For those not familiar with the ISY-26, it's an ethernet-based device to program and control Insteon devices. You can also setup events, triggers, etc. that do not require a PC to run.
Here's a link:
http://www.smarthome.com/12230p.html
Here are some of my initial impressions on the ISY-26, after playing with it for almost a day.
I received my unit a week or so ago, but haven't had the time to open and play until yesterday.
Installed the latest version of Java, and got right in to the interface using a Vista Business PC (IE7) and a Windows XP Pro machine (IE6) with no issues.
Had one issue right away where I was no longer able to login. I left a message at Universal-Devices, and Michel called back right away. Beyond excellent customer support. I'll go into more detail later.
I maintain a good spreadsheet of all my devices, so I felt more comfortable typing my devices in by address, adding them one at a time. Unfortunately it had a problem reading in my links using that method, but I didn't mind recreating them.
Between yesterday evening and this AM I was able to add all my devices, recreate all my links (scenes), and duplicate 95% of the functions I had before (more on that other 5% later). I still need to do my RemoteLincs, which I hope to tackle today.
Once you get a hang of the interface, it's pretty easy to work with. I have 60+ Insteon devices, and 30 or so scenes in the ISY-26. Nothing too too complex (yet).
Simple drag and drop worked well for me, but once I added most of my devices I found right-clicking worked better and faster to add devices to scenes.
I did have some communication issues programming devices, but usually retrying fixed it for me. The ISY-26 is plugged in to an odd location in my home right now (on a sub-panel), but I'll move it to a more permanent location later, improving my signal reliability.
Here are some comments/concerns/requests/questions in no particular order:
- Support from Michel was top-notch. Called me back right away. Not only did he help fix my issue, he offered and spent quite a bit of time showing me around the ISY-26 and helping me understand some things I didn't grasp yet. Can't say enough - great guy to deal with.
- Not a big fan of the interface colors (at least on my display). The pink was kind of hard to read at times. I understand the need for consistency, so making this user-definable probably isn't an option, but if I were UD I would put a bit of thought into the interface pallette. I think they could make it much more professional looking and pleasing simply by changing some colors around. I would go with a neutral theme for the background, maybe gray), and implement the text in darker colrs - orange, red, blue, green, etc... BUT - I'm obviously nitpicking. Other than the colors, I thought the interface was fine.
- I received a Java error a few times when trying to program certain devices. However, the switches seemed to program fine anyway. Not sure what the deal is, but the error was: "Socket open failed: java.nio.channels.ClosedSelectorException"
- One of the features I really like about PowerHome is the statistics it keeps for you to help find and troubleshoot switch and signal reliability issues. I don't know if it's feasible, but this would be a REAL nice feature to add.
- Is there a way to make a device a controller of 2 scenes? For example, I have a scene called "Floor1Off" that I control from a couple KeypadLincs around my house. I also have a "Floor2Off" scene that I control from a couple KPLs. Finally, I have 1 KPL that has a "Floor 1+2 Off" button. I ended up creating a whole new scene called "Floor1+2Off" and made that the controller. Not sure if it's possible, but it would have been nice to simply add that "Floor1+2Off" KPL button as a controller to both of my existing scenes.
- One feature I assumed was included with the ISY-26 was timed events. For example, if I turn my closet light on, I want to make sure it is automatically turned off 10 or 20 mins later - just in case whoever turned it on forgets to turn it off. Same with bathrooms, vents, etc. From what I understand this is being included in a soon-to-be released firmware update. This is one of the features I was using with my old setup, but currently am unable to do with the ISY-26. One thing to keep in mind when implementing this feature - say we have a 10 min timer setup on Closet1. If a user turns Closet1 ON, an event should be triggered that will turn Closet1 OFF 10 mins later. However, if Closet1 is turned off manually, that event should be cancelled. Don't want a situation where a light is turned on, then turned off 8 mins later, then turned back on, and the ISY-26 turns it off 2 mins after that.
- It would be nice if the casing of the ISY-26 had a couple keyed holes in the back for wall mounting. I'll probably end up using velcro, but some built-in wall mount method would be nice.
- I knew this feature wasn't in the current firmware release, but I did use FAST ON/FAST OFFs to trigger events with my old setup. I think this is an important feature to add.
- I also plan to use other software with my Insteon network, which will require me to keep other PLCs/PLMs on the network. This software will require me to keep links from my devices to these other PLCs/PLMs. My understanding is that when I restore a device through the ISY-26, that it will delete those links. If possible, I'd love a way for the ISY-26 to recognize and allow me to create links to these other PLCs/PLMs. If nothing else, I think they ISY-26 should have away to ignore these links and not delete them when I choose 'restore device'.
- I did experience a few instances where the PLM stopped sending/receiving commands. The ISY-26 did not give me any errors, but commands simply would not go out. Unplugging/replugging the PLM to cut the power brought it back online. I never needed to cut the power to the ISY-26. My PLM is FIRM52, and I'm running ISY-26 firmware that Michel sent me (2.4.4).
- I had a couple instances when programming KPL buttons that the ISY-26 SEEMED to complete the task, but the button was never added to the scene. I'd try again, and same thing - no error, but it wasn't in the scene. I ended up doing a restore device to those buttons, then tried adding them again, and it worked.
- One question - what is everyone using the Floor Plan for? Any good uses for it, or is it completely cosmetic?
ANYWAY, sorry for the long post. In summary, I think this device is fantastic, easy to use, and does 95% of what I want. Customer support was above and beyond what could be expected, and it's great to see that UD responds well and relatively quickly to many feature requests posted on their forum. Hopefully with the new firmware update, it will do 99% of what I want.
I can't wait to start using this full-time, and for the new firmware update. I also can't wait for any new products UD may have in store for us.
