Connecting an LTE-XV to a VISTA-21iP

In this video, Joe shows users how to connect a Honeywell LTE-XV to a Resideo VISTA-21iP Panel. The Honeywell LTE-XV is a Verizon LTE Cellular Communicator that allows a VISTA Series Security Panel to connect with the AlarmNet360 Servers and Total Connect 2.0. A monitoring plan is needed to use TC2.

The VISTA-21iP comes with an integrated IP-only AlarmNet Communicator known as a 7847i. In order to add a Honeywell LTE-XV to the system, you will need to disable this internal communicator. This means that adding a Honeywell LTE-XV to a VISTA-21iP will not make the system dual-path. If you want the VISTA-21iP to use dual-path communication with both cellular and IP connectivity, then you will need to add a dual-path communicator. A great option for this is the Honeywell LTE-IV. This communicator will also allow for connectivity with the Verizon LTE Network, but it provides hardwired ethernet capabilities as well.

That being said, many people find that cellular only is a perfectly serviceable option for a VISTA-21iP. Cellular connectivity is extremely reliable, and cell service almost never goes down or becomes unavailable. It is also unaffected by power outages, which will take an IP router offline unless a backup battery is used. Many users don't mind having to disable the IP communicator in order to use cellular with their VISTA-21iP Systems. But keep in mind that you will need a special monitoring plan that include cellular connectivity. For Alarm Grid customers, this is a Gold Plan or higher.

However, if you plan on using a cellular only communication path, then you are better off using a VISTA-20P System instead of a VISTA-21iP. The VISTA-20P is exactly the same as a VISTA-21iP, except that the 20P does not have the 7847i IP Communicator. Since you will need to disable this internal communicator anyway to use the LTE-XV, you may as well just get a 20P System instead. The only real reason you would add a LTE-XV to a VISTA-21iP is if you already owned the panel. In other words, if you plan on buying a new panel to use with an LTE-XV, get a VISTA-15P or VISTA-20P. Don't get a VISTA-21iP for this purpose, as you will just be spending extra money for no reason.

By using an AlarmNet Communicator and accessing Total Connect 2.0, you will be able to control your system in many new ways. Most notably, you will be able to access your system remotely using the Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App on Android and iOS devices. Once you have accessed TC2, you can arm and disarm your system, check current system status, control Z-Wave devices (Z-Wave controller needed) and more. Remember, you will need an alarm monitoring plan. Also consider that you can just use the internal 7847i IP communicator to access AlarmNet and TC2. The only difference with the LTE-XV is that you will use cellular instead of hardwired ethernet. Cellular connectivity is more reliable and consistent than IP connectivity.

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