Can I easily Upgrade My VISTA-40 to a First Alert VISTAH3?

Yes, you can easily upgrade a Honeywell VISTA-40 to a First Alert VISTAH3 with a little planning. Determine which expanders, if any, will remain in use. Be sure to properly mark all wires. Disconnect everything from the VISTA-40, install the VISTAH3, and reconnect. Program and you're done!

The First Alert VISTAH3 is Resideo's latest hybrid security panel. It seamlessly blends the best features of older models with the convenience and lifestyle enhancements of modern security systems. The VISTAH3 offers a cost-effective upgrade path by allowing the reuse of many components from older Ademco, Honeywell, and Resideo panels.

The VISTAH3 supports a robust system with up to 64 total zones and up to four (4) partitions. It features eight (8) built-in hardwired zones, and by utilizing zone doubling on Zones 2 through 8, the panel can accommodate up to 15 hardwired zones without the need for additional expansion modules. Zone numbers one (1) through eight (8) must be used via the panel's hardwired zone inputs. Out of the box, the panel is compatible with SiX and PROSIX wireless sensors.

Older VISTA panels rely on the Enhanced Console Protocol (ECP) for communication on the keypad bus. Essentially, ECP is the language used by the panel and bus devices to interact. The VISTAH3 introduces a new bus technology known as iBus. This new bus protocol leverages RS-485, a widely adopted architecture in industrial automation. Several takeover modules are available to adapt older VISTA expansion modules for compatibility with the VISTAH3's iBus.

Built-in Wired Zones

The VISTAH3 features eight (8) built-in, hardwired zones that operate similarly to zones 1-8 on the VISTA-40. Zone 1 on both panels can accommodate up to 16 two-wire smoke detectors and requires a 2k Ohm resistor (red, black, red color code). Any two-wire smoke detector compatible with the VISTA-40 will also work with the VISTAH3. Zones 2 through 8 on both panels support the same conventional sensors. The VISTAH3 also supports zone doubling and double balancing on these zones. With zone doubling, the VISTAH3 can support up to 15 wired zones without the need for an expander.

VISTA-40 Zone 9 differs from other panel zones. It's a normally closed zone without end-of-line resistor (EOLR) support. If you need to utilize all nine (9) hardwired zones from the VISTA-40 without adding an expander, you can program one of the VISTAH3 panel's zones as normally closed. Then, connect the Zone 9 wires to that zone and double one of the other zones, using the appropriate resistors for zone doubling, resulting in a total of nine (9) wired zones. Note, only normally closed sensors can be used with zone doubling.

Early panels were shipped without the necessary resistors for zone doubling. The correct resistors are a 3k resistor (orange, black, red) on the lower-numbered zone and a 6.2k resistor (blue, red, red) on the higher-numbered zone. For convenience, the panel supports resistor learning on zones 2-8. This means you won't have to find and replace resistors if you're replacing a panel other than a VISTA-40.

On the VISTAH3, when you double a zone, the second zone in the pair will use the next available zone number, starting from Zone 9. The VISTAH3's dynamic zone pairing feature automatically assigns the next available expansion zone number to the second zone in a doubled pair. For instance, if you double Zone 2 and no zones above Zone 8 are in use, the system will pair it with Zone 9. This ensures efficient use of available zones. Additionally, the VISTAH3 supports zone doubling for hardwired expansion zones when used with the VISTAHEXPHW. This iBus expansion module is discussed in more detail in the section on hardwired expansion.

Keypad Support

Keypads compatible with the VISTA-40 are currently not compatible with the VISTAH3. However, as mentioned earlier, the First Alert VISTAHTKVR-B allows some Enhanced Console Protocol (ECP) devices to function with the new hybrid panel. Some devices, like the 4219 zone expander, that are compatible with the takeover module are not supported by the VISTA-40. Also, for a comprehensive list of compatible 5800 Series wireless sensors supported through the VISTAHTKVR-B, refer to the VISTAHTKVR-B Data Sheet.

