If it was a FAQ maybe there should have been a note on the programming page! I had no clue something like this would even be possible especially since I never did an install code lockout.
I don't disagree that a cautionary note on the relevant programming page would have been a good idea. The thing to remember is that these professional-grade panels are made for alarm dealers that use professional technicians, and it's assumed that whoever is using the manual already has the experience & caution not to get him/herself in trouble. The manuals aren't intended for DIYers, because that's not their market.
That being said, occasionally some novice techs _still_ do what you did. I don't want to confess all the novice blunders I made in my first few years in this field.
Why would they even have 'arm only' as an option - what would that ever do for anybody? other than lock you out! Guess that is why they are out of business. I still feel like a dufuss though for doing this!
Actually, every professional-grade panel out there has some variant of the 'arm-only' feature. It's to allow, e.g., cleaning people to arm on their way out, things like that (these panels are used in small businesses too, not just homes). There's also some variant of a 'baby-sitter' code that has limited capabilities but can't disarm the system just any time. Professional-grade panels have a lot of features that the vast majority of homeowners don't know about and probably shouldn't experiment with.
I already pulled the trigger on one on Ebay yesterday as it seemed too good a deal to pass up. If you would want to take a look at it for me - I would appreciate it! I was told everything works and it is defaulted to the original master and install codes. I am guessing that there is a install code 'lockout' in this once I get it set up?
As far as I can see from your link, it looks good. Unlike the C&K (and a few other brands), if you forget the Installer Code, there's a "back door" into programming to find it again.
But I strongly advise you NOT to Arm the system unless you know for
certain that you have a working User Code to Disarm. You do NOT test a User Code by arming and seeing if it will disarm. If you're testing, that means you aren't certain. Test a valid User Code (NOT the Installer Code, the IC is not a User Code) by toggling the Chime Mode, or Disarming (even if it's already Disarmed, the Keypad will beep to indicate the code is valid).
The "back door" I mentioned will work to get into programming, if the system is Disarmed. If the system is Armed, that back door _
usually_ (but not always) works. So avoid Arming until you have your User Codes in place. The Vista-20P supports a Master Code (which is a User Code) and more "secondary" User Codes than any home will ever need. The very first thing I do when I program a panel is to set
at least 2 User Codes, even if I'm only going to use one. The 2nd UC is for backup--for instance, if User somehow bollixes changing the Master Code and doesn't know what s/he just changed it to (happens all the time), there's still a known code to Disarm until you get the MC straightened out. And
always test a new code before Arming the system.
Thanks again for your response (thought posting on here may be a real shot in the dark) - let me know what you thing on the Vista 20 p setup I bought - also, one other question, I was thinking of getting the Envisalink interface - what do you think of those? Guessing you have experience ?
Unfortunately, I retired about 10 years ago, before Envisalink became available, and only take care of a few personal accounts now, none of which have asked me to install an Envisalink for them. Other still-working techs I know through DIY forums swear by the EVL though. It looks like a pretty straightforward module to integrate, as long as you have a landline.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]