Insteon Device Selection is Dismal in Canada

[mmb]

My brother was going to purchase a plug-in dimmer module for his bedroom but after checking online has basically determine there is nothing left in Canada in the Insteon line aside from a few styles of wall switches.

He asked me what his options are and I suggested ZWave as a possibility but he would have to purchase the ZWave module for his ISY 994.

He was curious to know if the experience is relatively seamless to install and run a new ZWave device on the ISY with the ZWave module as it was with the Insteon devices.

I have no clue so I thought maybe the forum members can chime in with their experience.

Has anyone installed the ZWave module on their ISY? 

How is the ZWave device experience? 

Is the ISY/ZWave compatibility good or are there gotchas that he should know about?

Edited December 6, 2021 by mmb

[oberkc]

There may be a few tricks to the z-wave "inclusion" process, but they are relatively easy to learn and, once included, z-wave works quite well based upon my experience.  I understand z-wave is a mesh-type system and may require multiple devices, depending upon how far away the z-wave device is from the ISY.  Sometimes, a device has to be included close by before installation in the final location.  Factory reset of the z-wave device is a good idea, like with Insteon.

I will add, too, that z-wave works best as a responder device than as a controller.  Outlets, and plug-in modules work quite well in scenes and programs.  Controller devices (such as wall switches) have some potential issues with programs and scenes, but there are possible work-arounds depending upon which z-wave controller device you have.

I would definitely give one a shot.

[upstatemike]

Some thoughts on Z-Wave vs Insteon:

Z-Wave has a pretty good variety of devices from bulbs to keypads to switches to plug-in modules to wire-in modules. Insteon used to have all of these but as you noted the selection is rapidly drying up.

Insteon is pretty logical in handling associations/groups/scenes using the same basic mechanism to accomplish the requirements of each. Z-Wave has some limited "line-of'site" association ability for very small groups of devices. Z-Wave scenes are kind of hit and miss and a lot of folks skip them and just replicate that function with "then" statements in a program.

Insteon is a broadcast protocol that is pretty resilient in the face of topology changes. Z-Wave is a routed protocol that can struggle with topology changes. Also if the routing info gets scrambled it can be time consuming to get things sorted out.

Insteon generally lets you work with program objects that represent each button or load. Z-Wave has you monitoring the changes to a Central Scene and pushing coded parameter values to accomplish things. 

You can replicate most (not all) insteon functionality with Z-Wave but there is definitely a learning curve and you will encounter the term "work around" a lot.

 

 

[mmb]

Thanks, the responses seem to indicate that the user interface is somehow different for ZWave than the standard ISY/Insteon interface to deal with "changes to Central Scene" and "workarounds"?

Is this the case?

He's considering the ZWave 500 module for the ISY and a Zwave plug-in dimmer module.

 

[lilyoyo1]

2 hours ago, mmb said:

Thanks, the responses seem to indicate that the user interface is somehow different for ZWave than the standard ISY/Insteon interface to deal with "changes to Central Scene" and "workarounds"?

Is this the case?

He's considering the ZWave 500 module for the ISY and a Zwave plug-in dimmer module.

 

I'd recommend he/you read the zwave tips and tricks at the top of the zwave forum so that you have an understanding of how zwave works

[mmb]

11 hours ago, lilyoyo1 said:

I'd recommend he/you read the zwave tips and tricks at the top of the zwave forum so that you have an understanding of how zwave works

Thanks, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

[brians]

I have not found a z-wave switch as nice as an Insteon switch but in Canada they do not seem available and I do not feel like spending $120 per switch after exchange and import fees. A couple years ago I would buy them as needed off amazon for around $75 CAD. However I have just got a few GE Enbrighten (Jasco) and these are very nice and inexpensive at $58 CAD. I can do double/triple tap for scene control on each button. Am able to set parameter to turn LED off at night eg. if in a bedroom and don't want to see green LED - still not as nice as Insteon but I am sorta fed up with Insteon and their reliability issues.

I am purchasing Z-Wave switches to change out my failing Insteon (I have lots and am original Insteon purchaser with many old single band failing switches) and will move good working Insteon around to areas as needed, where I want the Insteon look, and replace other areas in home with Z-wave.

To answer OP original question, I have a couple different dimmers... one is Leviton dimmer which works good and I have paired with a keypadlinc button in a scene and acts just like an Insteon device (except it needs the controller to "fake" it whereas Insteon once paired can continue to work without a controller). The other I have in bedroom is a superior unit...  ZLINK ZL-PD-100

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07DFRF4FM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have it also linked with keypadlinc button and can dim/brighten.

Both units can set on level, ramp rate etc. and can turn off LED when unit is off.

Can set the % brightness and fade rate in scenes also just like Insteon... They have done a good job making Z-Wave work seamlessly with Insteon devices in scenes and seems as responsive when controlling from another switch.

Surprisingly I still have an original lamplinc dimmer that works which I control with an Insteon relay.

I also have many z-wave plug-in outlets to control things like non-dimable lamps, ornaments, xmas trees etc.