ISY versus PowerHome

[RichardL]

Greetings -

Yes, I am brand new to this forum, but have been running with HA for years.

My basic question - what is better and why: the ISY or PowerHome?

I have been using Homeseer for years, initially for X10. I have migrated my 130 devices to Insteon, including 27 KeyPadLincs. There are about 80 events and custom programs I have setup under Homeseer, with more on the way.

I am looking to migrate off Homeseer to a new platform, hence my question to everyone.

A quick background:
* I have had a dedicated Windows XP PC for Homeseer, and never experienced a problem or downtime. So I have no problem with a PC on all the time.
* I have a strong programming background so even though I may cook up some questions, I can manage coding.

I have heard good things about both platforms, some observations:
* ISY is restricted to a set number of entries (links, programs, etc), PowerHome is not.
* PowerHome looks like it can be more flexible to program.

Any thoughts, experiences, etc is most welcome to assist me as I make this important decision.

Thank you in advance,

Richard

 

[garyfunk]

I went with the ISY for oen simple reason. Universal-Devices has a 100% vested interest in making sure the ISY works 100% of the time. Therefore, I don't have to worry about something not working as Universal-Devices doea all the worring for me.

 

[upstatemike]

I seem to recall that PowerHome has ISY support on their roadmap. I would suggest you move your Insteon devices to an ISY and use the the Homeseer plugin initially. Then start learning PowerHome and make the transition when you are ready. Since both Homeseer and PowerHome will communincate with the ISY over your LAN, you will not have to make any changes to the core Insteon setup in the ISY to make the transition and could theoretically be running both Homeseer and PowerHome for a period of time.

 

[pkoslow]

You mentioned migrating away from HomeSeer to a new platform... do you know yet what you're moving to?

Knowing what your new automation platform will be may assist others in making a recomendation.

 

[MikeB]

You mentioned migrating away from HomeSeer to a new platform... do you know yet what you're moving to?

I believe that's his question - he's trying to decide whether to migrate to the ISY or PowerHome.

 

[RichardL]

Yes, that is my question: ISY or PowerHome for a HA platform.

UpstateMike: As far as the migration - I have no problem doing a complete cutover to one or the other. I have extra PCs, and an extra PLM, so I can keep my Homeseer running as it is now, fire up a new setup with PowerHome and transfer. Upon completion I won't really need the ISY since my PC/PowerHome/PLM will be able to run independently. ...anything I am missing regarding that type of migration?

Anyone else with opinions/experiences/suggestions with either platform is appreciated.

Thanks,

Richard

 

[Madcodger]

I've used all three, and still run Homeseer and more recently, an ISY. Have been trying to migrate most of my lighting control to an Elk - ISY combination, but that's been sketchy due to some issues between the two if you're running wireless X10 motion sensors, as I am. That said, I'd have to give the nod to the ISY for Insteon control. Powerhome was great for programming, but I never did figure out its web interface, and instructions / board / support wasn't as good as ISY or Homeseer, based on my use. They may have improved in the past year, but I gave up investing time there.

The ISY is a big improvement, but still not perfect. If the Homeseer - ISY interface works out, that's likely the way I'll go, with the Elk just providing security. Not that you asked about it, but the Elk's lighting control, even with the ISY, has been a real problem because it is so closely tied to the old X10 protocoal, even for its addresses. It also passes ALL wireless X10 traffic to the ISY. That results in the same type of X10 "falsing" that caused many to abandon that technology. I've had numerous lights coming on and going off, even with no motion sensors on those codes. So... back to Homeseer and ISY, with fingers crossed.

 

[kwilcox]

As what sometimes seems like this board's sole HCA user, I'd like to point out that v8.0 added extensive Insteon support to their already excellent X10 and UPB capabilities. The capability list can be found here. HCA Plus is also half the cost of an ISY and includes Web support that is PIE aware along with these additional features... I can control the house from my AT&T Tilt.

Advanced Quonset Technologies, the folks that make HCA, also designed UPStart (the UPB system programming tool supplied for free by UPB vendors).

 

[Mudguppie]

As what sometimes seems like this board's sole HCA user, I'd like to point out that v8.0 added extensive Insteon support to their already excellent X10 and UPB capabilities. The capability list can be found here. HCA Plus is also half the cost of an ISY and includes Web support that is PIE aware... I can control the house from my AT&T Tilt.

Advanced Quonset Technologies, the folks that make HCA, also designed UPStart (the UPB system programming tool supplied for free by UPB vendors).

Nope, you're not alone. I have been using HCA for about four years now and have lighting, irrigation tied to my weather station, HVAC, status annunciations, web access, etc. using v7.1. The thing that hooked me was the Visual Programmer-it's real easy to put together very complex programs without having a programming background. Although it may have a couple of minor limitations, I've been pretty much able to do anything I wanted using HCA. I haven't yet upgraded to v8.0 because I still use x10 which has been very reliable for me and they support that technology thoroughly as well. However, I probably will upgrade later this month for other reasons.

Further, as you know, AQT has regular updates to HCA and their support has always been prompt and helpful. This is not to take anything away from the other fine HA programs out there, it's just that HCA has been able to meet all my needs over the years.

Best regards,

Robert