This forum is the place to share any experiences, good or bad, with Universal Devices.

 

UDI prides itself in providing excellent products and service - this is your chance to tell us (and everyone else) what YOU think.

 

Thank you for your business, and we look forward to reading.

The customer service at Universal Devices is the best. I cannot believe the amount of time they have spent with me on a personal level trying to resolve a pretty serious communications issue. I felt as if I had several different UD personnel working with me via this forum and through phone calls. It’s a shame that more companies don’t model their customer service after Universal Devices. Thanks, guys… Keep up the great work!

I purchased my first insteon system along with ISY.

 

From the first day of my installation, when I was a newbie and had newbie problems, to this day when I write programs for ISY's web module, my experience with them nothing less than perfect! Unbelievable customer support for a great product is their signature.

 

Burak

When I was making the decision to purchase the ISY I came across a thread on SH forum. I don’t remember the persons name but he was describing his system and he said once he purchased his ISY, he never looked back.

 

That one statement pretty much sums it up for me as well. UDI's customer support is un-equaled. Add to that all of the information available on this forum, it has made learning/playing with the ISY easy and fun. I cannot even imagine my life now without the ISY!

 

My hat is off to the UDI staff, and all those who have posted their experiences and solutions on this forum. Once I made the decision to purchase the ISY-99i, I Never Looked Back !!!

I want to thank the staff at Universal Devices and especially Michel K., Mike B. and Darrell P. for taking the time to assist me with my ISY. Without their help and the many people who post in this forum, I surely would have returned it.

 

The customer service department at UD is the best. In today's society, one doesn't expect the time and devotion to an individual's problem such as what I received from UD. I am very pleased with my ISY and I'm certain that I would have returned it for a refund had they not spent so much time with me.

 

Thanks, guys!

I love the ISY device and the concept, however, I am going nuts trying to write programs which are more complex than simply "turn on/off" commands to a single device. I truly wish that more documentation existed to help learn the advanced programming part.

Hello saflight,

 

Have you checked out our Wiki:

http://www.universal-devices.com/mwiki

 

There are many examples and instructions for a variety of scenarios including those that are a little more complex. If all else fails, please do not hesitate to contact our tech support and we'll help you.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

Outstanding support for an outstanding product!

 

Thank you!

I own a small Laundromat in South TX. and was a long time X10 user. I don't want to think of the money I spent on software, hardware, etc. over the years attempting to get a reliable system in place to monitor and control my mag lock doors, open/close signage, HVAC, FL lights, television, security and CCTV. I was finally pushed into replacing X10 when my internet access went away. So I began my research into a replacement. I can't honestly say how I found Insteon and Universal Devices but when I discovered the technology I was immediately impressed by the redundancy and control available with it. I made a few phone calls to clarify what I needed to buy and started with a ISY 994i, added hardware and began to write new programs. I had a few issues and was impressed with the telephone support I received from Darrell. He was patient and an expert at getting things running. So now I have replaced most of the X10 devices that I needed feedback on like the door locks, if my access door is open after hours, and any intrusions in my office. I also have random lighting after hours, water leak detection with notification, scheduled HVAC and television. I will be adding a IP camera in the near future. I will taking my large box of X10 devices to Goodwill and perhaps someone else can use them in their system. I now have peace of mind and confidence that I am informed that my business is opening and closing on time!

I have been and ISY customer for years. Great support and this product always just works. The developers at Universal Devices are always adding features and fix the few bugs they find very quickly. The ISY994i controls everything in my house and has made my family's life so much better.

 

I have a lot of Insteon devices and use Mobilinc Pro to control the lights etc. Even my wife and kids have Mobilinc on their cell phones and can get alerts and control the house. My kids leave their lights on all the time and the system turns them off after they leave for school. Its nice when your house is intelligent and things like the lights and security just work automatically, never getting in the way.

ISY 994i and Mobilinc work very well together.

 

The security system I have built works perfectly, notifying me of motion activity, open doors, and the programing makes it easy to control my house the way that works best for my family. The programming is very simple and it always just works (unlike my old X10 system that I started out with). When we go on vacation, I am confident my system will always work. I plan to automate more in the near future and hope that UD will always keep an open framework and incorporate new and interesting devices like door locks and new cameras coming on the market.

