Benefit to purchasing an ISY?

[Big517]

I've seen some things about how the ISY adds functionality to the M1, however I do not use Insteon, in fact, I only use Z-Wave.
Will this benefit me or tie in to my Z-Wave system in any way?
I currently use a MicasaVerde system for my lighting and other automation, however I'm considering adding some light control with my ELK and adding the Z-Wave module as a Slave to my Vera seems like the only logical move, but the ISY system sounds like it might work in unison.  I have roughly 100 Zwave devices as well if that is a factor.

Anyone have any feedback or experience that can provide?  Thanks in advance!

 

[gatchel]

Why I chose ISY...
 
Makes up for the lacking email capability of the XEP.
 
Variables...(On recent models)
 
No PC runing 24/7 to do nothing most of the time.
 
Makes up for Instreon Short comings.
 
Universal Devices support is excellent.
 
 
It's kind of funny. I actually won my first ISY-26 (refurb) while I was using powerhome solely for link management.
 
Since then I have purchased a ISY99-IR/Pro and recently upgraded to the ISY-994 IR/Pro. It just works.

 

[Big517]

So no benefit to my Z-wave network?  

 

[BLH]

UDI is working on Z-Wave support and if the time line is still holding. Possibly by the end of August.
I am not sure how extensive the support will be but there is a whole section on their web site. Devoted to Z-Wave.

 

[apostolakisl]

As BLH said, ISY has added z-wave and is reportedly about to release it to the general public.  At present I know that they have released the dongle and firmware changes to a group of volunteers who have been beta-testing.  You can follow it on the ISY forum.
 
Now, assuming that ISY does for Z-wave what it does for Insteon, then it will greatly facilitate you in programming your switches versus manual programming.  How that would compare to some other Z-wave programming PC program or stand-alone controller I don't know since I have never used any z-wave product.
 
With Insteon, ISY is indispensable when it comes to creating large or complex scenes.  It also has a myriad of programming functions and of course integrate all of that with Elk.  In addition, you can use ISY to get your Elk to do things that even Elk's own "rules" section can't do. 

 

[wuench]

I don't have a Vera but I think the ISY would provide similar features to it, once zwave support is released.  The ISY is a great product with great support on their forum but I am not sure there would be any additional advantages of the ISY over the Vera for Zwave.   From what I have read, the Vera can interface with the Elk using the M1XEP (ethernet module) the same as the ISY.  If so you wouldn't need the Elk Zwave module.
 
EDIT: Here is a sample of some stuff the ISY ELK Integration can do...
And here is a comparison I found...

 

[apostolakisl]

I tried to get a spec sheet on the vera Elk module, but they don't say squat.  It appears that the vera has very limited integration with Elk, someone correct me if I am wrong on this.  This was the best page I could find.  http://code.mios.com/trac/mios_elk-alarm-panel/wiki/WikiStart#no1  The fact that the elk module is free also makes me suspect it is a rather superficial integration. 
 
ISY does not have 100% integration with Elk, but it does have about 99.9% and adds functionality that Elk itself doesn't have like actions based on specific zone voltages and much better messaging.  Although ISY does appear to be more expensive the Vera 3.  For the most part, I have turned nearly everything over to ISY and gotten rid of most of my Elk rules.  Had the ISY Elk module existed when I first bought the Elk, I doubt I would have any rules on the Elk at all.  I just transferred all my email notifications from Elk to ISY after it screwed up while I was on vacation last week.  Elk email function is the worst.   ISY also has the most incredible customer support I have ever seen in my life.  They will gladly give you prompt one-on-one advice and even remotely log into your ISY to help you out if need be.  If you can't tell, I really like my ISY and I really like the people who sell it and I really like how every couple months they add a few more features.

 

[Big517]

Thanks for the info! I saw stuff about zigbee on the site but not zwave. I'll check it out again. If that is all true I'll probably pick one up.