Need Help with Lighting Technology Comparison

[upstatemike]

I started putting together a short spreadsheet to make it easier to compare various lighting technologies but came to realize I only really know specifics for X10 and Insteon. I could dig the details out of various web sites for UPB, Z-Wave and CAT5 based lighting but it might not be as accurate as it would if somebody who uses these technologies filled in the info.

It is just a short list of about 40 features and device types and a box to put Y or N if it is supported/available for each lighting technology. If anybody is willing to help me fill in the details for UPB, Z-Wave, or CAT5 hardwired systems send me a PM and I'll email you the list. It is in Excel 2007 (.xlsx) format.

Thanks,

-Mike

 

[Herdfan]

Are we giving up on Insteon?

I can give you specifics for RadioRA and Homeworks Wired(Cat 5 CAN be used, but not recommended) and Wireless if you are interested.

 

[upstatemike]

Are we giving up on Insteon?

I can give you specifics for RadioRA and Homeworks Wired(Cat 5 CAN be used, but not recommended) and Wireless if you are interested.

I'm just making comparison spreadsheet and "Lighting" is the first tab I am working on. I said CAT5 because I was under the impression that this is how most hardwired systems work. I am starting with X10, UPB, Insteon, Z-Wave and CAT5 for now but I can add more technologies to it once I get the basic framework done.

 

[Herdfan]

I said CAT5 because I was under the impression that this is how most hardwired systems work.

Actually the big 4 (Lutron, Crestron, Vantage and Litetouch) all use wire specifically made for them.

Lutron uses 2 main types. Maestro dimmers are controlled by an 18/2 sheilded wire, keypads by a 22/2 + 18/2 wire.

Crestron uses Cresnet (22/2 + 18/2).

Vantage uses 16/2 wire.

And Litetouch uses 16/4 and 22/4 wires.

Again, CAT5 CAN be used, but is not recommended.

 

[upstatemike]

I said CAT5 because I was under the impression that this is how most hardwired systems work.

Actually the big 4 (Lutron, Crestron, Vantage and Litetouch) all use wire specifically made for them.

Lutron uses 2 main types. Maestro dimmers are controlled by an 18/2 sheilded wire, keypads by a 22/2 + 18/2 wire.

Crestron uses Cresnet (22/2 + 18/2).

Vantage uses 16/2 wire.

And Litetouch uses 16/4 and 22/4 wires.

Again, CAT5 CAN be used, but is not recommended.

Thanks for the correction. I'll change the heading from "CAT5" to just "Hardwired". PM me with an email address that I can send the spreadsheet to if you want to try filling in the Hardwired feature details.

 

[az1324]

What about putting it up as a wiki table somewhere?

 

[upstatemike]

What about putting it up as a wiki table somewhere?

Maybe, once the base structure is done... and I figure out how to do that... and if it shapes up to be something anybody would even be interested in.

 

[Steve]

I've been (unfortunately very slowly) working on something similar for UPB. Maybe I can help you out with the UPB portion?

 

[upstatemike]

I've been (unfortunately very slowly) working on something similar for UPB. Maybe I can help you out with the UPB portion?

Thanks, I think I have the UPB part covered. This is a very high level comparison of features and available devices just to narrow down a technology choice... not an in depth study of technology specific details. I just need a little feedback on Z-Wave (I don't know how the addressing and management works for that) and some hardwire input and I will be done with the lighting tab.

 

[Event5]

I've been (unfortunately very slowly) working on something similar for UPB. Maybe I can help you out with the UPB portion?

Thanks, I think I have the UPB part covered. This is a very high level comparison of features and available devices just to narrow down a technology choice... not an in depth study of technology specific details. I just need a little feedback on Z-Wave (I don't know how the addressing and management works for that) and some hardwire input and I will be done with the lighting tab.

Mike, I don't know how it would work but a comparison of installation and progrmming procedures would be helpful when making a decisison. I know UPB and the ease of installation, and programming with UPStart. I sometimes wonder how the same process is handelled with Zwave and Insteon. How many steps and how many hoops are needed do various setups.

Just a thought

Dave

 

[upstatemike]

I've been (unfortunately very slowly) working on something similar for UPB. Maybe I can help you out with the UPB portion?

Thanks, I think I have the UPB part covered. This is a very high level comparison of features and available devices just to narrow down a technology choice... not an in depth study of technology specific details. I just need a little feedback on Z-Wave (I don't know how the addressing and management works for that) and some hardwire input and I will be done with the lighting tab.

Mike, I don't know how it would work but a comparison of installation and progrmming procedures would be helpful when making a decisison. I know UPB and the ease of installation, and programming with UPStart. I sometimes wonder how the same process is handelled with Zwave and Insteon. How many steps and how many hoops are needed do various setups.

Just a thought

Dave

Good suggestion but it will require some thought. For now I am just focusing on basic yes/no features to narrow down a decision. No point in going too deep into the installation process if only 1 or 2 technologies has the key feature or device type you need.

 

[upstatemike]

I could also use some help with the "Hardware Controller " tab of the spreadsheet if anyone is interested. I need an email address that I can forward the spreadsheet to and you need to be able to open Excel 2007 (.xlsx) files.

 

[ewiz]

I would love to see this spreadsheet as well. Great idea.
I have installed the gang boxes already with CBus in mind and I may be having second thoughts. I'd love to see specs on gang boxes/jboxes/mudring specs used by each of the different systems - in case I decide to switch from CBus to something else at the last minute. Thanks!

 

[upstatemike]

I would love to see this spreadsheet as well. Great idea.
I have installed the gang boxes already with CBus in mind and I may be having second thoughts. I'd love to see specs on gang boxes/jboxes/mudring specs used by each of the different systems - in case I decide to switch from CBus to something else at the last minute. Thanks!

Not sure this would help you because it does not go into that level of detail. This is more like "Must have screw-in modules and work without a neutral wires; LED level bars would be nice to have" type stuff. The first pass at determining which technologie will work in a given situation. A chart that details mudring specs could intimidate or confuse somebody just trying to compare the different options at a high level.

 

[beelzerob]

During my lighting research madness, I compiled some basic info. First post of this thread.