Re: Insteon -- Any New Experiences?

[Marc F Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the tip.  I couldn't find any ICON switches or ICON accessories
on the AutomatedOutlet.com web site, but I'll look back in a while.  Perhaps
they are sold out.

Marc
Marc_F_hult
www.ECOntrol.org

On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 12:00:52 -0500, "md" <someone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
message  <du1vk5$139o$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

>Just FYI, for #2 there are differrent color plates for Icons. They only
come
>with white, but AutomatedOutlet.com has other colors. I just ordered some
>the other day.
>
>Matt
>
>"Marc F Hult" <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:e6v802d2veop69ntc5qcn93iuleid59c9n@xxxxxxxxxx
>> 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
>>
>