UPB Manufacturer Recommendations

[AZ Central]

Highest Build Quality? - Definitely PCS! They also have the best warranty @ 5 years. Also, they are manufactured by Lightolier, for PCS in the USA . I believe the others are made in China.

I like the smaller physical size of the HAI, being easier to install in switch boxes. The PCS units are a bit larger in size.

The SA units are not appealing to me, due to Gen I and the multi-button faceplates. In my opinion, to simplify the use by homeowners, and home visitors, keeping switch controls as simple as possible, and as close to what most people are familiar with, is most important. Keypads, which can defined by custom printing, allows for simple understanding of multi-button controllers, whereas multi-button switches can be confusing to others (like the Mrs.) , IMHO.

My 2 cents, for what it's worth.

 

[mustangcoupe]

The SA units are not appealing to me, due to Gen I and the multi-button faceplates. In my opinion, to simplify the use by homeowners, and home visitors, keeping switch controls as simple as possible, and as close to what most people are familiar with, is most important. Keypads, which can defined by custom printing, allows for simple understanding of multi-button controllers, whereas multi-button switches can be confusing to others (like the Mrs.) , IMHO.

Im not going into the Gen I vs Gen II because I guess I dont have any Gen II devices and I have no problems witrh GEN I (right now).... But the multi-button switches form SAI are in all "common areas" of my house and in the bedrooms. I tried to keep them defines close to the same so you dont need to remember the different rooms, I purchased but have not printed them yet but SAI has printable labels/cardstock which are suposed to beable to drop into the controllers (not sure how yet) but I plan on printing and labeling them all soon. I use the top rocker and bottom 4 button faceplate from SAI. this way I have local control and 4 buttons to scenes. one of which on every switch is goodnight, that confirms all lights are out.

 

[ano]

The SA units are not appealing to me, due to Gen I and the multi-button faceplates. In my opinion, to simplify the use by homeowners, and home visitors, keeping switch controls as simple as possible, and as close to what most people are familiar with, is most important. Keypads, which can defined by custom printing, allows for simple understanding of multi-button controllers, whereas multi-button switches can be confusing to others (like the Mrs.) , IMHO.

Im not going into the Gen I vs Gen II because I guess I dont have any Gen II devices and I have no problems witrh GEN I (right now).... But the multi-button switches form SAI are in all "common areas" of my house and in the bedrooms. I tried to keep them defines close to the same so you dont need to remember the different rooms, I purchased but have not printed them yet but SAI has printable labels/cardstock which are suposed to beable to drop into the controllers (not sure how yet) but I plan on printing and labeling them all soon. I use the top rocker and bottom 4 button faceplate from SAI. this way I have local control and 4 buttons to scenes. one of which on every switch is goodnight, that confirms all lights are out.

I also like the flexibility of the SA faceplates. I've taken a few, and switched them to bottom rocker and top four buttons. The bottom rocker operates the switch its attached to like before, and the four buttons control Party Mode, Inside Lights, Outside Lights and All. A single press turns it on, double press turns it off. Want to turn off every light in the house with one or two button clicks, I can do it. It does come in handy.

 

[tmbrown97]

Highest Build Quality? - Definitely PCS! They also have the best warranty @ 5 years. Also, they are manufactured by Lightolier, for PCS in the USA . I believe the others are made in China.

I like the smaller physical size of the HAI, being easier to install in switch boxes. The PCS units are a bit larger in size.

The SA units are not appealing to me, due to Gen I and the multi-button faceplates. In my opinion, to simplify the use by homeowners, and home visitors, keeping switch controls as simple as possible, and as close to what most people are familiar with, is most important. Keypads, which can defined by custom printing, allows for simple understanding of multi-button controllers, whereas multi-button switches can be confusing to others (like the Mrs.) , IMHO.

My 2 cents, for what it's worth.

I second AZ... I'd rather expand the gang box and have what appears to be hard-switches that control each thing in a fashion that any layman would be used to... however, I'm all for "hidden" functions - almost like ano referenced... where there's a hall light switch exactly where you'd expect it to be, but a double-tap affects the other hallway... or a double-tap of the rear patio lights actually turns the pool lights on/off... Combines simplicity for people so there's no "learning curve" to visiting your home while giving you added convenience.

I originally ordered a few of the SA switches because of the configurable rockers, but I think I'm going to order regular faceplates and just make them look like normal switches and add more full-sized switches. My only wish is that there were cheaper switches that only sent commands - as in no local load control... That's the one advantage of the SA switches, is getting control of other loads around the house without buying more $80+ switches.

 

[kwilcox]

I've been very happy with SAI build consistency. I've bought their switches over a 4-5 year period and faceplate color is an exact match with no mechanical or electrical failures. The switches have a great tactile feel as well.