May 2025 Archives

Apple CarPlay is designed to shift your attention from your phone to your car's built-in touchscreen, helping you keep your eyes where they should be – safely on the road ahead. Later this month, you can add the Alarm.com app to the growing list of apps available for use with Apple CarPlay.

The bad news is, far too many people are killed in traffic accidents caused by distracted driving. But, there's good news, too. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that number has decreased steadily over the past few years. This decrease is likely due to options like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other initiatives.

According to Alarm.com:

"We’re excited to announce that support for Apple CarPlay is on the way, empowering iPhone customers to effortlessly access their favorite smart security controls right from their vehicle’s display. With a simple, driving-friendly interface, they can stay focused on the road and connected to home, no matter where they go."

The addition of Alarm.com to Apple CarPlay is coming later this month, though an exact date has not yet been provided. In order to use Alarm.com with CarPlay, you'll need the latest app version, a compatible iPhone, and a vehicle or after-market stereo system that supports the feature.

What you can expect from the Alarm.com App in Apple CarPlay:

• Receive critical alerts from your system straight to your vehicle's display.
• Open and close compatible garage doors, simplifying your departure and arrival at home or work.
• Activate custom scenes for Alarm.com-compatible automation devices.
• Run Home and Away scenes for complete control of your system in one convenient location.

In conclusion, as technology like Apple CarPlay continues to evolve, it plays a vital role in reducing the dangers of distracted driving, contributing to safer roads for everyone. The upcoming integration of the Alarm.com app with Apple CarPlay is a prime example of this progress, bringing the convenience and control of your smart home security system directly to your vehicle's display.

This means you'll soon be able to manage alerts, control access, and activate scenes with simple, driver-focused interactions, keeping your attention on the journey ahead while staying connected to what matters most at home. Get ready for a safer and more connected driving experience when Alarm.com arrives on Apple CarPlay later this month.

The First Alert VISTAH3 is Resideo's premiere hybrid panel. It offers built-in wired zones and a built-in PROSIX receiver. With an added module, it can support legacy RF from various manufacturers. However, a touchscreen keypad must be added for local programming, and WIFI isn't included.

The VISTAH3 supports up to 96 zones total, with up to four (4) partitions. There are eight (8) built in hardwired zones, expandable up to a total of 64 hardwired zones. The panel has an RJ45 connector built-in for hardwired Ethernet. If a hardwired network connection isn't possible, the panel can support WIFI with the addition of a module.

The VISTAH3 supports the following agency listings (in no particular order):

• UL 985 - Household Fire
• UL 1023 - Household Burg
• UL 2610 - Commercial Burg
• UL 1637 - Home Healthcare Signaling Equipment
• UL 2017 - Safety General Purpose Signaling Devices
• ULC S545 - Residential Fire Warning System Control Units (Canada)
• ULC S304 - Standard for Control Units, Accessories and Receiving Equipment for Intrusion Alarm Systems (Canada)
• ANSI/SIA CP-01 - False Alarm Reduction Standard

Once the VISTAH3 is registered with AlarmNet it can be used with Total Connect 2.0. This allows the end-user to monitor their system remotely, check system status, arm and disarm from nearly any location, control home automation devices that are associated with the account and view video, if included in the monitoring plan.

Like the Honeywell Home PROA7 and PROA7PLUS and the Resideo PROA7C and PROA7PLUSC the First Alert VISTAH3 can be programmed remotely through AlarmNet360 or locally through a touchscreen keypad. Unlike the PRO Series panels though, the VISTAH3 doesn't come with a touchscreen interface from the factory.

To add a touchscreen to the VISTAH3, you must also add WIFI capability. This can be done by adding either the PROWIFI (WIFI only) or the PROWIFIZW (WIFI and Z-Wave Plus). Once the panel has access to WIFI the Honeywell Home PROWLTOUCH, Resideo PROWLTOUCHC, or the First Alert VISTAHTCHWLC can be added.

