matapan Posted December 17, 2011 Posted December 17, 2011 What are the functional differences between the Insteon and X10 motion sensors, beyond the communication reliability aspect of these devices? There's the fact that Insteon motion sensors have a state that can be readily checked, whereas the X10 device does not. But one can accommodate state checking by creating a simple program as a retainer for the X10 motion sensor's state: Motion Sensor On State Check: If X10 'A1/On (3) is received Then Run Program 'A1 Motion Sensor State' (Then Path) Else -- No Actions -- Motion Sensor Off State Check: If X10 'A1/Off (11) is received Then Run Program 'A1 Motion Sensor State' (Else Path) Else -- No Actions -- A1 Motion Sensor State: If -- No Condition -- Then -- No Actions -- Else -- No Actions -- The status of the program 'A1 Motion Sensor State' tracks the motion sensor state - True means the motion was sensed, false means no motion. I know, more work just to track the state of a motion sensor, but the cost differential is pretty big - if you deploy lots of sensors, that's a lot of money. Any real functional advantages of using the Insteon motion sensor?
TJF1960 Posted December 17, 2011 Posted December 17, 2011 I have used both in the past without any issues. The newest rev Insteon can be set for sending an On command with every motion detection which would be better for occupancy sensing. Not so sure it would be good for power line comm. though, but I haven't heard of any complaints.
Teken Posted December 17, 2011 Posted December 17, 2011 What are the functional differences between the Insteon and X10 motion sensors, beyond the communication reliability aspect of these devices? There's the fact that Insteon motion sensors have a state that can be readily checked, whereas the X10 device does not. But one can accommodate state checking by creating a simple program as a retainer for the X10 motion sensor's state: Motion Sensor On State Check: If X10 'A1/On (3) is received Then Run Program 'A1 Motion Sensor State' (Then Path) Else -- No Actions -- Motion Sensor Off State Check: If X10 'A1/Off (11) is received Then Run Program 'A1 Motion Sensor State' (Else Path) Else -- No Actions -- A1 Motion Sensor State: If -- No Condition -- Then -- No Actions -- Else -- No Actions -- The status of the program 'A1 Motion Sensor State' tracks the motion sensor state - True means the motion was sensed, false means no motion. I know, more work just to track the state of a motion sensor, but the cost differential is pretty big - if you deploy lots of sensors, that's a lot of money. Any real functional advantages of using the Insteon motion sensor? What is the cost for the X10 motion sensors?
Brian H Posted December 18, 2011 Posted December 18, 2011 They use to be real cheap but things are changing. From some web posts. X10 has closed their China Plant and most devices are slowly going out of stock or discontinued. Though on Facebook that claim the stuff is just out of stock not discontinued. Prices at EBay dealers have jumped dramatically. Though some must have gotten some added stock as the prices have gone down slightly. X10 Motion sensors are in the $13.00 to $20.00 range when I just looked. They where higher. Also if you ever brave going to the X10 sales site. You will see over 75% of the offering are now third party stuff. Like a 10" and 7" Tablet along with third party cameras and doorbells. That maybe one of the reasons Smarthome has again started to sell their own brand X10 modules.
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