Zwave switches for Leviton SA Omni Pro 2 and other controllers

[BobS0327]

I want to replace six old X10 switches (dimmable and non dimmable) with Zwave swtches which are compatible with my Omni Pro 2 controller. But I also want the Zwave switches to be compatible with other popular controllers on the market. IOW, I want to be sure that the Zwave switches I purchase now for the Omni Pro 2 controller will be compatible with any controller that I may purchase to replace my OP2 controller in the future. The majority of my switches are of the UPB type. But I just don't see a lot of support for UPB switches from other controllers such as Smart Things etc.
 
Thus, I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions.

 

[ano]

Personally I wouldn't get too caught up with what supports what because that changes over time. Just pick what works for you. I use UPB and between switch-to-switch communications and a simple UPB timer/scheduler, most of my tasks are done. I do have an Omni Pro II but since I moved its not quite running yet. (So many other honey-do house tasks to do first.)  There are lots of bridges out there that bridge different technology. PCS makes a X-10 to UPB bridge, so any X-10 controller can control any UPB network. The same exists for any other combination of technologies.
 
If your set on Z-Wave, all chips originate from the same company (sometimes via licenses), so any Z-Wave switch should be compatible with any Z-Wave compatible controller. 

 

[pete_c]

I miss the simplicity of the two dials of that X-10 switch.  Today still have a first generation Leviton Z-Wave PIM attached to my OmniPro II and it works fine. 
 
That said I am not into those wireless automation trinkets and much dependent on my UPB in wall switches.
 
The above noted recently purchased a new Z-Wave GPIO serial board from RaZberry Project.  The new Z-Wave firmware has been updated a few times now for all those new Z-Wave Trinkets.
 

 

 
Tiny thing fits fine inside of my in a case RPi with a shimmed RTC.  Testing and playing with it with four autonomous automation / Z-Wave applications (running them separately).
 
Works fine.  That said Z-Wave is Z-Wave is RF / Radio.  Like radio its a bit magical automation.
 
Get one of these to play with; it will not work at the present time with your OmniPro II; but it will work with all those new Z-Wave trinkets.
 

 
Yup; its much easier to do that multi wireless thing in a tiny box than some PIM you have to plug into an AC outlet to work.   Then again I only use UPB for my AC lighting in the house; nothing else these days.

 

[BobS0327]

I really want to get rid of the X10 switches because they're just not too reliable.  On the other hand, my UPB switches coupled with the OP2 controller is a totally reliable solution.  But I just don't see much UPB support from other vendors.  If I were to upgrade to a controller that doesn't support UPB, I would have to throw away a very substantial UPB investment and replace it with what is supported by the new controller.  So, I'm trying to hedge my bets by installing Zwave switches to replace all the X10 switches.
 
I don't have any immediate plans to replace my OP2 controller but the lack of any meaningful tech support from Leviton may just force me to "throw in the towel" and get another controller.

 

[ano]

Do you understand what a "bridge" is?  It is a device that bridges two technologies. A X-10 to UPB bridge is here: http://www.amazon.com/PCS-PulseWorx-X10-to-UPB-Bridge-PW513/dp/B002C7U5OK
 
So ANY device that used to control X-10 NOW can control UPB. So WHATEVER controller that can control X-10 and this bridge can now control UPB.  This is just one example. There are other bridges out there that combine different technologies. Besides, you never know what will happen with any technology. If I were a betting man I'd stick with Zigbee. I have Zigbee locks, thermostats and switches, and they work very good. Even better, one company doesn't control it like Z-wave, or UPB.

 

[ddennerline]

As long as the PIM serial protocol is documented, I doubt you’re locked into UPB. Majority of PC-based controllers support UPB. IMHO, the controller is really a secondary consideration when paying $70-100 a switch. Reliability, aesthetics, warranty, and support should make up a bigger slice of your HA lighting budget allocation. Just because it’s a Z-Wave switch doesn’t infer interoperability.

 

[BobS0327]

Unfortunately, my forte isn't hardware.  So, I initially didn't understand how the bridge worked.  But I'm trying to use the Keep It Simple (KIS) method to minimize any "pointing fingers" between hardware vendors.  I'm trying to stick with one vendor as much as possible and use as little additional  hardware as possible.  Ideally, the controller would provide the UPB support.
 
Also, one of my associates had tried to enroll a third party Zwave switch to his Wink controller. Unfortunately, it didn't work.  Wink's technical support would not help because the device wasn't "Wink certified".  So, based on that experience, I thought it might be in my best interests to get a handle on Zwave compatiblity if I should decide to go with another controller.

 

[ano]

Unfortunately, my forte isn't hardware.  So, I initially didn't understand how the bridge worked.  But I'm trying to use the Keep It Simple (KIS) method to minimize any "pointing fingers" between hardware vendors.  I'm trying to stick with one vendor as much as possible and use as little additional  hardware as possible.  Ideally, the controller would provide the UPB support.
 