Up to eight (8) touchscreen keypads are supported per VISTAH3 panel. You can read all about the number and types of supported keypads in this helpful FAQ. In the table below, we have a list of all the VISTAH3 associated products with links to each.

In addition to the individual components listed in the table, we provide a list of curated kits below. These kits make it easy for DIY customers to get all necessary items to program their system upon arrival. Click any link in the table for additional information on individual products, including specifications and documentation on the dedicated product pages.

First Alert VISTAH3 and Associated Products:

Product	Image	Description
First Alert VISTAH3		Hybrid alarm panel with eight (8) hardwired zones and PROSIX wireless capability built in.
Honeywell Home PROWIFI		WIFI-only Module
Honeywell Home PROWIFIZW		WIFI + Z-Wave Plus Module
First Alert VISTAHTCHWLC		WIFI Touchscreen Keypad
Honeywell Home PROWLTOUCH		WIFI Touchscreen Keypad
Honeywell Home PROLTE-A		AT&T LTE Cellular Module
Honeywell Home PROLTE-V2		Verizon LTE Cellular Module
Resideo PROWLTOUCHC		WIFI Touchscreen Keypad
First Alert VISTAHTKVRWL		Legacy Wireless Takeover Module
First Alert VISTAHEXPHW		Hardwired Expander
First Alert VISTAHISO		iBus Isolator Module (Isolates burg from fire devices on the iBus. Only required in commercial fire applications.)
First Alert VISTAHRELAY		iBus Relay Module
First Alert VISTAHTKVR-B		iBus to ECP Expansion Converter
First Alert VISTAHTKVR-V		iBus to V-PLEX Expansion Converter
First Alert VISTAHPKP		iBus portrait-style wired push-button keypad
First Alert VISTAHLKP		iBus landscape-style wired push-button keypad

First Alert VISTAH3 Kits Available from Alarm Grid:

• First Alert VISTAH3PK:
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAH3 Hybrid Panel
  • 1 - Honeywell Home PROWIFI (WIFI-only) Module
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAHTCHWLC WIFI Keypad
• First Alert VISTAH3PK-V:
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAH3 Hybrid Panel
  • 1 - Honeywell Home PROWIFI (WIFI-only) Module
  • 1 - Honeywell Home PROLTE-V2 Verizon LTE Module
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAHTCHWLC WIFI Keypad
• First Alert VISTAH3PK-A:
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAH3 Hybrid Panel
  • 1 - Honeywell Home PROWIFI (WIFI-only) Module
  • 1 - Honeywell Home PROLTE-A AT&T LTE Module
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAHTCHWLC WIFI Keypad
• First Alert VISTAH3PK-TCH:
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAH3 Hybrid Panel
  • 1 - Honeywell Home PROWIFIZW (WIFI & Z-Wave Plus) Module
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAHTCHWLC WIFI Keypad
• First Alert VISTAH3PK-TCH-V:
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAH3 Hybrid Panel
  • 1 - Honeywell Home PROWIFIZW (WIFI & Z-Wave Plus) Module
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAHTCHWLC WIFI Keypad
  • 1 - Honeywell Home PROLTE-V2 Verizon LTE Module
• First Alert VISTAH3PK-TCH-A:
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAH3 Hybrid Panel
  • 1 - Honeywell Home PROWIFIZW (WIFI & Z-Wave Plus) Module
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAHTCHWLC WIFI Keypad
  • 1 - Honeywell Home PROLTE-A AT&T LTE Module
• VISTAH3IND1***:
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAH3 Hybrid Panel
  • 1 - First Alert VISTAHPKP Portrait-style Wired Keypad
  • 1 - First Alert VX5 HD Indoor Camera

***Note: The last kit listed above (VISTAH3IND1) does not contain the required equipment for programming the VISTAH3. To program, you will need to add a WIFI-capable module and a touchscreen keypad from the list of individual products in the preceding table.