There have been discussions regarding potential future compatibility of legacy wired keypads, such as the 6160 and 6150, with the VISTAH3. Currently, only the First Alert VISTAHLKP landscape keypad and the First Alert VISTAHPKP portrait keypad are supported. These are basic push-button keypads that provide essential functions like arming/disarming the system and displaying system status. Panel programming is not available through these keypads.

Note: At the time of release, the VISTAHLKP landscape keypad is not yet available. It is expected to be released by the end of Q1, 2025.

Adding a PROWIFI (WIFI-only) or PROWIFIZW (WIFI and Z-Wave Plus) module to the panel enables support for WIFI touchscreen keypads. Several compatible models exist, including the First Alert VISTAHTCHWLC, which is compatible with all VISTAH3 firmware versions. The Honeywell Home PROWLTOUCH and Resideo PROWLTOUCHC touchscreen keypads are also compatible but require a firmware update. The VISTAH3 must be updated first, after which the panel will automatically push the update to the keypad. This process may take up to 30 minutes.

Unlike the VISTAHLKP and VISTAHPKP keypads, touchscreen keypads allow system programming. Without a touchscreen keypad, all panel programming must be done through AlarmNet360, which is accessible only to professional alarm dealers. Therefore, DIY alarm installers require at least one touchscreen keypad on the system to perform any programming.

The ECP devices supported by the VISTAHTKVR-B are:

Non-V-PLEX Wired Expansion

If you need to add wired zones after upgrading to the VISTAH3, several options are available. The VISTAH3 supports the First Alert VISTAHEXPHW, an eight (8) zone hardwired expander. This module can be conveniently mounted inside the enclosure with the main panel or externally using a single or double-gang electrical box. It connects directly to the panel's iBus terminals.

The VISTAHEXPHW provides up to eight (8) additional hardwired zones when using traditional wiring and up to 16 hardwired zones when zone doubling is used. It features resistor learning, simplifying the replacement of other expanders that may have different resistor values, such as those found in older panels like the VISTA-40. It also allows you to program the zones as normally closed or normally open, for use with no resistor.

Beyond the VISTAHEXPHW, the VISTAH3 supports the VISTAHTKVR-B ECP to iBus translator. This module enables the conversion of expansion modules such as the Resideo 4219 eight (8) zone hardwired expander or the Resideo 4229 eight (8) zone hardwired expander with two (2) relays, for use with the VISTAH3. While these expansion modules are incompatible with the VISTA-40, they may be used for other reasons. Ultimately, the VISTAH3 demonstrates exceptional flexibility in terms of expansion capabilities.

Wireless Expansion

The VISTAH3 provides native support for SiX and PROSIX wireless sensors. If you will be bringing 5800 Series wireless sensors over from the VISTA-40, you can use the aforementioned VISTAHTKVR-B to integrate some existing 5800 receivers with the VISTAH3. See the compatibility chart above for a list of compatible receivers.

If you currently have a legacy keypad with a built-in 5800 Series receiver working with the VISTA-40, you may want to consider adding a VISTAHTKVRWL to the VISTAH3. Since the legacy keypad is likely not going to work with the new panel, at least not as of January, 2025, you may need to replace it with a different receiver. The easiest option is the VISTAHTKVRWL. This module connects to the panel on Slot 3, as seen below in this excerpt from the wiring diagram:

Although you will likely only be working with legacy 5800 Series wireless devices when replacing a VISTA-40, the addition of the VISTAHTKVRWL module allows the panel to support any one (1) of the following:

• Honeywell 5800 Series wireless sensors
• 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors (not e-Series)
• ITI (GE) and Qolsys Sensors 319.5 MHz (Not S-Line)
• DSC 433 MHz legacy sensors (not PowerG)
• Bosch 433 MHz sensors.

