Insteon: powerlinc or Houselinc

If you are only doing a HT, why do you need it hooked up to a computer? What exactly are you trying to accomplish today and maybe in the future?

OK, how much is budget a consideration? Even if it is paramount, there are other options I would choose first including UPB and Z-Wave.

If budget is not the deciding factor, I would look at RadioRA as it will be the best option from a quality perspective.

I have Insteon dimmer switches on every switch in my home, also 2 LampLinc, 3 ControLinc and a PowerLink. Insteon has worked very well for me and the PowerLink is great. I have an imitation 20 minute sunrise just before I wake for work even though it is still completely dark outside. Having timers work the lights throughout the house in the morning and a nighttime on/off is nice. I like using the PowerLinc with the free SmartHome Manager Essential Timer software because it does not require the computer to be on to work. I have found no limitations the PowerLinc does everything I want it to do and more.

I also have my URC MX-850 controlling my lights and this works great for home theater. I really like Insteon and thoroughly recommend using it, the quality and reliability is excellent.

Just a note: The PowerLinc does have limitations. Mainly it cannot do conditionals without being plugged into a PC (IF THEN), even though their advertisement states otherwise. Additionally, when plugged into a PC, it relies on a SDM device driver that is highly unstable. Smarthome has stated that they are in the process of redesigning both HouseLinc and the PowerLinc PLC.

If you want the ultimate controller for Insteon, invest in a UDI ISY-99i/Pro IR. This is one of those must have devices if you own more than 10 Insteon products. It’s a solid state controller with a wonderful drag-and-drop web based user interface. Plus it has IR built in to control your Insteon lighting with your universal remote. On top of all that... it simply works.

If you plan to grow the system out, I would check out Universal-Devices, there ISY26 is great, and the ISY99 is even better.

Michael

I'm going to join in and recommend the ISY as well.

Great product, fantastic company.

A new company just released this product this week.

I see big things coming between Insteon and ISY.



http://www.interfacego.com/

you don't want anything insteon - you will regret it

i have thousands invested in it and its junk

I don't regret it, I have used Insteon everyday for almost 2 years. It's in use on every switch in my home, rock solid dependable with a quality look and feel. I am very happy with Insteon, I would not trade it for any other system I have seen.

there are a few that like it - but i would encourage anyone considering insteon to research it first - i would bet you will not find as many dissatisfied users of any other competing product line

but it is telling that the manufacturer would not acknowledge an obvious problem (switches stop responding to presses) and implemented a new company policy to shut up the dissatisfied users

research before you buy insteon - its junk

Sloop,

Interesting that your first post on this board is to bash Insteon. I would recommend to you, that you do your homework first, as they have had problems, but those are corrected, and there are lots of happy Insteon owners.

i find it interesting that you say i bash insteon - it has been my experience and evidently many others share it

i also find it interesting that you are counting my posts - but you are wrong - i asked advice here before buying my first hdtv

i also find it interesting that you made an earlier post, then someone that says i 'bash insteon' posts - then you post again - the product he is selling

i have done my homework - and have thousands of dollars invested in insteon - you may call it a 'bash' - i call it advice to others considering insteon

so besides 'bashing' me - you have any defense of the company 'policy'? you have any defense of them denying the paddle press problem for years? do you have a defense of their faulty plms? do you have any defense of the houselinc product with no fixes that were promised? do you have a defense of keypads that go dark? or any of the many, many insteon problems

Sure in Insteons defense my system has worked perfectly, my Insteon products have all worked perfectly, Insteon was easy to install and work with, Insteon has been a great experience with me and I could not recommend them more. I live near their SmartHome factory store and have been there quite a few times and have always been taken care of with very friendly service. I have written them with a product suggestion and recieved a friendly and interested reply about my letter. I have only good things to say about my experience with Insteon and SmartHome.

Sorry, djlemo, I don't want to turn your thread into a topic about problems with Insteon.

I don't have any problems with Insteon. It worked reliably, and I don't have any plans to replace Insteon.

(I know I'm not a moderator but...) Okay now, will we please get back in topic? We can all discuss problems with Insteon in another thread! There has been Insteon-bashing in CocoonTech and SmartHome's Techmall.com forum. Why do we need it here!? Be constructive! Offer to help solve problems with Insteon istead of bashing, if you can. Sorry for my harsh comment, but we (Insteon users) had enough and let's not get this thread locked up.

Thanks!!

djlemo, as others have mentioned, I'd recommend an ISY/99 with IR capability. If you have Elk M1 Gold and an ethernet serial expander, I think you'll like it a lot. You can have Elk M1 tell ISY through the ethernet expander to turn on lights when the door/window contact for the front door senses that you came home and it turns on the light! Well anyway, ISY can be used stand alone, so with IR capability, you can program your remote to activate a scene. If you want, you can drop the IR capability from ISY 99 and get a SimpleHomeNet's EZUIRT from SmartHome, which when you press "Home Theater" in the KeyPadLinc, the TV gets turned on, including the receiver, and set-top-box. And this is via the use of IR emmiter from EZUIRT.

I hope this helps!
-Grayson

PS: *sigh* I'm about to cool off now.

Hey Dan,

Setting up the IRLinc is pretty straight forward. As others have mentioned, I highly recommend the ISY series of controllers as well. If you have any issues, let us know.

I see you’re a Michigander as well! I actually grew up in that little city of yours. Do you plan on a theater meet when you wrap up your other project?

-Bryan

Don't forget this Michigander

Dan - any luck with this? The Harmony 890 seems to be device-centric. Rather than allowing you to arbitrarily assign codes to buttons (to control the lights through the IR linc) you have to use a "device" and if there isn't one you seem to be out-of-luck. You have a solution?
I also have 4 amplifiers in remote locations that I turn on with Insteon appliance switches. Works great with the Insteon wireless controller (as do the lights currently) but I want to control all with the 890. You know... just hit the "Watch DVD" button and it all comes on, amps included.
Can you create a custom device? If so, how?

Thanks! I'll try that. Makes sense.

I didn't see an option of the IRLinc as a device. I looked under Home Automation - Lights as well as a few others. Where did you find it? But I guess that's a moot point if the VCR works better.

It sounds like if I make the NEC VCR control my amps and link the Appliance modules to the on/off button I can have the 890 turn on my amps along with everything else with the "Watch DVD" button.

It's interesting that the Harmony is showing the IRLinc as a device, but the current version of the IRLinc does not have any pre-stored IR codes that I'm aware of. So, no matter what device you use in the Harmony, you'll still have to teach the IRLinc those codes.

By the way, Dan - your theater is looking fantastic!

I use a URC MX-850 remote, these are completely customizable and can be programmed anyway the user wants. Below is a diagram how I set up my lights to operate.

Yes, I saw this but had hoped that controlled dimmers would respond to the "on" command with their pre-set ramp rates and dim levels. Is this not the case? I haven't had time to play... working... on a Sunday! At least I'm at home.