greenhighlighter
Member
Oh! The MiCasa has a Windows 8 phone app. I think we have a winner for controller!!oktoberrust11 said:
Another help-a-newbie post :)
- Thread starter greenhighlighter
- Start date
Dean Roddey
Senior Member
I'm all for more support of Windows 8 and whatnot, but picking your automation system based on your phone is sort of like picking a house based on the mailbox, the tail wagging the dog and all that. The automation system selected is vastly more fundamental than the phone.
greenhighlighter
Member
Thanks, Dean. Based on what I've already posted in this thread, what controller would you recommend. It sounded like Mi Casa Vera was the recommended choice for me and having a Windows 8 app seemed to be the icing on the cake. But I'd like to hear what you'd recommend.Dean Roddey said:
Dean Roddey
Senior Member
Well, I wouldn't exactly be an unbiased advisor on this front 
We all know that men of refined taste use CQC (ducks and runs.)
We all know that men of refined taste use CQC (ducks and runs.)I can't really speak to any of the other options, but I have a Micasaverde Vera 3 (and before that a Vera 2) and I'm really very happy with it. I've had a Vera for two years now and have it interfaced to a DSC security system, some Squeezebox players, a Denon A/V receiver, and a few X10 sensors. Z-wave control is rock solid, for everything else it helps if you are willing to get your hands dirty a little bit and mess with the code, although the community has really been making great strides with new plugins and support.
Overall lighting control should work great with most modern HA systems. Adding more complicated things like security and A/V control either means paying someone big bucks to set it up or a big more work for DIY. For me that is part of the fun, but maybe not for everyone.
I now have maybe 30 z-wave devices, mostly light dimmers and switches, a thermostat, door lock, and some various appliance and lamp modules. I've don't have any problems with z-wave reliability, and I have the cheaper modules. Most of my lights use the GE dimmers which are at Lowes for $35 or so. I understand that they aren't quite as nice as the Leviton Vizia, but honestly I'm really happy with them. I can change the ramp rate and toggle the LED to be on with or opposite the load for the dimmer, and that all works really well.
I use and Android so I have a half dozen control programs to choose from, but I think the programs for Windows Mobile and iPhone are supposed to be pretty good too.
Overall lighting control should work great with most modern HA systems. Adding more complicated things like security and A/V control either means paying someone big bucks to set it up or a big more work for DIY. For me that is part of the fun, but maybe not for everyone.
I now have maybe 30 z-wave devices, mostly light dimmers and switches, a thermostat, door lock, and some various appliance and lamp modules. I've don't have any problems with z-wave reliability, and I have the cheaper modules. Most of my lights use the GE dimmers which are at Lowes for $35 or so. I understand that they aren't quite as nice as the Leviton Vizia, but honestly I'm really happy with them. I can change the ramp rate and toggle the LED to be on with or opposite the load for the dimmer, and that all works really well.
I use and Android so I have a half dozen control programs to choose from, but I think the programs for Windows Mobile and iPhone are supposed to be pretty good too.
greenhighlighter
Member
Radengr -- your post has made me so happy! May I ask what other devices you're using besides the GE dimmers and switches? And have you figured out security and A/V or is that on your to-do list?radengr said:
Finally, can I buy any lights (LED or what not)? Or do I have buy special lightbulbs in addition to special switches/dimmers?
Just be aware that GE switches do not report instant status, which means you'll not be able to use them as mini-controllers. This also contributes to better network stability as there is less traffic on the line. Also GE brand offers only basic devices, no fan controller, outlets or keypads. Lower level of integration, but will work for turning lights on/off.
greenhighlighter
Member
What does it mean about instant status and mini-controller? And can I use the Levitron for the fan control and GE for other lights?picta said:
You usually do not need special switches that turn on/off with LEDs but you often do with dimmers. There are different types of dimmers (electronic/magnetic) and some work differently with incandescent vs CFL/LED. The dimmers can especially have problems if you have a small load such as a single 7w LED vs many LEDs that present a larger load like 75 or 100 watts. Also, you do need to make sure the LED supports dimming but even then some dimmers and LEDs don't like each other. Once you pick your dimmer switch, do a search and see if you can find LEDs that others have used successfully with that model.
greenhighlighter
Member
OK. So, I'm ready to start buying. Our house is being wired this week.
