I have been using X-10 for about 10 years now and my needs are pretty simple. But X-10 doesn't work well in my house.
The biggest issue I am aware of with Insteon is build quality. I have had 5 Insteon dimmers and 1 Powerlinc controller (the thing that stores timers for X-10) for over two years, and the only thing that has failed was the Powerlinc controller, and it has failed twice!
I also have about 10 Smarthome X-10 dimers. I have had them installed for about 3 years and one of them isn't working well.
If you include the two failed Powerlinc controllers I guess you can call that a 20% failure rate. Three out of about 16 devices are not working properly. That is statistically a horrible number! Funny thing is that the guy at Smart home told me over the phone that the Powerlic controllers only last about a year, so it would be wise to buy the extended warranty.
But if I were to take the Powerlic Controller out of the equation then that leaves one Switchlinc that still works, but not well, so the failure rate would be 7%. That would mean I would need to replace one per two years if I have 20. A bit of a PITA, but you get what you pay for.
My current needs are:
1. Reliable communication throughout the house.
2. Product build quality
3. I need my learning IR remote to be able to trigger scenes in lighting.
4. I need a timer to run scenes
5. I need relays for florescent lights, low voltage landscaping, and fountain a pump.
6. I need a quality dimmer that doesn't make the bulbs ring.
7. one or two keypads to run a few common scenes (maybe one in the foyer, and one at the back door.)
Insteon is appealing for a few reasons:
1. I already own several dimmers (I'm using them as X-10)
2. The price is low, especially since I already own a few
3. The product line meets my needs for timers IR, and relays.
4. custom etched face plates look really high-end.
Possible future needs:
1. motion sensors
2. secuity
3. Advanced conditional programming.
Total cost to do most of what I want on Insteon is about $1000 including the ISY-99ir pro.
UPB is not out of the question, but there are a few things that concern me.
1. The delay before a light turns on after you push the button
2. The IR kit looks home made... does it work well?
3. Interference on the line can block local access! Major design flaw, even if that is a rare occasion.
UPB would only be a few hundred dollars more so price is no big deal.
There are also a few other DIY technologies: Z-Wave, Zigbee, Radio RA.. and more that I can't think of now.
My system will have about 20 dimmers and relays, one ir input, one system controller, and a few keypads to run scenes.
What are your thoughts? Am I on track with my evaluation of my situation?
thanks,
~Jay
The biggest issue I am aware of with Insteon is build quality. I have had 5 Insteon dimmers and 1 Powerlinc controller (the thing that stores timers for X-10) for over two years, and the only thing that has failed was the Powerlinc controller, and it has failed twice!
I also have about 10 Smarthome X-10 dimers. I have had them installed for about 3 years and one of them isn't working well.
If you include the two failed Powerlinc controllers I guess you can call that a 20% failure rate. Three out of about 16 devices are not working properly. That is statistically a horrible number! Funny thing is that the guy at Smart home told me over the phone that the Powerlic controllers only last about a year, so it would be wise to buy the extended warranty.
But if I were to take the Powerlic Controller out of the equation then that leaves one Switchlinc that still works, but not well, so the failure rate would be 7%. That would mean I would need to replace one per two years if I have 20. A bit of a PITA, but you get what you pay for.
My current needs are:
1. Reliable communication throughout the house.
2. Product build quality
3. I need my learning IR remote to be able to trigger scenes in lighting.
4. I need a timer to run scenes
5. I need relays for florescent lights, low voltage landscaping, and fountain a pump.
6. I need a quality dimmer that doesn't make the bulbs ring.
7. one or two keypads to run a few common scenes (maybe one in the foyer, and one at the back door.)
Insteon is appealing for a few reasons:
1. I already own several dimmers (I'm using them as X-10)
2. The price is low, especially since I already own a few
3. The product line meets my needs for timers IR, and relays.
4. custom etched face plates look really high-end.
Possible future needs:
1. motion sensors
2. secuity
3. Advanced conditional programming.
Total cost to do most of what I want on Insteon is about $1000 including the ISY-99ir pro.
UPB is not out of the question, but there are a few things that concern me.
1. The delay before a light turns on after you push the button
2. The IR kit looks home made... does it work well?
3. Interference on the line can block local access! Major design flaw, even if that is a rare occasion.
UPB would only be a few hundred dollars more so price is no big deal.
There are also a few other DIY technologies: Z-Wave, Zigbee, Radio RA.. and more that I can't think of now.
My system will have about 20 dimmers and relays, one ir input, one system controller, and a few keypads to run scenes.
What are your thoughts? Am I on track with my evaluation of my situation?
thanks,
~Jay
