BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
Hmmm, after re-reading this post I'm wondering if perhaps I should switch to decaff? 
What's The Best Hardware Available
- Thread starter Automation_Newbe
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BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
My mistake AGAIN!! I thought they would be out by now.WayneW said:They promised May 25th... they ain't late yet! java script:emoticon('BraveSirRobbin said:ah, same here. What, Insteon isn't out yet? It's after second quarter of the year? (Just kidding)!Â
smilie
And it's not AFTER the second quarter, we are IN the second quarter.
BTW: I am actually hoping this technology brings DOWN the price of UPB switches! We will see.
I know you were asking about Insteon, but since UPB is also being discussed in this thread:mcascio said:
UPB does not require polling, you can set your fade rates (from instant to 1 hour), and default lighting levels (without a controller being required).
Without requiring a controller (such as HomeVision/Stargate, etc), you can tap a switch to ramp to a specific setpoint. Tap off and it ramps to off. Doubletap to full (on or off). Hold to dim to any level. Scenes can be created (multiple switches working together). Small LED status indicator (used to help find the switch in the dark too) can be enabled/disabled. WAF on the switch look/feel is very high (at least my wife).
I too hope Insteon helps drive the price of UPB down. Other than it's price, UPB is very nice indeed.
AutomatedOutlet
Senior Member
RE - Insteon.
Pricing hasn't yet been released but it is expected to be about the same price as the current 2-way stuff.
The initial products released will be the plug in devices and new products will be relased about every 3 weeks. I believe for a total of 18 new products by the end of the year. Switches should start appearing towards the end of summer I think.
Pricing hasn't yet been released but it is expected to be about the same price as the current 2-way stuff.
The initial products released will be the plug in devices and new products will be relased about every 3 weeks. I believe for a total of 18 new products by the end of the year. Switches should start appearing towards the end of summer I think.
kwilcox
Active Member
Perhaps it already has! At this point, only PCS equipment appears to be overpriced. SAI US11-30s have the same price as Switchlinc 2380s but have 1000watt not 600watt dimming capability as well as more functionality. As an added benefit, you can easily change the faceplate color and (unlike the switchlinc's) so far all my SAI switches have been the same shade of white.BraveSirRobbin said:
AutomatedOutlet
Senior Member
As far as pricing, the UPB switches are $75, the Insteon switches are $70 and the 2-way Switchlincs are $60.
kwilcox
Active Member
The Switchlincs and SAI switches are pretty close... Smarthome normally lists their 2380 switchlincs for 69.99 (they've currently got a hot deal going for $59.99) here. Smarthome also lists the SAI switches for 74.99 (hot deal right now for $67.99) here. If you compare them to the 2381W Switchlincs which are 1000 watt dimmers too then the SAI is actually cheaper.
Interestingly, Sarthome sells these as Web Mountain 600W dimmers and they are actually the SAI 1000 watt US1130s. I found this out when I ordered one from Smarthome and UPStart ID'd it as a US11. I then ordered the Simply Brilliant US1130W directly from my distributor source and they were identical except for the label on the box. Some of you may have noticed what appear to be two identical UPB switches listed on Smarthome's site except for the price. The very expensive one is the PCS switch which, as far as I can tell, is identical in every other respect :lol:
SAI OEM's all of Web Mountain's switches and plugin modules btw. Web Mountain does build their own Linux based HA computers however, which look interesting. I'm currently in the process of locating or building a CF based system that can run non-stop for 5-10 years. It would boot from a 4GB CF, load up the automation software and the whole thing would just sit in the basement somewhere, every bit as reliable as the furnace. Currently, I don't do controller based installs because I'm worried about the maintenance calls....
Interestingly, Sarthome sells these as Web Mountain 600W dimmers and they are actually the SAI 1000 watt US1130s. I found this out when I ordered one from Smarthome and UPStart ID'd it as a US11. I then ordered the Simply Brilliant US1130W directly from my distributor source and they were identical except for the label on the box. Some of you may have noticed what appear to be two identical UPB switches listed on Smarthome's site except for the price. The very expensive one is the PCS switch which, as far as I can tell, is identical in every other respect :lol:
SAI OEM's all of Web Mountain's switches and plugin modules btw. Web Mountain does build their own Linux based HA computers however, which look interesting. I'm currently in the process of locating or building a CF based system that can run non-stop for 5-10 years. It would boot from a 4GB CF, load up the automation software and the whole thing would just sit in the basement somewhere, every bit as reliable as the furnace. Currently, I don't do controller based installs because I'm worried about the maintenance calls....
upstatemike
Senior Member
Are you referring to controllers like Elk M1 or Stargate? These are "stored Program" based controllers that should also run non-stop for years. How is a CF based system different from these?
kwilcox
Active Member
Sorry, should've been more specific. I want to put together a windows based system running HCA so I can bridge X10 wireless and UPB devices into a completely bulletproof, plug and play automation solution. Ideally, a customer could simply choose their system from a menu of automation macros, then I would load up the custom solution and install it. I don't currently have any personal experience with the Elk or Stargate products but you're right on target in terms of the type of controller I'm shooting for.
upstatemike
Senior Member
UPB is a good choice but I'm not sure I would put "x10 wireless" or "windows based system" in the same sentance with "bulletproof". Your idea of preconfiguring macros and then choosing which ones to load sounds like a good approach. With a Stargate or Elk M1 you would just replace "macros" with "events" or "rules" respectively. It might be worth your time to look at these systems before you re-invent the wheel with a CF based system.
