ControlThink Introduces First Upgradable USB Z-Wave Controller

[Squintz]

ControlThink today announces its new Z-Wave USB Adapter. Available immediately, it is the first USB adapter in the industry to deliver firmware-upgradability and 4x (40kbps) Z-Wave support for home computers. [read more]

 

[Micah]

ControlThink today announces its new Z-Wave USB Adapter. Available immediately, it is the first USB adapter in the industry to deliver firmware-upgradability and 4x (40kbps) Z-Wave support for home computers. [read more]

This sounds like a great replacement for the old USB dongle. Couple of questions though - First, in regard to the firmware upgradability, is that a feature specific to this new dongle or it will allow future ZWave (maybe even current?) devices to be upgraded via the ZWave network? Second, what does the higher speed support mean in the real world? And finally, with the dongle no longer needing drivers, will programs like CQC need an update to the driver to support it?

 

[HighTest]

Ordered mine! I'll let you know how this works for me on my Vista x64 environment.

 

[twilo123]

i've had the beta for a couple of months now on 32bit vista via mcontrol with no problems. i notice some longer delays on some manufacturer's lights than others but that may just be a longer default ramp rate.

 

[Squintz]

I'm sure Chris will chime in eventually with better details but here is what I know.

The firmware upgrade is for the dongle only and not for upgrading devices in your network. Although that would be really cool.

I'm not sure about many of the software applications but I know that right now CQC will not work with this dongle and I doubt anything but ThinkEssentials and the ControlThink PC SDK works with it. I'm not sure what changes are required for HomeSeer and CQC and others to support the new stick but my guess is that it's not an easy thing to do. There are rumors of someone considering building a gateway application using the SDK which would allow control via TCP/IP. I'm not sure how far that will go though.

 

[ChrisWalker]

Micah: David is correct--the upgradability refers to the ability to upgrade the Z-Wave firmware in this device. That said, you can use the adapter with Intermatic's device update utility (available on their website) to reflash your InTouch controllers... And because it supports 4x Z-Wave, it's well-suited for reflashing other devices in-field as those devices gain the ability to be reflashed.

David: It's really easy to add support for the new adapter to 3rd-party software applications. And of course, any software built with the Z-Wave PC SDK is already compatible out-of-the-gate. Some software applications have already added support (including one on your list there).

Chris

 

[ChrisWalker]

P.S.

Is there any interest in serial drivers for the new ControlThink Z-Wave USB Adapter?

Chris

 

[Squintz]

I'd be interested.

 

[twilo123]

this is probably a stretch but if you could port it over for direct z-wave control off of a pronto via http://www.pronto.philips.com/index.cfm?id=1307
i would be interested.

also, chris were you ever able to push out full documentation on your sdk by chance?

 

[ChrisWalker]

FYI, we've just released the first firmware upgrade for the ThinkStick (Z-Wave USB Adapter).

This upgrades the ThinkStick to Z-Wave v4.25 which provides for "double-speed routing" with many recently-manufactured Z-Wave devices. This is in addition to the 4x Z-Wave support built in, bringing the total potential speed increase up to almost 8x Z-Wave.

You can download the free update from the "Downloads" section at the bottom of the product page (permanent link):
http://www.controlthink.com/accessories/zwusb100.htm

Or you can download it directly via this link:
http://www.controlthink.com/downloads/thin...pdate/setup.exe

 

[ChrisWalker]

Ordered mine! I'll let you know how this works for me on my Vista x64 environment.

HighTest, how is it working for you in Vista x64? I'm running Vista x64 without issues--but feedback is very much appreciated.

Chris

 

[deranged]

Yeap,,,,

Ran the update on my existing USB ThinkStick and there was a very noticable speed difference. Even with half of my devices being older.

With Think Essentials my intermatic appliance modules respond as fast as I can click now.
( had to stop playing I was bringing down the WAF )

StevenE

 

[HighTest]

Ordered mine! I'll let you know how this works for me on my Vista x64 environment.

HighTest, how is it working for you in Vista x64? I'm running Vista x64 without issues--but feedback is very much appreciated.

Chris

It's working just great! The firmware updater 1.0 also worked without any problems. Thanks for such a great product!


HighTest

 

[KenM]

All, Just as a FYI

I have a 'very old' Z-Troller. A few days ago, I updated the firmware. All worked well.

Duh?

Ken

 

[HighTest]

All, Just as a FYI

I have a 'very old' Z-Troller. A few days ago, I updated the firmware. All worked well.

Duh? :lol:

Ken

It's all about size and price. In this case the Thinkstick is smaller than the Z-troller :lol: Less expensive too.