Another noobie here

[MRCW]

Been interested in upgrading from insteon hub but having second thoughts...

 

My system has about 80 devices. Some are buried in can lights or boxes. Also have two thermostats and use Alexa to control about 30 devices and 20 scenes...

 

I thought that isy could simply discover my insteon devices (similar to how Alexa discovers them) but more i read and see how there seems to be allot of compatibility and software updates and glitches, in not so sure isy is for me...

 

Can someone give me some pros and cons? One thing I'd like to do is control all my lighted keypads to only come on at night. Also have a bit more control over timed activities but for the most part, my system works pretty well and the android interface for insteon works well and i use an ipad tablet in the wall to control most things we don't use Alexa for.

 

It seems like a lot of work to have to access and reprogram all of my devices, pay for Alexa access etc...

 

Am i missing something here?

Thanks for thoughts and comments

[stusviews]

It is a lot of tedious work to upgrade 80 devices from the Hub to the ISY, but well worth it in the long run. Any you are into HA for the long run, Updates are not corrections (bugs), but instead add features. ISY doesn't release firmware that's not been thoroughly tested by users in the field such as you and I.

 

There are glitches in a version that's currently being tested, but that's still in Alpha and using it is voluntary.

 

The main pro is that the iSY is probably the most advanced Insteon controller that exists and it does that without the need to keep a computer running 24/7. Being so powerful is also the main con. There's a steep learning curve to utilize all it's features, but as far as devices are concerned, the ISY uses the same type of scenes that the Hub uses. You have scene controllers (which, BTW, are also responders) and scene responders. Just as with the Hub, you can set the brightness level and ramp rate foe each device.

 

None of that requires new learning except that instead of checking devices, it's drag and drop. A most powerful feature is programming (creating it this, then do that scenarios) and help with programming abounds on this forum. There's also manuals and a wiki for the ISY.

[lilyoyo1]

ISY doesn't automatically scrub for devices due to the nature of how Insteon works. To lessen the chance of outside interference, you would either need the device ID or manual access to the switch's set button. The reason Echo can find them is because you already have them added to your hub account and its simply accessing them through there. It is not scrubbing your house for them.

 

There are ways you can add devices to the ISY without pulling out all of your hidden devices. You would simply add the devices that are currently controlling your embedded devices and choose to keep the links. Personally I dont recommend this route as you could also be bringing in additional links that you don't intend to nor want (such as half links). I also do not recommend this since the ISY wouldn't know what the devices were. It would import them by device ID. With 80 devices, you would probably spend more time fixing things than getting the system up and running. 

 

The pros IMO is  taking your system to the next level with true automation and the cons are the time that it takes to get there. Between Switches, outlets, and sensors, I have about 130+ devices. Yet it is rare that I need to interact with my system. For example, if i'm in my media room watching a movie, the system knows to close my blinds, ensure the doors are locked, and arm my alarm system. It also turns on the door chime in the media room (it's a soundproof room) should someone ring my bell. Depending on the time, if I turn off the system, it will automatically turn on the hall lights to a dim level as well as set my bedroom up for how I like it when I go to bed. 

 

Another thing i've done is set my system up where my lights and fans turn on together. Instead of having to do each thing separately, I can double tap on a keypad button (or issue the command) which in turn will turn on my lights and fan to the speed I want. 

 

I could use a lesser system like the hub, open up an app to turn each scene on/off. I could also tell Alexa each and every step that I want to take such as with the Insteon hub. However,  having the system "know" what I want to happen based off different variables is much better. While my devices are connected to my Alexa's, it's rare that I use it.

 

Finally, onto the con. The con is the time it takes to do all that you want. Depending on how involved you want your system to be it's not a 2 hr job. It does take a focused and dedicated approach. You do have to be willing to do the hard work early on but in the end, the payoff (I feel) is well worth it. With that said, the bright side is that you can make it as simple or as complicated as you would like. 

[MRCW]

ISY doesn't automatically scrub for devices due to the nature of how Insteon works. To lessen the chance of outside interference, you would either need the device ID or manual access to the switch's set button. The reason Echo can find them is because you already have them added to your hub account and its simply accessing them through there. It is not scrubbing your house for them.

 

There are ways you can add devices to the ISY without pulling out all of your hidden devices. You would simply add the devices that are currently controlling your embedded devices and choose to keep the links. Personally I dont recommend this route as you could also be bringing in additional links that you don't intend to nor want (such as half links). I also do not recommend this since the ISY wouldn't know what the devices were. It would import them by device ID. With 80 devices, you would probably spend more time fixing things than getting the system up and running. 

