(1) The only reason bought my original isy over 25 years ago for the purpose of creating/maintaining my Insteon network. It’s the only method (I’m aware of) to link switches together, set ramp rates, dim level, etc.

(2) Since then I’ve been using it to replace dead switches. A (mostly) simple process, but has some infuriating quirks you must follow. Still, the best way to replace dead switches.

(3) I never meant to use the isy as a SmartHome hub, but with the advent of smart speakers, the isy portal and HomeAssistant I started using it to simulate the results of pressing a light switch using GoogleHome/HomeAssistant.

Throughout the years, Universal Devices has released several (how many) successors to the ISY. I never upgraded became functions 1-3 are all I need. In addition, I really dislike the Java interface that each version inherits. So I wasn’t thrilled with the thought of shelling out a few hundred bucks to get no new Insteon functionality, and had all of the same flaws of the product I’m currently using.

Right now, I’m unsure of the technical problem I’m having with my Insteon devices. Maybe upgrading might help. Or maybe going the ebay route is the better approach. I can imagine getting so frustrated that I want to rip everything out and start over. But that’s a waste of resources. I just want to maintain what I have.

But what’s scaring me the most is the fear of doing an upgrade, only to find out a crucial feature like “swap Insteon device” didn’t get ported over. I’m sure I’m not the only person who argued with themselves over doing an upgrade. Am I right to be skeptical?

UD is building a browser based configuration tool now that is hosted directly on polisy and eisy. Every month or so they release a new version that adds another layer of control, but it is not a full replacement yet. Also, UD mobile (Android/Iphone app) hosts many configuration features.

Eisy and I think policy allow you to add the newer insteon i3 products. If switches die and/or you want to add i3 devices, their not fully supported in the 994.

I would do an eisy or eisyR2. The Polisy is no longer sold and I recently received a UDI update email. The Polisy is now in the Maintenance phase.

Rest assured, none of the Insteon administration features have been removed.

On 1/17/2026 at 11:12 PM, HTTRC said:

Right now, I’m unsure of the technical problem I’m having with my Insteon devices.

Maybe describe some of your issues you're having and people here can help identify if this is an Insteon issue or an ISY994 issue.

On 1/17/2026 at 11:12 PM, HTTRC said:

But what’s scaring me the most is the fear of doing an upgrade, only to find out a crucial feature like “swap Insteon device” didn’t get ported over.

As @apostolakisl mentioned above there's a new "eisy_ui" in the works that is browser based. So far it's still being worked on and developed. For the time being the tried and true java admin console access remains available and works just like it has for the ISY994. However, I might expect that "replace device" might be a late addition to the web interface. There's no ability there currently, but I too hope that it would become available before completely shelving the Java access. This one ability alone has helped so many through the years as old Insteon devices fail and are replaced.

Sadly, if you are replacing old devices with "new" i3 devices from Insteon the only way to fully support those would be with the current eisy r2 (and eisy or Polisy, but these devices are not currently being offered and Polisy has changed to end of life - basically - with no further os updates).

On 1/17/2026 at 11:12 PM, HTTRC said:

I really dislike the Java interface that each version inherits. So I wasn’t thrilled with the thought of shelling out a few hundred bucks to get no new Insteon functionality, and had all of the same flaws of the product I’m currently using.

This is in the eyes of the beholder. Many others have relied on the Java interface for ages (many more that don't post here because they don't have issues and thus don't need to post here). My only hope is the new web ui has the same abilities as the tried and true java admin console. It's certainly been growing pains while it's being developed.

On 1/17/2026 at 11:12 PM, HTTRC said:

(1) The only reason bought my original isy over 25 years ago for the purpose of creating/maintaining my Insteon network. It’s the only method (I’m aware of) to link switches together, set ramp rates, dim level, etc.

(2) Since then I’ve been using it to replace dead switches. A (mostly) simple process, but has some infuriating quirks you must follow. Still, the best way to replace dead switches.

