Which is better; DSC Power or Honeywell Vista?

Plugins & Plugin Development Unmaintained
1

I’m shopping for an alarm system and have been reading up many forums. Some info is outdated, so here goes age old question; Which panel to choose? Honeywell Vista or DSC Power Series. These panels seem to be evolving some old criticism may no longer be valid.

I would like to integrate with VERA so when I unlock my door using Schlage deadbolt, alarm will disarm as if I entered my code on alarm keypad. Currently which one integrates better with VERA, Vista 20P or Power 1864?

I need IP monitoring such as ALARMRELAY.com or Eyezon EnvisALARMS using EVL-3 or other module. I lean towards ALARM RELAY seems to be more robust, longer in the USA market.

I want the best very reliable and modern motion sensors such as the ones that use PIR and Microwave simultaneously. I have been sick and tired of erratic false alarms with Zwave motion sensors that suck battery.

So far one big problem for me: I can’t find a DSC compatible wireless PIR+Microwave “dualtech” motion sensor compatible with DSC Power series panels. As I understand DSC Power-G NEO dualtech motion sensor such as PG9984P is not compatible with Power Series 1832.

DSC has TR5164-433 2-Way Wireless Transceiver Module which seems more modern, so these panels seem to be evolving and updating, but I don’t see motion sensors that utilize two way feature. Maybe a wireless dualtech motion sensor will be available in the future??

DSC has wired LC-103-PIMSK DualTech motion sensor, but that requires running wires.

Honeywell has wireless dualtech (PIR+Kband MW) motion sensor “5898” for Vista 20p which is a huge bonus. But it seems DSC is a more popular system (maybe because it’s cheaper) and it seems to integrate better with Vera and Eyezon Evl-3 utilizing virtual keypad. In the mean time it seems plugin development has come along way for Honeywell Vista 20p and EVL-3 supports it as well, but not clear if it has virtual keypad. It seems like Vista 20P is always a second choice.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

2

[quote=“ibmford”]I’m shopping for an alarm system and have been reading up many forums. Some info is outdated, so here goes age old question; Which panel to choose? Honeywell Vista or DSC Power Series. These panels seem to be evolving some old criticism may no longer be valid.

I would like to integrate with VERA so when I unlock my door using Schlage deadbolt, alarm will disarm as if I entered my code on alarm keypad. Currently which one integrates better with VERA, Vista 20P or Power 1864?

I need IP monitoring such as ALARMRELAY.com or Eyezon EnvisALARMS using EVL-3 or other module. I lean towards ALARM RELAY seems to be more robust, longer in the USA market.

I want the best very reliable and modern motion sensors such as the ones that use PIR and Microwave simultaneously. I have been sick and tired of erratic false alarms with Zwave motion sensors that suck battery.

So far one big problem for me: I can’t find a DSC compatible wireless PIR+Microwave “dualtech” motion sensor compatible with DSC Power series panels. As I understand DSC Power-G NEO dualtech motion sensor such as PG9984P is not compatible with Power Series 1832.

DSC has TR5164-433 2-Way Wireless Transceiver Module which seems more modern, so these panels seem to be evolving and updating, but I don’t see motion sensors that utilize two way feature. Maybe a wireless dualtech motion sensor will be available in the future??

DSC has wired LC-103-PIMSK DualTech motion sensor, but that requires running wires.

Honeywell has wireless dualtech (PIR+Kband MW) motion sensor “5898” for Vista 20p which is a huge bonus. But it seems DSC is a more popular system (maybe because it’s cheaper) and it seems to integrate better with Vera and Eyezon Evl-3 utilizing virtual keypad. In the mean time it seems plugin development has come along way for Honeywell Vista 20p and EVL-3 supports it as well, but not clear if it has virtual keypad. It seems like Vista 20P is always a second choice.

