Z-wave Dimmer Switch

[Kentinada]

So now that I have Z-wave up and functioning, I wanted to add a couple Z-wave Dimmer Switches to my house.  It looks like Z-wave switches are quite a bit cheaper than INSTEON switches. Otherwise, I'd stay with INSTEON.  I'm looking at this Honeywell Switch on Amazon.   The Z-wave Alliance DB page for this switch actually shows 2 with the model 39351: one that includes S2 security and one that does not. Do I really need to care about S2 security for a light switch? 

Secondary question is around Honeywell Add-on Switches for 3-way circuits.  The Add-on switch is cheaper still. If I went INSTEON I'd have to buy 2 full switches.  Any experience here with these Honeywell switches?  If they are Z-wave Plus devices, they should be OK and play with my Z-wave network in theory.  How about practical experience?

Thanks as always!

[lilyoyo1]

1 hour ago, Kentinada said:

So now that I have Z-wave up and functioning, I wanted to add a couple Z-wave Dimmer Switches to my house.  It looks like Z-wave switches are quite a bit cheaper than INSTEON switches. Otherwise, I'd stay with INSTEON.  I'm looking at this Honeywell Switch on Amazon.   The Z-wave Alliance DB page for this switch actually shows 2 with the model 39351: one that includes S2 security and one that does not. Do I really need to care about S2 security for a light switch? 

Secondary question is around Honeywell Add-on Switches for 3-way circuits.  The Add-on switch is cheaper still. If I went INSTEON I'd have to buy 2 full switches.  Any experience here with these Honeywell switches?  If they are Z-wave Plus devices, they should be OK and play with my Z-wave network in theory.  How about practical experience?

Thanks as always!

I'd go with insteon. They are much more configurable than zwave switches. Yes it's cheaper but you'll miss out. But then again if it's only for the 3 way without anything special then you should be ok. For example, my up and down stairs switch does multiple things separate from each other. The downstairs switch will turn on the step lights and upstairs hallway lights. The upstairs switch will turn on the step lights and kitchen lights at a low level. Because of how zwave works, I couldn't do that with the slave switch (the setup you're looking at). Cheaper is always good but I prefer expandability. 

S2 for lights IMO is worthless. It'll slow down response. I say it often. Zwave is a good system but can't come close to insteon when it comes to lighting. I'll take their other products over insteon though

[asbril]

lilyoyo1, who is very knowledgeable,  has a preference for Insteon unless a specific feature/device is only available with Zwave.

I am all Zwave, as such I dont compare. However, I find the Homeseer dimmer switches very nice. You can program the sentinel lights (there are 7) to show you status of other devices in your home. In my bedroom, on one of these Homeseer switches, I have divided the 7 sentinel lights to show me if any room have lights on, or if a sensor is activated.

[lilyoyo1]

41 minutes ago, asbril said:

lilyoyo1, who is very knowledgeable,  has a preference for Insteon unless a specific feature/device is only available with Zwave.

I am all Zwave, as such I dont compare. However, I find the Homeseer dimmer switches very nice. You can program the sentinel lights (there are 7) to show you status of other devices in your home. In my bedroom, on one of these Homeseer switches, I have divided the 7 sentinel lights to show me if any room have lights on, or if a sensor is activated.

I actually don't have a preference for insteon. Zwave simply isn't up to par with insteon for lighting. I prefer to use what's best for what I'm willing to pay for (otherwise I'd go with C4 ir Savant).

That's why I use zwave sensors when insteon would work better coupled with insteon devices. Zwave is simply better

If zwave ever figures out the popcorn effect, and some other stuff, I would actually consider using them. Until then, outside of a few gimmicky (to me) features, zwave is still second rate for lights

[asbril]

Just now, lilyoyo1 said:

I actually don't have a preference for insteon. Zwave simply isn't up to par with insteon for lighting. I like to use what's best for what I'm willing to pay for (otherwise I'd go with C4 ir Savant).

That's why I use zwave sensors when insteon would work better coupled with insteon devices. Zwave is simply better

If zwave ever figures out the popcorn effect, and some other stuff, I would actually consider using them. Until then, outside of a few gimmicky (to me) features, zwave is still second rate for lights

In other words, you have a general preference for Insteon based on the facts and your experience  

[oberkc]

I don’t know whether this is applicable to all zwave switches, but none of mine can act as scene controllers, nor can I use a “control” condition in a program based upon the zwave switch...only “status” conditions.  Such limitations cause me to prefer insteon switches.  I forget if these limitations exist for my door or motion sensors, but they might.

[Kentinada]

10 hours ago, oberkc said:

I don’t know whether this is applicable to all zwave switches, but none of mine can act as scene controllers, nor can I use a “control” condition in a program based upon the zwave switch...only “status” conditions.  Such limitations cause me to prefer insteon switches.  I forget if these limitations exist for my door or motion sensors, but they might.

@oberkc that is really useful information too.  I guess I stick with INSTEON switches for now.  If INSTEON made a true outdoor motion sensor, I never would have gone down the Zwave path. 

[asbril]

44 minutes ago, Kentinada said:

@oberkc that is really useful information too.  I guess I stick with INSTEON switches for now.  If INSTEON made a true outdoor motion sensor, I never would have gone down the Zwave path. 

I am less knowledgeable than lilyoyo1 and oberkc but, while I don't use scenes, my Zwave switches work very well in programs, including operating as virtual 3-wave when needed. Unlike Insteon, which apparently is instant, there may be a small delay (likely no more than 1 second) in reaction time  with Zwave, but otherwise I find using Zwave switches in ISY programs quite easy and functional.

p.s. Zwave reaction time to sensors is longer than 1 second, and could be up to 5 seconds, or occasionally even longer.

[lilyoyo1]

1 hour ago, Kentinada said:

@oberkc that is really useful information too.  I guess I stick with INSTEON switches for now.  If INSTEON made a true outdoor motion sensor, I never would have gone down the Zwave path. 

With the Isy able to integrate both, I wouldn't worry about the path you take. It's about using the best technology available for your budget and needs. My switches are insteon, my sensors are zwave, and in some cases I use hue lightbulbs (controlled by a kpl). I do have a couple of GE occupancy switches in places where they make sense such as the laundry room and half baths.

In today's age you shouldn't feel locked into 1 thing so make the most of it. Choose what works best for a specific situation.