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Home automation today?

I

ishiboo

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Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
9,481
Location
Oshkosh, WI
My former house (now rental) I had installed Insteon everywhere. The devices worked ok for the most part, but the software they provide has been awful. I purchased a new house and would like to set it up again, should I be looking at something other than Insteon?

It’s an existing home so no home run solutions.
 
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blueplate

Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2010
Messages
24
Watching eagerly for the replies. (Just bought the forever house and in need of same.)

Friend of mine who build a house in 2006 and dad and stay on switches all over, so that unit up replacing quite a few of them Dash play performance or flickering anything – but she still recommend the system.

Also curious if there any alternatives. There seem to be a lot of no-name companies in the Smart Switch business now.. I prefer quality brands where home in home electrical is concerned.


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J

jdm5

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 1, 2012
Messages
281
Location
CT
Consider sticking with Insteon and adding the Universal devices ISY controller. Night and day difference in programming with Insteon devices and also supports ZWave.
 
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Fasthotrod

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Joined
Dec 14, 2015
Messages
218
Location
Oklahoma
I have a bunch of the older X-10 stuff at my house, but it's not really supported anymore so I started looking at alternatives.

I currently have a Samsung SmartThings hub that I got during a sale for about $50. Switched out the thermostat with an Ecobee 3 with multiple remote temperature/motion sensors, which the SmartThings hub can see... which allows me to detect motion in the areas for automation. The great thing about the remote sensors is that I can see the temperature differences in each area, allowing me to make small adjustments to the dampers to try and balance the temps a bit better. It can also tell the fan to run a minimum amount per hour, helping with air circulation.

I've been replacing light switches with the GE Z-Wave plus ones that talk to my hub, and naming them so I can tell what's what. I've also grabbed some of the Google Home Mini devices so I can talk to the house. So when we walk in a can have a motion detection and automatically turn on the lights, or just say, "OK Google, turn on kitchen lights."

I use the "If This, Then That" app to automate some tasks... so for example, If it is sunset, turn on the front house lights. If it is 10 p.m. turn off front house lights.

I'm still playing with it, learning as I go... but it seems like the SmartThings hub and Home Mini are doing a great job keeping things integrated. No monthly fees, unless I want to tie my garage door app (Chamberlain MyQ) into my SmartThings hub. (Cost is driven by Chamberlain, not Samsung or Google.)

Lots of good info and smart devices out there nowadays... good luck with your search!

Mark
 
T

tadg

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2009
Messages
16
Location
San Diego, CA
I have had 30-50 insteon devices in between this house and the last one, and am pretty happy with them. They have definitely gotten more reliable over the years, I think it is worth it to replace the dead switches with the newer generations.

Z-wave has some interesting devices, and compelling prices, but not compelling enough to forklift out the insteon switches.

You should look into changing just your controller/ software. If you have an Apple computer, I've been very happy with Indigo,
https://www.indigodomo.com it does everything and then some, plus it supports Z-Wave so you can mix devices.

Tad
 
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I

ishiboo

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
9,481
Location
Oshkosh, WI
tadg said:
I have had 30-50 insteon devices in between this house and the last one, and am pretty happy with them. They have definitely gotten more reliable over the years, I think it is worth it to replace the dead switches with the newer generations.

Z-wave has some interesting devices, and compelling prices, but not compelling enough to forklift out the insteon switches.

You should look into changing just your controller/ software. If you have an Apple computer, I've been very happy with Indigo,
https://www.indigodomo.com it does everything and then some, plus it supports Z-Wave so you can mix devices.

Tad
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to give that a try. I used Indigo before and liked it, but the issue was the lack of an iOS app. Looks like they have that now and it gets good reviews. I have a lot of plug-in Insteon modules for lamps and a few devices I can use right away, so that seems like a smart choice.
 
J

Jonnynel

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
19
Location
Huntsville, Al
If you are starting from scratch I would go zwave and zwave plus with some sort of universal hub like wink or smart things. I have had insteon and wink (zwave, zigbee hub) I like the wink hub with zigbee and zwave devices much better. The openness of the ecosystem is nice and it offers integration with other manufacturers and items. I have a wink 2 hub in two houses with 30-45 zwave items each, thermostats, smart doors, etc. I feel like going with zwave and zwave plus items and a universal hub you are more future proofed than going with insteon. If Wink goes under I can always use a google smart things hub or switch over to Apple home or whatever it is without having to buy all new switches and devices. I also would have to say the interface and app of wink 2 hub is WAAAY better than the app for insteon. One other nice thing is the price of the zwave and zwave plus switches and smart plugs are cheaper than insteon or at least from what I remember. Probably due to the fact that you have choices and competition which drives the price down.
 
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