Latest Insteon Software Developments

[johnnynine]

This is a bit of an extension to Randy's more hardware based thread.

I've had my Insteon switches uninstalled for at least 9 months due to an old usability issue with the switches. It looks like the most recent switches work better and it is time for me to choose a lighting protocol. So I'd like to get up to speed on what has been happening on the software front for Insteon?

I found these links...

Group Commander II

InHomeFre

HouseLinc Desktop

PowerHome

Has much been happening with these over the past year?

Is PowerHome better at link programming than HouseLinc?

Did Elk Products finish their integration with PowerHome to download the link db?

I know CQC now has an Insteon driver, has anyone had luck with it?

Does Elk or CQC now recognize local switch state changes? I noticed the Elk Manual indicates that it only supports on/off recognition and does not recognize dimming changes.

Has Elk indicated interest in supporting the upcoming Insteon PLM?

edit: added a couple questions before anyone replyed.

 

[WayneW]

Did Elk Products finish their integration with PowerHome to download the link db?

I don't think it is "finished", but it is very usable. It does require that you connect the XSP to the PH computer serial port, which is tricky for some. I suggest using two 2414 units, one for the Elk, one for PH. PH is very good at link management and can push the info to the XSP. You then need to configure the lights in ElkRP (i.e. tell RP that light #17 is the dining room light, uses the serial interface, etc)

 

[DavidL]

MainLobby has a robust Insteon support that does detect local change of switch state. Supports X10 as well.
You can manage your Insteon lighting network (install and use) from within the MainLobby Insteon device driver software.

 

[RandyKnight]

MainLobby has a robust Insteon support that does detect local change of switch state. Supports X10 as well.
You can manage your Insteon lighting network (install and use) from within the MainLobby Insteon device driver software.

Does it import/download the links and devices from PH or otherwise?

 

[DavidL]

Links To / From the PLC - not from other software (I don't think).

 

[wuench]

The CQC driver is working great for me. It only does control, no link programming. The SDM socket server is a great idea too, something SH should've done a long time ago...

I still haven't found link programming software I like. Houselinc sucks, I am not a fan of PH's interface either, but a lot of people seem to like it. Haven't tried group commander or InHomeFre. I have been mostly using my own buggy software.

It sounds like the soon to be released PLM may support extended messaging. If this is true and the switch firmware also supports it then I predict a software revolution for Insteon. (Maybe I need a couple more if/then's in there...)

 

[KenM]

I still haven't found link programming software I like. Houselinc sucks, I am not a fan of PH's interface either, but a lot of people seem to like it. Haven't tried group commander or InHomeFre. I have been mostly using my own buggy software.

InHomeFre has only limited linking support. I was more concerned with direct control and down loadable timers than with linking when I was writing it.

Ken

 

[mtwalsh367]

I have been using HomeSeer lately to control my Insteon stuff. I am shifting away from the M1 because I need more Insteon funcationality than what is currently supported with the M1. The HomeSeer Insteon support is still in Beta but is proving to be pretty robust outside of a few glitches still be worked out in the code. You can add devices as well as groups in HS and HS will also read all the link information for your devices so it knows how to track the status of all your devices even when you are controlling lights locally.

I still use Powerhome to maintain my overall Insteon network and diagnose any link issues. I don't think you can beat Powerhome for its Insteon functionality, although there is a bit of a learning curve with the interface.

 

[wuench]

Yes, I should've mentioned HS as well. Jon did great work on that plugin. It was in great shape when I moved off HS months ago and I am sure it has only gotten better. I originally programmed all my links with it. It was one of the big positives, for me, with HS.

 

[gregoryx]

I use HouseLinc for basic link programming and PowerHome - and am still trying to use MainLobby - for PLC group links since HouseLinc doesn't seem to do that.

I like the HouseLinc interface for managing links in 50+ devices. I like the concept of PowerHome, but that sure is a learning curve.

I have one PLC on a PC that I use either HouseLinc or PowerHome on. Another dedicated to MainLobby. And another PLC connected to Elk. All control and two track.