The shift from analog panels to all-IP, saw it happen in 5 years

Back around 2015 I was still installing a lot of Vista 20P panels with basic keypads. Now it feels like every new job wants a full network setup with PoE cameras and cell communicators. Biggest change was when a client asked me to integrate their alarm with their smart thermostat last year. It's not just about the hardware either, the programming side got way more complex. Anyone else miss the simplicity of just punching in zones on a keypad?

3 comments

3 Comments

thomas_roberts1mo ago

255 zones on a Vista keypad took what, 30 seconds to punch in?

sam_rivera1mo ago

You ever try doing that with a customer breathing down your neck and a screaming kiddo in the background? That 30 second punch in turns into a solid 5 minute nightmare real quick. At least when you fat-finger the 255th zone, the keypad doesn't just sit there and judge you.

the_simon1mo ago

The 255 zone thing always got me when you had to redo it because the panel beeped wrong and you're already three zones deep. So @thomas_roberts, you ever actually try keeping count of where you're at when the customer's asking you if the alarm will stop chirping while you're mid-punch? That 30 seconds turns into a solid minute of just hoping you didn't miss one.