Is HAI+OmniTouch the best solution for new installations?

[eddy]

Just curious if folks think an Omni IIe + several OmniTouch displays is the "best" solution for a new installation.
 
Our previous residence had an early-vintage OmniPro II (you know, one that required replacing the EPROMs to upgrade the firmware). It didn't have any OmniTouch consoles, but the system was reliable and worked well with various X10 and Compose switches and Haiku/HaikuHelper for notifications/phone access.
 
The new residence is smaller (hence the IIe instead of the Pro) and I'm wondering if HAI is still the "way to go" for security, automation and PoE IP security cameras.
 
We also had a Nuvo Essentia, but thinking of a HiFi 2 for the integration with the OmniTouch's.
 
If not HAI, what other systems provide integration with lighting, security, cameras and audio?
 
Thanks for any insight!

 

[ano]

I'm putting one in my new house. Using UPB, which worked great in my past house. Also going to have Somfy blinds control. Personally I wouldn't use an OmniTouch. I did that in my last house, but Haiku on an iPad is much better. Their is a new version that was released a few days ago, that should be even better. You can always mount an iPad on the wall if you want also.
 
I have a smaller house as well, but I still think the OmniPro II is the way to go. Yes the IIe is cheaper, but more limiting in many ways. I took my OmniPro II with me and exchanged it for an LTe before I sold the house.

 

[eddy]

Thanks for the reply. UPB seems the way to go for lighting to me as well. Are you planning on using HAI-branded switches/plugs? I was considering trying some of the stuff from Simply Automated.
 
Interesting about the OmniTouch. I was actually really looking forward to them and their always-on hard-wired interface and designed-for-the-wall integration. Hmmm.
 
In what ways do you think the IIe is significantly more limited for a small residential installation? (I tried to include the link to the comparison chart, but my post count is too low even though I've been a lurker for years. Google for "omni controllers comparison chart").

 

[fcwilt]

What is your budget?
 
Do you want to DIY or have it installed for you?
 
What exactly do you want the system to do?

 

[eddy]

Budget is around $5000, including the controller, a standard keypad (to maintain UL status), two touch-screen controllers, and a whole house audio system (leaning towards the 8-zone HiFi 2 at this point) and a 10 or so scene-capable light switches to start. (PoE IP cameras will come a bit later.)
 
I plan to "DIY", ordering the components on-line.
 
Intended use is obviously security (house is pre-wired with sensors at each door and some interior motion detectors), scene-based lighting control (kitchen, family room, den, master bedroom and exterior), and HVAC automation support. Integration with whole-house audio system would be a plus. Touch-screen based controllers for easy/quick access to security and automation functions, plus future use with multiple exterior IP cameras desired.
 
Since our previous house had an OmniPro II system (but as mentioned earlier, no touch screens) the family is already familiar with the Omni keypad and operating basic things. I do already own Haiku and HaikuHelper, but since Haiku has not been updated since June of 2013, I'm thinking the developer may have lost interest in taking the product to the next level (and was hoping using the OmniTouch 7's would be a good choice, but after reading some of the posts in this forum, am beginning to wonder if that's the case.)

 

[ano]

 I do already own Haiku and HaikuHelper, but since Haiku has not been updated since June of 2013, I'm thinking the developer may have lost interest in taking the product to the next level (and was hoping using the OmniTouch 7's would be a good choice, but after reading some of the posts in this forum, am beginning to wonder if that's the case.)

You are aware that the replacement for Hauki was released a few days ago? Its called Space.
 
I can talk about HAI/Leviton UPB vs. Simply Automated. so 10 years ago, with a previous house, I went ALL Simply Automated. I liked the switches because of the ability to change button, but I also had some problems with contacts wearing out. In other words, over time, youd have to press hard on top or bottom for certain lights to go on or off. The contacts just wore out.  And I had a second problem with the SA switches. I always had some communications problems with some switches, and it took several signal couplers to get it all working. These were first generation switches. I bought a UPB repeater, but my older switches didn't work good with the repeater.
 
So in my house I thought I would try HAI. One advantage is the panel can program switches for HLC if you use that. If you use HLC with SA switches, you have to manually program them. I also like the bright blue LED on the switches, it looks very modern. Also, they work great with my repeater, and I have NEVER had any communications issues.
 
Now the bad news. The timer on the switches just doesn't work. This is like buying a new car and finding out the radio doesn't work and the company that made it couldn't care less.   In addition, the switches have this bug where occasionaly they don't light but rather gp to full dim. The LED does indicate they are on, because they are probably on at 1% but the light doesn't light. Again, another bug.
 
I do have some SA switches like the ceiling fan controller because HAI doesn't make those. SA claims their switches NOW do support repeaters, BUT I can tell you I still have communication problems with SA switches, never with HAI switches.
 
So the HAI switches are O.K. with some bugs. I really like the HAI room and house controllers. They look very professional. In contrast, the SA ceiling fan controller looks pretty bad like something a 5th grader created.

 

[eddy]

I was not aware that Haiku was replaced by a new app called Space. Thanks for the heads up. (The fact that it's a "new app" leads me to believe that I'll have to pay again, even though Haiku was already the most expensive app on my iOS devices...)
 
Thanks for the insight on the HAI/Leviton UPB switches vs. the Simply Automated ones. It's unfortunate that there's no "best choice" in terms of UPB.
 
Any opinions on UPB versus a wireless system (like Vizia RF+) for lighting when using an Omni controller?

 

[pete_c]

Any opinions on UPB versus a wireless system (like Vizia RF+) for lighting when using an Omni controller?

 
I have primarily UPB (primarily SA today - with some PCS / HAI UPB mixed in) and some Z-Wave and prefer UPB for my in wall light switches.
 
I also have metal conduit / metal boxes for all of my electric here.

 

[ano]

I'd stick with UPB. If you set it up as a HLC network, the panel can keep status of all the lights.