Any thoughts or recommendations?[/quote]

Long time ademco/Honeywell guy… great systems very reliable. They are coming out of dark ages too and supporting lots of new tech. 21ip panel with 5881 wireless receiver and 4g radio is what you want if you need hardwired sensors or just want brains separated from keypad. Go with lynx if you want all in one completely wireless solution. All wireless sensors are same for both. Lynx is not a security issue either with the virtual dial delay, so keeps you protected if someone breaks in and destroys alarm before timer expires.

For monitoring, geoarm is your best bet. Excellent prices, free tech support and good service. Ul/industry certified as well and they will provide cert for insurance. For dual path (wifi/Lan and 4g) monitoring you are looking at $20 a month or less… much less than other guys. Probably won’t need total connect if you get ad2usb module since u can do almost the same stuff thru vera for free.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

3

No… The plugin does NOT support “virtual keypad”… The latency of the uPnP mechanism in Vera combined with the EVL3 latency prevents a true virtual keypad implementation… although in the control page I was able to implement virtual LEDs and keypad Alpha display.

4

I am curious… How do you integrate a Lynx with Vera?

5

Currently, you can’t… however, the L5100/L5200/L7000 support the L5100-WIFI module OR the ILP5 Ethernet module (one or the other - not both at the same time)… which provides a web interface for monitoring and control using the L5100 connect app for IOS and Android. The modules (are supposed to) support an HTTP API, so a Vera interface is possible (but does not yet exist).

6

I managed to get an L700 with a wifi module on the test bench… The wifi module DOES NOT have a web server!! It does support wifi keypads on the local network (using the IOS or Android apps), but it appears to use an encrypted binary protocol.

SO… If you want a alarm panel that can interface with Vera, stay away from the Lynx series…

7

[quote=“cybrmage, post:6, topic:182730”]I managed to get an L700 with a wifi module on the test bench… The wifi module DOES NOT have a web server!! It does support wifi keypads on the local network (using the IOS or Android apps), but it appears to use an encrypted binary protocol.

SO… If you want a alarm panel that can interface with Vera, stay away from the Lynx series…[/quote]

Wow… that’s cool. If you find anythign else out, please let us know!

I wonder… when you say wifi module, do you mean the zwave module they sell for it? Or is this something else?

8

I also found out that I don’t like the Lynx panel… The touchscreen is “wonky”… and when the panel goes to sleep, it won’t wake up… I guess I got a DOA unit…

I’ve also been playing with the new Vista Automation Module… It is basically a Tuxedo Touch Wifi without the touchscreen…
It has a web based interface that works with many browsers (including Android tablets & phones, iPhone & iPad, etc)… Has a Z-Wave controller (I haven’t yet determined if it has the same bugs as the Tuxedos) and a WiFi interface… At 1/3 the price of a Tuxedo panel, it looks like a nice (relatively) inexpensive option: assuming I can get the Vera to Emulate a browser…

9

[quote=“libby2cm, post:2, topic:182730”]Long time ademco/Honeywell guy… great systems very reliable. They are coming out of dark ages too and supporting lots of new tech. 21ip panel with 5881 wireless receiver and 4g radio is what you want if you need hardwired sensors or just want brains separated from keypad. Go with lynx if you want all in one completely wireless solution. All wireless sensors are same for both. Lynx is not a security issue either with the virtual dial delay, so keeps you protected if someone breaks in and destroys alarm before timer expires.

For monitoring, geoarm is your best bet. Excellent prices, free tech support and good service. Ul/industry certified as well and they will provide cert for insurance. For dual path (wifi/Lan and 4g) monitoring you are looking at $20 a month or less… much less than other guys. Probably won’t need total connect if you get ad2usb module since u can do almost the same stuff thru vera for free.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk[/quote]

Is the 21ip supported by the Vera plug-in? If I move away from overpriced ADT to my own panel I want to integrate with Vera, or else move to one of the integrated systems and abandon Vera altogether.

