What is the best quality UPB brand?

[Jay M]

I had a bunch of X-10 in my house, so I replaced it all with Smarthome switchlinks (i think they are called). Then I added some Insteon but use it with X-10 commands.

I am using the Smarthome PC/timer module. The quality of this is terrible. My second one just failed.

The robustness (if that's a word) of Smarthome's X-10 is not as good as the cheap X-10 was.

I have learned to live with compromise, but now I want something that will work completely- or at least as complete as a non-wired system can.

Because of the poor build quality I don't want to try to use Insteon. Also a critical component, IR to Insteon, doesn't exist- though I see that it is comming soon.

I have about 13 light switches, and about 5 plugin modules to replace.

I need a box that can store timers to turn lights on and off.

I need a way for my learning IR remote to send a command that can then trigger a scene or scenes to dim the lights for a movie, or set different moods.

I need a tabletop keypad that can be programmed or or send a comand that will turn all lights off, all lights on, or light that I choose as a group to go on, off or to a specific level.

I think There are UPB products that do all of these things.

What I don't to have to do is replace failing equipment every other year.

Looking at https://www.automatedoutlet.com/home.php?cat=169 There is a wide price range.

For quality I am looking for a few things: Reliability, feel, and dimmers that don't make the light ring.

What are your thoughts? do you have any specific recommendations?

thanks,
~Jay

 

[Steve]

Jay,

As far as reliability I believe all 3 major brands - Simply Automated (SAI), HAI and PCS will all be very reliable and are of good build quality. Feel is going to be a little different on them. PCS and HAI will give you a bit more pronounced click where SAI will be a little bit mushier. The LED's are also different. SAI has the biggest/widest and HAI and PCS is sort of similar. Colors also vary a bit on them. SAI has the changeable faceplates where the others don't. PCS and HAI are Gen II where SAI isn't. Honestly I think any of the brands will work well, its just a matter of figuring out some of the details. If feel is a big factor for you, I'd be willing to bet if you bought a few different brands from Automated Outlet they would let you return a couple and trade them in towards the brand you wanted to by more of, or you could simply use them all in different locations and just by more of the ones you like best. I truly believe UPB switches are of better quality than Insteon and do work very well, but just keep in mind they are still PLC and not perfect. If you have noise powerlines you can still have issues. Nothing is as good as hardwire.

 

[Jay M]

Jay,

As far as reliability I believe all 3 major brands - Simply Automated (SAI), HAI and PCS will all be very reliable and are of good build quality. Feel is going to be a little different on them. PCS and HAI will give you a bit more pronounced click where SAI will be a little bit mushier. The LED's are also different. SAI has the biggest/widest and HAI and PCS is sort of similar. Colors also vary a bit on them. SAI has the changeable faceplates where the others don't. PCS and HAI are Gen II where SAI isn't. Honestly I think any of the brands will work well, its just a matter of figuring out some of the details. If feel is a big factor for you, I'd be willing to bet if you bought a few different brands from Automated Outlet they would let you return a couple and trade them in towards the brand you wanted to by more of, or you could simply use them all in different locations and just by more of the ones you like best. I truly believe UPB switches are of better quality than Insteon and do work very well, but just keep in mind they are still PLC and not perfect. If you have noise powerlines you can still have issues. Nothing is as good as hardwire.

Thanks for the quick reply..
That is good advice to buy a few different brands to try. I saw someone selling what most people call a starter kit, but he called his a trial kit. Maybe I'll just create my own trial kit.

Bright LEDs are a bad thing in the Home Theater room.

~Jay

 

[Steve]

Bright LEDs are a bad thing in the Home Theater room.

Well, off is always an option. You have 3 colors (2 really if you count light blue and blue as 1 since they are so close) plus off that can be set, so maybe you can just do a certain color when light is on and no led/off when light is off. But the SAI light blue is kinda dim so that may work nicely too.

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

That was good advice about at least trying and touching the various brands of UPB switches. People have personal preferences and like different feels. Personally, I have all three brands in my house. I like certain aspects of each of them.

Yes, we will certainly allow you to return any of them you want after you try them.

thanks,

Martin

 

[Event5]

I think There are UPB products that do all of these things.

What I don't to have to do is replace failing equipment every other year.

Looking at https://www.automatedoutlet.com/home.php?cat=169 There is a wide price range.

For quality I am looking for a few things: Reliability, feel, and dimmers that don't make the light ring.

What are your thoughts? do you have any specific recommendations?

thanks,
~Jay

Before UPB came along I had installed over 400 PCS x10 switches from 2001 to 2004. 2 of the locations with over 100 switches each, I still have communication with and they report no failures of these PCS switches! Now PCS (the creator of UPB) produces UPB switches. I believe they have either a 2 year warranty or a 5 year. The focus of the company is to provide products that can be installed without return visits to maximize the profits of the installers.

Just some thoughts
Dave