Which Z-Wave switches?

[Deane Johnson]

I'm spending a lot of time surfing, getting mentally lined up with my next moves in HA. Right now I'm all X-10. I have sort of zeroed in on Z-Wave as I want to get off of the power line.

I am wondering which Z-Wave switches/dimmers have risen to the top as being among the better. I understand Intermatic was good, but got out of Z-Wave, possibly due to a frivolous lawsuit over patents that is still undecided.

I have been using PCS X-10 switches, so I know a quality switch is going to give the best service. I don't want to let the cost get out of hand, however.

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

 

[potts.mike]

I had 3 intermatic dimmers and over a period of a year they all burned up. they did have a five year warranty which was some relief. I plan on going with vizia rf in the future.

 

[intozwave]

Have ACT, Intermatic(HomeSetting and Intouch) and Leviton Vizia RF and Vizia RF+ in my house - have Vizia RF+ at my parents place - put VRS15's as my father decided to put in CFL bulbs before automation - have had no issues with flickering at all.

ACT has a 2 year warranty - Intermatic has a 6 year warranty on HomeSetting and InTouch 10 years limited and Leviton 5 years. Each manufacturer has stood behind their warranty.

I like the 2 way communications of the Leviton devices(instant-status). You have to get use to their bottom toggle on dimmers - some people don't like them. One of the nicest things about Z-Wave is your have multiple manufacturers to look at and are not limited.

 

[Deane Johnson]

Useful and helpful, thanks.

I should have mentioned that I live in an area that has frequent 1 or 2 second power outages, caused by tree limbs hitting power lines or squirrels getting fried. The power line breakers reset themselves. As a result, when I used some Smarthome X-10 switches and dimmers a few years ago, they would lose their scene programming when this happened. I'd like to stay away from any brands that have a tendency to do that with Z-Wave, if there are any.

I'm currently using an Ocelot with a Pronto remote, but plan to add software since the Ocelot doesn't do anything newer than X-10. In looking at everything, I'm thinking of HouseBot, but still keeping my mind open.

 

[intozwave]

I live in FL and where I live is one of the lighting capitals of the world also live a the end of an electric (power company) run - have little outages all the time and larger flickers depending on the weather - have had no issues with switches or scene controlling but also have whole house surge protection installed.