Teken Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Today Smartlabs has released another new offering the Insteon 2867-222 Alert Module. The direct link is located here and the going price is $39.99: http://www.smarthome.com/insteon-2867-222-alert-module.html I believe lots of people will find some good and creative ways to use this new Insteon module. This unit is a plug and play affair and is powered by 120 VAC outlet. Specifications indicate energy consumption of <0.75 watts, 1000 volt surge, and currently only supports 120/60 Hz. QSG is located here: http://cache-m2.smarthome.com/manuals/2867-222.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbates Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Thanks Teken It looks like they're trying to make an alarm system out of Motion and door sensors, etc. If you have a home built alarm system with insteon, this would help give organize that system better. I think the same concern remains for insteon based alarm system, the traditional insteon sensors are not supervise-able. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryllix Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Cool! and about time! SmartHome isn't on permanent vacation! It's too bad it doesn't produce a lower frequency and I was excited when they advertised "chime" but disappointed when I heard the sound byte sample. Much better than the old X10 "dee-dahhhhhh", "dee-dahhhh" that Radio Shack always had on their entranceways. Sounded like the power supply capacitor was dying. Would make a cheap Access Point/ Phase Bridger / Insteon Repeater, also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teken Posted December 4, 2015 Author Share Posted December 4, 2015 Thanks Teken It looks like they're trying to make an alarm system out of Motion and door sensors, etc. if you have a home built alarm system with insteon, this would help give organize that system a better. I think the same concern remains for insteon based alarm system, the traditional insteon sensors are not supervise-able. Paul, I was thinking lots of folks may find some good value in this new offering as a means of local notification. Either as a door chime, leak sensor, mail delivery, etc. Even though its suggested it could provide some kind of security I believe they mean in a general sense and not to supersede a real security alarm system which should be monitored by a reputable CS service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryllix Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Thanks Teken It looks like they're trying to make an alarm system out of Motion and door sensors, etc. If you have a home built alarm system with insteon, this would help give organize that system better. I think the same concern remains for insteon based alarm system, the traditional insteon sensors are not supervise-able. I already use my BuzzLinc for exactly that but it has a better and intermittent sound so it isn't so annoying. Soon that device will be out of my hearing range. Now we have to rally SmartyPants to make the frequency a sent parameter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teken Posted December 4, 2015 Author Share Posted December 4, 2015 Cool! and about time! SmartHome isn't on permanent vacation! It's too bad it doesn't produce a lower frequency and I was excited when they advertised "chime" but disappointed when I heard the sound byte sample. Much better than the old X10 "dee-dahhhhhh", "dee-dahhhh" that Radio Shack always had on their entranceways. Sounded like the power supply capacitor was dying. Would make a cheap Access Point/ Phase Bridger / Insteon Repeater, also. I can see me having a few of these alert modules instead of a dedicated RE unit sitting on the wall doing nothing. I like the dual use ability maybe if they thought a little harder they could have integrated more features. The fact this new offering does not have any kind of energy management or method to capture that data indicates this isn't the current road map for them. There are so many companies in the Z-Wave camp that are offering energy display & capture it really saddens me to see Smartlabs not lead the charge in this area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryllix Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 $55 in Canada! Just about the USD price plus going exchange now. (5-7 days shipping so they must not have it yet) https://www.aartech.ca/2867-222-insteon-alert-chime-module.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryllix Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 I can see me having a few of these alert modules instead of a dedicated RE unit sitting on the wall doing nothing. I like the dual use ability maybe if they thought a little harder they could have integrated more features. The fact this new offering does not have any kind of energy management or method to capture that data indicates this isn't the current road map for them. There are so many companies in the Z-Wave camp that are offering energy display & capture it really saddens me to see Smartlabs not lead the charge in this area. SmartHomes is really lacking on the analogue forefront. Really need a bunch of modules like this, I can stick a light sensor or a temp sensor or a transducer output (0-1mA) into the terminal in the bottom. Perhaps changeable snap on sensors? Maybe this is the sign of a new SH era, or new employee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teken Posted December 4, 2015 Author Share Posted December 4, 2015 $55 in Canada! Just about the USD price plus going exchange now. (5-7 days shipping so they must not have it yet) https://www.aartech.ca/2867-222-insteon-alert-chime-module.html Yeah I saw that too a little surprised there wasn't a bigger announcement of this device. As always I am going to sit on the fence until there are a few in the wild just so others can work out the bugs! Ha . