Which Vera controller to buy?

I've narrowed it down to a Vera cntroller I want but started looking at the different Vera systems (http://wiki.micasaverde.com/index.php/Comparison_of_Vera_units) and the Vera3 and VeraEdge look newer than the VeraLite(which I was going to get) but I'm wondering about the growability and future tech and which is the best option at this point.
 
I'm looking at the Vera 3 and the VeraLite. Everything I've read says a lot of stuff hooks into VeraLite but don't know much about the vera3.
 
The extrernal rechargeable battery sounds awesome, and it has wifi or can use wifi devices? has 2 USB's and double the ram of the VeraLite.
 
So my system won't be anything fancy. Motion detects, door sensors, plugins, ceiling fan controller. I do want to run it through an amazn echo though.
 
So any thoughts?

People switching from Vera report total frustration and lack of reliability as well as function.
 
I don't have any experience with them and only report the posts I have seen. I do note the wiki hasn't had any updates for many years in many spots.

I'm one of those who switched from Vera a couple years ago.  Caveat emptor.  On the plus side it has a fairly large user community.  However, I found it to be far too slow to take it seriously.  

Is that based on zwave devices?

Some reported status updates of 2 and 30 minutes or no updates at all. I understand some brands have introduced push updates now but the massive quantities of repeaters required for a houseful put it on the nuisance bin level.

LarrylLix said:

Is that based on zwave devices? 

Click to expand...

 
Yes.
 
These days hardware is almost dirt cheap.  The motherboard-CPU combo  I'm currently running HomeSeer on cost me around $43 last Christmas, and it has more than adequate oomph.  My advice is simply this: don't start on a platform that you can't easily scale whenever you want to.  You don't want to find yourself painted into a corner with nowhere to go and then be forced to start all over in order to get the performance you want.  For both scaling and running Linux releases out-of-the-gate, an Intel x86 platform "just works."

I have a Vera 2 that works for my needs...
 
I picked it up years ago at the time for under $100 because it allowed me to get into HA at a cheap price. I did have an issue with random reboots, but it was caused by me disabling the tunnel home to their servers it wants to create and I've since resolved that.
Anyway... I have around 30 devices and it works good enough for me at this stage of the game. Plus, I really like the android app I use to control the system (and my Elk M1) and if I decided to change controllers I would keep the unit just for that. I only have an Elk and virtual switch plugin so I run it pretty bare bones - which I guess is why I don't have all these issues like others do.

The whole 'phone home' thing is another reason many folks might want to veer away from so many of these hub products. Even if local operations are not dependent on the connect back to their server, I just think it's creepy how every company out there seems to want to be in a position to collect data on us. Even if they aren't doing it right now, unless you've had a team of lawyers go over the end user agreement, they probably can start at any time and you agreed to allow that by purchasing and using the product.

I have a box here with the Vera logo on it.  The label states its a NA-401.  I did tinker with it a few years back.
 
Googling it and reading that it did Zigbee and Zeewave in 2010.  Just read too that the original Vera was an Asus WL-500g.

I guess this all depends on your needs. If you just want remote control most systems will do the job just fine. One way  control is all you may need.
 
If you want to do actual home automation you need to make intelligent decisions and this requires fast status updates, to base future decisions on, which is the main complaint I have heard about Vera with Zwave devices  lacking.

I have a Vera 1, it is the ASUS WL-500g. I bought it used to experiment with Z-Wave. I've hooked it up to Misterhouse as I don't like the web interface.

The forum folks are very friendly and helpful. Micasaverde, not so helpful.

The Vera 1 has a bunch of quirks that I managed to work around (but shouldn't have had to).

I have been using several Vera Lite units for my vacation rental units. I know very little about hardware and know no computer programming. I just tried to read as much as I can. I mainly use them to monitor my zwave keypad locks so i know who enters my units and when. I also have lights set up to run scenes at my own residence, and my husband helped me installed zwave controlled thermostats at couple of them. I never know if renters leave my AC running like crazy when they leave. I also updated to UI 7 which wasn't as good in the beginning. With later updates ,it got better. I dont have garage sensors or motion sensors installed yet, but I plan to do it soon. The Vera's  range is somewhat limited, do have to help it by installing more devices all spaced apart to help them relate commands. For the purpose I needed them , they have served me well. For our own house, I looked into have automated window shades installed, the cost for 18 units in one master bedroom was just astronomical to me. I abandoned the idea and have them controlled by chords instead. I laso live in the DFW area. None of our friends that have vacation properties know anything about home automation to help themselves monitor their properties.So, we're in considerably better shape. Lots more to learn .

