homeseer plus caddx vs elk

shtojo

Member
ok, I currently have a caddx nx8... planning on replacing with elk m1g, but...
If I end up using homeseer also, and homeseer can interface with caddx, then...

Do I gain alot by going with elk + homeseer (vs nx8 + homeseer)?

I know elk can do alot that caddx alone cant, but with homeseer, I am guessing I can handle just about anything anyway (?)

Heard some talk of limitations with nx8/homeseer plugin, but dont know what they are.

Any comments or suggestions?

Thanks.
 
This really depends what you want your overall 'system' to do. For instance the Caddx NX8e is a great home security system. I use it with HomeSeer version 1.7 via "Nitrox's" plugin (legacy versions in today's standards).

I did purchase a relay output card with the Caddx as well as a zone expander card.

I like the integration with HomeSeer as I can arm/disarm, see zone status, get triggers based on security events (arm/disarm/door opened, etc...).

But, the Caddx programming itself is not versatile or user friendly for home automation applications.

I also integrated the Elk with HomeSeer (version 1.7) using "MarkL's" plugin. I found the Elk programming much easier and more versatile as you can setup relay outputs, voice announcements and other events with a user friendly menu system. This is a lot better application than the Caddx for home automation purposes. There are other features as well, to numerous to list.

So, if you need the 'hardware' interface for 'home automation' applications, I suggest the Elk M1 Gold with relay output and other expansion modules. If you 'just' want security and nothing else, the Caddx will do for that application.

Grant it you can eek out some home automation performance via HomeSeer with the Caddx system, but you will not have the hardware available for many other home automation functions.

Hope this helps and sorry I can't answer your question on "currently available" versions of the plugins for HomeSeer (someday, I will as I have all the newer versions, just hasn't made the priority list yet) ;)
 
Thanks, this does help... just alot to understand and it seems that there are many ways of doing the same things.. for instance, if I go zwave or upb, I can control that via elk with the add-on hardware, or via homeseer via pc-connected hardware, or probably even via homeseer through the elk hardware. Then I have remote ethernet access direct to elk vs to pc/homeseer, etc.
If I use voice from both elk and homeseer, then need to switch or mix the audio between the two. Would really like the voice TTS capability via homeseer (to speak weather forcast for instance and custom messages) along with some other functions. Also concerned about power usage of a pc (would probably use a laptop) running 24/7. For others that use homeseer and ELK, I assume the 3rd party plugin works well and has no real limitations?
Sorry to ramble-on... thanks all for your time and input.
 
Thanks, this does help... just alot to understand and it seems that there are many ways of doing the same things.. for instance, if I go zwave or upb, I can control that via elk with the add-on hardware, or via homeseer via pc-connected hardware, or probably even via homeseer through the elk hardware. Then I have remote ethernet access direct to elk vs to pc/homeseer, etc.
If I use voice from both elk and homeseer, then need to switch or mix the audio between the two. Would really like the voice TTS capability via homeseer (to speak weather forcast for instance and custom messages) along with some other functions. Also concerned about power usage of a pc (would probably use a laptop) running 24/7. For others that use homeseer and ELK, I assume the 3rd party plugin works well and has no real limitations?
Sorry to ramble-on... thanks all for your time and input.

There are two active plugins for the Elk I believe with HomeSeer. I would look into the UltraJones one first if this were me.

I did incorporate the switching between the Elk voices and HomeSeer's voices via an Elk 800 amplifier. I did THIS post describing the details.

As far as plugins for HomeSeer look on their boards as most developers have dedicated forums for their specific plugins. This will give you an idea of their performance.

Most users here like the idea of a logic controller like the Elk (or Ocelot, HAI unit, etc...) performing "critical" functions and use the PC for the 'ginger bread' such as caller ID announcements, remote website access, etc...
 
It's SO nice of you all to take time to help me (and others) out...this forum is truly a great resource.
As far as being comfortable with scripts, I do hardware and firmware development for a living, so I don't mind digging-in to the code and will certainly check it out. Thanks for all the info!
 
Others have used a mixer to combine the Elk output and a PC sound card output for TTS, feeding into an Elk-800 amp.

I picked up an Extron 3 source mixer on Ebay for <$20.
 
For others that use homeseer and ELK, I assume the 3rd party plugin works well and has no real limitations?
If you are comfortable with scripts at all, I suggest Electron's my.elk script. http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2353
I have been using it for years with HS 1.7 and it isn't hard to install or tweak. Free and expandable as Elk adds new features to the protocol.
Is this script compatible with HomeSeer's (2.0) .net engine?
 
For others that use homeseer and ELK, I assume the 3rd party plugin works well and has no real limitations?
If you are comfortable with scripts at all, I suggest Electron's my.elk script. http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2353
I have been using it for years with HS 1.7 and it isn't hard to install or tweak. Free and expandable as Elk adds new features to the protocol.
Is this script compatible with HomeSeer's (2.0) .net engine?
Dunno about that version, but the .Net version is.
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...amp;#entry58509
 
I don't want to change the topic too much but I'm using a HomeVisionPro system and it directly integrates with the CADDX alarm system. If you already have that in place the HVPro has a ton to offer with tons of feature directly built in to the stock system. There are others here that also are running the HVPro.
 
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