Do I Need A Phone Line For My VISTA 20P To Work?

No, the Honeywell Vista-20P control panel has compatible GSM cellular communicators and an internet communicator which makes the landline obsolete.

The compatible cellular communicators are the Honeywell GSMX4G and the GSMV4G. The difference between the GSMX4G and the GSMV4G is the GSMV4G has its own power supply, it ships with a battery backup and a transformer. The GSMX4G runs off the Vista-20P’s power. Users will need to calculate how much power the panel is outputting and will need to pair it with a an auxiliary power supply if needed.

The compatible internet communicator is the Honeywell 7847i. The 7847i connects to the Vista-20P panel through the keypad bus, and then an Ethernet wire is connected to the Ethernet connector on the 7847i to a port on your router. Alarm signals from the Vista-20P will be transmitted through the internet connection. This connection will not interfere with the daily internet service. However, if you lose internet for any reason, you will lose communication between the alarm system and the monitoring station, and/or Total Connect 2.0.

The most secure path of communication is dual communication. The iGSMV4G is the compatible dual communicator for the Vista-20P. The first path of communication will be IP and if you lose the IP connection, the GSM will take over and continue communication with the alarm system. Users do have the option to activate the IP path only or the GSM path only, but again dual is the most secure path.

Pairing the Vista-20P with either the GSMX4G, GSMV4G, 7847i or the iGSMV4G allows users to connect to Total Connect 2.0.

Total Connect 2.0 provides users with the ability to control a Honeywell alarm system, home automation and video surveillance from any computer, smartphone or iOS device. Users will receive notifications via email and or text message on any alarm signal or event, once enabled.

The Vista-20P's revision need to be 9.12 or higher to be compatible with Total Connect 2.0. Honeywell offers a prom chip to upgrade the panel without having to replace it. The prom chip is also included in GSM kits; GSMV4G-TC2, GSMX4G-TC2, iGSMV4G-TC2

There is not a kit that includes a prom chip for the 7847i, users will need to purchase the prom chip separately, if needed.