Honeywell Unveils Lynx Touch 5200 and 7000 Security/Home Automation Panels

Honeywell’s new Lynx Touch 5200 and 7000 self-contained security/home automation systems offer Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, 4G technology and features video streaming, flash updates and more.

Honeywell is packing more smarts into its Lynx Touch line of self-contained security and home automation panels.

At ISC West 2014 earlier this month, the company showcased the new Lynx Touch 5200 and 7000 systems that build on the existing L5100, adding more touchscreen real estate, support for streaming video, a card slot for video recording, a richer user interface, flash upgradeability and more goodies, not to mention Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and 4G radios.

“It’s like a Tuxedo on a Lynx!” marvels Ralph Maniscalco, Honeywell marketing communications director.

Tuxedo is Honeywell’s Wi-Fi touchscreen that adds home control to traditional Vista security panels.

Maniscalco is careful to point out that the features discussed at ISC are not yet final, so the ultimate product might end up a little different when it ships late spring.

The new L7000 sports a 7-inch screen – in a surprisingly slender form factor – that offers plenty of space to display up to four cameras in quad- or individual views. An SD Card slot on the unit can be used to store images captured upon user-definable events, say, when the system is disarmed.

“We always had a slot,” says Maniscalco. “Now we have the firmware for it.”

Speaking of firmware … no more truck rolls are required for updates, which can be done remotely via flash.

Honeywell is launching a new user interface for the panels, with more features and a streamlined look across all screens – be they mobile devices, computers or the on-board touchscreens
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A particularly useful new feature is that Honeywell’s Total Connect integration platform has been “optimized to work on the iPad,” says Maniscalco. “Everything you can do with a PC you can do with an iPad.”

Previously, many of the configuration tools were relegated to the computer versions of the software. Now dealers and users alike need not be tethered to a laptop when they set up a system.

VIEW HONEYWELL NEW PRODUCTS IN THE SLIDESHOW BELOW

Honeywell has added a few more features in its software. For example, enhanced garage-door functionality enables control of up to four garage doors and lets users arm the system when the door is open, helping to avoid false alarms. (Requires Honeywell’s 5877GDPK, consisting of the 5877 Relay Receiver and Z-Wave Strobe/Sounder).

Little things like sunrise/sunset support have been added, helping customers create a more randomized lived-in look via Z-Wave.

The Lynx Touch 5200 is similar to the big brother, but with a smaller 4.7-inch screen and support for only one camera.

A 4G GSM radio option is available for use as back-up or for primary service.

More Treats from Honeywell

Also at ISC, Honeywell showed a more-cooked version of its voice-control option, as well as the Vista Automation Module (VAM) that we previewed last year. The VAM (formerly called TAM) gives you everything the Tuxedo gives you … without the touchscreen and the price.

New for the show was the 5800C2W wireless converter, perfect for taking over accounts, and keeping existing customers. The device converts any panel’s wired sensors to Honeywell’s 5800 Series wireless technology. Up to nine hardwired zones be converted, eliminated the need for multiple transmitters. The C2W supports up to nine hardwired zones, but multiple units can be stacked for bigger systems.

One-button calibration automatically detects EOL resister value.

“Just push one button and it tells you if EOL is there or not there,” Maniscalco notes.

A power supply is included, allowing installers to power up wired PIRs right out of the box.

Here’s a couple of useful devices: vehicle and asset trackers that plug into an on-board diagnostics (OBD) port so you can keep track of your kids, employees, spouses and expensive toys. The information is available through the same Total Connect interface cloud-based service.

 

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About the Author

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Julie Jacobson, recipient of the 2014 CEA TechHome Leadership Award, is co-founder of EH Publishing, producer of CE Pro, Electronic House, Commercial Integrator, Security Sales and other leading technology publications. She currently spends most of her time writing for CE Pro in the areas of home automation, security, networked A/V and the business of home systems integration.

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