More INSTEON quality control issues!
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nightwalker
Active Member
I agree, I can't imagine there's a pro anywhere that would install an Insteon anything in a clients home, if one did he lied to you and is not a pro, rather a hobbyist thinking they're a pro. Escort them to the door, quick!
I'm very close to buying Z-Wave and after reading this have certainly not formed a favorable opinion of SH or Insteon. I know they sell other HA equipment but if they are willing to treat customers this way, I don't intend to buy ANYTHING from them at all.
That said, who are you Z-Wavers buying your devices from?
That said, who are you Z-Wavers buying your devices from?
Monk
Active Member
I have had good service from Automated Outlet as well.
Hi everyone,
I am new here and also new to Insteon.
I have recently moved in to a new house last November
that we built and have been changing all switches to Insteon + ISY99.
I also installed an Elk M1G back in December (2008) and am really
like it. It is so powerful.
Then, I decided to give Insteon a try to control my lighting, even with that many negative comments.
My first experience with Insteon was not very pleasant as 4 out of
about 14 switches failed from my first order in December. They were either not responding to ISY,
failed the link, or unresponsive ramp rate. Took me quite some time to find out that these switches
were defective and they were then returned.
My second order (Yes. I decided to order more) from last week includes a total of 36 switches
(lots of 2476D and about five 2486DWH8).
Three out of the 31 failed (I am still installing them now, with 5 left).
I also got 5 brand new 2486DWH8 in ebay for about $45 each (great deal).
Over these two orders, only the 2476D or 2476S failed.
With ISY99, my network is extremely robust with over 99.9% success rate after
I filtered the bad switches. There is no problem whatsoever with noise even I use
a lot of CFL bulbs for chandeliers (kitchen and dinning rm), mud room, den, pantry,
7 brms, etc.
But, it can be frustrating for installer if this quality problem is not resolved.
SH really needs to get to quality control issue.
Other than this, I really like insteon so far.
The reason why I went with Insteon (even with that many negative comments) is
the look of their switches. I checked out Z-wave and UPB and none of those really
match the look of the insteon switches. Of course, insteon's
reliability issue over the next few years is still unknown, at least for me.
I also purchased 2 Venstar thermostats (T1700 & T1800) for my insteon network, working perfectly.
My third order (today) includes another 15 switches. I guess I was brave enough
to order that many insteons as a first time DIY for home automation.
Anyway, just my $0.02.
I am new here and also new to Insteon.
I have recently moved in to a new house last November
that we built and have been changing all switches to Insteon + ISY99.
I also installed an Elk M1G back in December (2008) and am really
like it. It is so powerful.
Then, I decided to give Insteon a try to control my lighting, even with that many negative comments.
My first experience with Insteon was not very pleasant as 4 out of
about 14 switches failed from my first order in December. They were either not responding to ISY,
failed the link, or unresponsive ramp rate. Took me quite some time to find out that these switches
were defective and they were then returned.
My second order (Yes. I decided to order more) from last week includes a total of 36 switches
(lots of 2476D and about five 2486DWH8).
Three out of the 31 failed (I am still installing them now, with 5 left).
I also got 5 brand new 2486DWH8 in ebay for about $45 each (great deal).
Over these two orders, only the 2476D or 2476S failed.
With ISY99, my network is extremely robust with over 99.9% success rate after
I filtered the bad switches. There is no problem whatsoever with noise even I use
a lot of CFL bulbs for chandeliers (kitchen and dinning rm), mud room, den, pantry,
7 brms, etc.
But, it can be frustrating for installer if this quality problem is not resolved.
SH really needs to get to quality control issue.
Other than this, I really like insteon so far.
The reason why I went with Insteon (even with that many negative comments) is
the look of their switches. I checked out Z-wave and UPB and none of those really
match the look of the insteon switches. Of course, insteon's
reliability issue over the next few years is still unknown, at least for me.
I also purchased 2 Venstar thermostats (T1700 & T1800) for my insteon network, working perfectly.
My third order (today) includes another 15 switches. I guess I was brave enough
to order that many insteons as a first time DIY for home automation.
Anyway, just my $0.02.
I must have missed it but can someone please state what this current major firmware bug is, what switchlinc versions it appears in, and what the symptoms are? I've just purchased another $1000 worth of Insteon product in the last 3 weeks after SH suddenly decided to replace everyone one of my previous icon switches with SwitchLincs due to the paddle issue. Taking that as a sign that they finally got their act together, I threw more money at it.
