Re: Another ZigBee convert

[Robert L Bass <sales@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>> Well, I have talked to people who tried X-10 and
>> then chucked it all at the next garage sale. It
>> wasn't reliable enough for them. Since it wasn't
>> so expensive they just chalked it up to "nice try".
>> But most people simply don't know that X-10 exists.
>
> Then one must wonder who bought the 100+ million
> units they've sold.

The gentleman is right.  100+ Million units sold over more than
four decades does not amount to "most people".  Most *automators*
know about X10.  Most posts about it in this newsgroup seem to
begin with, "My [insert X10 model] doesn't work."

> I think their 30 year old design has weathered well

X10 still exists mainly because it's cheap and simple.  Most of
the better designs have failed to gain X10-'s market share
because they are either expensive, complicated to install/use or
both.

> and I would not be surprised to see them respond
> to the UPB, Insteon, & ZigBee challenge with
> an updated design, perhaps based on HomePlug.

X10 technology hasn't changed much since its inception.  It's
still plagued with failures and it's still sensitive to
interference from other common household devices.

The real challenge to X10 lies in developing technology such as
Zwave, UPB and Zigbee.  IMO we'll still be dealing with X10
problems for another few decades, if only because it's cheap and
widely available.  I doubt it will hold the lion's share of the
DIY market much longer.  As to the professionally installed HA
market, X10 is unlikely to be able to hold onto even a small
slice much longer.  Which dealer really wants to deal with
constant service calls every time the homeowner plugs in a new
UPS, PC, dishwasher or whatever?

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

Bass Burglar Alarms
The Online DIY Store
http://www.BassBurglarAlarms.com