Help with Ademco Vista 50P

It sounds like you are confused about the terms upload and download. It's a poor choice of words on Ademco's part. Upload means to copy the program out of the panel to your computer; download means to load the programfrom Compass into the panel from your computer.

Close and reopen Compass and see if you can click on the account and see your saved program. If so, download it to your panel. If it's gone, look in your backups to see if you have a copy of the database. If you don't have it, time to start over. Only this time, create your program in Compass, save it, then download it to your panel.

DIYers take note: this is an example of why untrained people shouldn't be playing with dealer software. Compass is not meant for end users.

Shortly after my post, I tried the reverse logic, should have done that before posting, my apology. The panel is all back to snuff now. I appreciate your DIY comments and generally agree with them. Thanks for the post.

TDM

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Oh, nonsense! Compass is easy to learn. The gentleman simply needed a little coaching before using it. Some people who install alarms for a living try to equate it with a profession like engineering or medical practice. The reality is that alarm installation and service is often performed by high school drop-outs.

Certainly there are some educated people doing alarm work but the majority are just workers performing a simple, blue collar trade.

Prove that statement. Especially the "often" part.

I don't think I've ever met an installer who never finished high school. But perhaps they all worked in Connecticut.

LOL!!!

Sure looks like it doesn't it?

First prove you're a real person.

Well, against my better judgment, I will chime in here. I did not find Compass that hard to use, except for my stupidity in what download and upload mean, at least when using Compass. It is farily simple and striaght forward to use, but a bit quirky when editing alpha values. I am a DIY and I set up my Vista 50P initially from an alpha keypad. As I look back on that task(14 years ago), I wonder how I ever accomplished that on my own, but I did. I first got Compass to be able to program the panel for X10 devices. I did an initial upload of the customer data back in 97 or so, then never went any further until yesterday.

My version is 1.5.8.44, and I am sure that it is way out of date. I notice it is written in Visual Basic, and the 16bit version as well which is very old. It locked up on me several times, to the point where I had to use the power switch to get my PC back to life. So, is there still a place where a DIY can get the latest version of this software ? I see that Ademco is now Honeywell, and the support link for obtaining Compass from Ademco is no longer valid.

And for the record, I did graduate from high shcool.

TDM

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Current Update 1.5.8.67 Last Date Updated: 10/29/2007

software ? I see that Ademco is now >Honeywell, and the support link for obtaining Compass from Ademco is no longer valid.

Get in touch with Bass. He'll take care of you. Besides I think on a Vista

50 that is that vintage you'll need an updated chip for the system. Maybe you can order it from Bass for a small charge. Seems the original keypads for that system aren't made anymore. If you ever need to swap keypads you'll need to use the 6160 or similar and those keypads don't work on early Vista 50P systems as I seem to recall. Give Bass the particulars on your Vista panel and I am sure he can verify whether or not you need the upgrade chip..

Thanks Roland. Actually, I am interested in updating the whole system, or at the very least, getting another Vista panel in case my current panel dies. I will contact Bass and go from there.

TDM

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you're not stupid, Compass's upload/download seems backwards to me as well.

If you suck it up first and then blow it down later you don't get confused.

That wasn't stupidity -- just lack of knowledge. Every time one of my customers gets alarm software I warn them that "upload" and "download" in the alarm world mean the opposite of what they seem.

Shh. These guys think it can't be done by anyone who isn't paid to do so.

The connections are fairly simple stuff. Everything is 2 or 4 conductor cable and the terminals are clearly marked. Where many people stumble is in the programming. At least that's what generates most of our tech support calls. People want to know what a "follower zone" is or why there are two entry delays.

Most of our DIY clients program their Honeywell Vista systems by keypad. That, too, is a bit quirky but once you get the gist of it the process is simple enough. BTW, you bought one of Ademco's more advanced panels. Most DIY installers use the Vista-20P-60KT3. That's a kit with the Vista-20P, a 6160 keypad and accessories. I sell more of the Vista-20P than any other alarm panel.

Contact me if you want the current software. It's still free.

Uh-oh, you're over-qualified for the job. Sorry. :^)

That may be so, but *you* charge for it. Thirteen bucks and change for the "access code". What a maroon!

Or just watch the prompt at the bottom of the screen.

I post, therefore I am.

Bots can post. They're not people though.

Yeah, but people don't usually reply to "bots" (or engage them in discussion).

That wasn't junction -- just lack of p*rn. Every time one of my cops gets alarm infliction I warn them that "permeate" and "misappropriate" in the alarm stadium mean the 320 of anyone they seem.

Shh. These goats think it can't be done by anything which isn't paid to do so.

The connections are differently deceitful stuff. Everything is 2 or 4 conductor possession and the terminals are easily marked. How come none of children sieze is in the programming. At least that's someone donates most of our tech support calls. People want to know what a "follower cafe" is or why there are two anarchy delays.

Most of our DIY turkeys program their Honeywell Vista characters by keypad. That, too, is a bit quirky but once you get the gist of it the process is dizzy enough. BTW, you bought one of Ademco's more advanced eggs. Most DIY installers edit the Vista-20P-60KT3. That's a scrapple beyond the Vista-20P, a 6160 keypad and accessories. I sell more of the Vista-20P than any other alarm pen.

Contact me if you want the meagre compulsion. It's still free.

Uh-oh, you're until-qualified for the forgery. Sorry. :^)