KenM
Active Member
I have used Automated Outlet and the HomeSeer store. Sometimes one will have a better deal than the other, both are top quality vendors in my opinion. I have even ordered a few Z-Wave items from SmartHome, they tend to be a bit pricier though.
Ken
Exactly right. When Insteon works, it's fantastic - but users shouldn't have to weed through bad devices like you have.
Just to clarify a bit, I don't think anyone knows for certain what the exact cause is yet. UDI is working with Smarthome, trying to help them duplicate the issues in their lab. I don't think the solution will necessary be to replace all devices with a certain firmware version. From what I've seen so far, not every device is having this issue.
There have been reports of some users getting a batch of devices in where some work fine and others are giving them grief, so it might not necessarily be a firmware bug in all devices - possibly a batch of devices that had a bad firmware load, or maybe a batch of devices with a bad component.
I personally own some devices with the same reported firmware version that has had problems reported, and have not had any issues with mine. But, my devices were purchased several months ago - so they are more likely from a different batch.
I'm sure they'll get to the bottom of this, but it's important that anyone experiencing this issue work with Michel at UDI so that the issue can be narrowed down and any problem devices can hopefully sent to the right people at Smarthome working on the problem.
On the other hand I have ten new ApplianceLincs that are a big problem.
Old ones are much better and these where put into the EXACT place as the older ones where.
I actually found in my case. Removing one of my Access Points [have two; one on each phase; LED Tests show good] and replacing it with a X10 passive dryer outlet coupler. Fixed about 99.9% of my problems.
UDI and Smarthome are working to get the problem solved. I know my findings are being looked at by both parties.
Old ones are much better and these where put into the EXACT place as the older ones where.
I actually found in my case. Removing one of my Access Points [have two; one on each phase; LED Tests show good] and replacing it with a X10 passive dryer outlet coupler. Fixed about 99.9% of my problems.
UDI and Smarthome are working to get the problem solved. I know my findings are being looked at by both parties.
This is exactly what gets me so frosted about Smarthome. We ARE doing their homework, while they continue to happily sell defective product. This is just BAD, BAD, BAD.
I have customers that can't use new LampLinc modules because they don't work with LSM. Yes, the holidays are over and my sales usually drop off and don't start picking up again until August. Hopefully that will give Smarthome time to get their act together.
I just ordered a remote linc. Since I'm using ISY and mostly newer switchlincs, does this mean the remote is going to drain within a few days, or is it hit and miss like with the switchlincs.
I am experiencing intermittent scene failures after SH replaced all of my older ICONs with Switchlincs earlier this month. But I'm also now experiencing scene failures between KPLs and inline dimmer modules that for the the last 18 months since I installed them have been perfect and have never missed.
I just bought a pair of APs figuring that would solve the problem but it only seems to make it worse regardless of placement. It's starting to feel like the old X10 days with regards to debugging. I always liked that about Insteon that it just worked and never failed
I am experiencing intermittent scene failures after SH replaced all of my older ICONs with Switchlincs earlier this month. But I'm also now experiencing scene failures between KPLs and inline dimmer modules that for the the last 18 months since I installed them have been perfect and have never missed.
I just bought a pair of APs figuring that would solve the problem but it only seems to make it worse regardless of placement. It's starting to feel like the old X10 days with regards to debugging. I always liked that about Insteon that it just worked and never failed
As a small test. Try ONE Access Point to receive your RF devices and see if the Switches magically work better.
In the ISY forums. The RemoteLinc thing has been covered quite nicely. I relinked my older RemoteLincs a few times with no quick battery drains. That said I don't know if my RemoteLinc firmware is what is now shipping.
In the ISY forums. The RemoteLinc thing has been covered quite nicely. I relinked my older RemoteLincs a few times with no quick battery drains. That said I don't know if my RemoteLinc firmware is what is now shipping.
I thought he was made the moderator just to take care of the SPAM issue they had and not to do "moderation/censorship"?
wuench
Senior Member
His logic is flawed. They are implying over there that because the HL2 users aren't complaining that the problem lies in the ISY. But HL2 requires a special PLM. So they aren't comparing apples to apples. That should have been the first warning that something was radically different if they had to change the PLM firmware to make it work.
They need to test their firmware with at least the 3rd party products they sell before releasing it and they would avoid these issues. SH needs to realize that a lot of 3rd party vendors have ceased direct development with the PLM and are relying on the ISY now (i.e. HomeSeer). And they suspended direct development for these very reasons, SH's inability to work with and support them properly.
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