Simply Automated Blog

michaelreed

Automated Living Forum: Best home automation technology, When I first decided that I wanted some degree of home automation, one of the first decisions was which lighting control protocol to use. I have been talked out of x10 lighting, but now I’m wondering what everyones opinion of insteon and UPB are? how about z-wave, can I get a few people to weigh in on what they have and any experiences with them? maybe a few cost comparisons and which one is developing new units faster?

thanks in advance,
michael

dtomcat · 05-10-2010, 03:17 PM

I went with UPB. It’s extremely reliable! only problem i’ve had so far is with one device only. my IO upb module (can’t remember the number) won’t always update HAL. I have two sensors (tied into the garage door opener) that tell when the garage is open or closed or in transit. bascially I have an open sensor and a closed sensor. when both or open (ciruit wise) then the door is in transit. but i’d say one out of every 10 times i use the door. the one of the sensor doesn’t update HAL and kind of screws around with rules. but other than that i have UPB all through the house and have no problems at all… very responsive and not using any couplers or devices like that. I have devices on different phases and all “talk” well with each other. I know they are a bit more expensive than insteon, but I chose UPB because HAL had better support. Insteon is being worked on with HAL so that debate will be negated. No regrets though. Hope that helps!

aaraujo · 05-10-2010, 04:06 PM

I have X10, just started my project. I regret going with X10 but I did so for the same reasons you mentioned in your other thread: cost.

Listen to the experts (like I didn’t, I didn’t even ask), and if what they suggest is a little more expensive, more than likely it will be worth the cost.

When I first installed my X10, only half of my devices worked, so I needed to buy a phase coupler. After that, all my lights would turn on randomly (either noise or a neighbor controller), so I had to go and switch all my devices to a different house code. Nothing works every time. Sometimes I have to send the same command 3 times for it to work. etc etc etc

Just my two cents… I am very interested in the outcome of the current thread since I will definitely be switching at some point in the future. Good luck with your project !

jlipsit · 05-10-2010, 04:57 PM

You should consider the Insteon Icon switches. They work great and only cost 34 bucks! UPB switches cost about 74 bucks each. I have many of the icon switches and they work fine. The don’t have all the features as the 45 dollar switches, but you can likely live without them.

This URL has the prices and comparision of the featurers.

http://www.smarthome.com/2876DB/ICON…-Switch/p.aspx

Consider a mixture of the normal Insteon switches and the Insteon Icon switches.

dtomcat · 05-10-2010, 06:31 PM

Jim,
what pc interface do you use? and do you know what is compatiable with HAL?

jlipsit · 05-11-2010, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtomcat

Jim,
what pc interface do you use? and do you know what is compatiable with HAL?

I have the original Insteon PC USB interface – don’t have the number right now… but i will be switching over to the newer powerLine modem dual band version when the new HAL Insteon code is written.

If your thinking of adding Insteon (yes, Insteon and UPB can live together), then you should wait for the new HAL code – that will support the new dual band PLC (I think). I’m not sure when it will be done, but they are working on it.

mikewhull · 05-11-2010, 06:39 AM

like i said in my other post. you get what you pay for. so get both controlers (when hal supports insteon). i still use some x10 and upb and plan on getting the insteon when its available too. they can live in the same house. so when i want a high end switch that does all the dimming and other functions upb. if i want it to work but not everything insteon. and if i really dont care if it messes up sometimes then x10. and x10 has more other devices too. so to your answer. its YES. the only down side. is you have to have three control units plugged into the wall and three serial or usb ports. i am using a adicon. you need one trust me. with its adapter it does the x10 too. and you can get input and output mods and infra red control and it can even run its own code and rules. i think you need at least hal deluxe to use the adicon.
mike

michaelreed · 05-11-2010, 07:55 AM

well, judging from the comments, I’m leaning toward insteon. it seems to be the best balance of cost versus function. How soon will insteon be fully supported?

AutomatedOutlet · 05-20-2010, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlipsit

You should consider the Insteon Icon switches. They work great and only cost 34 bucks! UPB switches cost about 74 bucks each. I have many of the icon switches and they work fine. The don’t have all the features as the 45 dollar switches, but you can likely live without them.

This URL has the prices and comparision of the featurers.

http://www.smarthome.com/2876DB/ICON…-Switch/p.aspx

Consider a mixture of the normal Insteon switches and the Insteon Icon switches.

Jim, not sure where you’re finding the UPB switches for $74.

Our regular retail price is less than $60 – http://www.automatedoutlet.com/Specials/SA-US1140W

If you request to be upgraded to Bonus Club (or are already Bonus Club), the price drops to $54.56.

