I picked up the Polisy when the Insteon crash happened. Now it looks like I'm having to replace hardware again. I see several versions of eisy. I need the ability to operate and coordinate Insteon devices and Hue lights, have Alexa control them, and that's about it. I honestly haven't found much else to automate. We use an Amazon smart plug for the Christmas tree so I don't have to climb behind it. Is eisy lite good enough for my purposes? I'm still not clear on the interface. How do I add devices by QR code when they are buried in a wall. Do I have to dig them back out if I have a glitch?

@MClark01 ,

You don't need to replace it. Just upgrade the software.

With kind regards,
Michel

Does "Upgrade packages" do this or is there something else? I'm a IoX 6.1.2 right now. When I type eisy.local or the polisy ip into my browser, it says it can't connect.

Please submit a ticket.

With kind regards,
Michel

@MClark01 my situation is much the same as you. I invested in the Polisy during the Insteon crash, but never really got my Polisy off the ground since Insteon came back online relatively soon enough. I always had great intentions of fully migrating to the Polisy as command and control of my home and the number of varying platforms I run, but I find myself today still where I was years ago. I do see where @Michel Kohanim stated above that there was no need to replace it (Polisy) and "just upgrade the software," and in another thread stated, "Polisy and Polisy PRO are also supported while the OS remains on the 14 branch," but I'm not exactly sure how to translate that. My concern is that it means between the lines that although the Polisy survives this major update, but perhaps with some limitations, there really is no future for the product now that eisy is here and built for next-gen technologies. So, if continuing to run Polisy today means sooner than later it will amount to a number of "buts" and "caveats" with regard to capabilities, I'd rather know that now, cut bait and start building on a platform that will carry me through the next 5-10 years. Perhaps I'm reading it wrong, but based on what has been communicated thus far, I'm just not getting a sense there is a long-term path forward for Polisy.

I welcome anybody's clarification and feedback (thoughts, comments, suggestions) all things considered. Thanks.

@michaelrlawrence ,

You definitely have valid points, and it all boils down to your temperament and budget:

1. Don't feel like tinkering with hardware (you need to reflash the SSD) or do some ssh commands -> eisy

2. Budget below $50 -> polisy

3. Your requirements are as they were with 994 (plus plugins) -> polisy

4. You want audio streaming (YouTube + bluetooth) -> eisy

I certainly do not want to discourage you from spending your money here, that said, as a low budget geek myself, I would want to test drive most features on polisy before spending $$$.

With kind regards,
Michel

Great feedback. Appreciate the quick response. For long-term growth potential, I think I'm willing to go above that $50 hard cost budget. As you well know, time is money and that variable cost can mount quickly with tinkering projects such as this. I'm thinking a tried-and-true, plug-and-play that's a little more futureproof might end up saving me money in the long run.

That said, I saw on another thread somewhere that somebody recommended posting to the community and offering their Polisy for sale for those who have other varying interests for the device. If anybody happens to be reading this thread, feel free to reach out to me if you're interested. Offer me a fair price. I'm reinvesting this money back into UD for an eisy. 😉

If you're more geeky, you could also keep that Polisy for testing. I've been doing that and it's been rewarding. Though you sound like you'd just rather have something that's less maintenance.

Yeah, I think so. Being I've done a terrible job of getting the Polisy fully implemented, I'm guessing my time to geek out testing with it will likely never happen. Would rather find it a good home where it'll get the love and attention it deserves. 😄

7 hours ago, michaelrlawrence said:

Would rather find it a good home where it'll get the love and attention it deserves. 😄

Aww, another Polisy not getting the love it needs! I'm running my own little Polisy no-kill shelter here...I have 3 of them! Even funnier is that I went straight from a ISY994i to a eisy, and got the Polisys after, they came up as opportunities (I wanted the ZMatter boards in them). I use them for testing new releases and testing devices. But I understand that some people are more interested in mainly using their controllers, and not necessarily as a hobby. @michaelrlawrence and @MClark01 you should offer them for sale here. Traditionally, people offer their devices in the Coffee Shop section of the forum. Indicate where you're located, how much you want for them, and if they have any extras, like wifi or a ZMatter board. You might make someone else happy.

I will say that getting the Polisy back up and running was a bit of a feat, but Michel was extremely helpful. I've been out of the geek realm for about 25 years. I used to know DOS commands with the best of them, but haven't had the time or inclination to delve into whatever language the ssh thing is. I am curious on the YT streaming thing and the practical use for it. I still haven't been able to figure out what I can do with Polisy/Eisy. So far, it turns on lights with voice commands or time.

@MClark01

Turning on lights based on "time" is great! A solid start. You can use this for your own day-to-day convenience, but also for peace-of-mind / security if you go away travelling.

And voice-commands are helpful - whether you are lazy like me 😂 or your hands are full.

If you want to simply grow your system in gradual steps, I've found that a motion-sensor or two adds a lot. I have one mounted in a stairwell (battery-power Z-Wave; battery lasts ~18months) which brings safety and convenience when descending my stairs with early-winter-morning coffee. And you can add a timer, to turn this light off when movement ceases for something like 20min.

Another motion-sensor I enjoy a lot: my backyard parking. I use a motion sensor to tell when a person or vehicle is present, and I have a couple of 100W LED yardlights mounted on my sheds - the motion detector kicks a program, which also checks if the time is between sunset and sunrise, then I have an outdoor switch module that turns on lighting. Great for unloading the groceries, arriving home from work, heading out to work, etc.

Summary: baby steps. identify convenience, or safety, or security, and add a couple of components now and then. Enjoy the journey. For a modest home system, my ISY994 was sufficient; your Polisy or Eisy will be much more responsive and current/supported.

HTH!

Edited 11 hours ago11 hr by GPritchard

@MClark01 ,

Regarding YouTube streaming, I use it to play different playlists for my mom based on time of day and other events. Audio Player plays and sound file, streams online radio stations, and it can even to text to speech: for instance, hi honey I am home!

With kind regards,
Michel