RE: Help to 'sell' me CBUS

["Brian Smith" <briview@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Ben

Thanks for the feedback.  All good points and I agree that the Saturn
switches are the nicest looking.  Have you looked at the DLT versions at
all?  I wondered if they would be useful in increasing the usage of each
button as (I think) the function could change depending on conditions /
button presses.  If you're not using DLTs, how do you physically label each
button with it's function?

Also, can you elaborate on the functions you have buttons configured for?
Ie
if I bought the 6 button versions, do I configure each button as a scene
(which I'm assuming would limit to 5 scenes and off) or do you have buttons
that could allow you to cycle through scenes (as I have now on the Futronix
unit).

WRT overall control, I am definitely looking for something like IPAD
control.  This would mainly be for music control of Squeezebox but would
also like to be able to integrate heating and lighting control too.  I have
looked HomeSeer and HS Touch in the past but have yet to make a purchase.
Does this factor in to how you would use CBUS or just the selection of CBUS
vs any other product?

Another question from an installers perspective.  Having spoken to my
sparky, he has not used CBUS but has used RAKO and is happy to 'give it a
go'.  Would you expect this to cause any issues?  If I do the 'design'
should the install and commissioning be straightforward between us? I
wasn't
sure if there were any installer only software / hardware elements that
would make it difficult without.

Thanks again

Brian

PS.  Would love to come and see a demo but we are Surrey way so it would be
a bit of a punt unless we could lose the rugrats :-)

-----Original Message-----
From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Ben McCormack
Sent: 29 October 2010 21:19
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Help to 'sell' me CBUS

Brian

I have installed cbus so will try and give you my views.

I initially based my decision on what switches looked best. At the end of
the day this is the bit that you interact with everyday. Of all of the
central lighting systems the cbus Saturns were the nicest and liked by my
wife as well.

I would suggest you work out how many circuits you plan to have in total.
Personally if you are 8 or under I would suggest cbus will be uneconomical
and would look at Lutron or something similar - Note I have not done the
calculations but thats my general feeling.

We have large open plan rooms in the house. We have 10 zones in the lounge
and cbus allows us to have multiple lighting configs triggered from
multiple
switches.

It is the same setup in the kitchen with multiple zones.

Cbus does link well to Comfort, I have the link but not made use of it
yet.Planning to do all lights off when the Alarm is armed etc etc.

Also consider if you want to control the whole setup from a iPad or
similar.
I have purchased a Pronto TSU9600 and currently playing with a cbus module
that allows cbus control from the remote.

Overall I have been very happy with cbus. It is not cheap but give a lot of
functionality. Happy to give you a demo if you are around hertfordshire.

Hope this helps

Ben


On 29 Oct 2010, at 16:36, Brian Smith wrote:

>
>> Hi Guys
>>
>> For years and years I have been promising myself that when the
opportunity came I would go for a CBUS install but now that that
opportunity
is here (from a two story rear and side extension) I'm getting cold feet
with regards to what I actually gain from it.
>>
>> I currently have a 4 channel dimmer module from Futronix so like
the
functionality of a single button controlling pre-set levels on all 4
channels etc.  The extension plans will create a largely open plan ground
floor with living, dining and kitchen areas so I was assuming that CBUS
would allow me to have multiple switch points (at entry / exit for example)
that can set scenes throughout the whole space but the detail on what is
possible with CBUS is a bit of a mystery to me.
>>
>> So I was hoping a few kind souls on this list with practical
experience
of cbus could describe the functionality they have created (mainly with
regard to lighting but I am also interested in heating and audio control)
and whether it is all delivered with cbus or in combination with other kit
like Comfort etc.  I just need a few examples of real world use really to
hook onto and sell to the wife :-)
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Brian
>
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