lilyoyo1

The schlage sense is Bluetooth enabled not zwave. You would not be able to use it with the ISY. Schlage does sell a wifi adapter for 80 bucks that would allow you to lock your door with Alex (but not unlock) You can find more info out on their website.

I like that idea.

You would still need the ISY zwave module should you get the smartthings hub. Even if it takes time to build your zwave network, you'll be in better position waiting and saving rather than taking the cheapest route. You're better off investing the money you would use getting the smartthings into having the proper zwave devices to run your system the way you would like.

Id continue to use insteon since you've already invested a great deal into them. Where they are weak, I would recommend using zwave in its place. That is the route that I took. I use zwave sensors over insteon's and zwave outlets to provide the repeating that is needed. I personally love Insteon switches. The look and feel of them are much much better than I have seen from any zwave device to date. When it comes to sensors however, zwave has insteon beat by a long shot.

It was cool for me when I first used it but I never adjusted. My girl still uses the app but I manually turn on the shower since I constantly forget about the app

When I built my house that's why I went with the Moen over Kohler. The way it looked, I figured if one were to ever be supported it would be them. Enough time has passed that I highly doubt either is working to expand either product. I will say, if someone ever releases a product that is more open, I'd rip the Moen out in a heartbeat. The important part is that the infrastructure is in place

Its a great system. I just wish they would open it up a lot more. Im not a big fan of using apps.

Each technology has its own pros and cons. Personally, I feel insteon is better than zwave with the ISY. However I do use a combination of the 2 protocols. I prefer Insteon switches over zwave and zwave (fibaro) sensors over insteon sensors. For repeating zwave signals, I use the Cooper aspire outlets. Due to being recessed, you may need more than you want to invest for range but I have not issues. Many people will get the aetec Siren/chime to repeat zwave signals. Both work really well, but I'm simply not a fan of wall worts. It's Paramount that you have a full mesh network regardless of protocol to ensure reliable communication.

I'd go with Oberkc suggestion. Add all of the devices you want controlled to a single scene (as responders) and simply write a program that turns the scene off at 10 like you want.

Not yet. I've heard rumors that say they are working on it with Alexa but I have yet to see anything geared towards that as of yet. They won't even release the api so people can code their own systems

I have the ecobee3 thermostats. While mine are not controlled by my ISY they can be. For my use, it does all that I need for it to do on it's on. They also work with Google home and Alexa so regardless of which one you use you would be ok.

I factory reset, test, and add my devices to the ISY prior to installing them. That way I know the switch is good prior to the installation so that if something doesnt work afterwards, Im not troubleshooting a bad device. Once everything is in there, I run a backup of that configuration so that if I ever want to start fresh, I can run that backup instead of having to re-add all of the devices back into the ISY.

I understand that. Most of my outlets are smart outlets too whether it be zwave or insteon. I didn't want to have to pick and choose locations to control things from. The insteon outlets are too tight like Teken said. I actually prefer the Cooper zwave outlets (except for places I need the dual outlets). They aren't nearly as tight.

Never had that happen but why plug it into an outlet that already does the same thing?

Any program that I have disabled automatically re-enables itself. For example, my entertainment button will disable my flood light motion programs. Turning that button off will re-enable the program as well as a timed program just in case the outside lights were left on for some reason.

There are features even the hub doesn't take advantage of.

Newer devices have this capability for some time. What firmware/UI are you running? If you click on your device and go to it's options, it can be found there

I wouldn't call Alexa or home AI. Especially based off of how the companies themselves talk up AI and machine learning. Neither device does either one. IMO they are simply responding to user input. For me, AI is akin to a computer learning a persons playing style to beat them at chess. In the automation world, it would be it learning my actions and acting accordingly without me asking. For example, it would learn that I enter my bedroom at certain times and automatically set it up to go to bed. Other times it would know I'm just passing through and do the actions for that. Alexa nor home does those things on it's on. You have to tell it to run a program that you have pre-written (less capable with other systems). In the end, they are no more than glorified remotes.

What is happening today is nothing compared to where the industry can/will be in 15 years let alone 25. It's all new for Mass consumption and adoption (for those that need things said specifically). 20 years ago we couldn't imagine having mini computers in our pockets. The same with what's happening now. In time we will get to the point of a proactive rather than reactive system

In answer to your question im 41. I grew up with computers and X10 as my dad was a programmer from the main frame days. As far back as I can remember, all I have known are computers. Yes the technology has been around for decades. However it was not useable for the majority of people. If you want to be technical about things yes it's been around for decades but the reality of what what systems are capable of doing today is in it's early stages. Back in the early days, what we are doing now was not available to the masses. We are now at a point where consumers can adopt automation technology with ease and yes that part is in it's early stages. We're all intelligent people here. We don't have to try to make ourselves feel more intelligent by correcting a point that the avg person can comprehend.

Both devices need to be controllers in your scene. That way if either is turned on the other responds accordingly and keeps its status in place

Based off certain situations I am able to turn my flood lights on or off without worrying about the motion sensor triggering them when I don't want it to. For example, my entertainment scene will set all the lights on so the outside of the house is completely lit up. That way if people walk through the yard, driveway, etc. they can see and I dont have to worry about any motion sensors timing out afterwards which would then turn off the light. We also get strong storms out here. Since I have a lot of trees around my property, when the wind kicks up, they can sway enough to trigger my lights. A quick double tap temporarily disables my programs from running so the light isnt constantly being triggered

I have standard flood lights wired to an insteon inlinelinc module and motion sensors mounted under it. I found I have many more options this way than by using standard light with a motion sensor built into it.

My method is only for you to control via the app. It is in addition to not a replacement for your current approach

We gotta give the people both sides. We're yin and yang