Recent content by ctay

  Pro's having a problem with a product that is DIY friendly is a perfect example of the flawed business model that I'm talking about.  The pro business model then seems to be "My value is in being able to buy something you can't buy on your own" instead of "my value is in being able to make...

I'm sorry but that sounds a lot like "my time isn't worth what I want to charge for it so I have to make it hard for customers to figure out what they're paying me." It should be about adding value. If you are adding value, customers are willing to pay for it. If you aren't way am I paying...

DELInstallations - I appreciate your perspective.  It seems to me that the CI world is actually very similar to the contract IT professional world.  Some people want you present a complete solution, some want you to make what they have work.  The firm I hire to handle my company IT bills me by...

That is really my point. Ford will sell you the parts to DIY or to have some shade tree mechanic install if that is what you want. And they are happy to fix it if you screw it up. Lutron / Vantage / Creston won't even let me try. Doesn't make sense to me.

  Good to know about eKeypad.  I haven't used it, just didn't like the idea of a 3rd party app.  Many of them seem to be reverse engineered instead of developed with the help of the manufacturer - good to hear this isn't one of them.

I understand that it is probably a tough business.  There are a lot of tough businesses.  I don't understand how having a business model that puts the cost in the wrong place makes it any easier. In my business I don't charge $50 for each sheet of paper, instead I charge for what I put on the...

I know it isn't a popular concept in the pro-integrator realm but I don't see why I should have to pay a 50 - 100 percent markup on the hardware plus a programming fee.  This is the cost that keeps "premium" lighting systems like Lutron at a premium and not at the main stream level.     I'm...

Does HAI have better integration with Centralite?  My litejet system works great with my Elk but I really don't remember if I'm missing something or how difficult it was to integrate the two - it was a while ago... :)

  1) really I don't think there is - I just don't like the idea of having to pay another $99 for something that should be included and developed by the manufacturer.  2) Don't get me wrong - I think the Elk has lots of great features and it is a very functional product. I do think that there are...

    I actually called Centralite and asked about LED and FL and they said that it is very hit and miss but mostly miss on the LED side.  I'm glad to hear that you are having better luck than they suggested I would!  What bulbs are you using?

If you were building a home in the next six months which security / automation controller would you choose?     Background: I built my current home in 2006 and chose an Elk M1 that has been very reliable.  The only complaints I have with the elk are: 1) lack of a Elk supported mobile application...

I am looking for suggestions on centralized hardwire lighting control for a new home. When I built our current home I used a Centralite LiteJet system that has been fantastic. I really like the de-cluttered walls, the scene programming and the integration with my automation controller. I would...

Elan G! looks nice but it is a dealer only product and I can't tell what it will work with (ie Elk or HAI for security, lighting controller etc...). I'm also afraid that homeowners will not want to have to pay an integrator for any changes. Typically people want to at least have the option of...

I am looking to build an all in one - one size fits most automation system that I can build into a couple of semi-custom homes. Here is my situation and my background: Background: I built my personal home 3 years ago. I went with a large Elk M1Gold install with Centralite lightjet lighting...

I'm a CQC user but to be perfectly honest I don't think I would invest any $ in CQC right now. The company seems to be in a never ending tail spin and I'm not sure it is going to pull out. It is sad because I don't think any other software can really touch it's positives. There are other...