For the increased reliability, addition features, and the ability to work with more systems, the UPB switches are certainly worth the extra money.

mikewhull · 05-20-2010, 09:45 AM

what is bonus club. i need to get a few more UPB switches.

AutomatedOutlet

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikewhull

what is bonus club. i need to get a few more UPB switches.

Bonus Club is a way that we can offer more items and a little better price on some of them to people once they are logged on. It’s a free upgrade to Bonus Club.

I looked up your account and just upgraded it to Bonus Club. Now, when you are logged in, you should see the changes.

If anyone else needs to be upgraded, please send me an email at Martin@AutomatedOutlet.com

thanks!

Martin

05-10-2010, 03:17 PM	#2
dtomcat Advanced Member III Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 444	Re: Insteon VS. UPB I went with UPB. It’s extremely reliable! only problem i’ve had so far is with one device only. my IO upb module (can’t remember the number) won’t always update HAL. I have two sensors (tied into the garage door opener) that tell when the garage is open or closed or in transit. bascially I have an open sensor and a closed sensor. when both or open (ciruit wise) then the door is in transit. but i’d say one out of every 10 times i use the door. the one of the sensor doesn’t update HAL and kind of screws around with rules. but other than that i have UPB all through the house and have no problems at all… very responsive and not using any couplers or devices like that. I have devices on different phases and all “talk” well with each other. I know they are a bit more expensive than insteon, but I chose UPB because HAL had better support. Insteon is being worked on with HAL so that debate will be negated. No regrets though. Hope that helps! __________________ HAL2000 v5.0.23 Win XP SP3 HAL voices UK HAL DMC Tell Me v2.7.0

05-10-2010, 04:06 PM	#3
aaraujo Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Macungie, PA Posts: 32	Re: Insteon VS. UPB I have X10, just started my project. I regret going with X10 but I did so for the same reasons you mentioned in your other thread: cost. Listen to the experts (like I didn’t, I didn’t even ask), and if what they suggest is a little more expensive, more than likely it will be worth the cost. When I first installed my X10, only half of my devices worked, so I needed to buy a phase coupler. After that, all my lights would turn on randomly (either noise or a neighbor controller), so I had to go and switch all my devices to a different house code. Nothing works every time. Sometimes I have to send the same command 3 times for it to work. etc etc etc Just my two cents… I am very interested in the outcome of the current thread since I will definitely be switching at some point in the future. Good luck with your project ! __________________ Anthony de Araujo HAL2000 w/ Voice Portal Win XP SP3 Ocelot, SECU16(x2), SECU16IR, RLY8XA(x2) X10 (ARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!)

05-10-2010, 04:57 PM	#4
jlipsit Advanced Senior Member II Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boynton Beach, Florida Posts: 1,509	Re: Insteon VS. UPB You should consider the Insteon Icon switches. They work great and only cost 34 bucks! UPB switches cost about 74 bucks each. I have many of the icon switches and they work fine. The don’t have all the features as the 45 dollar switches, but you can likely live without them. This URL has the prices and comparision of the featurers. http://www.smarthome.com/2876DB/ICON…-Switch/p.aspx Consider a mixture of the normal Insteon switches and the Insteon Icon switches. __________________ Take Care, Jim See more about HAL 2000 here: Home Automation

05-10-2010, 06:31 PM	#5
dtomcat Advanced Member III Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 444	Re: Insteon VS. UPB Jim, what pc interface do you use? and do you know what is compatiable with HAL? __________________ HAL2000 v5.0.23 Win XP SP3 HAL voices UK HAL DMC Tell Me v2.7.0

05-11-2010, 06:39 AM	#7
mikewhull Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: knoxville ,TN Posts: 594	Re: Insteon VS. UPB like i said in my other post. you get what you pay for. so get both controlers (when hal supports insteon). i still use some x10 and upb and plan on getting the insteon when its available too. they can live in the same house. so when i want a high end switch that does all the dimming and other functions upb. if i want it to work but not everything insteon. and if i really dont care if it messes up sometimes then x10. and x10 has more other devices too. so to your answer. its YES. the only down side. is you have to have three control units plugged into the wall and three serial or usb ports. i am using a adicon. you need one trust me. with its adapter it does the x10 too. and you can get input and output mods and infra red control and it can even run its own code and rules. i think you need at least hal deluxe to use the adicon. mike __________________ Even a clock that is broke is right twice a day. Mike

Simply Automated Blog

Best home automation technology X10 vs. UPB vs. Z-Wave vs. Insteon?

10 comments on “Best home automation technology X10 vs. UPB vs. Z-Wave vs. Insteon?”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply