Re: New Retrofit Z-Wave Based Smart Home Controller Launched

[Mark Hindess <ukha@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 18 September 2007 at 12:02, Mal Lansell <mal@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Drool ;-)
>
> And B&Q's new system should be available now too (I might have to
go
> and check later)

Mal, I'd recommend it.

Took a while to find it but I brought a Byron kit from B&Q in Eastleigh
last thursday[0].  I tried the remote and immediately saw an X10 A1 on
message from my RFXCom receiver.  That was enough for me to order an
RFXCom transmitter which promptly[1] arrived today.

Ten minutes after plugging it in to my laptop I had sent five
messages[2] to it and got it to turn an appliance module on and off for
kettle (the relays are pretty quiet too especially compared to the old
X10 ones).  Brilliant!  I recommend both the Byron kit and the RFXCom
kit.

There are two issues for me neither of which are show stoppers for me:

1) The modules are limited to codes A-D 1-3 so 12 in all.

2) The modules extend down below the plugs (unlike the x10/x10^2
modules which extend up).  [This means they don't fit above the
granite "upstands" around my kitchen worktop.  D'oh!]

Now I'm wondering what the kit from LIDL is based on:

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20070917.p.Remote_Controlled_Socket_Set.ar6
http://tinyurl.com/ystwfl

Anyone know anything about these?  What are the modules rated at?
(They extend upwards which would be a plus for me! ;-)

Those with an interest in z-wave might be interested in:

http://www.z-wavealliance.org/modules/iaCM-ZW-PR/readMore.php?id=168820736

Now back to writing my xpl-rfxcom-transmitter client...

Regards,
Mark.


[0] Remote, 2 x 3kW appliance modules and 2 x 300W (min 60w) lamp modules
for 30GBP.

[1] Excellent service from the folks at RFXCom as always.  Thanks!

[2] Messages were:

F030F030 - initialise/get-version
F037F037 - set up variable length mode
F03DF03D - enable klik-on/klik-off
20609f00ff - a1 on
sleep for a few seconds then
20609F20DF - a1 off


> Mark McCall wrote:
> >
> > Merten have just announced their new "CONNECT" system,
based on Z-Wave
> > technology. Aimed squarley at the (huge) retro-fit market, the
system is
> > based around the "CONNECT radio centre". This wall
mounted central
> > contoller
> > has a colour LCD screen and user configurable buttons all of
which can be
> > programmed from a PC via USB. Read on for the full press
release...
> >
> > http://tinyurl.com/yrzh3s <http://tinyurl.com/yrzh3s>
> >
> > M.
> >
>