Home automation users (Z-wave, Insteon, and IP Cameras) - Revolv Beta

[PrivateJoker]

If anyone here currently has an Insteon or Z-Wave based home automation system (also Sonos and Philips Hue are supposed to be supported at release) and also IP Cameras (specifics TBA), check out:

http://revolv.com/

It's a new product, not out yet (I think I read about it on Engadget or one of those kinds of sites a month or two ago) that primarily is geared towards iOS users. I

Anyway the article I read a month or so back said email [email protected] and ask to be put on the Beta waiting list, and today I got an email that said I'm in and I'll be getting a shiny new home automation controller shortly. That's good for me, I'm tired of the one I have (Vera). I just have to give feedback and stuff (as you can see by my generally lengthy, rambling posts, that shouldn't be a problem! ).

I can't say for sure if you'll get it or not, but it can't hurt to drop them an email and tell them what you're running now, and maybe you'll get an email back too. Can't hurt!

 

[stevech]

you guys know about these, right? I've used it for years.

www.homeseer.com

and
http://board.homeseer.com/index.php?

 

[PrivateJoker]

you guys know about these, right? I've used it for years.

www.homeseer.com

and
http://board.homeseer.com/index.php?

Yes, I've heard of them, but good to let others know there are multiple home automation places out there, and Homeseer has been around awhile. I've been using MiCasaVerde for a couple years and have around 20-25ish z-wave devices. Their forums are great, especially if you can write scripts in this Lua programming language (side note, please contact me if you can ).

I'm looking forward to trying the Revolv device out though, especially at the price of free.

Also Amazon opened a special "home automation store" this month and added lots more devices on their site of various home automation standards. That's cool with me because I like buying from Amazon (prime free ship, great return policy). I've read a couple articles about how/why they're doing it too, a good one was on CEPro here.

 

[stevech]

yeah, HomeSeer's user form is large and has lots of info, topics, examples of things people have done that may not be dependent on the HomeSeer software.

One great part of HomeSeer is their built-in web server. Handles .asp files. Is not a honeypot for hackers since it does not present as Apache or IIS. I've used that web server with VB script and Java Script for years. Of course, the web server has easy to use access to the home automation devices.

I have 8 or so X10 devices that have been in use for years - like outdoor fountains, lights, attic fans, porchlight. Just works. Uses HomeSeer and USB based controller for X10.

Z-wave is silly-expensive in my opinion - $50 for an outlet or switch? Not.

 

[PrivateJoker]

yeah, HomeSeer's user form is large and has lots of info, topics, examples of things people have done that may not be dependent on the HomeSeer software.

One great part of HomeSeer is their built-in web server. Handles .asp files. Is not a honeypot for hackers since it does not present as Apache or IIS. I've used that web server with VB script and Java Script for years. Of course, the web server has easy to use access to the home automation devices.

I have 8 or so X10 devices that have been in use for years - like outdoor fountains, lights, attic fans, porchlight. Just works. Uses HomeSeer and USB based controller for X10.

Z-wave is silly-expensive in my opinion - $50 for an outlet or switch? Not.

Please remember my original post in this thread was to try to help other people score free home automation controllers. . .the average cost I have spent per switch, outlet, etc. is well below $50. . I'm pretty thrifty.

Initially the reason I installed the Vera & Z-wave was because my home is a sort of weird design (90 yrs old or so) with two attics, that don't really connect, and not the best insulation (in wall or attic). I needed to have a system that could run (or be run off) my thermostat, use live weather (temp & humidity) data from weatherunderground, and operate my HVAC, and a standalone (but semi-ducted into HVAC) dehumidifier, and turn on my attic intake fan, attic exhaust gable fan, and turn off (or reduce) other exhaust fans (kitchen hood, bathrooms, etc.). Just that functionality (including thermostat) and all switches was maybe $500ish. The most expensive switches I paid nearly full price for were the Leviton z-wave fan speed controllers, everything else I got great deals on.

It allowed me to do all that, and adjust fan speeds and put timers on things and only trigger them when outdoor temps mandated it.

The indoor humidity in my house has gone from just disgusting (and dripping from most HVAC ducts) to 40-50%ish in the summer, no condensation anywhere.

This was a fix I only figured out through trial and error, and a lot of research, (and rental of a cool fluke air meter) that no HVAC or other tradesperson ever could think of any kind of a cure for.

Then I added a few light switches and other stuff. . .mostly buying contractor packs (6-packs) of stuff on eBay that was being discontinued for a newer model.

I like most of the z-wave architecture, like the fact that all nodes are wireless repeaters for other nodes, a true mesh network, and they are pretty smart about using each other to hop, but it has its downsides too.

 

[stevech]

X10 is old, but $15 per switch/light. So I have so much of that stuff, I use it and it meets the need. They're still selling X10 stuff, to my amazement.

Lots of Z-Wave users, and also Insteon. Homeseer's software is a prominent system for these, and web access, but there are several others of differing sophistication.

 

[F5ing]

X10 stuff was pretty cool. Had about 50+ modules in the last house I owned; most every outlet, light switch, water heater, HVAC, rudimentary alarm system, pool pump and chemical control, etc.

All controlled from an old Win98 computer running ECS control software (it was great at making sure a signal gets through even if the last signal failed). Made for a very user-friendly house. Plus saved a lot in energy costs. Motivation to do all that was the fact that the wife/kids had never learned that there was actually a way to turn stuff off from the same switch they turned it on from.

And it was a ton of fun!