lilyoyo1

I use mostly 8 button KPL's in my home with custom etched buttons. I try to set my scenes on the buttons so that they are clear and concise. I let the automation aspect of things happen on the behind the scenes. Double taps provide extended features that me and my fiance use but not are not necessary for everyday use or for a visitor to need. For example, in our main bathroom, dbl tapping the main button off will shut off the fan and the light. A person visiting would not know that but at the same time, they can simply hit the fan button. I have switched out my bulbs and started using hue bulbs. Throughout my house, I put the same button controls in the same places. The Main button is always in the same spot, rooms with Lamps is marked Lamps with it next to the main button. Scenes start the next level and so forth. I try to keep the important functions at the top so your not digging through buttons to do a simple action. If the room has a second keypad, I generally will put secondary actions on that. For example, my 2nd kpl in the bedroom has the ceiling fan, hvac presets, etc on it. They are clearly labeled so if you were in the room, even as a visitor you would know what they controlled. Once again standard use is clearly labeled. Secondary use from a double tap is not but generally those are things that happen automatically. For example, my phone chargers button will turn on the chargers manually (i have it on timers also) Double tapping the same button will also turn on the charger for my remote; should that be needed outside of it's timer.

Too expensive? Have you seen the price compared to some of the other zwave switches? It is competitively priced to the market. Insteon may not have every device out there that zwave has but it also has devices that zwave doesn't have. Zwave coming out the winner? Have you been to costco, walmart, Manards, Bestbuy,etc.? You can find Insteon out there at different places. How many stores can you walk into and find Zwave? There is room in the market for both companies, especially with both showing the ability to kee up with consumer trends.

Smartlabs is always looking at staying up with the market even if it appears they are slow to react sometimes. It is quite possible at some point we could get there. I have a lot of insteon devices myself so am with you in regards to upgrading switches. I try to switch out devices when I see a jump in what the switch does (ie: the different leds and change from 2476 to 2477). Just knowing the general public though (especially moving into walmart and manards) I do question whether it would be a wise decision to do that from a business standpoint.

Having the ability to upgrade a switch is a good idea for power users. However giving that option to alot of people has the potential for bricking and destroying the switches. The heavy users on here (ie:Teken, LeeG,etc.) would have no problems updating a switch. However there are many out there who can't even plug the PLM into the proper port. Not only that, you also have to take into account firmware changes can also involve hardware changes. In doing that and having someone update the switch, you could cause problems.

I do agree that the hub should support every insteon device. However, the people that the hub is marketed to generally will not use those devices or even know about them (smartenit devices). Since the hub came out they have added support for everything else.

Adding zwave support was great by UDI. It protects them and us should something happen to Insteon although I really don't see that happening. It also allows us to fill in with devices where Insteon might be lacking or vice versa. Insteon is trying to grow the European market along with quality improvements, and new devices to satisfy their biggest customer (us -US market). Keep in mind, the Insteon catalog was not where it is now when it first started. In time, you will see more growth in other areas. They do not have a google budget. They are limited to where they can spend their dollars. Once the European market grows more, you will see more devices marketed for them. The open nature of Zwave does have benefits of more choice and protection. However it also means more headaches too. Not every zwave device works with each other. You can run into compatibility issues with some things. Generally with insteon and the ISY this is not the issue.

The hub and it's related kits were not designed for the true home automation enthusiasts such as those found on here. It was designed to capture the general public who simply wants to control a few lights. While we may question why Insteon or person would go this route it is actually a sound decision. The avg. person does not want to take the time needed to properly learn the ISY nor invest the money in it not knowing if they will use it or not. The hub gets them started at a lower price. While UDI might not get the sale right away, as time passes and they add more devices, their desire for more control grows in which they become a UDI customer eventually. The hub got them started and the ISY completes the cycle.

Pretty much its the same capabilities as the 2457d2 except it does not have dimming, rated for 1800w, 15amps,1hp motors. It is missing x10 support and theres no sense functionality.

It works with the new kpls. I have a couple of them added in.