Also, one of my associates had tried to enroll a third party Zwave switch to his Wink controller. Unfortunately, it didn't work.  Wink's technical support would not help because the device wasn't "Wink certified".  So, based on that experience, I thought it might be in my best interests to get a handle on Zwave compatiblity if I should decide to go with another controller.

There is no doubt that is confusing.  What you see with Z-Wave or Zigbee not connecting is actually done intentionally.  As soon as nice interoperable and clearly defined standards and devices are put out, companies try to tweak them so THEY get all your business.  You find this happening over and over and its frustrating. There is also some of this occurring between "pro" products and "consumer" products.  UPB is generally considered to be a "pro" type of product, so that is why not all controller support it.  Anyone can use it, but its aimed at pros installing it in people's homes. 
 
You may not remember this but many years ago, Simply Automated started selling a "consumer" version of UPB switches at Frys Electronics. These switches were the same as the "pro" switches but had a different part number and were sold at half the price of the "pro" switches.  We'll they turned out to be very popular, not by consumers, but by pros that would buy them by the dozens for the cheaper prices.  This REALLY made the pro places like Worthington and Automated Outlet MAD because Frys was stealing away their UPB switch business.  Eventually Simply Automated canned the program and labeled it a flop. 
 
You still see a bunch of this today. Like Lowes now have home automation products that contain Z-Wave and Zigbee but don't really interoperate with them.  Again this is intentional and very frustrating to people like me and you. 
 
So all i can say is don't try to predict the future, because you can't, and go with what works for you now. UPB has three manufacturers that have each been in business many years, so its not going anywhere.  Z-wave is actually more of a concentrated technology, because at one point, only one company made the chips, but no more are licensed to. Zigbee is a open standard which has many more devices out there than you can imagine, but it has been slow to take off in the consumer home automation area, but may in the next few years. Or maybe not. 

 

[ddennerline]

+1 Ano - it's very frustrating to buy into compatibility story only to find out that vendor extensions, perhaps very useful, inadvertently locked you into a product.
 
If you Google Wink+Vizia, you will see all sorts of Z-Wave instability/compatibility posts. Several people are upset that the cheaper Z-Wave DMX switches do not support instant feedback. When buying at big orange store, they didn’t realize they saved a few Alexanders as compared to the Vizia+ “Pro” equivalent. They are upset about their $100 (2 switches) mistake. The buyer than wants to change technologies and purchase Lutron Caseta switches. Again, they don't realize switches have a built-in limitation, so RA2 sales are not cannibalized.

 

[pete_c]

Here kept X-10 going for the holiday lighting as I utilize old and very functional X-10 Lighting modules, appliance modules and outdoor weatherproof modules.  They are all set at the same house code and go on in sync just fine.  I don't really need any feedback from them.  It is convenient and fast to configure them.  I also utilize Jeff Volp's XTB TW-523 dual phased PIM.  All works fine.
 
UPB is utilized for all of the in wall light switches.  While there is this and that relating to programming events in the OmniPro II there is also inter switch events using links.
 
Z-Wave is utilized / tested for range today with the Z-Wave PIMs.
 
Zigbee is utilized / tested for range today with Zigbee integrated devices.
 
The point here is that you can mix and match your stuff choosing what it is you want to utilize. 
 
It's up to you to decide and the OPII panel does provide flexibility is the most commonly utilized PIMs. 
 
Well that and most folks do want this stuff to work; especially if it is integrated with security features. 
 
BTW here utilizing Homeseer software with UPB & Insteon & X10 & Z-Wave (UPB, Insteon and X10 talks to the same switches that the OmniPro II panel talks to).
 
Relating to consoles utilize the OmniPro stuff mixed in with customized Homeseer touchscreens that blend the variables from the two systems just fine.  (IE: CCTV HD blend with an overlay of weather / security status stuff).

 

[BobS0327]

X10 is fine for non critical lighting such as Christmas lighting etc.  My requirements are a little different.  I'm using these X10 switches to turn on/off floodlight security lighting based on motion detectors being tripped in the area.  They're also being used to  turn lights on/off in the house when we're on vacation etc. to give the impression that someone is home.  So, essentially, they're a critical security function.
 
I'm going to replace the majority of the X10 switches with Leviton UPB switches.  But I also want to dabble with zwave as a learning experience.  So, I'll order a couple of Leviton zwave switches and the Vizia interface.  Are there any "gotchas" that I should be aware of as I start to get involved with zwave?
 
Thanx.
 
 

 

[pete_c]

Yup; here utilize UPB switches for outdoor lights along with outdoor sensors connected to the OmniPro II.  Works well.
 
The only "gotcha" I had was learning how to use the Leviton Z-Wave remote.  Lots of menus and pages of stuff.  It is all straight forward.  Once you have your stuff uploaded to the Leviton Z-Wave Pim you never look at it.