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  I'm not sure how to test anything out without having a system installed to test with. If I install a system and I'm not happy with it I can't very easily change course. What are you suggesting I do?   Right now when comparing Elk/HAI access with Android, the clear winner is Elk + M1 Touch Pro...

Just came across this thread while in researching HA/security systems. I'm considering Elk but I'm an Android user and I don't see myself ever going to the dark side so reliable Android access is a large factor in my decision.   This is a big investment and I'm a little reluctant to pull the...

  Yes, when I'm accessing my home remotely, reliability is critical. I want to make sure that status showing on my phone is actually what the status is at home. When I change things from my phone I want to be sure they happen at home. When there are events at home I want notifications on my...

Pete, I have other questions, but a couple of real quick question about Homeseer. Are you saying that you can't design the same screens for Android that you can for iPad using this tool?   And is this a tool just for use on touchscreens used in the home (on the same network) or can you use them...

Thanks guys.   This is a lot of good advice. Pete remembers the mental anguish I put myself through nearly a year ago when I started researching this. The remodel ran into a lot of delays so it's been a while (and I've forgotten a lot of what I learned then) but now it is imminent. I need to...

Thanks. I'll research Elk.    If I had a dollar for every time I went back to the drawing board...

I haven't used Snaplink yet. But from reading the Android reviews it is not good.   I don't know how much more difficult it is to develop for Android but there are way more apps out there for Android. And unlike the early days of smartphones, these days people are developing first for Android...

Last I checked there weren't any worthwhile apps for HAI on Android. That was about a year ago. With Android having over 50% cellphone market share I can't imagine there still isn't an Android app as good is Haiku for iOS. I spent a few minutes searching and couldn't find anything new for...

I had the sense from this thread that people preferred HAI OPII over Elk but in the last few posts it sounds like there is a preference for Elk. If I'm comparing Elk vs OPII is one obviously superior?   I recently learned about Haiku Helper which sounds like it combines with HAI to offer a very...

  I have had integrators suggest GE, DSC and HAI.   I assume the tinkerers in the Elk/HAI camp are using DIY automation like CQC. So if CQC can do anything the HAI can do, why bother with both? Won't a GE/DSC panel handle the critical security functions in case of a power outage even if the...

Thank guys. Needed to give me brain a break over the long weekend.   Just read this, and stuff like taht makes me think everything I'm doing today is on the verge of being radically overpriced and obsolete. If things ever become truly standardized what happens to all these closed and proprietary...

  Can you elaborate? CQC supports it in terms of basic functions or can you control it the same as if you were using the Sonos app?     I'm not sure I follow you wrt the Venstar. Do you control yours with its own remote or through your HA?    As for the Russound and Nuvo, what older streaming...

Question probably for Work2Play, what about the Venstar T5800 which has drivers for both RTI and C4. Not sure about CQC. I agree that decoupling the temp sensor is a really good idea (there are C4 thermostats have this too) could I use a Lutron detached temp sensor in conjunction with the...

A few weeks ago when I was researching kitchen appliances I discovered something that, at the time, led me to think my appliance and automation decision had practically been made for me. Sub-Zero refrigerators and Wolf ovens can be automated with C4 (also with Crestron and Savant which I'm not...

  Are you referring to this $60 router? Reading the reviews it doesn't provide for a guest network and it doesn't allow you to set static IP's from the router. I would very much like to have a guest network but I really don't know that I could function without the ability to set static IP's. I...

  I'm starting to get the feeling that just about the only thing I need to do right now is prewire for speakers, TV's, and touchscreens. Run cat cable to everywhere I can dream of. And install the alarm, security cameras and Lutron. Stupid question but for irrigation control do I need to prewire...

  I'm finding that it's not so easy to install everything so that it is integration-ready, then come back later and decide on the automation. This primarily has to do with the control panels. If I go with C4 or RTI I am going to have some in-wall panels that I need to install now. So I still...

  Can you please direct me to this Android app? I haven't been able to find it in the Google Play store. Lack of Android control is one of the main things currently turning me off to CQC.   Thanks.

  Just when I was getting excited about trying CQC I'm starting to feel like CQC is not for me. I want to be able to see the status of my lights, windows, doors, etc. remotely. I want to be able to turn lights on or unlock doors remotely. I want a slick interface to control everything from my...

  Thanks, I've been talking to some knowledgable integrators so planning for all that wiring now, just don't know who I'm going to use or what system I'll use. They're smart guys but all seem motivated to sell certain products and solutions so I'm on my own figuring out what system is best for...