Zwave Software Control

[cmaglio]

So I've been searching and reading tons of posts on this site, lots of great useful information. I wish I found it sooner! I have 20-25 Insteon devices coupled with an ISY99i that I bought less than a month ago. I'll start off with the fact that I love the ISY99, it certainly is a must-have for any Insteon installation. However... I have had a few communication issues with Insteon that I have been unable to resolve despite all of the troubleshooting I have done with SH.

I will say that SH has been great trying to resolve my issues with multiple replacements and many hours on the phone. I do not have any reservations whatsoever about buying from them in the future based on my experience. In fact, I would highly recommend it since they seem to stand by their products and have a great technical staff on hand to help.

That said... unfortunatly it seems I cannot reach 100% reliability with Insteon in my home. I have spent a good chunk of the past month troubleshooting and diagnosing and I am thinking of converting to Zwave.

My question is... can I achieve the amount of customization with Zwave as I did Insteon with the ISY99? I have looked into many software control options such as Homeseer, Controlthink, and MicasaVerde Vera. I like the conditional programming that the ISY99 offered. Ideally, I would like a standalone module like the ISY, it just seems more reliable than a computer running 24/7. But I would be willing to give up that option for more customization if I could run the software package on my Windows Home Server (which already runs 24/7).

Also, I woudl like the system to have multiple controllers. I would like the primary to be a software package or standalone module like the ISY. Secondary controllers may be remotes like the Vizia RF remote. How does this work with teh routing tables that Zwave needs? Does this cause any potential problems having multiple controllers?

I have been looking at various brands... Vizia RF+ seems like the way to go on lighting since it supports instant feedback and other Leviton goodies. However, I need a few outlet receptacles which they do not manufacture. I am looking at the Intermatic HA01C and CA3500 receptacle... is there any difference between these outlets? The CA3500 is twice the price. I noticed GE also makes a receptacle... is there any feedback out there on these models?

Thanks for all the great info already posted on this topic, but I have not seen any one thread that really compares the features and pros/cons of the different Zwave controllers (software or hardware). Thanks for any advice you can provide...

 

[Rupp]

HomeSeer can integrate with your ISY with the new ISY beta plugin as well as control Z-Wave which is highly integrate into HomeSeer as well as any X10, UPB, or any of the other mainstream protocols all at the same time. It offers the conditional programming that the ISY does as well. There's also a ton of information on Z-Wave on the HomeSeer message board. Most users on the HomeSeer message board are using the Z-Troller which is a controller and quasi remote which allows you to remove the remote from the host server and visit the Z-Wave device to add it to the controller and then return it to the server and plug it back in and load your devices. The beauty of keeping both the Insteon and adding Z-Wave allows you to choose the best hardware that each protocol offers. You can use all of the listed Z-Wave devices you mentioned with HomeSeer as well as many many others.

 

[cmaglio]

Thanks for the feedback, I did see the Z-Troller... seems like a good way to add Zwave devices to the network. I am not too worried about Insteon/Zwave playing nice together as I may be swapping the Insteon products from SH with Zwave devices (I am still in my 30-day return window). SH is shipping me a new PLM this week to see if it fixes my reliability issues. I have already swapped access points. SH has done all they can to help me troubleshoot this, and I commend them for that. I just want to end up with a setup that is as reliable as possible. I certainly am glad I ordered from a company who at least stands by the product even if it doesnt work in every installation.

Has anyone had any experience with the Vera from MiCasaVerde? I have heard some very good thigns about it and the company, especially ease of use and device compatibility. However, I am not sure if that means it is not very powerful in its programming...? At this point I am considering Homeseer with the Ztroller, mControl, Controlthink, and the Vera.

 

[WSeverino]

I run Vera from Micasaverde. I can tell you the support for Vera is excellent. The guys at Micasaverde had support for the Schlage link 3 weeks after it was released. They are currently working on a LuaPNP for adding additional support for other devices.

