Re: Newbie Advice needed

["ceedub" <craigmw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Free" <Free-spam-me-not@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2m8l91djhnvf2732gs21315di4834jta07@xxxxxxxxxx
> [I am posting this on USENET as well as YAHOO GROUPS - so if you
> monitor both, please bear with me.]
>
> I have been scouring the web for info for a couple of weeks, but there
> are some fundamental questions I cannot seem to resolve to my
> satisfaction.  I would appreciate any advice I can get.  I have a
> 2-story house with about 2000 sf per floor.  I want to start with some
> simple automation, but quickly move to more complex capabilities.
>
> I don't see any of the newer technologies coming anwhere close to X-10
> prices; and also they mostly don't have the wide selection of
> supported devices as X-10.  So, I think I am going to start with X-10,
> if reliability is anything close to tolerable.  Comments?
>
> X10.com seems to have excellent pricing.  SmartHome is pretty close.
> Is X-10 technology implementation any better with either one of these?
> Any reason not to mix-and-match?  Does either have an edge in software
> robustness?  ActiveHomePro has a plug-in for conditional macros - does
> SmartHome have similar capability?
>
> I would prefer a stand-alone programmable controller (i.e. set it up
> with a USB-linked computer and then let it run alone), but I could
> dedicate an old W98-capable laptop to the task if that gave me a lot
> more flexibility.  How does computer control compare to the standalone
> X-10 (CM1xA or PowerLinc controllers)?
>
> Is there any difference between X10 and "X10 Pro" besides a longer
> warranty?
>
> I don't get X-10 "2 way".  If all devices are 2-way and support a
> report back of status, and if the controller can understand this
> status, it would seem that would solve intermittent transmission
> issues and X-10 would be near 100% reliable.  Apparently, it does not
> have "five 9's" reliability so I am left wondering what "2-way" does
> and why the controller cannot sense when a command has failed and
> retry until it works.  (Obviously, if a transmission is never able to
> be received, this wouldn't work but I would expect intermittent
> problems to be solvable.)  What am I missing?
>
> Thanks to you wise men!

Free:

My HA setup is rather simple at the moment, and is comprised of several X10
and RadioShack lamp and appliance modules. These are currently controlling
lighting in each room, my front and back yard low voltage lighting, and some
decorative outside lighting. During the Christmas season, they also serve to
control my outdoor and indoor Christmas lights. All told, only about 15
receivers so far. I originally purchased the X10 ActiveHome kit, so I also
have the RF receiver from that kit installed in the house. This turns out to
be fairly handy, since you can control everything from the remote unit. In
the ActiveHome kit, there was also the CM11A controller, which connects via
a serial cable to the PC for programming. This unit stores various timers
and macros and overall worked fairly well during the three years I was using
it. However, I noticed degradation in performance over time with this setup.
Eventually, there were fewer and fewer receivers working in my house, to the
point that I nearly gave up on HA. But, I discovered that Smarthome released
their own programmable USB controller and I had to check it out. So, off to
the Smarthome store I went (which, luckily, is nearby for me). I mentioned
some of my problems, and they recommended an active coupler that fit into my
unused electric dryer 220V outlet. I also noticed their Powerlink Controller
USB kit. This kit includes the controller itself, which connects via
standard USB 1.1 connection, as well as the Smarthome Manager software.

After having trouble with one of their units (which they promptly swapped
out for me), I've been running smoothly ever since. I like their software
better than the Activehome software from X10 (which had not been updated for
3 years). It seems more useful, though not quite up to software like
HomeSeer. But, I understand that Homeseer is compatible with this unit. In
any event, all works great now. I also really like the Smarthome dimmers.
Their basic Smartlink dimmer is pretty cheap relative to others on the
market, and works very well. In fact, previously I'd picked up other
electronic (but non-X10 compatible) dimmers from a local "big-box" store for
nearly the same price. I love these dimmers. If you need scene programming,
they have an intermediate priced unit called the Smarlink Plus dimmer that
also works very nicely. These are much more solidly built than the X10
dimmers.

I'd definitely check out the Smarthome website (smarthome.com). I'm happy
with them so far, at least for my very limited use of HA thus far.

Craig