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCreekDave Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Would love to find something like this with a recordable announcement phrase for my garage doors. I have an auto-close program and while I pulse the lights prior to closing and have signage, it would be nice to also announce the event. Sent from using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian H Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Not in the FCC Database yet but will check from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teken Posted December 4, 2015 Author Share Posted December 4, 2015 Not in the FCC Database yet but will check from time to time. Yes, this is why it confused me because this device must fall under an existing submission. I would have to gather it would fall under the RE (Range Extender) Smoke Bridge, etc. Because all they did was include a beeper that had different tones. Which by no stretch of the imagination is a huge hardware change as all other RF elements are the same even the physical form factor etc. As others mentioned if someone actually sat down and thought about how this new device should be deployed. The following are to me basic and easy to do. Yet were not done and the product is not at its full potential in the least. This item needs the following features to make it more flexible. - MP3 ability to accept any tone, music, recording. - Outside high visibility multi color LED's which could be assigned to risks, tasks, intent. - Louder and adjustable volume with duration. - Battery back up for short duration operation. - Integrated energy management whether it could tell a person what the line voltage is / power. Line voltage monitoring is probably the best use as it could tell the user what the current voltage was etc. Along with alerting a person the power has just been lost so back up solutions could be brought on line or things done. Every time when I see a new product from anybody it always boggles my mind the lack of thought and consideration there is to make a product not just OK, but excellent. The perfect example is the latest Aeotec Multi Sensor 6. By no stretch of the imagination is it perfect but its clear to me the engineers were given lots of leeway as to what could be done and was done. This device is in its 2-3rd generation of release and development and it shows. Perhaps the above feed back will prompt Smartlabs to incorporate some of the ideas I have listed thus far. As I have to give them credit where credit is due. They have consistently released at least one item per year and over all they are good products not withstanding features that should have existed before. I believe if they keep moving toward that goal of releasing new products that meet the needs of the public they will survive the HA onslaught that is here now. Lastly, I have to acknowledge that they have been the most active in applying many of the *Wish List* items and trying to release said ideas to the public. This hasn't been seen by very many others in the HA industry as many simply offer the same base items because. Well it just has to be! Ha . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwester Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 ... Every time when I see a new product from anybody it always boggles my mind the lack of thought and consideration there is to make a product not just OK, but excellent. .... Your observations hit the nail on the head - there's little compelling about this product for the typical ISY user, I think. But then, consider their target market -- the "gadget guy" with an smart-phone-centric view of the universe. The more functionality that you put into a single device for this market just means that you give up revenue (why sell one multifunction device when you can sell three separate ones for three times the money?!), plus there's the risk of more support calls from confused users who find the settings just too confusing to use. This is the same reason you'll not find an analog input device from Insteon - can you imagine the support calls such a device would create? Heck, I suspect that they deeply regret the IOLinc; it certainly seems to generate enough confusion even among the generally more-tech-savvy ISY users on this forum! Yes, I'm a bit cynical on this, but as observed elsewhere on this thread the ZWave folks have really stepped far forward with multi-function devices, so there really cannot be a technical reason why Insteon/Smartwhatever refuses to do so as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teken Posted December 4, 2015 Author Share Posted December 4, 2015 Your observations hit the nail on the head - there's little compelling about this product for the typical ISY user, I think. But then, consider their target market -- the "gadget guy" with an smart-phone-centric view of the universe. The more functionality that you put into a single device for this market just means that you give up revenue (why sell one multifunction device when you can sell three separate ones for three times the money?!), plus there's the risk of more support calls from confused users who find the settings just too confusing to use. This is the same reason you'll not find an analog input device from Insteon - can you imagine the support calls such a device would create? Heck, I suspect that they deeply regret the IOLinc; it certainly seems to generate enough confusion even among the generally more-tech-savvy ISY users on this forum! Yes, I'm a bit cynical on this, but as observed elsewhere on this thread the ZWave folks have really stepped far forward with multi-function devices, so there really cannot be a technical reason why Insteon/Smartwhatever refuses to do so as well. As always your observations and views mirror mine. This is why I don't give SH / Smartlabs any give in this area because there is a clear need for multi channel devices or hardware that do more than one thing. In my mind your first guess that they see more value in nickle and diming the end user by offering piece meal devices instead of offering a true one product solution. This short sighted view is a detriment to the long term goal and success of the business. Many of us have used the Buzz Linc first seen by me from Stu. Which to this very day serves me quite well and is louder in every way. This Alert Module is simply a purpose built design based on the above example using the I/O Module and a $0.35 piezeo siren. I know you and I along with members like Larry have asked and wondered why analog support isn't there? The amount of cross sale and steady sales just supporting some kind of analog device would be huge! Yet its not being done and its clear to me they see no value in pursuing the same. I do however have hope because the next generation dual band I/O Linc has been stated in another forum thread by me. Lets hope it offers more features besides the same outside case, dual band, no pass through, as the RE, On-Off Module. