Insteon Alternative?

[Silversop]

Hi All, looked through the forum but was unsuccessful in finding a clear answer... 

Not sure if Insteon is dead or it's all just supply chain related but, does anyone have a solid (and one that's not going to go out of business) brand that they are using for wall outlets that work with the ISY?  So many to choose from. 

 

S

[MrBill]

Does your ISY have z-wave?  If so, do you have any other z-wave devices?  What firmware version are you using with your ISY?

[Silversop]

3 minutes ago, MrBill said:

Does your ISY have z-wave?  If so, do you have any other z-wave devices?  What firmware version are you using with your ISY?

I just ordered the Zwave Mod so will have it soon enough... so at this time, no ZWave devices. Only insteon dual band devices. 

 

FW is at 5.3.0 

 

 

[MrBill]

Upgrade your firmware to 5.3.4 before you install the z-wave board.

I'm going to ask the moderator to move your thread to the z-wave sub-forum, what you are really asking here is which z-wave outlet is best.

[Silversop]

Just now, MrBill said:

Upgrade your firmware to 5.3.4 before you install the z-wave board.

I'm going to ask the moderator to move your thread to the z-wave sub-forum, what you are really asking here is which z-wave outlet is best.

Roger that.

[MrBill]

Also keep in  mind that z-wave creates a wireless mesh and you need to build the mesh for proper communications.

there's a @lilyoyo1 post thats pretty good on starting out with z-wave.

[lilyoyo1]

Supply issues are affecting every company. With that said if you're looking for something different, now is the time to experiment. 

The reason you don't see a clear answer is because there is none. Everyone has different reasons for choosing their products. There are those (like me) who value form just as much as function (and are willing to pay for it) while others like to be more involved so flashing software and so forth appeals more to them. Some just want things to work at a low cost so they are willing to choose products that fit that category. 

This is why I say experiment. Depending on your Isy firmware, what modules you have (or are willing to get) also plays a role. 

@MrBill responded while i was posting. The same thing applies to leave however. Especially the cost factor as you will need to build your network up in order for things to work properly

Edited November 25, 2021 by lilyoyo1

[Silversop]

2 minutes ago, lilyoyo1 said:

Supply issues are affecting every company. With that said if you're looking for something different, now is the time to experiment. 

The reason you don't see a clear answer is because there is none. Everyone has different reasons for choosing their products. There are those (like me) who value form just as much as function (and are willing to pay for it) while others like to be more involved so flashing software and so forth appeals more to them. Some just want things to work at a low cost so they are willing to choose products that fit that category. 

This is why I say experiment. Depending on your Isy firmware, what modules you have (or are willing to get) also plays a role. 

@MrBill responded while i was posting. The same thing applies to leave however. Especially the cost factor as you will need to build your network up in order for things to work properly

Appreciate the input, cost is not a factor... I just want to avoid having 20 different brands of devices. 

 

[MrBill]

Here is the @lilyoyo1 thread I refereed to, it's a great read especially when you are just starting out building a z-wave network.

 

[danbutter]

I don't know if I have 20 different brands, but I do have quite a few different ones.  One company doesn't make all the types of devices that I use.  

For example...I use a homeseer floodlight...only one who makes one that I have seen.  

I have tried many kinds and the one I have been overall impressed with is zooz.

They have a pretty good range of devices. Support worked with me until I was satisfied when I had issues with a specific type of switch.  They changed the design of it because they had issues from many others it sounded like.

They aren't that expensive and work well.  Not sure if they are up to the aesthetic likings of you and your family, but something to look into.

[lilyoyo1]

8 hours ago, danbutter said:

I don't know if I have 20 different brands, but I do have quite a few different ones.  One company doesn't make all the types of devices that I use.  

For example...I use a homeseer floodlight...only one who makes one that I have seen.  

I have tried many kinds and the one I have been overall impressed with is zooz.

They have a pretty good range of devices. Support worked with me until I was satisfied when I had issues with a specific type of switch.  They changed the design of it because they had issues from many others it sounded like.

They aren't that expensive and work well.  Not sure if they are up to the aesthetic likings of you and your family, but something to look into.

I've messed around with zooz. They're low cost devics and it shows in how they feel  to the touch and when operated.

It's great for those who simply want something that simply works. Someone who puts as much emphasis on aesthetics and style as they do performance probably won't like them

Edited December 7, 2021 by lilyoyo1

[io_guy]

Maybe I'm the odd one out here but I chose Zooz because of their asthestics and feel.  

- I hate the multiple LEDs that Insteon or Homeseer Zwave give.  Zooz gives a single tiny LED that I can customize for notifications if I want. 

-  To me the Zen77 is way more solid feeling than Insteon.

