Keypadlinc Alternative

[mapeter]

I am curious if people are using keypad devices other than Keypadlincs. I have a number of 6- and 8-button KeypadLincs, but am interested in mixing it up a little. My main complaint with the Keypadlincs is none of the buttons are raised. There are times when it is nice to be able to feel the button, such as when walking into a room and hitting the button as you walk. I would love it if Smarthome made a cross between a SwitchLinc and KeypadLinc (half-width paddle on one side and a single column of four small buttons on the other side.) or KeypadLinc with only four buttons (a single column of four wide buttons.) I have started looking at z-wave devices for alternatives, but I have absolutely no z-wave experience.

So, what are people using in place of a KeypadLinc and how are you liking it?

--Andy

[stusviews]

You can create a three or four device 4-button KPL. Here's one:

 

 

And here's a six device KPL

 

[Teken]

I believe the OP is asking to have some kind of tactile feel to know a button is what. With out the need to actually look at the buttons.

 

I solved this tactile feel by using stick on rubber shapes for a vision impaired client. One had the common 1 dot, 2 dot, 3 dot, etc. Where as others had geometric shapes which best reflected the users need to recall what the button was intended for.

 

Its safe to say it took a bit of trial and error to figure out what could reflect an intended function. Ultimately I had to use a combination of voice control, sound beeps, and the tactile KPL to affirm the load in question.

[mapeter]

You can create a three or four device 4-button KPL. Here's one:

And here's a six device KPL

 

Since the top and bottom buttons are working independently of each other, I assume the KeypadLinc is configured as an 8-button, not a 6-button?  For the example where you have wide buttons on the middle rows, I assume you created a scene that if C is pressed, D lights up and visa-versa?  The same with the other rows.

 

I solved this tactile feel by using stick on rubber shapes for a vision impaired client. One had the common 1 dot, 2 dot, 3 dot, etc. Where as others had geometric shapes which best reflected the users need to recall what the button was intended for.

 

I had wondered about super-gluing or epoxy gluing a bump or other object to the buttons.  I may have to try it out.

[LeeG]

Use a glue that can be removed for initial tests. Super Glue or Epoxy will make the button unusable if it does not provide the desired feel.

[stusviews]

Since the top and bottom buttons are working independently of each other, I assume the KeypadLinc is configured as an 8-button, not a 6-button?  For the example where you have wide buttons on the middle rows, I assume you created a scene that if C is pressed, D lights up and visa-versa?  The same with the other rows.

 

Correct. The three device KPL is in 6-button mode with buttons A & B cross-linked as are buttons C & D. The four device KPL is in 8-button mode with buttons on the same horizontal rows being cross-linked. Using the appropriate frames, buttons and links you can create 3, 4, 6, and 7 device KPLs.