Does a Honeywell VISTA 20P Support Motion Sensors?

Yes, a Honeywell VISTA 20P does support motion sensors. The panel can support hardwired motion sensors, and it can also support 345 MHz wireless motion sensors if a wireless receiver is added. Users should have no problem finding a compatible motion detecting sensor that suits their needs.

A motion sensor is a device that is designed to respond to movement in an area. Most motion sensors do that by looking for the changes in infrared (IR) energy that occur with movement. However, there are also some motion detectors that will only activate upon detecting changes in both IR energy and microwave energy. These are referred to as "dual-tech motion sensors", and they can be a great way to reduce false alarms. The Honeywell VISTA 20P is capable of supporting both standard PIR (passive infrared) motion detecting sensors and dual-tech microwave motion sensors.

Without any add-ons, a VISTA 20P System is only capable of supporting hardwired motion sensors. The motion sensors will need to be wired in directly with the panel's board. Each motion will take up one of the system's hardwired zones. The user will need to access panel programming using the system's Installer Code to configure the settings for that zone. These settings will determine how the system responds when the motion sensor is activated. Most motion sensors are programmed as either an interior sensor or a perimeter sensor.

If a user adds a wireless receiver, then they will also be able to use wireless motion sensors with the VISTA 20P System. This wireless receive can come in the form of a compatible keypad like a Honeywell 6160RF or a standalone wireless receiver like a Honeywell 5881ENH. The wireless motion sensor will need to communicate at a wireless frequency that is compatible with the wireless receiver. The best option is to usually use a 345 MHz motion sensor from the Honeywell 5800 Series. One of the most popular wireless motion sensors to use for this purpose is the Honeywell 5800PIR-RES.