I think SmartHome would be wise to push this product more - it could definitely help them sell a lot more Insteon product.
Here's a link:
http://www.smarthome.com/12230p.html
Here are some of my initial impressions on the ISY-26, after playing with it for almost a day.
I received my unit a week or so ago, but haven't had the time to open and play until yesterday.
Installed the latest version of Java, and got right in to the interface using a Vista Business PC (IE7) and a Windows XP Pro machine (IE6) with no issues.
Had one issue right away where I was no longer able to login. I left a message at Universal-Devices, and Michel called back right away. Beyond excellent customer support. I'll go into more detail later.
I maintain a good spreadsheet of all my devices, so I felt more comfortable typing my devices in by address, adding them one at a time. Unfortunately it had a problem reading in my links using that method, but I didn't mind recreating them.
Between yesterday evening and this AM I was able to add all my devices, recreate all my links (scenes), and duplicate 95% of the functions I had before (more on that other 5% later). I still need to do my RemoteLincs, which I hope to tackle today.
Once you get a hang of the interface, it's pretty easy to work with. I have 60+ Insteon devices, and 30 or so scenes in the ISY-26. Nothing too too complex (yet).
Simple drag and drop worked well for me, but once I added most of my devices I found right-clicking worked better and faster to add devices to scenes.
I did have some communication issues programming devices, but usually retrying fixed it for me. The ISY-26 is plugged in to an odd location in my home right now (on a sub-panel), but I'll move it to a more permanent location later, improving my signal reliability.
Here are some comments/concerns/requests/questions in no particular order:
- Support from Michel was top-notch. Called me back right away. Not only did he help fix my issue, he offered and spent quite a bit of time showing me around the ISY-26 and helping me understand some things I didn't grasp yet. Can't say enough - great guy to deal with.
- Not a big fan of the interface colors (at least on my display). The pink was kind of hard to read at times. I understand the need for consistency, so making this user-definable probably isn't an option, but if I were UD I would put a bit of thought into the interface pallette. I think they could make it much more professional looking and pleasing simply by changing some colors around. I would go with a neutral theme for the background, maybe gray), and implement the text in darker colrs - orange, red, blue, green, etc... BUT - I'm obviously nitpicking. Other than the colors, I thought the interface was fine.
- I received a Java error a few times when trying to program certain devices. However, the switches seemed to program fine anyway. Not sure what the deal is, but the error was: "Socket open failed: java.nio.channels.ClosedSelectorException"
- One of the features I really like about PowerHome is the statistics it keeps for you to help find and troubleshoot switch and signal reliability issues. I don't know if it's feasible, but this would be a REAL nice feature to add.
- Is there a way to make a device a controller of 2 scenes? For example, I have a scene called "Floor1Off" that I control from a couple KeypadLincs around my house. I also have a "Floor2Off" scene that I control from a couple KPLs. Finally, I have 1 KPL that has a "Floor 1+2 Off" button. I ended up creating a whole new scene called "Floor1+2Off" and made that the controller. Not sure if it's possible, but it would have been nice to simply add that "Floor1+2Off" KPL button as a controller to both of my existing scenes.
- One feature I assumed was included with the ISY-26 was timed events. For example, if I turn my closet light on, I want to make sure it is automatically turned off 10 or 20 mins later - just in case whoever turned it on forgets to turn it off. Same with bathrooms, vents, etc. From what I understand this is being included in a soon-to-be released firmware update. This is one of the features I was using with my old setup, but currently am unable to do with the ISY-26. One thing to keep in mind when implementing this feature - say we have a 10 min timer setup on Closet1. If a user turns Closet1 ON, an event should be triggered that will turn Closet1 OFF 10 mins later. However, if Closet1 is turned off manually, that event should be cancelled. Don't want a situation where a light is turned on, then turned off 8 mins later, then turned back on, and the ISY-26 turns it off 2 mins after that.
- It would be nice if the casing of the ISY-26 had a couple keyed holes in the back for wall mounting. I'll probably end up using velcro, but some built-in wall mount method would be nice.
- I knew this feature wasn't in the current firmware release, but I did use FAST ON/FAST OFFs to trigger events with my old setup. I think this is an important feature to add.
- I also plan to use other software with my Insteon network, which will require me to keep other PLCs/PLMs on the network. This software will require me to keep links from my devices to these other PLCs/PLMs. My understanding is that when I restore a device through the ISY-26, that it will delete those links. If possible, I'd love a way for the ISY-26 to recognize and allow me to create links to these other PLCs/PLMs. If nothing else, I think they ISY-26 should have away to ignore these links and not delete them when I choose 'restore device'.
- I did experience a few instances where the PLM stopped sending/receiving commands. The ISY-26 did not give me any errors, but commands simply would not go out. Unplugging/replugging the PLM to cut the power brought it back online. I never needed to cut the power to the ISY-26. My PLM is FIRM52, and I'm running ISY-26 firmware that Michel sent me (2.4.4).
- I had a couple instances when programming KPL buttons that the ISY-26 SEEMED to complete the task, but the button was never added to the scene. I'd try again, and same thing - no error, but it wasn't in the scene. I ended up doing a restore device to those buttons, then tried adding them again, and it worked.
- One question - what is everyone using the Floor Plan for? Any good uses for it, or is it completely cosmetic?
ANYWAY, sorry for the long post. In summary, I think this device is fantastic, easy to use, and does 95% of what I want. Customer support was above and beyond what could be expected, and it's great to see that UD responds well and relatively quickly to many feature requests posted on their forum. Hopefully with the new firmware update, it will do 99% of what I want.
I can't wait to start using this full-time, and for the new firmware update. I also can't wait for any new products UD may have in store for us.
I think SmartHome would be wise to push this product more - it could definitely help them sell a lot more Insteon product.