SmartHomeUSA.com Home Automation

[jholmes_jr]

I read an article about the new Monster 300 universal remote that uses Z-Wave technology. I've been interested in home automation for some time, but after some very challenging problems had abandoned X-10.

Problem 1: I went to the Smarthome website and noticed that all of the Z-Wave software packages have essentially the same names and descriptions but with vastly differing prices. I can't tell why the $189 package would be better or worse than one that's 25% of the price, and it looks like any of them would require the $39 add-on. Pretty chaotic.

Problem 2: I went on Amazon.com and noticed that the few reviewers of Intermatic Z-Wave products absolutely hated them because the docs and the tech support were so poor. Not encouraging.

These two things make me think it's still to early to stick my toe in the water. Having spent my career in PCs and networking, I've found that you can always spot the pioneers, because they're the ones face-down in the sand with arrows in their backs. I'm intrigued by this new Z-Wave, but I don't want to be another pioneer with an arrow in my back.

Any comments?

[Ralph]

Z-Wave is expecting a large release from multiple companies. Leviton, Monster, Intermatic, Home Pro and Sylvania keep sending us information about what is going to be a massive release and upgrade as far as product availability. I have no idea what the delay is, but I look forward to the release.

As far as negative reviews on Amazon, I always take tech reviews on sites like Amazon with a grain of salt. Most regular home owners do not take the time to read through the instructions for their book case, imagine how long they skim an automated lighting manual. Z-Wave like most automated lighting has a learning curve, but I don't think it is at all intolerable. I believe anyone with a little patience and a little reading can have a wonderful Z-Wave setup in their home.

With all that said, I still prefer the UPB systems, something about a hardwired signal always meets my preference. I don't think one is superior to the other, I just prefer one to the other.

[Power Tech]

I have been an electrical contractor for 30 years. I have never found any home automation that works. The customer plugs a printer or a desk lamp in and it's all over. Every fluorescent light in the house needs a filter? In CA title 24 with all the can fluorescents, Ha Ha. Hours of troubleshooting to find the device that is stopping the signal. Fish tank light / A/C man installed a UV light in the attic air handler. Good stuff like that. And the customer looking at you like you don't know what is going on. You put a X-10 system in for a customer you will have constant contact and a real close relationship. Thanks X-10. You make me love my job.

[Ryan]

Hello Power tech,

As you know X10 is over 3 decades old. As such .. it has some issues, ones that are sometimes (too) common and extraordinarily frustrating.

There are some options, though.

X10 problems are easy to fix once you have found the noise source. Having test equipment certainly makes that process much faster .. rather then having to play a trial and error game until the culprit is isolated. For an installer, the equipment is usually cost effective in the "time" regard. For most homeowners, it is not worth the cost.

There are also solutions which do not involve X10. Z-wave and UPB are two. Z-wave is RF technology, so it does not suffer from electrical line noise issues. Therefore it is far more reliable.

UPB (Universal Powerline Bus) is a PLC tecehnology so it does use the powerlines, but the signal is 200x (!!!) more powerful then the x10 signal. Therefore it can plow through any usual noise that may be on the power lines. It often plows through phase issues as well. It is more expensive and has many many more features then X10, including the ability to program everything off-site with a free computer program and simply arrive, install, and test. Future changes are easy, just modify the program and "upload" the changes to the system.

UPB is a common product for installing dealers that no longer want to deal with X10's problems.


Links:
X10 test equipment: http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/X10-Test-Equipment/
Z-wave: http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/ZWave/
UPB: http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/UPB/