 

I just want to say thank you for all your hard work.

THANKS!

Mike

The security system I have built works perfectly, notifying me of motion activity, open doors, and the programing makes it easy to control my house the way that works best for my family. The programming is very simple and it always just works (unlike my old X10 system that I started out with). When we go on vacation, I am confident my system will always work. I plan to automate more in the near future and hope that UD will always keep an open framework

 

Mike,

 

If you really do need a security system, then relying only on Insteon devices is not a safe solution. Insteon is meant to be a home automation system and attempting to use Insteon instead of a real security system is false security.

 

OTOH, if you only want/need fun notifications when everything is operating correctly and power is uninterrupted and you never experience internet difficulties, then Insteon devices will suffice

I concur with other people on this forum that Universal Devices' customer service is superb. They respond quickly and very efficiently.

 

I have some old X-10 switches and  the ISY994, with the Insteon/X-10 powerlinc module, allows me to manage my ZWave and X-10 switches. I am gradually replacing my X-10 switches and stay exclusively with ZWave, hopefully eventually  being able to control my electric curtains and ceiling fans.

 

My only concern is about running my ISY programs from switches.  I have set up programs that allow all lights in a room (bathroom, living, bedroom, etc) to switch on and off simultaneously. These programs run almost flawless from within the Administrative Console and from the Mobilinc App on my Iphone or Ipad, but  the selected programs do not run consistently when clicking on the actual switch ( GE12722 Z-Wave Wireless Lighting Control On/Off Switch ) .  It seems that the switches do not always send  a proper signal to the ISY994 but apparently always receive the proper signal.

 

I am hoping to resolve this when ISY994 upgrades its software and makes it compatible with the  Enerwave ZWN-SC7-W Z-Wave Wireless 7-Button Scene Controller, whereby I hopefully can initiate a Scene.

 

Can anyone shed some light (pun intended)  on this for me ?

 

             

 

 

Due to patent restrictions, most Z-Wave devices are one way only, that is they can receive a signal, but they do not ACK that signal (don't report their state unless queried). That's a function of the device and cannot be overcome by the ISY.

Yes, that is what I was told by Universal Devices. Could I overcome this with a Scene switch ?

Nope. The Z-Wave device can't trigger a scene nor a program. There is no way the ISY can determine the state of the device unless it's queried.

Thanks so much for your feedback. This means that a  Enerwave ZWN-SC7-W Z-Wave Wireless 7-Button Scene Controller (supposedly compatible with ISY after its next upgrade) would not do the job ? 

           

According to the manual for your device that I just found on-line, you can use the buttons as controllers. Did you add the device button as a controller to a scene or as a program trigger? I don't have an Z-Wave controllers to test with.

I have not yet purchased this switch as Universal Devices recommended to wait for their software upgrade.  I will however read the manual in more detail and come back to you as soon as I go forward.

Amazing customer support!!

 

Had a problem - Universal Devices CEO personally scheduled a time with me and he fixed it.   

 

I'm blown away.

 

More companies should take the time to care for their customers as well.

 

Thank you!!!!!!

I could not agree with you more !  Michel, Chris and Benoit are phenomenal. On more than one occasion they have given me tremendous personal support.

Because of the quality of the ISY device and because of this world-class support, I recommend Universal Devices on every relevant website that I can, and I encourage all of you to do the same.

It is important that we make UDI the reference for home automation.

UDI, 994IRPro and the staff are excellent and have helped out with every issue when I have called or emailed.

 

I have a 994 IRPro at 2 houses and use them extensively and rely on it heavily for insteon products

 

My main house uses the 994 to control a fully equipped automated setup

ezio - for alarm integration, gas fireplace, voice annunciator, generator status

ez flora for irrigation

many motion sensors, leak detectors, fan controllers, door modules and remote outlet modules

10  8 button keypads

over 30 switches

3 thermostats

MI door locks

Water shut off auto valve

and more.

 

The 994 has always worked well and controls the system flawlessly.  Unfortunately the Smarthome insteon system is limited due to quality and life expectancy of the products to the point I have to keep spares for when they go.  Modems a little over a year, keypads 18 months. smartenit products 3 years, switches usually better.  They sell their own controllers now and I would never trust my brains of the system to those.

 

thanks