- Also drove to them by their slim depth and terminals for easy install. 

- GE have this size too but they never update their firmware.

- Added bonus of ZW700 and price.  

 

[lilyoyo1]

3 hours ago, io_guy said:

Maybe I'm the odd one out here but I chose Zooz because of their asthestics and feel.  

- I hate the multiple LEDs that Insteon or Homeseer Zwave give.  Zooz gives a single tiny LED that I can customize for notifications if I want. 

-  To me the Zen77 is way more solid feeling than Insteon.

- Also drove to them by their slim depth and terminals for easy install. 

- GE have this size too but they never update their firmware.

- Added bonus of ZW700 and price.  

 

I agree with what you said when it comes to insteon and other zwave devices like homeseer's. Insteon has grown long in the tooth. That's expected with the look being over 10 years old. 

 

[upstatemike]

I am puzzled by the notion of a light switch's appearance getting "long in the tooth". I have switches from the 1940s that still look fine to me. I can't imagine changing them just because I suddenly feel they have gone out of style.

[larryllix]

I am puzzled by the notion of a light switch's appearance getting "long in the tooth". I have switches from the 1940s that still look fine to me. I can't imagine changing them just because I suddenly feel they have gone out of style.

I was thinking of moving to Europe so my lightswitches look more normal again.


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[lilyoyo1]

22 minutes ago, upstatemike said:

I am puzzled by the notion of a light switch's appearance getting "long in the tooth". I have switches from the 1940s that still look fine to me. I can't imagine changing them just because I suddenly feel they have gone out of style.

Looks are based on ones perspective. While a 1940 switch may look fine to you, others may not share that same sentiment. Even if i didn't automate, I would use some type of decora style switch because toggle switches are ugly to me. 

While paddle switches share a classic look that allows them to age well, many have a desire to take their home to a different level which means looking at the little details. This is increased when you include HA as people want to experience it from top to bottom. I'm one of those people. I don't want to just live in my home. I want it to be an experience similar to one you have when house hunting and you see a new home. 

Thats how insteon has grown long in the tooth. When you look at newer switch designs such as the Lutron Sunnata line (RA3) or even their own Nokia line, the insteon switches simply look dated. 

[upstatemike]

I guess my problem is that I don't care for the look of "new" homes. Anything less than 100 years old is just an eyesore to me, but to each their own. I do agree that Sunnata switches are a big improvement over the Maestro style though. (No opinion on Nokia until they actually become available... later this year?)

[larryllix]

I guess my problem is that I don't care for the look of "new" homes. Anything less than 100 years old is just an eyesore to me, but to each their own. I do agree that Sunnata switches are a big improvement over the Maestro style though. (No opinion on Nokia until they actually become available... later this year?)

What kind of solenoids do you use to operate the mechanical pushbuttons for your knob and tube style lightswitches?


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[upstatemike]

28 minutes ago, larryllix said:

What kind of solenoids do you use to operate the mechanical pushbuttons for your knob and tube style lightswitches?


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There is nothing wrong with knob and tube wiring as long as it is properly maintained. Switchbot makes a good selection of home automation solenoids.

[larryllix]

There is nothing wrong with knob and tube wiring as long as it is properly maintained. Switchbot makes a good selection of home automation solenoids.

Just a joke but knob and tube has been outlawed in Canada now. No more maintenance or further installation.
You touch it...you take it out. Mostly insurance company enforced.

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[lilyoyo1]

1 hour ago, larryllix said:

Just a joke but knob and tube has been outlawed in Canada now. No more maintenance or further installation.
You touch it...you take it out. Mostly insurance company enforced.

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This applies in the US as well

[upstatemike]

Probably outlawed by the same geniuses who approved the use of Aluminum house wiring in the 70's.

[larryllix]

46 minutes ago, upstatemike said:

Probably outlawed by the same geniuses who approved the use of Aluminum house wiring in the 70's.

Yeah, I got stuck with that aluminum wiring in one house, years back.  Bad stuff back then but it is still approved here and has better connections to make it work. The brittle factor was never resolved and I would avoid it like the plague now...hmmmm maybe pandemic now?

The electrical distribution grids still use aluminum mostly now. ACSR = aluminum conductors, steel reinforced. A few strands of steel down the middle for strength and aluminum outside strands, where the higher currents travel, anyway.

Edited December 7, 2021 by larryllix

[upstatemike]

14 minutes ago, larryllix said:

The brittle factor was never resolved and I would avoid it like the plague now...hmmmm maybe pandemic now?

Aluminum house wiring was the Omicron of it's time and it never went away so...

[io_guy]

I remember when this forum used to be very good at staying on topic and technical...  Oh well.