New Insteon Access Point

[sloop]

They are skirting the edges of class action law suit(s) at this point in time. I have already bailed on their sorry products and misleading advertising so that action is not on my priority list. I do still have my 'evidence box' in the event enough people get tired of being played for fools.

I'M IN!

 

[sloop]

Digger -

I really think you should look at your house to see what's causing so much interference rather than trying to compensate by adding more and more Insteon devices.

Switch reliability and failure rate is one thing, but I very rarely hear anyone talking about signal reliability - and when I do, it almost always ends up being some sort of interference by an appliance, UPS, PC, fluorescent light, etc... I don't think it's a common issue, at least not to the extent you're experiencing.

Obviously adding more Insteon devices will probably help, but I think in the long run it would be better for you to filter out the source of your interference.

My Insteon switches are almost 100% reliable switch to switch. I am having some issues controlling via CQC, but that's a whole other story...

i think its a common problem

 

[Digger]

I may need to add on to the house to have enough devices to be reliable.

Digger -

I really think you should look at your house to see what's causing so much interference rather than trying to compensate by adding more and more Insteon devices.

Switch reliability and failure rate is one thing, but I very rarely hear anyone talking about signal reliability - and when I do, it almost always ends up being some sort of interference by an appliance, UPS, PC, fluorescent light, etc... I don't think it's a common issue, at least not to the extent you're experiencing.

Obviously adding more Insteon devices will probably help, but I think in the long run it would be better for you to filter out the source of your interference.

My Insteon switches are almost 100% reliable switch to switch. I am having some issues controlling via CQC, but that's a whole other story...

I have had switches 6 inches from each other on the same circuit (15 inches of wire since box is on other side of wall in next room) that could not link. I replace one of them and they link fine. To me that is a hardware problem otherwise the new switch would have the same problem.

I tend to see reliability problems with devices with the first two digits of 00 or 01. With switches with 04 or later I do not see this problem. I am not sure if its age or a design change.

 

[MikeB]

I have had switches 6 inches from each other on the same circuit (15 inches of wire since box is on other side of wall in next room) that could not link. I replace one of them and they link fine. To me that is a hardware problem otherwise the new switch would have the same problem.

That obviously sounds like a bad switch. I was just referring to your overall signal reliability issues that I see you post about fairly often.

I tend to see reliability problems with devices with the first two digits of 00 or 01. With switches with 04 or later I do not see this problem. I am not sure if its age or a design change.

Are you talking about the Insteon address? I just did a quick scan of my spreadsheet, and all of my Insteon devices start with 04 or higher.

 

[Event5]

Its interesting, isn't it? Insteon topics tend to generate more posts than any other. I went back and looked. The biggest z-wave topic had 45 posts. The largest UPB topic had 55 posts and that was about getting the Elk to do z-wave. Lots of topics on problems with both but very few people jumped in to comment. For whatever reason, Insteon generates lots of opinion and emotion.

As someone on the UPB side of the fence I decided a while back to let you guys figure it out for yourselves. You have a lot invested in Insteon (too much to turn back)

The way I see it, the number of posts has to do with the amount of problems the protocal has. I actually get frustrated that there are not more posts for UPB, but, I think it is probably because "it just works." Problems come up and mostly they are corrected with a clarification of the documentation or lack of documentation. Yes there have been a few isolated problems with UPB installs, but nothing like Insteon. and compared to SmartHome, Simply Automated customer support is steller. Just call Brad or Ken.... The 40+ volts the UPB signal also seems to be able to get through. They have a signal meter on the UPStart software that shows 0 to 100 scale with the signal working solid down to a 9 on the scale. The simple linking method and varitiy of options seems so much easer than Insteon. It just dawned on me that there is no such thing as a UPB repeater. No one makes on, is't not needed. Only a coupler between phases.

I have had some thoughts about Insteon, correct me if I am wrong. The decision to transmit the Insteon signal at 4 volts (same as X10) seems to me to be the biggest problem (hardware and marketing aside) The PLC mesh just seems to be one big "Work-a-round" to cover for the weak signal. The protocal is no stronger than X10 until it reaches another unit. If you have ever looked at X10 signal on a scope compared to the noise around a house you would see the problem.

Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings, I will leave you to your protocal. I wish you luck!!! Really!

Dave

 

[Digger]

I have had switches 6 inches from each other on the same circuit (15 inches of wire since box is on other side of wall in next room) that could not link. I replace one of them and they link fine. To me that is a hardware problem otherwise the new switch would have the same problem.

That obviously sounds like a bad switch. I was just referring to your overall signal reliability issues that I see you post about fairly often.

I tend to see reliability problems with devices with the first two digits of 00 or 01. With switches with 04 or later I do not see this problem. I am not sure if its age or a design change.

Are you talking about the Insteon address? I just did a quick scan of my spreadsheet, and all of my Insteon devices start with 04 or higher.

Yes Insteon address starting with 00 or 01. So if yours start with 04 (like some of mine do) and you dont see the problems with them nor do I then maybe they fixed something starting around 04 and we dont know about it. So maybe I am not crazy then

Most of my switch problems are older devices. If they would swap them out I might be fine. But they dont like to swap for intermittant problems it seems. I guess you cant blame them for that. Just sucks that I had to toss them out. Then again they were the $17 to $19 devices they used to have.

