I have been looking at home automation for years. I have used X-10 and would not do that again. I am just getting to final stages of a new house. I put off selecting controls to see what would be available when I actually needed to buy. I rather liked the words about Insteon. I was going to use that if they were available. Well they are available - sort of. They meet an acceptable price point but:
I have been reading posts on multiple forums for several weeks. What I am seeing about Insteon really really scares me. That was my preferred choice.
The issues still unresolved, as far as I can tell, include:
1 - no means of updating firmware except replacing the device. Lots of firmware bugs and no immediate stabilization in sight. OK, PCs manage to update firmware (BIOS), some disk drives do it. They have a lot more riding on the results. Why can't Insteon provide a PC based firmware update? Over the link with current protocols seems impossible. How about you plug in an Ethernet cable for updating. Commonaly available, simple plug. Provide an interface box at the PC. The business model that says send them back for new firmware exchange seems to be a good path to bankruptcy. And what are they doing with all the returned units. Reselling them as new with used components would be a real bad thing for them legally.
2 - Current communications protocol is essentially ineffective for reasonable function and performance (including firmware updates). Insteon is saying that developers need to drop the current protocol and support the extended version. This may fix the firmware defencincy. In all likelyhood this will mean no software support for existing devices. There is no commitment I have found from SmartHome to upgrade devices that do not provided the extended protocol.
3 - Appears to have an ineffective testing program before committing to production quantities (and necessary certifications, which are probably a worse problem). New devices would seem to have no better chance of working than the ones currently in production.
4 - Relays that seem to destroy themselves at load levels they should easilly handle.
5 - Lacks important components. Hardwired phase bridge. Keypad with an inductive load unit (we are all supposed to be switching to fluorescents for energy savings). If the TRIAC dimming units could control an inductive load, and be programmed to disallow dimming, that would fix it. Ability to dim compatible fluorescent ballasts and inductive loads. PC interfaces that run at an acceptable speed. LEDs that don't keep people up at night (this can be good but people need to be able to decide and program levels if that is the objective). Switches that allow an n-way light circuit to be tied into remote controll without having to replace more than one of the hardwired n-way switches. Battery operated handheld and "stick to the wall" controls or units to go on your key chain sort of thing.
6 - Lacks any devices (except the problematic RF phase bridges) that actually support the advertising touted RF/Line communications mesh.
I am sure many new devices are under development and may address specific functions that are needed for an effective control system. The biggest problem is the probability of being stuck with controls that won't function with next years software or controllers.
I have not seen evidence of Insteon/Smart Home being particularly forthcomming about the various issues. They seem to give hints. People want hard information. They are spending a lot of their money. If Insteon/SmartHome can't preform project planning/management to provide realistic schedules, it is yet another strike against the product. If this is not the problem, who are they trying to hide things from. It does not appear anyone else has taken this system to market. Even if other manufacturers are working on products - that is what Insteon wants to happen. If they truely want to build a standard and a market, they must nurture it not behave like a secretive competing manufacturer. End device manufacturer or IP supplier to a robust multi-vendor marketplace - pick one.
To return to the question in the title after my Insteon rant (they have really dissapointed me), UPB seems to pricey and has that thing about switch delay (having done X-10 I am reasonably sure I won't like that), Z-wave seems to be too expensive. My house is designed assuming some electronic control of lighting circuits. I am just not able to come up with something I can live with.
If Insteon would make some commitments, and provide a product path, I would do that. Otherwise ?
I have been reading posts on multiple forums for several weeks. What I am seeing about Insteon really really scares me. That was my preferred choice.
The issues still unresolved, as far as I can tell, include:
1 - no means of updating firmware except replacing the device. Lots of firmware bugs and no immediate stabilization in sight. OK, PCs manage to update firmware (BIOS), some disk drives do it. They have a lot more riding on the results. Why can't Insteon provide a PC based firmware update? Over the link with current protocols seems impossible. How about you plug in an Ethernet cable for updating. Commonaly available, simple plug. Provide an interface box at the PC. The business model that says send them back for new firmware exchange seems to be a good path to bankruptcy. And what are they doing with all the returned units. Reselling them as new with used components would be a real bad thing for them legally.
2 - Current communications protocol is essentially ineffective for reasonable function and performance (including firmware updates). Insteon is saying that developers need to drop the current protocol and support the extended version. This may fix the firmware defencincy. In all likelyhood this will mean no software support for existing devices. There is no commitment I have found from SmartHome to upgrade devices that do not provided the extended protocol.
3 - Appears to have an ineffective testing program before committing to production quantities (and necessary certifications, which are probably a worse problem). New devices would seem to have no better chance of working than the ones currently in production.
4 - Relays that seem to destroy themselves at load levels they should easilly handle.
5 - Lacks important components. Hardwired phase bridge. Keypad with an inductive load unit (we are all supposed to be switching to fluorescents for energy savings). If the TRIAC dimming units could control an inductive load, and be programmed to disallow dimming, that would fix it. Ability to dim compatible fluorescent ballasts and inductive loads. PC interfaces that run at an acceptable speed. LEDs that don't keep people up at night (this can be good but people need to be able to decide and program levels if that is the objective). Switches that allow an n-way light circuit to be tied into remote controll without having to replace more than one of the hardwired n-way switches. Battery operated handheld and "stick to the wall" controls or units to go on your key chain sort of thing.
6 - Lacks any devices (except the problematic RF phase bridges) that actually support the advertising touted RF/Line communications mesh.
I am sure many new devices are under development and may address specific functions that are needed for an effective control system. The biggest problem is the probability of being stuck with controls that won't function with next years software or controllers.
I have not seen evidence of Insteon/Smart Home being particularly forthcomming about the various issues. They seem to give hints. People want hard information. They are spending a lot of their money. If Insteon/SmartHome can't preform project planning/management to provide realistic schedules, it is yet another strike against the product. If this is not the problem, who are they trying to hide things from. It does not appear anyone else has taken this system to market. Even if other manufacturers are working on products - that is what Insteon wants to happen. If they truely want to build a standard and a market, they must nurture it not behave like a secretive competing manufacturer. End device manufacturer or IP supplier to a robust multi-vendor marketplace - pick one.
To return to the question in the title after my Insteon rant (they have really dissapointed me), UPB seems to pricey and has that thing about switch delay (having done X-10 I am reasonably sure I won't like that), Z-wave seems to be too expensive. My house is designed assuming some electronic control of lighting circuits. I am just not able to come up with something I can live with.
If Insteon would make some commitments, and provide a product path, I would do that. Otherwise ?