Savant vs Control4 - 2quotes which is better?

Control 4 has a "end user" software available, however I don't believe it's going to give you access to macro's, etc. neither system is known for allowing end users access to anything advanced. Your best bet is to ask the dealers if they would assist you with accomplishing access to the settings you are interested in, your dealer is going to be your best bet to do that.

As to which quote to go with, I would strongly suggest you pick the one with most experience and best references. If all else is equal anyways.

Good luck

Savant is definitely the higher end option, that is a personal opinion though.

Have you looked at any other options? I see you have another thread going on and between the two of them I get the feeling that you would appreciate a little more access to your system settings than either of these two companies provide.

I have a C4 system but will gladly trade it for a Savant. Media management is really poor on C4 and I rely on third party apps/devices to get by.

Go with Savant.

What is your goal for control/integration? If I have missed the post somewhere I'm sorry, can't really suggest a product without knowing your goals.

You should have a look at Elk and Hai. I'm biased because I sell Hai but both companies have a good reputation around these forums. Both companies products and software are easily available to general public/DIYer.

Hai has the required equipment to control your audio/video through there apps. This route in my opinion still requires a separate remote control for practical reasons but that's another topic. They also have proximity readers to accomplish your macros with minimum interaction required.

Both Hai and Elk integrate very well with Rti control devices so there is another option as well, but you would be limited by software access to make changes to that part of the system. Still if properly planned for you could have access to the Hai end of the system to make your required changes.

There are a lot of different ways to accomplish what you are looking for, check with your control4 dealers to see if Hai or elk are compatible. If they are you could look at going that route to maintain some access to the system, obviously they would have to be comfortable with this arrangement but if there getting paid to fix what you "mess up" I can't see them caring.

+1, check out HAI

You my be able to negotiate with a local HAI dealer to give you full control of the system after the install.

Harder to find an Elk dealer.

I sell both Savant and HAI, Two compleatly different products. Love both products but HAI will not do video distribution and is alot more limited also a heck of alot cheaper.

HAI alone may have limitations compared to Savant (maybe...i dont really know what Savants feature set is) but it's pretty "open" in terms of working with 3rd party products. HAI doesn't have HDMI switches (for example) but Zektor does and HAI can control Zektor so its not like you have to give up video distribution if you go with HAI.

Should you go with HAI? Savant? I dont know what to tell you because your posted wish list so far is easily accomplished with just about any automation product out there. If you are a "tinkerer" DIY type (like the rest of us) then IMO you should look at HAI or CharmedQuark or...Many other DIY friendly products out there.

Control4 and Savant are perfectly capable. Even though they don't support end users directly and the fact that most dealers wont want to set you up with software...these aren't real issues. There are dozens of users here who program their own Control4 systems. You aren't the typical customer, there is no "Danger" in letting you tinker and if you screw up programming you can always pay someone to come fix it for you. I really don't get the "don/t give them the magical secret software" sentiment but it is what it is. Rather than put your time and effort into a product thats not open to you...pick something that is so you dont hit a brick wall at some point.

Savant can do almost anything you can think of really but there is little interest from the Savant community in having an end user involved directly in programming for a variety of reasons.

The training and learning curve is extensive and ongoing and the commitment is not a casual one.

I sell Savant obviously? I also sell Elk and really like the M1 system but it really is not comparable to a Savant system at the level you seem to be asking about,neither is C4 it seems.

On the other hand if you can be a lot more specific about your needs you may get more specific answers too?

Ed