Re: bad, worst, the worst, MARMITEK X10 Home automation!

[Charles Sullivan <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The major problem is software.  The program supplied with the CM11
is indeed awful, but there are third-party programs that work well
(and even let you control your shutters properly).

Whatever else may be wrong with the bedroom controller, a battery
is required to keep the clock running in the event of a power
interruption.  There's no way flash memory can do that.


On Sun, 23 Oct 2005 04:43:11 -0700, sfn wrote:

> Really! That's the increase of electrical gadgets in consumer area I've
> ever seen!
>
> OK, they were not so highly expensive, like the few other products in
> this sector you can purchase,
> but this cannot be the reason to haunt its user!
>
> I have serveral units like: SW10, LW11, AW10, KR22, TM13, SS13
> and even the new Bedroom controller MT10
>
> Units like the CM11, AM12 I sent it back to sender immediately after
> the first use.
>
> Here some examples:
>
> How can it be, that they build nowadays electrical circuit switches
> with relais,
> by switching them on/off, you think that there's now something got
> broken elsewhere! damn' loud!
>
> Or re-programming the remote-controls KR22 or SS13 on another
> unit-code! god bless me!
>
> Or something worst: the programming of the shutter switches for up and
> down!
> they have only build one timer in. so it is impossible to get a shutter
> right way
> there for only a half-closing e.g. One timer more isn't worth any
> discussion today.
>
> But the shoot-up was indeed the SW of the computer interface CM11. A
> Windows 3.x Application!!
> With even no possibility to programming a shutter unit!!! They meant to
> treat it as a regular
> on/off switch!!! Awful!
>
> At least the brand new Bedroom controller MT10! Hoping the get a little
> possibilty of programming,
> but I got another shock!!
>
> 1) No change of am/pm to 24h display
> 2) You got 8 channels to switch but You have always to decide which
> lane 1-4 OR 5-8
> you want to use, even in programming mode!!! That's incredible!!!
> You want unit 1 swith on at 5:00 and forgot the lane-switch to put it
> again
> on 1-4 afterwards turning off Unit lamp 6 , there's no chance more for
> unit 1 to get up!!!
> 3) Alarm-mode is always bound with unit 1 or 5 (depends  on the
> lane-switch). What a nonsense!
> 4) No LED when alarm-clock is set
> 5) A 9V Battery block for overbridging 230V loss. Nor IKEA sells more
> this ancient battery type!
> But why use a battery? Does Marmitek ever heard about flash-memory
> chips?
> 6) As Bedroom controller it should know that there are sleeping people
> in there. But with a non-dimmable
> red illuminating 7-Segment clock Display, you have to put a pillow on
> your face to got sleeping.
>
>
> Afterall I use them, but I never was so much disapointed about a thing
> like that!
> Even my first VCR from '86 has a better User-Interface and programming
> logic.
>
> I work in SW developement and in former times also with HW deployment,
> so I know what I'm talking about.