I am also considering mControl for the a nice GUI interface. They have a an adapter that works with vera so the integration is very nice. Will probably buy it this week along with VMC adapter to run their MCE client.

 

[MikeB]

BOSSTON -

I can't make any promises on a release date, but if you like our ISY product we are working on a Z-Wave version. Maybe we'll have availability before you ramp up on your Z-Wave install....

 

[cmaglio]

BOSSTON -

I can't make any promises on a release date, but if you like our ISY product we are working on a Z-Wave version. Maybe we'll have availability before you ramp up on your Z-Wave install....

I did not have high expectations for the ISY99i and I don't even think I realized what I needed it for... boy was I wrong. I was very impressed with the device and it saved a lot of time, not to mention the added functionality. I certainly will be buying the ISY99z even if it takes awhile to come out and replaces the primary controller I buy initially with the system.

How are you guys planning on dealing with the fact that devices get added locally by remote type devices. Will the 99z be using some kind of removable dongle like the vera or ztroller?

 

[MikeB]

Hi BOSSTON -

I haven't personally used our Z-Wave product still in development, but here is the response I received from our guy in charge of the product:

"In all likelihood you will need a controller from which ISY can crawl. This is only needed if and only if ISY cannot find the device as is."

 

[cmaglio]

Hi BOSSTON -

I haven't personally used our Z-Wave product still in development, but here is the response I received from our guy in charge of the product:

"In all likelihood you will need a controller from which ISY can crawl. This is only needed if and only if ISY cannot find the device as is."

Interesting, I certainly will be upgrading to the 99z when it comes out based on my experience with the ISY99i. I hope you guys release some more detailed information on how the 99z will work soon.

 

[MikeB]

We'll definitely have more information available as the release gets closer. Thanks!

 

[HighTest]

I too would also be extremely interested in an ISYz product.

 

[claymahaffey]

We'll definitely have more information available as the release gets closer. Thanks!

MikeB,

I've got a ISY99i and consider it a must-have for my system. But my switch reliability (not signal, which is very good) is just too poor to continue to invest in Insteon. It's partly the cost, but as much it is the frustration of having to change one out every few months (and the related chagrin when my better half gives me a half-smirk as she mentions that the <whatever> light is not working.) Now, in all fairness most of my units are the first-gen ICON and SwitchLink units, and by some reports the problems are much better. But once bitten...ya know?

I'm going Zwave instead of UPB in part because you guys are going to do a controller for zwave (seriously). I really prefer to keep my "essential" equipment controlled by dedicated and reliable controllers rather than PCs. So although I use CQC and ELK, I use the ISY99i (and will use the ISY99z) as my control device since I want as fail-proof a lighting solution as possible.

I'd really like more info on the controller before I pull the trigger on a couple dozen vizia rf+ devices, however.

Is there any way us loyal users can get an update on when we might expect an update on the ISY 99z?

 

[MikeB]

Hi Redclay -

Thanks for the kind words. You can be certain that we will post more information as it is available. If you'd like, however, feel free to fill out our Contact form here and indicate that you'd like more information on our Z-Wave product as it is available:

http://www.universal-devices.com/contact.htm

When filling out the form, please us the subject "ISY99z Beta"

Thanks

 

[MikeB]

Update - when filling out the form, please us the subject "ISY99z Beta".

 

[pkshiu]

Update - when filling out the form, please us the subject "ISY99z Beta".

Has anything happened to the ZWave version of ISY99? I have been watching this hoping for an alternative to say the Vera.

Thanks,
P.K.

 

[claymahaffey]

Update - when filling out the form, please us the subject "ISY99z Beta".

Has anything happened to the ZWave version of ISY99? I have been watching this hoping for an alternative to say the Vera.

Thanks,
P.K.

I'll second this question. I'm just about done with Insteon as device after device slowly fail. My Vizia RF+ units have been 100% rock solid, and we've grown to prefer the switch design over 'standard' toggles. I'd prefer to use Universal Devices zwave interface to the Vera, but I'm about to make a decision and move on. So any info would be helpful!

Thanks,

RedClay