I've been using a Veralite for just over a year for our home. This was my first effort at HA (aside from some quick experimentation with the Wemo stuff). There have been more than a few frustrating moments getting where we are now (particularly with the upgrade in firmware) but at present our system is stable and runs the house quite nicely.
 
Our system is fairly complex and encompasses;
 
Alarm System Link (DSC 1832 via EVL3)
Door lock
Thermostat
10 wall switches (mix of dimmer and on/off)
3 multi sensors (two outdoors and one in a crawlspace)
4 smart switch power modules
10 Phillips Hue bulbs
 
I've spent a fair amount of time on the Vera forums tweaking our system, and don't think I can stretch our Veralite any further without upgrading to the Vera Edge. I have no plans to move further up the ladder into the HA world - Vera seems capable of handling our needs.

Welcome to Cocoontech ckgan.
 
I was just looking at the new VeraEdge.  Very nice price point at $99 (Amazon).
 
Relating to Z-Wave door lock control/thermostat control it sounds like a perfect fit for you. (and Mugwug).
 
Here too utilize Homeseer (since the late 1990's) and the Leviton OmniPro combination automation / alarm panel.
 
I have been playing with a new device from Homeseer called the Zee-2.  It is based on the Rasberry Pi2.  It's base price is $199 or so.  It is faster (cpu and ram wise) and does much more than the Vera Edge.
 
The base device comes with new Z-Wave + and it does allow for more devices plus up to 5 plugins.  The GUI is intutive and included for the $199 is IFTTT (cloud based management), Android and iPhone clients.  It will connect to a low cost alarm panel (with or without central station monitoring).  You could fit the Zee-2 inside of a reasonably priced alarm system.  IE: testing similiar today with my OmniPro II / Zee-2 stuff.  It can be very easily managed remotely.
 
Another device out there in internetlandia which is free other than the price of the hardware is called HomeGenie.  This device out of the box does Z-Wave, Hue, Insteon and X10.  Have a read about it here.  The product has matured nicely over the last couple of years.  It is also based on the Rasberry Pi 2.  (well it is faster than the original Rasberry Pi).  This device with free firmware also is much faster than the Vera Edge. This device too can be remotely managed.
 
The automation technology today is moving really fast and it is difficult to keep up. 
 
Here have and playing with with a tiny device called the Almond + which is just a little combination firewall, router, switch, wireless access point, Zigbee and Z-Wave automation device with a tiny LCD and internet management stuff via your smart phone, tablet or pc on the internet.  It is a big smaller than the Vera Edge.
 
You can also now purchase a tiny Intel mini PC smaller than a paperback or the size of a USB stick that runs Windows 10 and automation software mentioned here like Castle OS, CQC or Homeseer.  This mini PC and software will run circles around any Vera product mentioned here or on their web site. 
 
Attached is a comparison of CPU / Memory on the Vera Products.  For one thermostat and one lock I do not really see much of an issue using first generation Vera.  I also do not see any issues relating to MugWug's automation implementation device numbers with the newer Vera  Edge. (guessing here because I have never played with one).
 

Ive been running a Vera 3 for 3 years now. If you are a DIY'er and ready to tweak, the Vera is a reliable platform with many advantages over most all other controllers.
 
That being said, I suggest you wait a few more months for the Vera Plas to arrive. It will feature a whole new build with proper on board memory.
 
I need 2 more Veras, but have been holding off for the Plus. The Vera Edge is a waste of $$ and the UI7 fraught with bad coding. Just wait till the end of this year.

@cinemagicllc
 
The VeraEdge no longer supports manual healing/repair as did UI5 or UI7 on a Vera 3. This can be a problem. Device inclusion/exclusion is flakey as well. Memory is still not enough.
 
These are just 3 of several problems with the Vera Edge, that is why they will be releasing the Vera Plus.