Andrew Posted October 6, 2016 Posted October 6, 2016 Hi all, Searching bring up a lot of hits but I'm not finding an answer exactly... I can log in via URL but it's clunky... I'd like an app for remote access, but one that doesn't require a monthly/yearly subscription.... have a separate app for my cameras, and it works really well, so camera access isn't necessary. FYI I have the Z-Wave / Insteon unit but that probably doesn't matter...Any guidance really appreciated!
stusviews Posted October 6, 2016 Posted October 6, 2016 MobiLinc, one time charge. Monthly only if you want MobilConnect.
Andrew Posted October 6, 2016 Author Posted October 6, 2016 MobiLinc, one time charge. Monthly only if you want MobilConnect. I asked for an app for remote access - isn't that what MobilConnect provides?
stusviews Posted October 6, 2016 Posted October 6, 2016 Yes, but you can just enter you WAN address and secure port in the corresponding fields.
mapeter Posted October 6, 2016 Posted October 6, 2016 If you don't want to use one the fee-based portal services, you can configure your router to port forward requests from the Internet to your ISY. This assumes you have a static IP address, or one that doesn't change very often. Information can be found on the wiki at this link. Personally, I have become very wary of port forwarding and am using the portal now.
rccoleman Posted October 6, 2016 Posted October 6, 2016 I set up OpenVPN on my pfSense router at home (after doing the same thing on my Synology NAS and Raspberry Pi in the past), and I use both eKeypad and Mobilinc, depending on the need. It does require that I open a port on my router for OpenVPN, but I'm willing to take that risk for a fast and secure connection to my home network. To make it easier to connect on my iPhone and iPad, I built a connect-on-demand iOS VPN profile that automatically connects the VPN when I launch one of the apps and it tries to make a connection to my ISY. It's pretty slick and subscription-free. Rob
Andrew Posted October 7, 2016 Author Posted October 7, 2016 Hey guys - Thanks for the notes. I currently have access via browser / port forwarding, but unfortunately I'm still relatively new to this, so I'm not totally following what an app would do if not simply save the login and provide a different interface.) That said - it doesn't sound like there's an app that doesn't involve a recurring fee that allows us to connect very securely... ? cheers Andrew
stusviews Posted October 7, 2016 Posted October 7, 2016 See my post #4. No recurring fee, secure log in.
TrojanHorse Posted October 7, 2016 Posted October 7, 2016 I really like MobiLinc and in my opinion they have great support and are frequently updating the app. Some balk at the initial cost but for me it's the cost of an insteon switch or two after buying some of their plugins. I know you have a camera app but mobilinc allows cameras and you can set it up so that you can control your ISY while viewing the camera (e.g. watch an outdoor camera and have a button right there to turn on an outdoor light if needed, or monitor the garage door and be able to open or close it from the same screen in the same app). Cameras in mobilinc are $10 more I think. All in all it was pretty minor cost in my view to add a nice UI. I think mobilinc pro is the universal app that runs on both iPad and iPhone. You don't need to buy it multiple times then for different devices. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Andrew Posted October 7, 2016 Author Posted October 7, 2016 See my post #4. No recurring fee, secure log in. Thanks Stu- That's what I guess I don't quite understand; i.e. what is the advantage to the paid version? Sounds good, though!
rccoleman Posted October 7, 2016 Posted October 7, 2016 I really like MobiLinc and in my opinion they have great support and are frequently updating the app. I wouldn't go so far as to say that. A year went by without an update until Wes finally released a new version to fix a long-standing crash with 5.x a few weeks ago. It's basically the same app that it was back in Sept 2015. It's not a bad app, but it's stagnating.
TrojanHorse Posted October 7, 2016 Posted October 7, 2016 I wouldn't go so far as to say that. A year went by without an update until Wes finally released a new version to fix a long-standing crash with 5.x a few weeks ago. It's basically the same app that it was back in Sept 2015. It's not a bad app, but it's stagnating.Okay fair enough. I'm not running 5.x on ISY so can't speak to that. I'm not trying to sell it either that said, is there something better?* I tried ekeypad but stuck with mobilinc. *edit: okay that's maybe too broad of a question. But for someone looking for an off-the-shelf app for iOS to control ISY (I'm also using an Elk here which integrates nicely IMHO). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
rccoleman Posted October 7, 2016 Posted October 7, 2016 Okay fair enough. I'm not running 5.x on ISY so can't speak to that. I'm not trying to sell it either that said, is there something better? I tried ekeypad but stuck with mobilinc. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I mainly use eKeypad now because it's faster to start up and feels more responsive. It also has more comprehensive Elk support because it connects directly to the security panel, rather than going through the ISY. Mobilinc is certainty more attractive and I still use it to access variables and programs.
stusviews Posted October 7, 2016 Posted October 7, 2016 Thanks Stu- That's what I guess I don't quite understand; i.e. what is the advantage to the paid version? Sounds good, though! All MobiLinc versions need to be paid for. MobiLinc Connect, which is fee based, does all the remote access work for you. Otherwise, you need to set up a secure port on your own and update your WAN IP as needed. Another choice, which IS fee based, is to use a service such as DynDNS. Doing so gives you remote access to all your WiFi devices, such as cameras, etc. You're limited to about 60,000 devices
TrojanHorse Posted October 7, 2016 Posted October 7, 2016 Hey guys - I'm not totally following what an app would do if not simply save the login and provide a different interface.) Andrew - trying to help. the UI of the app is key here. You still use the JavaScript console to program your ISY. Mobilinc does a lot more than save credentials but it's only for control not programming. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Andrew Posted October 7, 2016 Author Posted October 7, 2016 Thanks again guys!Stu - I don't mind setting up a secure port (as I've already done that) - just not familiar with why/when WAN is updated - isn't that assigned by my ISP? TrojanHorse - appreciate it! I don't mind programming via the JavaScript console, though it does feel a bit archaic. I would love to be able to program remotely, esp. to adjust random factors, but mostly I'm tired of having to log in every time through a browser on my phone
smokegrub Posted October 7, 2016 Posted October 7, 2016 I have used MobiLinc Pro for a few years on iPhones. I am extremely pleased with it. On those occasions when I have had problems, Wes quickly worked with me to resolve them. I would not hesitate to purchase and use the app again.
stusviews Posted October 7, 2016 Posted October 7, 2016 Thanks again guys! Stu - I don't mind setting up a secure port (as I've already done that) - just not familiar with why/when WAN is updated - isn't that assigned by my ISP? Yes, your ISP assigns the WAN address. It's updated based on the ISP decision makers, rarely but it can happen.
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