 

[eufreka]

I tend to see reliability problems with devices with the first two digits of 00 or 01. With switches with 04 or later I do not see this problem. I am not sure if its age or a design change.

Are you talking about the Insteon address? I just did a quick scan of my spreadsheet, and all of my Insteon devices start with 04 or higher.

Good for you. Here's just the current list of what is still responding and installed (I have some I never installed, and more that no longer works!). Does NOT include the 4 Signalincs either.

My personal favorite is the "Unknown Device Type 0050" with firmware 20 !?!?!?!?!!? (It is a controlinc that is NOT like the others).

00.XX.XX.XX	ICON ApplianceLinc	28
00.XX.XX.XX	LampLinc V2 3-Pin	22
00.XX.XX.XX	LampLinc V2 3-Pin	22
00.XX.XX.XX	LampLinc V2 3-Pin	22
00.XX.XX.XX	Unknown Device Type 0050	20
01.XX.XX.XX	SwitchLinc V2 600W Dimmer	24
01.XX.XX.XX	SwitchLinc V2 600W Dimmer	24
01.XX.XX.XX	LampLinc V2 3-Pin	28
01.XX.XX.XX	LampLinc V2 3-Pin	28
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	26
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	26
01.XX.XX.XX	ControLinc V2	23
03.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	27
03.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	27
03.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	27
03.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	27
04.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	28
04.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	28
05.XX.XX.XX	ControLinc V2	23

I am especially amused at the re-numbering of the icon relay firmware....

 

[Digger]

Getting back on topic...........

I heard from someone last night that the Remotelincs and Access Points are shipping this week as BETA"S. Not sure if its true. If it is then that explains the out of stock for our orders.

They did tell us mid June for the product to be available. Doesn't sound like a long Beta test period so I doubt that they are really shipping beta's at this late date. If they are then I think that will delay the actual products past the expected ship date.

RemoteLinc INSTEON Wireless Remote Control
Item# 2440


Price:$49.99

Expected in Stock: 6/18/2007 - Notify Me

 

[Digger]

I tend to see reliability problems with devices with the first two digits of 00 or 01. With switches with 04 or later I do not see this problem. I am not sure if its age or a design change.

Are you talking about the Insteon address? I just did a quick scan of my spreadsheet, and all of my Insteon devices start with 04 or higher.

Good for you. Here's just the current list of what is still responding and installed (I have some I never installed, and more that no longer works!). Does NOT include the 4 Signalincs either.

My personal favorite is the "Unknown Device Type 0050" with firmware 20 !?!?!?!?!!? (It is a controlinc that is NOT like the others).

00.XX.XX.XX	ICON ApplianceLinc	28
00.XX.XX.XX	LampLinc V2 3-Pin	22
00.XX.XX.XX	LampLinc V2 3-Pin	22
00.XX.XX.XX	LampLinc V2 3-Pin	22
00.XX.XX.XX	Unknown Device Type 0050	20
01.XX.XX.XX	SwitchLinc V2 600W Dimmer	24
01.XX.XX.XX	SwitchLinc V2 600W Dimmer	24
01.XX.XX.XX	LampLinc V2 3-Pin	28
01.XX.XX.XX	LampLinc V2 3-Pin	28
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	60
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	26
01.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	26
01.XX.XX.XX	ControLinc V2	23
03.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	27
03.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	27
03.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	27
03.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Dimmer	27
04.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	28
04.XX.XX.XX	ICON SwitchLinc Relay	28
05.XX.XX.XX	ControLinc V2	23

I am especially amused at the re-numbering of the icon relay firmware....

Are you seeing more problems with the older devices then the new? I havent had a newer one fail yet to be honest. Only 00 and 01 devices.

 

[MikeB]

My understanding is that you are correct, they are shipping beta units this week.

 

[Digger]

My understanding is that you are correct, they are shipping beta units this week.

Do I dare call and ask for a Beta? Or do I wait for the real deal.

 

[MikeB]

The way I see it, the number of posts has to do with the amount of problems the protocal has.

I don't think that's necessarily true, and in many cases it's the complete opposite. Many times the more problems you see posted, the more popular a product is.

You see a lot more people bitching about Microsoft products, but in some cases the reality is that their competitors' products are worse - they're just not popular enough to notice.

Not saying that's 100% the case here - UPB switches definitely seem more rock solid than Insteon switches in general, but on the other hand look at all the software that supports Inteon vs USB. Software vendors are writing Insteon compatible software for a reason, and it's because there's a lot of product out there.

 

[MikeB]

Do I dare call and ask for a Beta? Or do I wait for the real deal.

Haha - it's a quandary. What do you want your stress level to be like for the next few weeks?

 

[coppercox]

I have four signalincs already. Can I just add some access points without removing my signalincs? Will they play nice with each other?

 

[MikeB]

I have four signalincs already. Can I just add some access points without removing my signalincs? Will they play nice with each other?

That would be a question for SmartHome, but my guess is that the Access Points would only repeat signals to eachother (and not the SignalLincs) and vice versa. You'd be better off with all SignalLincs or all Access Points.

Again, just a guess.