Issue with Elk and UPB

[rmcneil]

Of course, an ISY-99u would solve many of these problems, but I believe it was on the UDI web-site that I saw that they are no longer planning on making a UPB version, Anybody know why they made that decision

I can't say with 100% certainty why plans for a UPB ISY were shelved, but I believe it was primarily a ROI decision.

That's unfortunate. I can understand that UDI has a lot of time and money invested via Insteon, so I hope the decision wasn't based on a fear that they would be cannibalizing their own product. I could see a use for having both products. Insteon and UPB each have unique and appealing properties as well as frustrating limitations. Many of the limitations of Insteon are mitigated by the ISY99. Having an ISY for each (or even better a hybrid ISY that could control both) would allow a person to mix and match UPB and Insteon instead of having to choose one or the other.

In my situation, a couple years ago, to test each system I installed UPB in the North half of the house and Insteon in the South half. I like them both and am frustrated with both. I really don't want to have to choose one or the other.

 

[MikeB]

That's unfortunate. I can understand that UDI has a lot of time and money invested via Insteon, so I hope the decision wasn't based on a fear that they would be cannibalizing their own product.

Not at all. As a matter of fact, we are actively working on a Z-Wave compatible product. I believe the decision was completely based on ROI. We'd love to see a wide range of ISYs for a variety of technologies, the limit is available resources.

 

[fcwilt]

I like them both and am frustrated with both.

What are your frustrations with UPB?

 

[rmcneil]

I like them both and am frustrated with both.

What are your frustrations with UPB?

For one, the issue we were discussing the other day: http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14863

2nd (and related to #1): availability of a reasonably priced UPB keypad with lighted indicators that also controls a load. AFAIK, the only UPB one so far is from PCS and costs $342 from AO. Compare that to an Insteon keypad for $69.99. How will UPB ever reach critical mass at these prices?

3rd - not my frustrations yet - but the ELK integration issues which prompted the OP to start this thread.

I'm sure others with more UPB experience than me could add a few more to the list.

 

[fcwilt]

Thanks for the info.

#1 The only way I have been able to make this work involves some additional hardware to respond to links and issue others in response, as I mentioned in the other post.

#2 It may be that this particular combination is not viewed as being in demand, I just don't know. The SA units can have up to 8 non-lighted buttons and dimmer combined, close but not quite there.

#3 Maybe the new ELK M2 will fully support the UPB protocol. As I understand it the M1 does have enough resources to do this. Time will tell.

Good luck.