Access Points Still Necessary?

[Kentinada]

I have a couple 2443 Access Points in my home - one upstairs and one downstairs - but I'm wondering now with newer INSTEON plugs and switches if they're still necessary.  Thoughts? 

[Kentinada]

I just looked at Smarthome's website and they don't even sell them anymore so I'm guessing the answer is no. 

[paulbates]

They can help.  I have one in my garage to support an iolinc (single band only) on the outskirts of my insteon network. The iolinc misses comms sometimes if I remove the 2443. 

[Kentinada]

Thanks Paul.  I have an IOLinc as well but i seem to get my notifications with the access point unplugged.  I'll try it for a while and see if I notice anything not working.

[Brian H]

The 2443 Access Points have been replaced with the Insteon 2992-222 Range Extender. If your tests show it maybe needed. https://www.smarthome.com/insteon-2992-222-range-extender.html

The 2450 I/OLinc is power line only. So if the power line Insteon signals don't reach its location. You possibility could need one. Since it is a 2457D2 LampLinc with out the dimmer parts. Some have the LampLinc or On/Off module. For future automation upgrades.

[Techman]

The Access Point has been renamed and updated, it's now the Insteon Plug-In Range Extender, Item #2992-222.

Some of the earlier versions of the (discontinued) access points had reliability issues.

Properly placed plug in modules, such as lamplincs and on/off modules can do the same job as range extenders. Being that their antennas are external they do a much better job than KPLs or Switchlincs whose antennas are at the rear o the device which is mounted inside a wall.

 

 

[MustangChris04]

I would think if you fully outfit your home with all dual band devices than you won't need the range extender or access points since all the other devices at the same. When I first started with Insteon I had a few for the troubled areas but as I grew my network they were no longer needed. Now that every switch, outlet, and fan are all Insteon I haven't had any signaling issues and tossed the range extenders.

I'm assuming that these were first introduced during the early stages of the dual band devices since many homes already had power line only devices and when they started adding the RF devices (remotes, sensors, etc.) they needed a way to communicate with these devices or extend the range. I think a well put together Insteon network will naturally not need these. And for the price of a range extender you might as well get a lamplinc, right? I got on Amazon a hub with two lamplincs for $49. Bought several of these kits and the extra hubs have come in handy to quickly switch out so my customers don't have to wait for an RMA due to the dreaded capacitor issue.

[lilyoyo1]

The need for them is debatable and is really dependant on the situation. As MustangChris04 stated, a while house install generally will not need the extenders. Even should I've be needed, a person is probably better off making use of a lamplibc or appliance module. Same benefit and the benefit of additional capabilities. 

I do keep a couple around for 1 off situations. Over the past 3 to 4 years, I think i've only used 1.

[paulbates]

I think the question is about "recycling". I've kept a couple around too. When I had difficulty with the iolinc in the garage, I already had something in "the insteon box" to use and worked.. instead of placing yet another order. 

I agree that if I didn't have something to use and needed signal coverage, I'd get a lamp / on-off module. The packaging on the newer modules is smaller and looks cleaner, but I'm not looking for my garage to be depeche mode.