I'd like to go with the GE dimmers and switches mentioned above. And the Levitron fan controls. What's the best place to buy these? Online or Lowe's? At Lowe's I can get the military 10% off discount.
And I'm going to give Mi Casa Verde a try.
What thermostat should we get? Lots of talk about the Nest. Maybe that?
I'd like to go with the GE dimmers and switches mentioned above. And the Levitron fan controls. What's the best place to buy these? Online or Lowe's? At Lowe's I can get the military 10% off discount.
And I'm going to give Mi Casa Verde a try.
What thermostat should we get? Lots of talk about the Nest. Maybe that?
greenhighlighter
Member
Oh! Or should I try to get ceiling fans without lights? Would that make sense/make things easier/less expensive?
I'd recommend two switches where you want a fan, one for lights and one for the fan. This will give you the greatest flexibility. Also, it is up to you regarding ceiling fan light but if I had it to do over, I would go with many recessed LEDs (I bought from HD) vs a ceiling fan light. Gives more light plus you can always dim if need be. Also, ceiling fan light intrudes vertically into the space.
Your military discount is eaten up by tax so I'd say online but that is up to you. I'm not familiar with those switches so wouldn't have a specific place to recommend. AutomatedOutlet.com and ASIHome.com are some that are recommended on Cocoontech. I know there are a few others so do a search on those two and you should get a few more recommendations.
The Nest has been pretty closed to third parties so far. As a matter of fact, someone figured out how to get an automation system working early with the Nest and they came out with an update that broke and closed the opening. I haven't paid attention to the Nest since that time. I actually have the Filtrete 3M50, which is the same as the Radio Thermostat CT30 and can be had for around a $100 (3M50 from Home Depot). Those are wifi thermostats that can interface with the Radio Thermostat website or iOS app. Their API is open but not sure if the Mi Casa Verde supports it.
Regarding the Mi Casa Verde, I'd recommend the Vera Lite as the more expensive one is slightly faster but primarily you're paying for wifi. Based on recommendations here, I bought a Ubiquiti wifi access point for ~$80 on Amazon. The range is 3 times what my previous top of the (consumer) line Netgear router.
David
Your military discount is eaten up by tax so I'd say online but that is up to you. I'm not familiar with those switches so wouldn't have a specific place to recommend. AutomatedOutlet.com and ASIHome.com are some that are recommended on Cocoontech. I know there are a few others so do a search on those two and you should get a few more recommendations.
The Nest has been pretty closed to third parties so far. As a matter of fact, someone figured out how to get an automation system working early with the Nest and they came out with an update that broke and closed the opening. I haven't paid attention to the Nest since that time. I actually have the Filtrete 3M50, which is the same as the Radio Thermostat CT30 and can be had for around a $100 (3M50 from Home Depot). Those are wifi thermostats that can interface with the Radio Thermostat website or iOS app. Their API is open but not sure if the Mi Casa Verde supports it.
Regarding the Mi Casa Verde, I'd recommend the Vera Lite as the more expensive one is slightly faster but primarily you're paying for wifi. Based on recommendations here, I bought a Ubiquiti wifi access point for ~$80 on Amazon. The range is 3 times what my previous top of the (consumer) line Netgear router.
David
greenhighlighter
Member
This may be a dumb question, but if you have recessed lights and a ceiling fan without a light, don't you get a strobe light effect b/c the lights are behind the fan? (Clearly not right behind the fan, but even if they're off to the side?)
dgage said:
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
Not if the recessed lights are spaced out enough. I have my ceiling fan in the middle of the room in my Den and Master Bedroom with the recessed lights in the four corners with approximate spacing of over twice the blade length (radius) from the center of the ceiling fan.
