Brian H Posted November 14, 2014 Posted November 14, 2014 Some may find this interesting. Though with an ISY Controller setup. May not be too much of a deal. I got the 2014 Smarthome Gift Catalog today. There is now a $39.99 HUB II. Though the Smarthome sales pages do not have it in a search yet. It is listed on the Insteon Manuals pages of Insteon.com It is also in the FCC Database Grantee: SBP Product Code:22452
Teken Posted November 14, 2014 Posted November 14, 2014 Some may find this interesting. Though with an ISY Controller setup. May not be too much of a deal. I got the 2014 Smarthome Gift Catalog today. There is now a $39.99 HUB II. Though the Smarthome sales pages do not have it in a search yet. It is listed on the Insteon Manuals pages of Insteon.com It is also in the FCC Database Grantee: SBP Product Code:22452 I am unsure if this is the Home Kit version they were talking about in one of the announcements. But, for $39.99 can a person really go wrong??
Brian H Posted November 14, 2014 Author Posted November 14, 2014 I have the FCC Internal and External photos. So I will be looking at them shortly. Also will look at the Full Users and Quick Start Manuals from the Insteon manuals pages.
Teken Posted November 14, 2014 Posted November 14, 2014 Brian H, Can you provide a link to the manual.
Teken Posted November 14, 2014 Posted November 14, 2014 Wow, really strange one minute the old manual was sitting in front of my face. Five minutes later the HUB II manual is in its place??
Brian H Posted November 14, 2014 Author Posted November 14, 2014 The older 2242-222 HUB is now only listed in the refurbished model. My suspicions is they are in the middle of adding the HUB II and I posted in the changes process being done. Like jumped the gun so to speak.
Teken Posted November 14, 2014 Posted November 14, 2014 The older 2242-222 HUB is now only listed in the refurbished model. My suspicions is they are in the middle of adding the HUB II and I posted in the changes process being done. Like jumped the gun so to speak. Your uncanny ability to see / look into the Insteon crystal ball has proven invaluable to me and others. Jump, jump, look around, look around, jump all you want I don't mind.
Teken Posted November 14, 2014 Posted November 14, 2014 Things of note that interested me was the same 2 watt power consumption, 1000 volt surge protection, 120-277 VAC 50/60 Hz, 250 feet RF radio range, and its smaller too.
larryllix Posted November 15, 2014 Posted November 15, 2014 Things of note that interested me was the same 2 watt power consumption, 1000 volt surge protection, 120-277 VAC 50/60 Hz, 250 feet RF radio range, and its smaller too. Things are changing in the HA market. The Hub could be UDIs door into the European Insteon market if they want a piece of it. http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14467-is-insteon-dead/page-3
Brian H Posted November 15, 2014 Author Posted November 15, 2014 I am waiting for it to show on the sales pages. I can't see Smarthome selling a HUB II for $39.99 while the HUB is $129.99. Maybe a misprint in the catalog.
LeeG Posted November 15, 2014 Posted November 15, 2014 Me too (waiting). $139.99 seems more likely since a base PLM is much more than $39.
Teken Posted November 15, 2014 Posted November 15, 2014 I am waiting for it to show on the sales pages. I can't see Smarthome selling a HUB II for $39.99 while the HUB is $129.99. Maybe a misprint in the catalog. Me too (waiting). $139.99 seems more likely since a base PLM is much more than $39. Well, I won't be too heart broken if its actually $39.99! Even at 139.99 that in the big picture is still a good value. I am very interested in how this new HUB II is different and what new features it has. Reading over both manuals didn't provide much distinction about what it supports. If this is the same unit that was in the announcement page it could very well be built and ready for the Apple *Home Kit* that is worthy of the $139.99 price point. But, only if it allows integration of all the most common 3rd party devices on the market today.
Brian H Posted November 18, 2014 Author Posted November 18, 2014 There is a post today in the Insteon Forums. A new Starter Kit had the new HUB in it and Houselinc did not work with it. http://forum.insteon.com/forum/main-category/insteon-products/central-controllers/houselinc/27723-houselinc-with-2245-222-hub
Teken Posted November 18, 2014 Posted November 18, 2014 There is a post today in the Insteon Forums. A new Starter Kit had the new HUB in it and Houselinc did not work with it. http://forum.insteon.com/forum/main-category/insteon-products/central-controllers/houselinc/27723-houselinc-with-2245-222-hub The real question is does the new HUB II have all the features the HL software provided?? As that was the main ask for almost two years now! It would be extremely sad to see if this brand new device did not in fact incorporate some conditional logic programming. It would absolutely defeat the purpose of releasing a brand new unit that did less! But, what the hell do I know . . .
Brian H Posted November 19, 2014 Author Posted November 19, 2014 In the Insteon Forums. The new HUB II is available in one retail store and expected to be in other eventually. No mention of the loyal Insteon users that buy directly from Smarthome. http://forum.insteon.com/forum/main-category/new-to-insteon/28032-new-insteon-hub-ii
Teken Posted November 19, 2014 Posted November 19, 2014 In the Insteon Forums. The new HUB II is available in one retail store and expected to be in other eventually. No mention of the loyal Insteon users that buy directly from Smarthome. http://forum.insteon.com/forum/main-category/new-to-insteon/28032-new-insteon-hub-ii Yes, I read Taylor's reply and it just makes me shake my head as to who runs this operation. The lack of coordination, communication, and for thought about making something better. Not, worse . . . Is quite telling to say the least: No X10 support, No HL integration features, no word on Apple Home Kit. But, hey its $39.99 which more than likely reflects the piss poor features. I am more curious to see if this device bricks in two years like the SmartLinc. NOTE: I just posted to that thread and posed a whole lot of questions!
