Best ZWave dimmer

[gdntx]

I currently have an ISY994 upgraded to Zwave.   I have 20+ Insteon dimmers throughout the house and currently don't have a problem with most of them.   I've changed their indicator lights out from the clear to blue  

 

I'm currently doing some major remodeling (replacing a lot of aluminum wiring with copper) and wanted a zwave lockset, so I added the Kwikset 916 to the front door.   After installation and setup (with it near the 994i) it no longer communicates and I know my distance is too far.    To help with the short term solution I've ordered two zwave repeaters (DSD37-ZWUS) as I had seen them recommended here in the forum.   One draw back I've noticed with these after placing the order is that they don't have a passthrough outlet (and maybe none of them do - I didn't take the time to do the indepth research as I normally would).

 

For a longer term solution and to gain my outlets back while making the zwave mesh stronger I wanted to use some zwave switches along side my current Insteon swtiches.

 

After reading through the threads I don't see anyone really pushing one switch as a favorite over any others, but has anyone found a good zwave dimmer with a similar look to the Insteon dimmer or one that you like to integrate with Insteon?

 

Thanks for your input.

 

 

[IndyMike]

Hello gdntx,

 

The Aeotec repeater is rather small.  While it consumes one outlet, it will allow access to the opposite outlet on a duplex receptacle.

 

I am currently using the 2 - Aeotec repeaters with a Schlage lock that is located in my garage roughly 75' from the ISY.  Getting this to work reliably (in both directions) was a challenge and required multiple "arrangements"  of the repeaters.  I have the garage door monitored for both open/close (reed switch) and lock/unlock (magnetic proximity switch) through my Elk alarm panel.  Using this arrangement, I can absolutely "see" when the lock fails to communicate with the ISY or vice - versa.

 

I'm happy to say that errors are significantly less than 1/month ( < 1 in 600 communications) and that there has never been an instance where the Schlage has failed to lock properly on a retry.

 

With the above said, my system is a bit "sensitive" to placement or the repeaters.  I broke things a couple weeks ago when I moved a repeater 6' to another outlet.  It was easy to recognize since communication errors leaped to several per week.  

 

My message with the above is that you should proceed carefully.  If you are successful in getting your system to work to your satisfaction with the repeaters, I would not assume that a dimmer (in a different location) could be substituted without testing.  Dimmer switches will have different RF communication patterns simply due to the fact that they are installed in a J-Box.

 

You will also need a dimmer that supports beaming and security communications - not all do.  I am not the best source of information on currently available ZWave products/protocols.  If you are serious about going the dimmer route, please post back so that others can help.

[lilyoyo1]

Personally, I do not like having different looking switches though-out the house. What I ended up doing was add plug in modules in places that i could hide them (under tables/behind chairs. In exposed areas, I used receptacles. Obviously the plug-in's gave me greatest range. While i could have gotten away with less, I added a couple of additional outlets to ensure strong network communications. I'd rather have more than I needed for the piece of mind of knowing that the system will work every time, even in the of a failure.

[gdntx]

Thanks for the replies.   First time in a few days I've been able to sit down and catch up.    I purchased two of the repeaters, but have not had any luck making them communicate yet, but to be fair I've only had about 10 minutes to work with them.    I'll set aside some time this week to work on their placement and communication knowing they can be a bit touch it seems.

 

I had not thought of using zwave outlets for the zwave mesh.   I will plan a few of those to go in different rooms that should bridge the gaps - or hope they do in concert with the repeaters or as I add more maybe replace the repeaters.

 

This will keep me happy staying with the Insteon swtich throughout the house as well.    Just so happen Smarthome is having a 20% off sale today that ends in just a bit - so will head on over there and order the dimmers I need and as the remodel progresses find a zwave outlet and see if I can't get them to fill in a hole or two in the mesh. 

 

Thanks again,

Greg

[apnar]

I didn't really put any time into research but when I got my z-wave schlage deadbolt I need a repeater of some sort.  Not wanting to give up an outlet I ended up grabbing a z-wave on/off module that did repeating, sort of the z-wave equivalent of the Insteon ApplianceLinc.  I generally just leave it on so it can be used as a normal outlet while handling repeating duties.  At Christmas time it some times comes into play controlling nearby lights.

 

I'm with richaree in that I like to keep all my switches identical looking.