Best Z-Wave devices of 2015/2016!!!

[rafarataneneces]

Dear ISY994i users!

 

I have 46 Insteon Devices in my house.

I REALLY wanted to have only Insteon and nothing but Insteon until my house becomes stable and I have more understanding of Home Automation.

 

This year of my life has been fantastic and I have thoroughly enjoyed Insteon and ISY!

 

However, since the new 5.0.4 is mostly focused on Z-Wave improvements, I was thinking, joining the bandwagon and see if I can have a super cooler house with multiple networks talking to each other!!

With that said, what are the BEST and absolute MUST HAVE Z-Wave devices that are out there?

Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, MicroCenter, Frys, the list goes on and on!
Home Automation is improving and I am sure there are some cool new devices out there!!!

I know for a fact that when I was designing my home I saw SOOO many cool gadgets/toys out there but I chose Insteon only!

With the advancement in ISY 5.0.4 ALPHA, do you guys think it's time to start exploring Z-Wave or not?

Anyway, what is the list of TOP MUST HAVE devices of the last year in the Z-Wave world??

Ready??? GO!!!

 

[stusviews]

I chose devices based on need not protocol. For example, Z-Wave locks have many advantages of over Insteon compatible lock, but nothing beats an Insteon FanLinc.

[rafarataneneces]

I chose devices based on need not protocol. For example, Z-Wave locks have many advantages of Insteon compatible lock, but nothing beats an Insteon FanLinc.

 

Which Z-Wave lock is the best in your opinion??

[stusviews]

I've been happy with Schlage Z-Wave locks, basically because they replaced my existing Schlage locks, so same design and same key.

[asbril]

There are posters on this forum who are far more techie than I am, but my advice is to keep your Insteon devices but expand with new ZWave devices. On ISY they work together but there are far more ZWave manufacturers than for Insteon  and new gadgets will likely come more on ZWave.

This being said, who knows what Google Home, Apple Homekit, Amazon Echo will bring soon. My guess is that somehow these will communicate with each other eventually, but technology changes rapidly and the future home automation may replace all of these systems.... With Zwave you should be good for the next few years.

[MWareman]

I use Kwikset zwave locks, because of the Smart key feature. I can have all my locks match on key, and temporarily change the key on one door if I have a need for contractor access, for instance.

 

One thing many have found. Many have found that they need AT LEAST 2 or 3 repeater capable devices that properly support security enabled devices for locks to work reliably. I've had flawless locks since adding a couple of Aeon 'Sirens' to my network as repeaters....

 

Stay away from the Aeon 'repeaters' - they don't handle the security enabled devices well...

[lilyoyo1]

I think locks are going to be a user preferred item. I use the Yale locks because of the touchscreen on them.

 

I use Cooper aspire zwave outlets to help repeat signals. I like the quality of those but any should work.

 

In 2 rooms, I have leviton switches in the closets. I did not need outlets in those rooms and since I get instant status from leviton I chose those (Lutron's patent has now expired so you'll probably find more zwave devices with instant status).

 

For sensors, I prefer zwave sensors over insteons. I love the fibaro sensors. I use their motion sensor as well as window sensors. I'm looking forward to their binary sensor and rgbw controller being supported. I do have insteon hidden door sensors and I'm happy with those.

[giesen]

I use Z-Wave exclusively for my Yale locks. I bought a few Aeon Labs plug-in Smart Switch 6 modules to place near the locks for use as repeaters (and also gives me a USB charging port). I have no plans to use Z-Wave wired-in devices as all my electrical boxes are metal (in Canada 99% of both old and new construction uses metal boxes) so I doubt the effectiveness of Z-Wave, along with Insteon being 99% reliable for me. Only problem I've ever had was a plug-in outdoor module killing a GFCI receptacle, which has worked fine since I replaced the receptacle.

 

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