reset which makes things more complicated. I prefer to keep my smoke detectors on separate zones so I know which one activated.

The IQ Pro can be used with addressable smoke detectors. These smoke detectors can installed on the same wire loop and each one will have its own individual zone.

Heat Detector- System Sensor 5601P for 135 degree and System Sensor 5602 for 194 degree (attic or any location that would exceed or be close to 135 degrees under normal conditions)

FYI I was able to get almost 8 years of battery life with my 5808W3 wireless smoke detectors out of a single battery.

If you intend to use wireless sensors, you'll need a keypad with an integrated wireless receiver (6150RF or 6160 RF) or a separate wireless receiver. One wireless receiver per system.

Below is my shopping list. If there is anything missing or if you believe there is a smaller or better option please let me know. Thank you so much!

Panel: Vista 20P
Panel Zone Extender: 4219
SEM1: ADC-SEM300-VT-VZ-M for alarm.com Verizon LTE
SEM2: EyezOn EVL4
Keypads: 6160RF for wireless receiver. 6290W for color touch screen. Only one 6160RF in system.
Wired Smoke Detector: System Sensor 2WT-B for wired.
Wired Heat Detector: System Sensor 5601P (up to 135 degrees)
Wired Motion Detector: Bosch ISC-BDL2-WP12G
Wired Door Sensor: 944T
Wired Window Sensor: 943WG (thanks @tangent for pointing out this one is wired and not wireless like the original post)
Wired Siren: WAVE2
Wireless Glass Break: 5853 or FG-730. Either or is there a better one?
Wireless Window Sensor: ??? 5800MINI?

forumviewer said:

Wireless Window Sensor: 943WG

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That's a wired sensor not a wireless one.

tangent said:

That's a wired sensor not a wireless one.

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Good catch... my spreadsheet even has wired listed on it. doh! Do you have a suggestion for a wireless small window sensor? 5800MINI?
Also instead of 943WG would a 951WG be more current?

I keep finding product list guides from Honeywell/Resideo and it seems like even though they talk about 20P items to use they are never consistent with what their list shows. Even Resideo's website doesn't match a product guide from 1/2022 but it is also very very very possible it isn't the latest product guide.

forumviewer said:

Below is my shopping list. If there is anything missing or if you believe there is a smaller or better option please let me know. Thank you so much!

Panel: Vista 20P
Panel Zone Extender: 4219
SEM1: ADC-SEM300-VT-VZ-M for alarm.com Verizon LTE
SEM2: EyezOn EVL4
Keypads: 6160RF for wireless receiver. 6290W for color touch screen. Only one 6160RF in system.
Wired Smoke Detector: System Sensor 2WT-B for wired.
Wired Heat Detector: System Sensor 5601P (up to 135 degrees)
Wired Motion Detector: Bosch ISC-BDL2-WP12G
Wired Door Sensor: 944T
Wired Window Sensor: 943WG (thanks @tangent for pointing out this one is wired and not wireless like the original post)
Wired Siren: WAVE2
Wireless Glass Break: 5853 or FG-730. Either or is there a better one?
Wireless Window Sensor: ??? 5800MINI?

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The Honeywell 5853 is wireless, the FG-730 is an old model hardwired glassbreak.

I added up your max aux power draw and you're going to need an aux power supply. The maximum aux power output a vista 20p will provide is 600ma.
1x ADC SEM MAX= 230ma
1x 6160rf MAX= 150ma
1x 6290w MAX= 290ma
1x? Bosch Motion MAX= 12ma
1x 4219 MAX= 30ma
1x Envisalink 4 MAX= 64ma

The total possible draw is 776ma.

I recommend purchasing the Altronix SMP3 power supply with the Honeywell 1361 transformer.

Altronix SMP3 - Auxiliary Power Supply
Honeywell 1361-GT - AC Transformer 16.5VAC, 40VA

You're also going to need a 12v 5ah battery for the aux power supply (This does not include the 12v battery for the vista 20p).

I would recommend powering either the ADC SEM and the 6290 or something similar from the aux power supply. The aux power supply negative terminal needs to be connected to the vista's negative terminal on the ECP bus or devices won't communicate properly. Review the wiring diagram for a better explanation.

Also, something for you to take into consideration on a security standpoint. Any devices that gets power from the aux power on the vista or the aux power supply will not function if there is a short on any device that's getting power from that source. For example, if you have the ADC SEM, 6290 and Bosch motion detector getting power from the vista's aux power and the wiring on the Bosch motion becomes shorted, all power going to the ADC SEM, 6290 and Bosch motion will go out.

For wireless window sensors I recommend the 5800mini. Just look at the spec sheet and verify they'll physically fit on the window.


EDIT: You're also going to need wire cutters/crimpers and "B" connectors or similar. WBOX 0E-SR100S - B Connectors, 100 Pack

Make sure all of your connections are good. Any connection that is loose or not done properly will cause a false alarm.