[Articles] PCS announces Mi LightStyle

[CT Droid]

Powerline Control Systems, Inc. (the guys who created UPB) just announced the 'Mi Lightstyle', a dedicated home automation controller which will support UPB out of the box. Think of it as an ISY-99 Pro with UPB support I will post more info once available.

UPDATE: PCS is accepting pre-orders now, and the device will start shipping sometime in March. So far, there are 3 different models and a starter package:

• MLS1024IRP - $879.99 - 1024 Nodes with IR input
• MLS1024P - $805.99 - 1024 Nodes
• MLS256IRP - $ 827.99 - 256 Nodes with IR input
• MLS4SK - $ 1738.04 - Starter Kit with 3 wall switches 1 Keypad dimmer a phase coupler and the MLS1024IRP unit.

 



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[Odeen]

UPDATE: PCS is accepting pre-orders now, and the device will start shipping sometime in March. So far, there are 3 different models and a starter package:

• MLS1024IRP - $879.99 - 1024 Nodes with IR input
• MLS1024P - $805.99 - 1024 Nodes
• MLS256IRP - $ 827.99 - 256 Nodes with IR input
• MLS4SK - $ 1738.04 - Starter Kit with 3 wall switches 1 Keypad dimmer a phase coupler and the MLS1024IRP unit.

 



View the full article

So an ISY-99i Pro is < $300 from reputable vendors + the cost of the PLM. A UPB PLM, if one is not built into the unit, is < $100. So what exactly does this do that an ISY-99i doesn't, that makes it $500 more expensive?

 

[electron]

As far as I know, the ISY-99i Pro doesn't support UPB, so I guess that's one of the differences

 

[xlurkr]

So an ISY-99i Pro is < $300 from reputable vendors + the cost of the PLM. A UPB PLM, if one is not built into the unit, is < $100. So what exactly does this do that an ISY-99i doesn't, that makes it $500 more expensive?

Generate profit for PCS.

 

[Odeen]

As far as I know, the ISY-99i Pro doesn't support UPB, so I guess that's one of the differences

Well played, Mr. Electron. At this point I'm supposed to ask if you're sure, then you reply that you're positive, at which point I refer to you as Dan (Proton).

Seriously, though... there was talk on ISY forums that conversion to UPB would be as simple as a firmware upgrade. That implied that the manufacturing cost of an Insteon vs a UPB version would be the same. Assuming the PLM handles the physical layer signaling, and is controlled via a serial connection, it should be straightforward, if not trivially easy to change Insteon PLM commands to UPB commands. $500 seems like a lot to pay for some serial protocol changes.

 

[electron]

From what I have heard, making the ISY-99 work with UPB wasn't trivial, but I am no ISY expert. Price tag is a little steep for most DIY'ers, but I don't think we are PCS's primary market.