Honeywell's new keypad line has boomer appeal

Honeywell this week released its new 6100 Series Custom Alpha and Fixed-Language Keypads—and it's great that the keypads will benefit dealers by giving customers a wider range of choices and saving installation time and money.

But as a boomer, I must confess that what jumped out at me is the fact that the keypad's display area is 32 percent larger and the words and icons easier to read. I'm not in marketing, but it seems to me that feature is a great way to promote these keypads to boomers. That's a group for whom security and home automation is important—but who also would like to be able to read the darn panel without having to hunt down their eyeglasses!

Here's more from  Honeywell's Nov. 4 announcement:

Honeywell today released the 6100 Series Custom Alpha and Fixed-Language Keypads, giving security dealers a broader portfolio to accommodate a range of homeowner budgets and lifestyles. The Custom Alpha keypads feature VISTA Intelligent Programming (VIP)—an intuitive, menu-based programming option for the most common functions that helps reduce installation time and labor costs. VIP is currently available with Honeywell's VISTA-20P control panels.

Easy-to-use graphics and a symmetrical design give the 6100 Series the same look and feel as Honeywell's home and business controllers with touchscreen displays. The seven-model suite offers larger screens with light, neutral backlighting that blends with most interiors. The devices occupy less wall space while providing 32-percent larger display areas with bold fonts and graphic icons, which are ideal for the elderly or visually impaired. Additionally, function and arming keys provide quick set-up and easier use. These new models offer voice, integrated RF or a hardwired zone to best meet the needs of the installation, and the homeowner's budget.