Waterboy77
Member
I am new to HA and all the fun and adventure that it brings. Been lurking here off and on for awhile but want to start diving in and playing. Not adverse to DIY at all but have very limited experience in this area.
With all the choices out there on controllers my mind starts to wander and become confused. With it being the "core" of the system I really want to start out there and work outward. I would like a unit that offers some versatility over a couple platforms to achieve what most will view as basic tasks. It seams to me that there are pros/cons to most of the controllers making choices even harder.
What I would like to do in the short term is monitor motion and entry ways (doors, windows garage door), lighting control, HVAC, home and away scenes and notify me of events (entry when "secured")
In the future look at voice commands, house audio, cameras... etc
My home has no hardwired connections for a security system or sensors currently in place.
A couple of years ago I bought 6 Insteon dimmer switches for my home theater with the though of getting an ISY controller. What I like about the Insteon is the dual mesh with communication over 120 lines and air. This really plays in as I have a work shop that is to far away (I believe) to use zwave etc and really want control and monitoring in there. Looks Like the ISY are also capable of zwave but I dont read a lot about them in the general "web" reviews and recommendations.
So when basically starting from scratch on a DIY/ role your own system what is out there that may have long term life?
I hope what I have said makes sense....
Thanks
With all the choices out there on controllers my mind starts to wander and become confused. With it being the "core" of the system I really want to start out there and work outward. I would like a unit that offers some versatility over a couple platforms to achieve what most will view as basic tasks. It seams to me that there are pros/cons to most of the controllers making choices even harder.
What I would like to do in the short term is monitor motion and entry ways (doors, windows garage door), lighting control, HVAC, home and away scenes and notify me of events (entry when "secured")
In the future look at voice commands, house audio, cameras... etc
My home has no hardwired connections for a security system or sensors currently in place.
A couple of years ago I bought 6 Insteon dimmer switches for my home theater with the though of getting an ISY controller. What I like about the Insteon is the dual mesh with communication over 120 lines and air. This really plays in as I have a work shop that is to far away (I believe) to use zwave etc and really want control and monitoring in there. Looks Like the ISY are also capable of zwave but I dont read a lot about them in the general "web" reviews and recommendations.
So when basically starting from scratch on a DIY/ role your own system what is out there that may have long term life?
I hope what I have said makes sense....
Thanks