 

The pros IMO is  taking your system to the next level with true automation and the cons are the time that it takes to get there. Between Switches, outlets, and sensors, I have about 130+ devices. Yet it is rare that I need to interact with my system. For example, if i'm in my media room watching a movie, the system knows to close my blinds, ensure the doors are locked, and arm my alarm system. It also turns on the door chime in the media room (it's a soundproof room) should someone ring my bell. Depending on the time, if I turn off the system, it will automatically turn on the hall lights to a dim level as well as set my bedroom up for how I like it when I go to bed. 

 

Another thing i've done is set my system up where my lights and fans turn on together. Instead of having to do each thing separately, I can double tap on a keypad button (or issue the command) which in turn will turn on my lights and fan to the speed I want. 

 

I could use a lesser system like the hub, open up an app to turn each scene on/off. I could also tell Alexa each and every step that I want to take such as with the Insteon hub. However,  having the system "know" what I want to happen based off different variables is much better. While my devices are connected to my Alexa's, it's rare that I use it.

 

Finally, onto the con. The con is the time it takes to do all that you want. Depending on how involved you want your system to be it's not a 2 hr job. It does take a focused and dedicated approach. You do have to be willing to do the hard work early on but in the end, the payoff (I feel) is well worth it. With that said, the bright side is that you can make it as simple or as complicated as you would like. 

Thanks for the follow up. I think my Hub also gives me the device ID in addition to the name. So, I guess i could log all my device ID's in a spread sheet along with the device name. Does the program allow me to merge a spread sheet or other data into the program or does each device ID need to be imputed separately?  Also, can I just wipe all the devices at the same time and start over or do i need to separately delete each device?

 

Also, do you use any remote apps to control system? I use this quite a bit as we return home and can turn on lights before we get out of the car. Also, what is the Alexa integration like. I have found I use this more frequently that accessing a key pad or switch. I've made many "groups" on alexa that work like the scenes and have them named very easy to remember commands. Visitors to the house can quickly learn Alexa more readily than keypad locations.

 

Anyway, thanks for comments... I'm sort of looking forward to using it but dreading set up.... Perhaps i need to find a rainy day to tackle this task

[lilyoyo1]

You're welcome. It was my pleasure. If it were me, I'd factory reset all of my devices including the embedded ones to make sure I wipe everything and start with a clean slate. At that point you could get the device ID's or use the set button (whichever you choose). Using the set button method, you could add multiple devices at 1 time. Personally, I do one device at a time so that I can immediately rename it. It is a lot but I feel doing so has contributed to me having a problem free system. 

 

There are a number of apps that can be used. The most popular is mobilinc and another of choice is Agave. I have RTI in my home so mine is running through there. However, Its been a really long time since I've used it. I have keypads all over for most things I would use the app for so the need for an app with my system is small. Sensors and timing make sure nothing is left on and when I leave the house, I have programs run to ensure everything that needs to be off is off. 

 

When I first started, my house was very basic and I used mobilinc a lot. As I expanded and got better with programming I would add programs as I went. This is how I would recommend getting started.

 

I don't use voice control often. I found you have to be precise with Alexa but no more so than with the hub. The good thing about the ISY, is that you can set the spoken words that you want to use which helps. 

 

Take a whole weekend, factory reset your devices and get them added to the ISY. Set up your scenes for multi-way switches and keypads so that the house works like usual. At this point, the family is happy simply because everything works like normal until you finish with your other programming for Alexa etc. The next step I recommend is recreate your timers that you had with the hub. Once done, your system will at least be equal to where you are with the hub. 

 

In your free time, I would start with 1 room that isn't used often and start working with programs until you get good at it. Then you can start expanding to the rooms that matter. I would start with basic timers. If your hall light is turned on, turn it off after a couple of minutes. If you have sensors, you could incorporate them as well. For example, in my kitchen pantry, I have a hidden door sensor. Open the door and the light turns on. Close it and the lights go off. Forget to close the door and the lights are left on, then the lights will automatically turn off after 15 minutes.

 

Before getting started with the more advanced steps, I'd have your family keep track of their lifestyle and write out what they do when they are home, cook, etc. This will allow you to write programs based on how y'all live at which point you can write programs to handle all of that. For example, if my girl is going out, she likes to listen to music when she's getting dressed. In our bathroom, double tapping her shower button turns on the audio system in the bathroom and bedroom as well as sets the lights on the way she likes it. If im in the bedroom watching tv, then only the music in the bathroom will turn on. 

 

.

[Tim Wilson]

You're welcome. It was my pleasure. If it were me, I'd factory reset all of my devices including the embedded ones to make sure I wipe everything and start with a clean slate. At that point you could get the device ID's or use the set button (whichever you choose). Using the set button method, you could add multiple devices at 1 time. Personally, I do one device at a time so that I can immediately rename it. It is a lot but I feel doing so has contributed to me having a problem free system.

When I rebuilt part of my system recently, I used the hardware set button for all the devices in a room at a time. Then I would flip them on from the Admin Console and rename them as I went.

 

I would definitely create your system from scratch. I suspect it will go a lot faster than you think.