(3) I never meant to use the isy as a SmartHome hub, but with the advent of smart speakers, the isy portal and HomeAssistant I started using it to simulate the results of pressing a light switch using GoogleHome/HomeAssistant.

Throughout the years, Universal Devices has released several (how many) successors to the ISY. I never upgraded became functions 1-3 are all I need. In addition, I really dislike the Java interface that each version inherits. So I wasn’t thrilled with the thought of shelling out a few hundred bucks to get no new Insteon functionality, and had all of the same flaws of the product I’m currently using.

Right now, I’m unsure of the technical problem I’m having with my Insteon devices. Maybe upgrading might help. Or maybe going the ebay route is the better approach. I can imagine getting so frustrated that I want to rip everything out and start over. But that’s a waste of resources. I just want to maintain what I have.

But what’s scaring me the most is the fear of doing an upgrade, only to find out a crucial feature like “swap Insteon device” didn’t get ported over. I’m sure I’m not the only person who argued with themselves over doing an upgrade. Am I right to be skeptical?

On 1/17/2026 at 11:12 PM, HTTRC said:

(1) The only reason bought my original isy over 25 years ago for the purpose of creating/maintaining my Insteon network. It’s the only method (I’m aware of) to link switches together, set ramp rates, dim level, etc.

(2) Since then I’ve been using it to replace dead switches. A (mostly) simple process, but has some infuriating quirks you must follow. Still, the best way to replace dead switches.

(3) I never meant to use the isy as a SmartHome hub, but with the advent of smart speakers, the isy portal and HomeAssistant I started using it to simulate the results of pressing a light switch using GoogleHome/HomeAssistant.

Throughout the years, Universal Devices has released several (how many) successors to the ISY. I never upgraded became functions 1-3 are all I need. In addition, I really dislike the Java interface that each version inherits. So I wasn’t thrilled with the thought of shelling out a few hundred bucks to get no new Insteon functionality, and had all of the same flaws of the product I’m currently using.

Right now, I’m unsure of the technical problem I’m having with my Insteon devices. Maybe upgrading might help. Or maybe going the ebay route is the better approach. I can imagine getting so frustrated that I want to rip everything out and start over. But that’s a waste of resources. I just want to maintain what I have.

But what’s scaring me the most is the fear of doing an upgrade, only to find out a crucial feature like “swap Insteon device” didn’t get ported over. I’m sure I’m not the only person who argued with themselves over doing an upgrade. Am I right to be skeptical?

Whether upgrading will fix your issues depends on your issues. From a pure controller/programming standpoint, it probably won't since performance shouldn't change unless you've made changes or devices are going bad. From a connection standpoint between the isy and HA, you could have issues that would be addressed by upgrading. Since you'd be using pg2 which is not supported (nor is your isy) updates could have been made to HA and other devices which could potentially be causing issues. Since no details were given, there's not much we can say.

There is new instruction functionality with the new systems in regard to being able to control insteons latest and greatest. Since old insteon devices don't have anything new added, there's no functions to add.

It's really not our place to say whether you're right or wrong. I look at it more as a situation on wether or not you want to have a more modern setup or continue with what you have now. Personally, I only upgrade when there's a compelling reason to. Either my system has died and I need a new one or there has been a noticeable change that enhances my experience. There's a huge difference in processing programs with the eisy2 vs isy994. I last used polisy and I was shocked at the difference in speed when it came to devices triggering. I can only imagine the jump from eisy2 compared to isy994. Just basing that off my polisy experience, and yes, that alone is worth a few hundred bucks. Heads up, swapping devices has never changed. You can still swap like for like devices (2477d for 2477d).

I'm not sure of previous flaws unless you're talking about Java only. Java doesn't bother me personally. Not all new shiny things are better than older stuff. Java gets the job done. If I had to run it 24/7 it would probably matter more. However, to program every so often knowing if I never open the interface again, it'll continue to work; matters much more. When I look at programming HA or habitat vs UDIs java interface, I'd take their programming anytime. Especially since the underlying system itself is rock solid.