Only one (1) legacy wireless frequency is supported per takeover module, and only one takeover module is supported per panel. Honeywell 5800 Series and 2GIG 345 MHz sensors are not interchangeable and DSC Legacy and Bosch 433 MHz sensors are not interchangeable. The wireless takeover module will only support any one of these.

While the wireless takeover module is the easiest solution for replacing keypad receivers, it may not be the best choice depending on the wireless network's layout. If multiple 5800 Series receivers were used with the VISTA-40, it's likely due to inadequate wireless coverage when a single receiver was used. In that case, you may need to replace the keypad receivers with 5881 receivers tied to a VISTAHTKVR-B as described earlier. You can also wait to see if keypad receiver compatibility will be added to the takeover module at a later time.

V-PLEX Wired Expansion

A key advantage of the VISTAH3 is its support for the VISTAHTKVR-V Gateway Module. This module translates data from V-PLEX serial data to iBus data, enabling the reuse of compatible V-PLEX expansion modules. Notably, the VISTAH3 is the first alarm panel to support both V-PLEX and ECP hardwired expansions. While this may not be a significant update for most DIYers, it can be a game-changer for alarm dealers.

The VISTA-40 supports both serial polling loop devices and dip switch polling loop devices. Dip switch devices utilize older technology. The zone numbers used by these devices are determined by the settings of their onboard dip switches. Dip switch devices provide slower response times compared to serial devices and are no longer supported on newer panels, including the VISTAH3.

The serial VPLEX devices that are compatible with the VISTAHTKVR-V are listed below:

Product Name	Product Description	Image
269SN	Hold-up Switch w/Stainless Steel Cover
4101SN	1 Zone/1 Programmable Relay
4190SN	2 Zone Expander
4191SN	Recessed Contact
4193SN	1 Zone
4193SNP	1 Zone
4208SN	8 Zone Expander
4208SNF	8 Zone Expander w/Class A Zones	See Above Image. They look alike, but work differently.
4208U*	8 Zone Expander *Must be set to serial mode
4209U*	4 2-Wire Smoke Zones *Must be set to serial mode
4939SN	1 Zone, Surface Mount
4959SN	1 Zone, Overhead Door Contact
5193SD	V-PLEX Smoke Detector
5193SDT	V-PLEX Smoke/Heat Detector
DT8050A-SN	Dual-Tec Motion w/Anti-mask
DT7500SN	Dual-Tec Motion
FG1625SN	FlexGuard Glass Break Sensor
IS2500SN	PIR Motion Sensor
IS3050A-SN	PIR Motion w/Anti-mask
V-PLEX VSI	V-PLEX Short Isolator

Communicators

The VISTAH3 has a built-in Ethernet communicator and can be used with Ethernet-only communication. If Ethernet connectivity is not feasible at the panel's mounting location, you can add the PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW module to the panel and take advantage of available WIFI. The VISTAH3 also supports WIFI-only communication. We will refer to both Ethernet and WIFI communication as IP.

For the most reliable communication, Alarm Grid recommends dual-path communication. This involves an IP communication path paired with an LTE cellular communicator. When both paths are available, the faster IP path is used. If the IP connection becomes unavailable, the system seamlessly transitions to the more reliable LTE cellular path.

The VISTAH3 offers two options for LTE cellular communication: Resideo PROLTE-A for the AT&T LTE network and Resideo PROLTE-V2 for the Verizon LTE network. Both communicators provide robust LTE communication capabilities when used with a VISTAH3. Select the communicator associated with the carrier that offers the best signal at your protected location, regardless of your personal cell phone carrier.

Summary

Upgrading from a VISTA-40 to a First Alert VISTAH3 is relatively straightforward. As the first universally compatible panel from Resideo, the VISTAH3 supports both ECP and V-PLEX expansion. This makes it a suitable replacement for almost any legacy Ademco, Honeywell, or Resideo panel. Moreover, its ability to reuse existing devices from these panels simplifies and reduces the cost of the upgrade process.