What's up with Smarthome?

[smokegrub]

Am I just being paranoid or is something big afoot at Smarthome? They are currently running a 30% off sale. I checked a few popular models, and they are now out of stock. Synchrolincs can't be found anywhere. The IP camera tool will not "play" with my Insteon cameras and no software update has been forthcoming. The PLM is a disaster and they apparently show no interest in really addressing the problem. The company changed ownership and one must wonder where Smarthome is heading in the future. I am a big Insteon fan but I am beginning to take a hard look at ZWave. I look forward to reading your thoughts.

[asbril]

I have expressed this concern for a long while but quite some people in this forum remain strong believers in Insteon. Unless Smarthome's new owner decides to make major investments in Insteon, it is likely to fade away.

Of course one day Zwave will be obsolete as well but for the foreseeable future Zwave will be a winner. The big advantage of ISY is that you don't need to ditch your Insteon devices but you should consider using Zwave for new devices .

[Techman]

2 hours ago, smokegrub said:

Am I just being paranoid or is something big afoot at Smarthome? They are currently running a 30% off sale. I checked a few popular models, and they are now out of stock. Synchrolincs can't be found anywhere. The IP camera tool will not "play" with my Insteon cameras and no software update has been forthcoming. The PLM is a disaster and they apparently show no interest in really addressing the problem. The company changed ownership and one must wonder where Smarthome is heading in the future. I am a big Insteon fan but I am beginning to take a hard look at ZWave. I look forward to reading your thoughts.

It's their annual Memorial Day sale, enjoy the discount. . The items that are out of stock usually show backordered. 

The Synchrolinc is nowhere to be found, it's possible they dropped it from their line if it wasn't selling.

I was told that the new owner is focusing on the Insteon Hub and the iPhone / Android apps.

[Brian H]

You can still find it in a web search. I suspect it was discontinued. Though the page I found in the search. Says "GET NOTIFIED WHEN BACK IN STOCK". I also think the older designs and slow movers maybe gone or on their way out. The new owners have said they are Internet Things oriented.

https://www.smarthome.com/synchrolinc-insteon-2423a5-power-synching-controller.html

I just ordered a new 2413S  PLM in the sale. Will be reporting on it in a week or so. If I read the sales page correctly. It indicated a larger link database.  >2000 over the 1000 in my V2.3. Time will tell. I did see a photo and the serial daughter board is a new one.

[paulbates]

They've been having major holiday sales on Insteon as long as I can remember. If you can be patient setting up your home, it saves a lot. Most of my 50+ devices were bought this way.

Sales in the past would sometimes exclude a number of items, so I'm liking this sale for being "everything".  Things do run out of stock at the sales because people by them up. If you're in the market, start looking at smarthome's site before a major holiday.   

[apostolakisl]

This isn't their best sale ever but it is pretty close.  Last time I got switchlincs for $27/ea, this time it is $29.  The sale (30%) is actually the best I have ever seen, but at the time of the previous sale, the 5-packs were cheaper to start with.

[paulbates]

19 minutes ago, apostolakisl said:

This isn't their best sale ever but it is pretty close.  Last time I got switchlincs for $27/ea, this time it is $29.  The sale (30%) is actually the best I have ever seen, but at the time of the previous sale, the 5-packs were cheaper to start with.

That's great. I'd prefer $27 obviously, but either one of those prices is very good for good quality switch, and keeps the total cost of implementing projects down.

[Techman]

On ‎5‎/‎29‎/‎2018 at 5:39 PM, smokegrub said:

Am I just being paranoid or is something big afoot at Smarthome? They are currently running a 30% off sale. I checked a few popular models, and they are now out of stock. Synchrolincs can't be found anywhere. The IP camera tool will not "play" with my Insteon cameras and no software update has been forthcoming. The PLM is a disaster and they apparently show no interest in really addressing the problem. The company changed ownership and one must wonder where Smarthome is heading in the future. I am a big Insteon fan but I am beginning to take a hard look at ZWave. I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Looks like they changed the name. It appears to be backordered

https://www.smarthome.com/synchrolinc-insteon-2423a5-power-synching-controller.html

 

 

[smokegrub]

Thanks for the feedback.

[apostolakisl]

I see the SH keeps moving the discount all over the place on 5 packs.  It was $175 when they ran that "private" sale at Christmas which I was able to put on top of that price, then it was $212 over the Memorial Day weekend, today it is down to $187.  I think they jacked the price up when they decided to allow the 30% MD sale to apply.

[paulbates]

Yep! Rather than excluding things, like days of old, they "adjusted" the pricing. I kind of get the business problem... if its already discounted because of buying bulk, and then blanket apply a 30% discount on top of it... they can't do that.

To your point, you have to keep track on many items to know if its really worth it. In the end, I do more projects with the same money, so like the old x10.com, I put some projects on hold and "play the game".  I did get a few items on this sale and it was a good deal. In fact I forgot about one, went back Monday morning and it still worked.