App. that can control light switches in your house?

[mpenda]

There's another control system called "z-wave". It works differently than Insteon, and is more reliable. You can use a controller like Vera (from micasaverde.com) to control the devices. Its a wireless router/controller (very low power consumption). Vera can control lights, locks, heat, A/C, blinds, etc. and there's an iPhone app and a Droid app (Home Buddy).

 

[codemonkey2k5]

Yep theres Zwave, but unfortunatly it's creater Zigby is not doing so well. Insteon now has the same Mesh network as Zwave and it is less than half the cost. It also has about 30 times as many different modules to choose from including wireless occupancy sensors (to turn lights on and off when you enter a room or trigger events like "I See you are home, let me play your voice messages for you").

Check this out: SmartLinc - INSTEON Central Controller - Smarthome Yah it shows an Iphone but it is for web enabled phones.

I don't use this, I use HAL by Automated Living, there is also HomeSeer but I am not a fan of that software.

Regards,
CM

 

[DavesDroid]

There was a post that stated x-10 was crap. I would like to refute that claim. I have been using x-10 very successfully for about 15 years. I'm using a home base controller and yes, I may have a off / on failure once every 3-4 months but I'm very happy with it. Insteon may be it's successor but it's extremely expensive in my opinion. For what the post is worth.

 

[lhfarm]

I am a fan of and user of HomeSeer (www.homeseer.com) since the early 90s. There is an app in the Marketplace called DroidSeer that works through HomeSeer directly (i.e. not through the Web). But as codemonkey2k5 points out, there are lots of hardware and software options out there. You can spend a few hundred bucks or thousands.

I've use home automation to run/monitor a weekend home since the late 80s. Sort of like having a Droid - you don't know how you ever lived without it.

Barry

 

[codemonkey2k5]

X10 works fine for some. I used it for years, but when it starts to go bad, it goes really bad. The bigest problem is that it is way more suseptable to environmental issues or your neighbor using x10 (yes filters can fix that issue).

The best advice is to do your homework. Different things work for different people.
The few false on/offs depending on what they contol can be a real problem. Say for instance your garage door. The newer tech doesnt have that issue.

Hey Berry, I totally agree! Life would now seem empty and quite primitive without my automation. I didnt know that HomeSeer had a droid app out. Thats cool. The Automated living folks are working on one for Hal now.

CM

 

[Tomoid]

I have been using x-10 for a long time with ActiveHomePro on my computer and now use phonemypc on my Droid to access ActiveHomePro. It would be nice to have an app that would directly work the x-10 devices but I can still controll using this workaround. Friends I show thinks its way cool..

 

[SGTiger]

The tech that you are looking for is Insteon, Zwave, UPB or X10 (please do not use x10 unless you have to as it is crap!

Can you be more specific regarding your objection to the X10 products?

 

[codemonkey2k5]

Well, first a bit of history...
X10 was developed in 1975 a 17 year old in Scotland. It works by asigning each all of the devices in your home a home code (a-m) then each device gets a device code (1-8) You can run multiple house codes in your home but a device can not interact with another device that is not in the same house code.

Devices speak to each other by transmitting a (ONEWAY) message through your electrical lines to each other. So if you send a device A-1 on signal the light with house code "A" and device code "1" will turn on. But there is no status returned so you have no error correction or confirmation of transaction. The other problem is that with X10 you have about an 75 % chance that a tv, florecent light or some other device plugged in to your home power will either not work or turn on/off when not wanted.

Now with Insteon, every additional device you add makes the system more reliable. All traffic is 2 way so if you turn a device on it will report that it did indeed turn on. If it didnt the signal will be sent again. Also the Insteon addresses are a 6 digit alpha numeric. Example: A1BE15
This removes the limitation of how many devices you can have in your home.

So to summorize, X10 = headache and frustration
Insteon = 100% satisfaction!

CM

 

[SGTiger]

Well, first a bit of history...
X10 was developed in 1975 a 17 year old in Scotland. It works by asigning each all of the devices in your home a home code (a-m) then each device gets a device code (1-8) You can run multiple house codes in your home but a device can not interact with another device that is not in the same house code.

