Tim McDermott

Having many legacy devices from previous alarm systems, I'm curious as to whether this has been achieved or explored. Aside from their ubiquity, they are especially inexpensive and relatively reliable.

Oh well. A recent check, post Smarthome collapse, shows I lucked out on that USB dongle. With prices now being what they are I'd likely stick with your USB PLM for Polisy as it is "Dual-Band," unlike the dongle.

I can't speak to whether you can ultimately adapt your USB PLM for use with your ISY, but given the prices I'm seeing on the secondary market I do suggest you consider going ahead and biting the bullet and getting a Polisy. That will likely cost you less than a serial PLM and allow you to use your existing USB PLM while benefiting from a more powerful and versatile hub. As research will show you, Polisy supports "IOP" (ISY on Polisy). Also be aware that Polisy also supports the USB Insteon dongle which I've found online for about $45. Perhaps you could sell your ISY and USB PLMs to defray the conversion cost. If anyone would care to weigh in on these suggestions, please do. They are based only on what I've observed.

I wanted to give Steve sufficient time to own this. Although I didn't get the response I hoped for, I do feel I gave ample opportunity. I appreciate everyone's indulgence. I now consider the matter closed.

That was my only objective.

I now realize a serial PLM will work via Polisy's DB9. The point I am trying to make is that in my previous thread folks doubted my original assertions of how I came to think they wouldn't. It is my hope that this thread will clarify that. I appreciate this may not be important to many, but I value my credibility.

In a premature impulse to retreat from controversy I attempted to retract the original thread. I don't know if others are still able to access it. Nonetheless, upon reconsideration I have decided to share my communication with Steve Lee. This not an effort to impune. I do, however, feel compelled to clarify the situation. In follow-up to a telephone conversation where Steve told me he had consulted with Michel, the following E-mail exchange occurred. Germain is "Policy only uses the USB port." _______________ On Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 10:29 PM Timothy McDermott <timmcd1958@gmail.com> wrote: Y'all should therefore update the Polisy WIKI to indicate this change. It certainly misled me in my choice to purchase my Polisy. On February 28, 2022, at 8:50 PM, "Steve Lee (Top Hat)" <steveleetophat@yahoo.com> wrote: That was a very old version of the plm that used the DB9 adapter. Policy only uses the USB port. Steve Lee On Feb 28, 2022, at 5:23 PM, timmcd1958 <timmcd1958@gmail.com> wrote:  Steve, Although I didn't think of it during our conversation, upon reflection I had always assumed the Polisy included a DB9 to facilitate connection of a serial PLM. Am I to gather that isn't possible? That sure seems like an abandonment of Insteon in the design stage, long prestaging Smarthome's abandonment.

Had the same problem, but appears to have resolved spontaneously. Thank goodness as I wasn't up extensive troubleshooting.

If you make use of even a fraction of the possible applications, I feel confident you will soon find Echo functionality to be nearly indespensible. With time you will grow into it, making use of features you never expected. I certainly did. I now have voice control over every single light in my home, my irrigation system, my locks, security cameras, whole-house water cut-off, and network resets. Of course many of these functions are not native to the "Echo-system," but with time you may, as I did incorporate a "multi-protocol" hub that will allow maximum connectivity and versatility. Personally, I recommend Universal Devices' ISY hubs should you get to that point. In summary, Go For It. Your minimal investment will pay seemingly endless returns.

Duane, the problem you are reporting happens to be a pet peeve of mine. What you are experiencing is not specifically related to the hidden door sensor, but the "Status" command. ISY no longer supports this command since the ISY "Skill" was eliminated.

Funny, or not really, I too am having a problem with the hidden door switch. Previously, I had a sweet setup where, thru my ISY I was notified that my mail had arrived when the mailbox was opened and closed. ISY would send SMS and Email, and Alexa would both "announce" and "notify" when triggered by the switch. No more. I can't for the life of me get Alexa to do her part of this anymore. Help?

Amazon provides for this via "Smart Home Groups." Search for help on that in the Alexa app. Basically, you create a group of devices that includes one Echo device.

Yes, as an Alexa user I can say that a routine is the best way to go. Quite easy.

Benoit, I'm not sure it will be if any help, but I believe I WAS having the same problem with my thermostat for about a week, but seems resolved now that I check it again.

I do miss the "Ststus" command that was lost when they killed the ISY skill. I, too had hoped they would have planned on implementing replacements for ALL the commands in the skills.

Great idea, Gweempose. I don't suppose you'd mind providing a look at that code?

As an aside, I found that I had to run the Alexa app on a device other than my Fire tablet. For some reason Discover and Forget Devices don't appear in all GUIs.

I've had such a setup with a Schlage Z wave lockset. A couple of notes: As Michel mentioned, Z wave doesn't travel well with only a single device. I addressed this by placing a directional antenna in my attic. I've forgotten the frequency range now, but it overlaps some common standards. Also, Schlage locksets can be set to automatically relock after 30seconds. I hope this helps. Tim

I'm sure glad to hear there is progress on the Unlock front. I happen to have a Schlage lockset, so I hope this will be a universal solution.

It is my understanding that the "custom" ISY skill, which provided the Status functionality has been removed by Amazon as v3 provides nearly everything it did. I, too miss the Status command, along with the ability to request that my Z-Wave lockset Unlock. I understand the reservations with the Unlock command, but nothing required one leave the custom skill active and there is no telling if or when Amazon will implement a PIN activated unlock. I guess this is "Progress."

I, too would like to chime in with my thanks for UDI's efforts in integrating with Alexa. I can remember when Amazon first announced the Echo to Prime members. I immediately wrote Michel to encourage him to work with Amazon to coordinate a cloud-to-cloud voice control solution for ISY. He is to be commended for showing the foresight to place a priority on this development effort. I couldn't have hoped for a better outcome. I feel that integration has cemented ISYs' place in the crowded Hub market. We have seen hubs come and go, many with considerably higher capitalization. My ISY has proved to be a very smart investment. Thanks again, Michel.

I, too appear to have this issue, but my system has considerably fewer Insteon devices. I have a keypadlinc who's built-in switch used to work, but since reinstalling I am unable to get it to work with Echo despite it being completely recognized and functional through ISY. This is also the case with an Insteon thermostat. I'd given up trying to resolve, but am tired of the workarounds I must resort to. Perhaps others will have some suggestions. I, too appear to have this issue, but my system has considerably fewer Insteon devices. I have a keypadlinc who's built-in switch used to work, but since reinstalling I am unable to get it to work with Echo despite it being completely recognized and functional through ISY. This is also the case with an Insteon thermostat. I'd given up trying to resolve, but am tired of the workarounds I must resort to. Perhaps others will have some suggestions.

Matin,I too would like to chime in with thanks. Graphical buttons (

Outlander, just restart your Dash and you will see an obituary statement displayed at the bottom of the screen. Dash has been a good companion these past few years. I will miss them.

Seemingly more on-topic, I have not resisted the Echo Show. I ordered a two-pack and am anxiously awaiting delivery. Of particular interest to me is the supposed integration with Netgear's Arlo (and Ring's) cameras. The reason I say supposed is neither company appears to be aware of Amazon's marketing prominently touting this compatibility. By some cosmic convergence, the release date of the Show devices coincides with the sundown for Sony's Dash Internet devices, two of which I have enjoyed for years. The Show does most everything my Dashes do with the addition of Alexa functionality and the camera compatibility. I'll post a review here once I've had a chance to evaluate.