Re: X10 replacement?

[Joerg <notthisjoergsch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Marc,

>
>>If you run lots of CFL bulbs like most of us you'd probably need the
>>2876. But it's on sale as well so instead of $35 it's now $25.
>
> The ICON 2876 wall switches were also $19.9x when I bought mine. The switch
> modules are currently $19.9x.
>

Well, maybe they'll have a 20% off sale some day, then they'd be back at
$20 :-)


> I just received a shipment of six different _dimmable_ fluorescent lamps --
> both PAR's and spirals. The solution may be to use fluorescent lamps with
> compatible electronics, not different dimmers. (This is wishful thinking on
> my part, but it may even turn out to be true -- I'll report on what I find.)
>

Out here dimmable CFL are expensive. Most CFL are sold during
utility-subsidized sales. Buck a piece etc. and those aren't dimmable.
The last round was pretty good, Philips brand. But even a dimmable one
that I once tried didn't behave that well. While it dimmed a little it
made quite a buzz unless fully open.

>
>>Probably HLS had their regular prices in mind and so did I. The sale prices
>>do indeed look a lot better. Why don't they simply adjust their regular
>>pricing to what's realistic?
>
>
> ABIK, SmartHome has always had "specials" on INSTEON. There has, ABIK, been
> a $19.9x "special" on ICON dimmers -- sometimes white LED, sometimes green,
> sometimes yellow (IIRC) as long as ICONs have been available. This may or
> may not continue. The logic is wrong in any case (LED should be ON when the
> light is ON, at least for the way my brain is programmed.)
>
> Wait till LaborDay/Halloween/Thanksgiving/whatever and they'll also have
> 10-15% additional discount and(or) free shipping.
>

I'll keep my eyes open. But their PC interface needs to be reasonable.
$199 is a bit high.

>
>>BTW, Home Depot does not list the ICON devices. It's all $39.99 there
>>and that is too much.
>
> So don't buy from Home Depot. I'd buy from a locally owned hardware store to
> give them the business, or any store that added value by knowing something.
> But why buy INSTEON from a know-nothing, third-party, Big Box when it is
> available cheaper with a few mouse clicks directly from the manufacturer ?
>

No problem with that. However, I strongly believe that the big box
stores are "the" vehicle to advertise for a new technology. Whether we
like it or not that's where most people shop these days.


> Note too that the list of announced hardware from other than
> SmartLabs/SmartHome is growing. Wouldn't surprise me if SmartHome got out of
> the low-end dimmer market as soon as there is a third-party supplier if not
> before. SH would presumably still make $. In their technology comparison
> chart though, they do establish the expectation of a $20 INSTEON
> switch/dimmer.
>
>
>>>FWIW, the ICON wall dimmers use identical cases, leads, PCBs (including
>>>gold plating) as the V2 dimmers that cost twice as much -- the only
>>>visible difference to my eyes is the number of LED's that are actually
>>>populated on the boards and thus the number of LED aperture in the
>>>plastic front. One can't tell if the TRIACS are the same part number
>>>without drilling out the
>>>rivet, and I'm not _that_ curious ;-) Newer V2's also have a larger
>>>choke.
>>
>>That's what puzzled me, too. The ads say "except for certain functions",
>>whatever the heck that means they don't seem to say.
>
> There is also reduced functionality in the "scene" capability that is
> controlled by firmware that was/is described in a spec comparison. I
> couldn't find that comp chart on the web site when I looked jist now.
>
> My recollection is that I could not find any visible differences in the IC's
> between ICON and V2. They could conceivably even have the same firmware and
> sense the number of LEDs or a single jumper to switch from ICON to V2 mode.
> I dunno. Optos used to go on boards last because the flux cleaner, but that
> may not be needed any more. They might/could run the PCB production for all
> dimmers identically up to populating the LEDs.
>

Even if it was different firmware that would be fine. No need for
gizmos, it just needs to turn stuff on and off.


>>I guess they did  realize that anything much above $20 isn't exactly
>>selling like hot cakes.
>
> I, for one, have no idea whether or not they are "selling like hot cakes".
> How did you obtain your authoritative data on overall INSTEON sales?
>

Note the little "I guess..." in there. No authoritative data here. But
if sale pricing is on every time you look that just leave the impression
that the list price didn't stick in the marketplace.

As to HA in general, as I said before, nobody else in the neighborhood
has any. Whether Inseon or X10 or other system. It's just not happening.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com