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbates Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Looking at the manual, this product seems to just integrate existing motion and door sensors. I don't see other sensors announced. I initially leaped to the thought of this meaning that additional types of sensors were coming, like the ones mentioned in this thread already, especially analogue, would be great. Right now the insteon protocol isn't really set up for analogue, except through dim levels or the simplehomenet/smartenit extensions. Per other's comments, not sure about the vision implied by this product. I like it, but still unclear where its going Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teken Posted December 4, 2015 Author Share Posted December 4, 2015 One key thing people will need to understand is this *current* product must be physically controlled and manipulated. The current iOS Application does not offer very much custom adjustments etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian H Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 It has a completely different FCC ID number. If the sales page is correct. Now our very efficient FCC may not have put the data on line. As I know way back they fined Smartlabs because the paperwork was wrong and they where selling the modules with a unregistered FCC ID. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teken Posted December 4, 2015 Author Share Posted December 4, 2015 It has a completely different FCC ID number. If the sales page is correct. Now our very efficient FCC may not have put the data on line. As I know way back they fined Smartlabs because the paperwork was wrong and they where selling the modules with a unregistered FCC ID. LOL, I recall you bringing that to our attention about 2-3 years ago. Oooops busted . . . Ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michel Kohanim Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Hello everyone, We have had one of these in house for about 2 months now. Unfortunately developer APIs are not yet available. With kind regards, Michel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian H Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Michel; Well at least you know the module exists. Sometimes we all get a big surprise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerlands Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 Yet were not done and the product is not at its full potential in the least. This item needs the following features to make it more flexible. Considering all I could potentially link this to.. leak sensors, motion sensors, door sensors etc., etc., etc., it would be nice to have many more ring options. What would be nice is a bedside led notification monitor that would tell me what the alert is about Guess though once Echo is approved for push notifications none of this will be necessary Jon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stusviews Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 What would be nice is a bedside led notification monitor that would tell me what the alert is about You can do that now. We have a near bed indicator if the door is unlocked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwester Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 Considering all I could potentially link this to.. leak sensors, motion sensors, door sensors etc., etc., etc., it would be nice to have many more ring options. What would be nice is a bedside led notification monitor that would tell me what the alert is about Guess though once Echo is approved for push notifications none of this will be necessary Jon... With 5.0, the possibility of a raspberry pi with a small cheap LCD to serve as a text-based alert becomes very practical! (actually one could do it with 4.x and just the network module; you'd just have to write a lot more code) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilyoyo1 Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 I don't think it's Insteon is attempting to make the module more than what it is. Make it to loud and your on a slippery slope with those who try to build an alarm out of the system. I think they wanted an easy chime for the masses (the people on this forum is far from the avg user) to have local alerts about something. Not a siren which can then be misconstrued and make people believe their system is an alarm system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryllix Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 In this day and age you would think they could at least make it sound like chime. The "chime" is not a chime sound at all but rather two high frequency beeps. You would think SH would at least put a chime attack and decay on the sound for something more pleasant. I also wonder how their "Loud" compares with real audio level measurement that are usually done at 1 metre distance, not 12 inches. High frequencies get sucked up by absorbent materials fairly quickly. After listening to their sound sample I still like my BuzzLincs better. The SH format is a little nicer looking though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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