Hello world - new ELK M1 install

Hi this is my first post but I've been reading for a while. I recently did a new install of an M1 in an existing house. I ran some new hardwired zones and keypads and I'm using some elk two way wireless sensors. Thanks to everyone on these forms for the help so far. Safe to say I think I have a lot of headroom on the M1 at this point with my simple setup (about a dozen hard wired and wireless zones). I still have a lot of questions, especially since my next step is to retrofit for lighting control. I'm a reasonably comfortable DIYer. For my first true HA project I'm just looking to add some simple lighting scenes and also link into elk sensors, but I want to be able to expand to say 50 to 100 switches if it all works and has high WAF.

So, where's the best forum to open the can of worms on which system would be best for me. I'm open to suggestions but right now I'm intrigued by the insteon + ISY control + elk module but I've heard some negative things on Insteon. But it seems a lot of that might be related to QC issues that appear to be from many years ago? I like the idea of RF and line communication and I believe I have neutrals at probably all of my switches (late 90s build house). Clean slate here though.

Speaking of switches, the prior owner has "generously provided" about a dozen or more regular switches into a single ugly panel just off the living room that controls many lights in the house. Most are dimmers and 3 way or 4 way, with outside lights having some outdoor switches. At least these switches are directly above the main circuit breaker service panel, so I feel like that provides flexibility if needed for the retrofit. And cleaning this up is huge WAF opportunity.

Anyway I appreciate the info I've gathered here so far and I hope that maybe the experts here can give me some of their thoughts. Thanks.

Welcome!
 
I've been around here for quite a few years now... the Insteon quality issues were in the beginning and nobody has had similar complaints in quite a few years.  From what I understand, SmartHome did also take care of people fairly well during all that.  Also, the ISY coupled with Insteon seems to be a very powerful automation solution.
 
All that said, Insteon is less mainstream than some other options IMO because it's a single-vendor solution really only sold by Smarthome.com - and SmartHome isn't as installer/pro friendly as others (unless you really commit to them) really making them a mostly DIY product.
 
If you like them, then go for it - they have about the lowest price point and a pretty complete solution these days...  Otherwise the more mainstream options are UPB and Z-Wave as those have many vendors selling them and they're compatible with more devices/platforms.  Honestly I think you'll be fine with any of them - each has their pros and cons.

Thanks for the input. I bought the Elk from SH and in the process read their insteon info and to a newb it seemed that the AC and RF combo with the repeat signals at each device would be "reliable" for communications. To be fair though, I should perhaps research other options more thoroughly.

Maybe starter kits could help me compare but I feel that could be misleading given the "quirks" in each technology of mesh networks and possible line interference.

BTW reliable to me I guess means that the solid state function of the switch rarely fails, if ever. If every once in a while a light is out of sync or something I can live with that if it's reasonably easy to poll or whatever and get back in sync.

Anyway, I know I've caught the bug and I don't like to do things half-ass or too gimmicky or anything like that. And as I plan this project it's amazing to think of the time and effort I'll save when I'm not fiddling laboriously with mechanically operated light switches haha.

If it's anything like this though my wife will not be pleased
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXbje3Czh4k

The AC/RF is a bit of marketing magic IMO - not every device supports both so it's not as seamless as it sounds... but not to knock it - nothing that's not hardwired end-to-end is perfect (and those systems cost 3x as much so from that standpoint neither are they).
 
You'll be fine... there are a handful of very advanced Insteon users here that I'm sure can offer a ton of perspective and advice.