Well, that post title was click-bait, wasn't it? But it's a serious question. I don't think I savvy the need for something like an Elk controller, and I wonder if I'm missing something, or my situation is just unique enough that it really isn't necessary for me.
We are building a new house. We'll be installing hard-wired Ethernet at all TV and computer locations, plus wireless throughout the house. Will also have wireless (or possibly wired) network coverage to detached garage, detached barn/workshop, and front gate area (about 200' from house). We use cell phones exclusively, so no need for home telephone system.
For TV, we'll have DirecTV or U-verse throughout, plus an AppleTV at each location for watching Netflix and movies stored on the home NAS.
For security, we're planning to use Scout or Canary or something similar. For access control, we're planning on using August or Goji or something similar, and I'd like to come up with some kind of RFID solution for the driveway gate.
I keep telling myself we need lighting control, but frankly, I can't come up with a use case that justifies spending a bunch of money on it. It just doesn't seem like something we'd get a lot of use out of. I'd like to have the exterior lights come on at dusk and turn off at dawn, which can be done with photocells. I'd like to have the breezeway, mudroom, and kitchen lights come on when we get home in the evening, which I think I can do with a combination of the security system and some very basic lighting control, like Ube smart dimmers. (Ube says v2 of their firmware will include geofencing for just this purpose.)
For music, we use Sonos speakers controlled from various smart phones and tablets. Really no need for wall panels, although we do plan to use Legrand's Selective Call Intercom system.
Based on all of this, can somebody explain why I do or do not need some kind of controller? I'm not poo-pooing the idea if it's necessary, but I don't want to mess with it if it isn't necessary, either.
Thanks in advance for your input.
We are building a new house. We'll be installing hard-wired Ethernet at all TV and computer locations, plus wireless throughout the house. Will also have wireless (or possibly wired) network coverage to detached garage, detached barn/workshop, and front gate area (about 200' from house). We use cell phones exclusively, so no need for home telephone system.
For TV, we'll have DirecTV or U-verse throughout, plus an AppleTV at each location for watching Netflix and movies stored on the home NAS.
For security, we're planning to use Scout or Canary or something similar. For access control, we're planning on using August or Goji or something similar, and I'd like to come up with some kind of RFID solution for the driveway gate.
I keep telling myself we need lighting control, but frankly, I can't come up with a use case that justifies spending a bunch of money on it. It just doesn't seem like something we'd get a lot of use out of. I'd like to have the exterior lights come on at dusk and turn off at dawn, which can be done with photocells. I'd like to have the breezeway, mudroom, and kitchen lights come on when we get home in the evening, which I think I can do with a combination of the security system and some very basic lighting control, like Ube smart dimmers. (Ube says v2 of their firmware will include geofencing for just this purpose.)
For music, we use Sonos speakers controlled from various smart phones and tablets. Really no need for wall panels, although we do plan to use Legrand's Selective Call Intercom system.
Based on all of this, can somebody explain why I do or do not need some kind of controller? I'm not poo-pooing the idea if it's necessary, but I don't want to mess with it if it isn't necessary, either.
Thanks in advance for your input.