Re: Insteon -- Any New Experiences?

[Mitch <sumcoolgai@xxxxxxxxx>]

Marc F Hult wrote:
> On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 01:24:27 GMT, Mitch <sumcoolgai@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in
> message  <fDNMf.3077$xS5.1769@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
>
>> I'm looking at doing a fairly good size lighting system in an existing
>> house and am thinking about Insteon...
>>
>> I'd like to hear from anyone who has done anything significant with
>> these products.  How was your experience?  Reliability, etc. would be
>> great to hear about.
>>
>> Many thanks,
>>
>> Mitch
>
> See my other recent posts. I've ripped out what was left of the X-10 from
> our house. INSTEON will replace X10 and probably some other equipment that
> had homebrew hardware.
>
> INSTEON ICON is less expensive than (eg) Leviton X-10, much more reliable,
> more flexible, faster, has better tactile feel and so on.
>
> Speed *is* important in a system that uses feedback, for example, setting
> light level by measuring actual illumination rather than simply as a
> fraction of the powerline cycle (conventional dimmer).
>
> Some quibbles (some temporary, and in no particular order):
>
> 1) switches are the conventional contemporary "Decora' style that is not
> well suited for many locations in our home
>
> 2) colors  other than white are not (yet) available for ICON switches
>
> 3) no switched outlet available (yet)
>
> 4) ICON and V2 switches have different interfaces (1-touch vs 2-touch)
>
> 5) AC line noise still unassessed (by me).
>
>
> The first issue may be easily resolved with a different face plate which may
> not have to be homebrew if this is already planned (I dunno). Also, the
> design seems to be amenable to a home-brew low-voltage extension of the
> switch contacts (reed relay, 1-wire, DMX-512 etc) which would liberate the
> switch from its unappealing (to me) physical interface.
>
> My 2 cents .. Marc
> Marc_F_Hult
> www.ECOntrol.org
>
How's reliability been?  Do you have a large number of switches
installed?  Are you using any of the other insteon switches besides the
icon's?

I'll be putting in about 30 switches and dimmers.  A few will be icon,
but many will be "switchlinc v2".

Thanks again,

Mitch