VISTA 21iPLTE vs. VISTA 20P

The VISTA 21iPLTE and the VISTA 20P are mostly the same hardwired panel from Resideo. There are only two (2) major differences. The VISTA 21iPLTE has a built-in IP communicator, while the VISTA 20P does not. And only the VISTA 21iPLTE can support plug-in LTE cellular communicators.

In terms of pure system specifications, the VISTA 21iPLTE and the VISTA 20P are created equal. They support the same number of total zones (64), the same maximum number of wired zones (48), and the same max number of wireless zones (56). Both come with only eight (8) on-board wired zone terminals. To use additional wired zones, you must either use zone doubling on Zones 2 thru 7 or get one or more Honeywell 4219 Expansion Modules. To use wireless zones, you need a wireless receiver. These systems also support the same number of keypads (8) and AUI devices (4), and they have the same number of key fob zones (16). Both support two (2) partitions, along with a third common partition.

Where these panels differ is in terms of communicators. The VISTA 21iPLTE has a built-in IP communicator. This means that you can technically use it with AlarmNet and Total Connect 2.0 right out of the box. You just need to activate the communicator for monitoring service. But the VISTA 20P does not have an AlarmNet Communicator built-in. You will need to add some type of alarm monitoring communicator to a VISTA 20P to activate it for reliable monitoring service. Technically, you can use a POTS (plain old telephone service) connection with either system, but this is not reliable, and strongly discouraged.

If you want cellular communication for the system, then you will need an add-on, regardless of whether you have a VISTA 21iPLTE or a VISTA 20P. However, it is much easier to add a cellular communicator to a VISTA 21iPLTE than it is for a VISTA 20P. The VISTA 21iPLTE supports plug-in LTE communicators, while the VISTA 20P does not. The plug-in LTE communicator for the VISTA 21iPLTE is the LTE-21V (Verizon LTE). Since you do not need to disable the built-in IP communicator for the VISTA 21iPLTE to add one of these modules, adding either one will make the panel dual-path capable.

Remember that you will need a monitoring plan that includes cellular service to activate any cellular communicator. If you are an Alarm Grid customer, you can choose between any Gold or Platinum Level monitoring plan. This includes both Self and Full Plans. We also offer a cellular alarm monitoring plan that does not include access to Total Connect 2.0.

For the VISTA 20P you have a few options for communicators. If you want IP only, then you should add a Honeywell 7847i Communicator. If you want cellular only, then you should add either a Honeywell LTEM-XA (AT&T LTE) or Honeywell LTEM-XV (Verizon LTE) If you want dual-path connectivity with both cellular and IP, then you should add a Honeywell Home LTEM-PA (AT&T LTE Cat M1 & IP) or a Honeywell Home LTEM-PV (Verizon LTE Cat M1 & IP). Keep in mind that any communicator will need to be activated for alarm monitoring service and access to AlarmNet360 and service from Total Connect 2.0.

One last note, the VISTA 21iPLTE comes with a more powerful 1361 Transformer to power itself and the built-in communicator. The VISTA 20P comes with a less powerful 1321 Transformer, which can power itself, but not an added communicator.

	VISTA 21iPLTE	VISTA 20P
IP Communication	Yes (built-in)	Yes (add-on needed)
Cellular Communication	Yes (add-on needed)	Yes (add-on needed)
Supports LTE Plug-In Modules	Yes - LTE-21V	No
Total Zones	64	64
On-Board Hardwired Zones	8	8
Max Hardwired Zones	48 (Five 4219 Expanders)	48 (Five 4219 Expanders)
Max Wireless Zones	56 (wireless receiver needed)	56 (wireless receiver needed)
Key Fob Zones	16	16
Max Keypads	8	8
Max AUI Devices	4	4
Partitions	2 (Partition 3 is common)	2 (Partition 3 is common)
Transformer	Honeywell 1361	Honeywell 1321