Hi DIYers.
Joe here from Alarm Grid and today we're
going to talk about how to get Z Wave onto your VISTA security
system.
Today, we have an unwired VISTA 21 IP right over here.
And we have the two ways that you
can add Z Wave onto this system with right here.
The two methods that you can use to do that
is installing a VAM, or a VISTA Automation Module,
or installing a Tuxedo Touch.
Both of those devices have a regular Z Wave controller
inside of them and they'll let you communicate with Z Wave
devices and integrate them into scenes and rules
through your system.
Let's take a look at the two devices.
The first one that we have is the VAM.
This is a VISTA Automation Module.
It's a regular Z Wave controller.
It connects to the system using the four wire connection
right to the ECB bus and it actually
has a little dongle that ships with the unit.
This has the four wire connection built right in.
You can splice these in if you have to extend it further.
And on the other end you'll see it has a plastic model clip.
Now this model clip, this plugs in to the four wire connection
right on the back of the unit and it
makes it really easy to install.
Now this also has a built in web server
so you'll be able to access this right
from your local network with a smart device or computer.
And it's a very convenient device.
This is most likely the best Z Wave option
that you'll find for your VISTA system,
as it's much less expensive than a Tuxedo Touch.
It's super clean and it works well.
If you have a Tuxedo Touch or if you
want to keep that option in addition
to getting a Z Wave controller, then the Tuxedo Touch
is going to be your best option.
Just keep in mind that the Tuxedo Touch is much more
expensive than the VAM.
And at this point has been around for some time
so the graphics on it are a little dated.
It still works great though.
Again though, if you're looking to just add
simple Z Wave to your system, you
don't want to change any keypads and you
want to keep it economical, as far as your budget goes,
the VAM is going to be your best option.
Now if you do want to add a Tuxedo Touch,
it will work fine for you.
We have one right here.
The Tuxedo Touch has a seven inch color touchscreen.
It can work as a keypad for the VISTA system.
And in addition to that, you can actually use it
as a standalone controller.
It's not recommended, but if you do
have one kept around the house or if you buy one
and you just have it stand alone,
you can use it as a standalone Z Wave controller.
It connects to the VISTA system with a four wire connection
right to the ECP bus, just like the VAM or any other keypad.
And you'll see right in the back there's
four terminals screws that do connect it to the system.
Using a four conductor cable will do that.
Again, it connects just like any other keypad
super easy to set up.
You'll also see that on the back of it
there is an ethernet jack.
It has a built in Wi-Fi module inside of it,
but if you don't have Wi-Fi in the house
or for whatever reason you can't connect it,
you can always hard wire connect it
to ethernet connect right with this port
and it will work great for you.
So some of the other benefits that you
have with these devices, in addition
to being able to control stuff locally,
is that if you have your Vista system monitored and Total
Connect 2.0, if you want to use remote control
of your automation, you'll actually
need one of these devices to even get that feature.
It's a good thing to keep in mind
that on the system as it's piecemeal, when you do install
it, lets you have Total Connect 2.0 and you want automation.
The Vista system is going to be communicating all that security
stuff.
The Van or the Tuxedo Touch will have
to directly connect to the Wi-Fi or to the ethernet network
in your home.
And these will need to be on that network
and connected for you to remotely control
your automation stuff.
Let's say you have a Vista system
and it's connected via cellular, and then
you have a VAM that's connected to your Wi-Fi.
If your Wi-Fi drops down but the VISTA system is still
able to communicate out via cellular,
you'll still be able to communicate
with the system using your Total Connect
and it's still going to work fine as a security system.
It's just without that Wi-Fi connection,
you won't be able to remotely control your automation devices
through the VAM.
Other than that though they're great devices to use.
It's the only options that you do
have if you want to add Z Wave to the VISTA system
and they are compatible with most panels.
If you have any questions about this, feel free to shoot us
an email, give us a call, or head over to a website.
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Thanks for watching and have a great day.