Brian H Posted November 19, 2014 Author Posted November 19, 2014 Well it is one more nail in the coffin as far as my continued support of the Insteon line. As for HouseLinc. The new HUB II Insteon Catalog:0x03 and Insteon Sub Cat:0x33 is in the devices.xml file along with a description if you try a manual add it. So why it does not work maybe only known the Smartlabs/Smarthome. The Smartlinc from what I read. Has a badly designed Network Daughter Board that they may have outsourced and the Chinese manufacture was 100% honest with the specifications. I didn't see anything sticking out on the internal photos of the new HUB II.
Teken Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 It appears this new HUB has a problem with following DST. Even worse it seems it can't be changed as its grayed out and even changing the location does not seem to make a difference? Its safe to say I am going to sit on the fence and watch this gong show unfold. Also, I have not seen a reply from Taylor about any of the basic questions posed to him.
lilyoyo1 Posted November 21, 2014 Posted November 21, 2014 This isnt the homekit hub. X10 is being removed from many Insteon devices. Within the next year, no Insteon device will have x10 capability which is a good thing in my opinion. Personally, I think x10 should have been removed years ago. They are still around (not the original company) if it means that much to them, they can provide what their customers need. Leviton and other companies got out of the x0 business, there is no need for Insteon to have to stay in it too. Houselinc is discontinued which is why it does not support houselinc. The hub will be on the sight soon enough. Unfortunately when publishing catalogs, print needs to be in within a certain time frame which may not coincide with release dates. The 39.99 is being honored for now. I don't know if it will change later but once released as a standalone device that price will be honored at least in the beginning. It will not get conditional logic. Pretty much it's the same hub in a smaller package. The hardware can now receive firmware updates but I don't know what the plans are for that.
Brian H Posted November 21, 2014 Author Posted November 21, 2014 Since the new HUB is not even listed with an available ship date. Seeing one sold individually for $39.99. Is still a question of actually happening. I did see two new 2445K Starter Kits with the new HUB listed as shipping late November 2014.
Brian H Posted November 21, 2014 Author Posted November 21, 2014 Teken, I see Taylor answered most of your questions in the Insteon Forums Thread. No too encouraging.
Teken Posted November 22, 2014 Posted November 22, 2014 Teken, I see Taylor answered most of your questions in the Insteon Forums Thread. No too encouraging. The answers we received were not really going to be a surprise to be honest. I am quite sadden to see that instead of being a leader in offering the most value. Its a race to be the cheapest with respect to offering a controller. Viewed a different way once the HUB II is released this would be a very cheap and effective SmartLinc for me or those who want some kind of back up system. For years, I used both the SmartLinc and ISY together and they worked perfectly fine. At the $39.99 price point I can't really throw stones since the price is reflective of the features vs performance. Having said this, since he did mention that *Home Kit* will be in another offering. Perhaps what they learn from the HUB II will be incorporated into this new bridge that is in the works. I am going to give Smartlabs the benefit of the doubt that new and exciting things are in store for 2015. Even though I have never been in the X10 realm. I do see the both sides, about dropping support vs providing it. I guess in my mind it was just a *Give Me* feature where everybody says *X10 is dead - Who cares* My thoughts are given the very fact 90% of the market has abandoned the protocol that is still an edge over the competition. It really does not cost, or take up that much room in an electronic device built in 2014 / 2015 these days. Given the cheap IC's, massive processor power, and fast RAM, and SSD memory. Leaving on a positive note: Its great to actually see a Insteon Tech provide some insight and engage the general public. This is something that needs to be done more, consistently, and effectively.
lilyoyo1 Posted November 22, 2014 Posted November 22, 2014 A lot of people don't take into account that the code for x10 takes up space, development time/cost etc. Would you rather have x10 in devices or additional features added along with improvements? The additional space gained means more can be added to devices and the focus can be used towards product improvement. Insteon is not X10. If they are that concerned about their customers IMO they should develop a system for their customers.
Brian H Posted November 22, 2014 Author Posted November 22, 2014 richaree, Thank you for your input. Do you work for Smarthome or Smartlabs? As you seem to have added information. Even us Developers Group Members don't have. I am one of the minority X10 Address added to my Insteon modules users. So I personally will miss X10.
larryllix Posted November 22, 2014 Posted November 22, 2014 richaree, Thank you for your input. Do you work for Smarthome or Smartlabs? As you seem to have added information. Even us Developers Group Members don't have. I am one of the minority X10 Address added to my Insteon modules users. So I personally will miss X10. I don't feel the modules need any X10 in them. That was SmartHomes way of migrating to the Insteon from X10 they were so big into years ago. However the controllers need to continue support for X10. As another owner of dozens of X10 devices they do come in handy for low-security needs applications.
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