Devices speak to each other by transmitting a (ONEWAY) message through your electrical lines to each other. So if you send a device A-1 on signal the light with house code "A" and device code "1" will turn on. But there is no status returned so you have no error correction or confirmation of transaction. The other problem is that with X10 you have about an 75 % chance that a tv, florecent light or some other device plugged in to your home power will either not work or turn on/off when not wanted.

Now with Insteon, every additional device you add makes the system more reliable. All traffic is 2 way so if you turn a device on it will report that it did indeed turn on. If it didnt the signal will be sent again. Also the Insteon addresses are a 6 digit alpha numeric. Example: A1BE15
This removes the limitation of how many devices you can have in your home.

So to summorize, X10 = headache and frustration
Insteon = 100% satisfaction!

CM

Thanks, that makes sense. Is setting up a home (generally speaking) much more expensive with Insteon than X10?

 

[FunN4Lo]

I was just at a home builder vendor show. A booth was promoting a security/ light control system that worked with an iPhone app. I stood and listen to their shtick. It was amazing how many other people listening thought all you needed was a free app.

 

[christim]

perhaps Droid Does?

autom8 - home automation for Android -- ok for x10 fans, perhaps not for others.

 

[dragonfly1113]

perhaps Droid Does?

autom8 - home automation for Android -- ok for x10 fans, perhaps not for others.

This is pretty damn neat, hmmmm do i get x10 now? or wait til something else comes out? hmmmm

 

[mpenda]

I agree with Codemonkey for the most part. I had X-10 for a long time, and it drove me crazy. Insteon was much better, but still would not reliably act on commands. I ripped it out and installed Z-Wave products (which, by the way, are made by a wide variety of companies) and its rock solid. Its been in place now for 8 months and not a single miss. I set my heat, if my Internet connection goes down it automatically resets my modem and then sends me an SMS message to tell me. It tells me if my garage doors open, or if my camera senses motion, etc.

 

[codemonkey2k5]

Well, first a bit of history...
X10 was developed in 1975 a 17 year old in Scotland. It works by asigning each all of the devices in your home a home code (a-m) then each device gets a device code (1-8) You can run multiple house codes in your home but a device can not interact with another device that is not in the same house code.

Devices speak to each other by transmitting a (ONEWAY) message through your electrical lines to each other. So if you send a device A-1 on signal the light with house code "A" and device code "1" will turn on. But there is no status returned so you have no error correction or confirmation of transaction. The other problem is that with X10 you have about an 75 % chance that a tv, florecent light or some other device plugged in to your home power will either not work or turn on/off when not wanted.

Now with Insteon, every additional device you add makes the system more reliable. All traffic is 2 way so if you turn a device on it will report that it did indeed turn on. If it didnt the signal will be sent again. Also the Insteon addresses are a 6 digit alpha numeric. Example: A1BE15
This removes the limitation of how many devices you can have in your home.

So to summorize, X10 = headache and frustration
Insteon = 100% satisfaction!

CM

Thanks, that makes sense. Is setting up a home (generally speaking) much more expensive with Insteon than X10?

Go to www.smarthome.com they sell Z-wave, insteon, and x10. Look at the prices. EDIT: Just to clarify, the set up cost is just the cost of the devices unless you hired someone to install them. So what you pay for the parts is the setup cost. There arent any additional set-up costs.

Insteon is more expensive then x10 but do you want crap that was designed in the 70's in your house. You get what you pay for.


Insteon UPB and Zwave are all very reliable. I have used sold and tested all of them. Non of them false or have any reliablity issues. (if you had problmes with insteon then you either go in on version 1 which sucked but no longer exists or you are really unlucky!)

Why do I choose Insteon? go to the website and look at the difference in choices you have. It's not just light switches and outlets. Theres, sensors, wireless sensors, IR, HVAC, ALARM... it goes on and on. Insteon is the only choice that has a module for that. Zwave and UPB are so far behind that it's rediculous. Sure their products work awesome. But Z-wave is the most expensive of the 3 and only has about 4 device choices. UPB is 2nd most expensive and has a few more.

The above is my opinion based on about 14 years in the industry. Take it or leave it.
Also I think I should add that I do not work for or have any affiliation with smarthome or automated living other than the fact that I shop there and like there products.

CM

 

[butch350]

You can download the, "Clapper App", in the market place.