I'm planning to add a security system to an existing home, but I want home automation at the same time -- it seems to me there is too much overlap to have them separate. So, I'm considering the Elk M1 Gold and Zwave light switches. But talking to Elk, their Zwave controller is one-way, which sounds like a problem -- the feedback seems important.
I'm away from the house several months a year, so I prefer not to have a dedicated PC for the automation part, but will do so if that is my best option. But that seems to overlap a lot of functionality with the M1G.
I actually don't need that much for security -- just a central motion detector and a few contacts on the doors will make me happy, but I like the idea of voice-announcing from external motion detectors and controlling the lights from the detectors, as well as timers -- and the flexibility to add more features down the road. The Elk software interface looks good, and that it will do everything I need -- IF it is sufficient to control the Zwave devices.
Now, tell me what I'm missing, haven't thought about, or what else I should do.
Thanks!
I'm away from the house several months a year, so I prefer not to have a dedicated PC for the automation part, but will do so if that is my best option. But that seems to overlap a lot of functionality with the M1G.
I actually don't need that much for security -- just a central motion detector and a few contacts on the doors will make me happy, but I like the idea of voice-announcing from external motion detectors and controlling the lights from the detectors, as well as timers -- and the flexibility to add more features down the road. The Elk software interface looks good, and that it will do everything I need -- IF it is sufficient to control the Zwave devices.
Now, tell me what I'm missing, haven't thought about, or what else I should do.
Thanks!