Compared the Honeywell Lynx 5200/7000 it is more complex to program. Lynx panels now you can program via Alarmnet 360 on an app. We still use the Vista panels for light commercial, pre-wires for residential but I have moved us over to Lynx panels for most of the house installs. Before, the Lynx 3000 (non touchscreen) weren't the easiest to program so we mainly stayed with the Vistas back in 2010-11 time frame.  Easier programming than the Bosch B-Series panels via RPS but that's not say much. I can't say for the other brands. 

Not even close to the most difficult.  

There are tricks like everything else. 

Many installers wire the panel to the defaults.  So, Zone 1 is delay, 2-7 are burg, 8 is fire ..... or whatever it is now. 

Enter the central station phone number and account and test signals.  Change code for user.  

Try a BOSCH 9412Gv4 sometime.  Then you will know the difference between zones and points, areas and partitions, delays, timers and skeds.....

No way. Vista's aren't easy compared to a DIY, but they are easy in the commercial alarm world. UM2 mentioned Bosch above, but there's no doubt to me that Bosch is the most complex. 

Familiarity is key, and it doesn't take but a few times through it to get that familiarity.

So having never wired up a Bosch panel, how does it/did it compare to Radionics?  Did it get easier when Bosch took over?

Because you are still using the multiplexer/vcr setup of the alarm world. 

im sure im gonna get slammed by old schoolers on this but if you want non-complexity, using a wired system is not the way to go. use wireless systems, even the "dealer only" wireless systems are ridiculously easy. 

I had to do some work on my first Vista system recently, system was installed ~15 years ago. The site had a dedicated PC with Compass software installed for programming. I didn't find the Compass software overly complex. The software was really old (the PC was running Windows XP) and I would hope that the latest version of the software would be more intuitive.

Honeywell should be described as the most complicated. Actually, I take that back, Bosch is the most complicated but Honeywell isn't far behind. Most traditional alarm systems out there are too complicated and typically intended to be programmed remotely from a PC. This is why IMO alarm.com and DMP are seeing real traction right now, their systems (alarm.com is compatible with Honeywell) can be programmed via a web interface or an app for DMP making it much easier to get running. 

I've worked with these for 20 years and they're no more complicated than anything else in their class.  We use the Compass downloader so the field tech just has to confirm connection.  Newer Lynx and other all-in-ones are way easier to field program but are meant for a different market.  A large residential or commercial for us might have 4 keypads and 50-100 zones (Vista 128 or 250).  I might mention that some of those systems I installed 15-20 years ago are still in service and parts are still available to service them.

When I entered the industry I learned Honeywell systems, primarily the Vista series panels but also some Lynx... I haven't installed a Honeywell panel in over 7 years but I could still do it without any problem.  In the past 7 years we have installed mainly 2Gig systems along with some DSC.  For me Honeywell is much simpler than DSC but 2Gig (especially the GC3 Panel) beats both of them. 

Looking forward to your upcoming intrusion systems tests.

can he Vista V128 intrusion panel and 6160 keypad be used in a UL2050 listed IDS for a federal DOD subcontractor's offices?

After testing intrusion systems for over a year, I still think Vista programming is a chore via keypad.  But most systems programmed via keypad are.  

I learned pretty quick if you're installing these systems as a dealer, you're going to use software or an app to do it, regardless if it is Vista, DMP, Bosch, DSC, or any conventional panel-based system.

Putting this out there as a possible post for your intrusion alarm series:

UL2050

1. Why it's needed and possible customers

2. Application and testing requirements for certification

3. What separates UL2050 from typical intrusion alarm installs

4. Recertification

5. Associated costs with the process

I recently had to find all this information and it is not easy or readily available. There are still parts that require more research on my end. The info's out there don't get me wrong, but I haven't found a good consolidated place for it all. 

If I didn't already have an account for this site, I would have paid for one just to get all of the above information and save some time.

I prefer DSC Neo. I look at security area from IT perspective and I can tell that Honeywell is absolutely technician and user non-friendly. It's a disaster, the more I know it, the more I hate it. Technology from the last century with all the cons like poor UI/UX, a non-intuitive interface of the software and keypads, troubleshooting is not a simple task at all. Don't forget tech support which is available after 30-60 minutes of waiting.

So, I'd go with any modern panel like interlogix ultrasync. If you want something old style, use DSC Neo.