10

The OP to this discussion was looking for an alarm panel that could be integrated into a home automation system so that (for example) the alarm would be disarmed when a door was unlocked. I suggest something think twice before tying the functioning of the alarm system to the operation of the door locks. Protecting a home from break and enter is best achieved by using multiple levels of protection and/or deterrence. Consider the door lock to be the first level of protection. If someone gets past that (by picking the lock) the alarm system will provide a second independent level of deterrence. Tying the unlocking of a door to the disarming of an alarm system will be “convenient” to the homeowner - but by removing one layer of protection it will also be convenient to someone trying to gain unauthorized access.

11

Currently, you can’t… however, the L5100/L5200/L7000 support the L5100-WIFI module OR the ILP5 Ethernet module (one or the other - not both at the same time)… which provides a web interface for monitoring and control using the L5100 connect app for IOS and Android. The modules (are supposed to) support an HTTP API, so a Vera interface is possible (but does not yet exist).[/quote]

While I agree with you that the Lynx is not a good solution for integration with a VERA home automation system, we did figure out a way in theory to have the vera arm away, arm stay, and disarm the Lynx system. I made a post with the suggestion, but basically you would use 3 z-wave relays or 3 z-wave appliance modules that trigger relays, that close the loop on 58xx sensors. Then a rule in the L5100 would arm stay, arm away, and disarm depending on which 58xx sensor was triggered. I never invested in the hardware to do it though, and I think my L5100 Lynx system will be for sale soon. I just picked up a DSC 1864 kit, that I am going to play with.

I don’t like the lynx because I can’t get the alarm to report alarm sensor status to the Vera. So if I want vera to know when my door is open, I need two sensors in the door. One for the alarm and one for the vera. I think the DSC does report sensor status to the Vera. My only problem with the DSC is that I can’t find a nice keypad app for the tablets mounted throughout the house. With the Lynx I had the L5100 app running on a few Nexus tablets mounted to the walls. I really don’t want to have a physical keypad mounted right next to tablets on the wall.

12

You can have a pin code on the door lock trigger the disarm function on the alarm, that way a key or lockpick would still need to enter an alarm code. Still probably not as secure as keeping the alarm system isolated, but I like the convenience.

13

[quote=“ufd108”][quote=“libby2cm, post:2, topic:182730”]Long time ademco/Honeywell guy… great systems very reliable. They are coming out of dark ages too and supporting lots of new tech. 21ip panel with 5881 wireless receiver and 4g radio is what you want if you need hardwired sensors or just want brains separated from keypad. Go with lynx if you want all in one completely wireless solution. All wireless sensors are same for both. Lynx is not a security issue either with the virtual dial delay, so keeps you protected if someone breaks in and destroys alarm before timer expires.

For monitoring, geoarm is your best bet. Excellent prices, free tech support and good service. Ul/industry certified as well and they will provide cert for insurance. For dual path (wifi/Lan and 4g) monitoring you are looking at $20 a month or less… much less than other guys. Probably won’t need total connect if you get ad2usb module since u can do almost the same stuff thru vera for free.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk[/quote]

Is the 21ip supported by the Vera plug-in? If I move away from overpriced ADT to my own panel I want to integrate with Vera, or else move to one of the integrated systems and abandon Vera altogether.[/quote]yep… works great. You need either a ad2usb or ev3 module tho

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

14

I have a DSC PC1864 with TL2603GR communicator and Envisalink Board from eyezon. I love the DLS 5 software for programming the system. However there is a learning curve. I can’t speak to whether it is better than the Honeywell Vista.

What influenced my decision was:

  1. the availability of the Envislink card which works with the Honeywell ademco and DSC PC systems
  2. I chose systems that used wireless sensors, but that could be easily expanded and hacked
  3. IIRC the Vista system and the DSC non PC systems were pretty much closed and inaccessible
  4. If I had to do it again I might be tempted to pay out the money for the ELK Gold as it seems to have more plugins on more systems

Hope that helps a little.