Anybody have experience working with these products?

Personally not a fan of X10 since everything is RF based. I'm not certain but it appears the InsteOn products communicate via the power lines.

Feedback? Ideas?

10/22/2008 6:21:18 PM

x10 is power line based as well

10/22/2008 6:22:50 PM

But isn't X10 not as secure as InsteOn?

I've played with X10 but it was 2000 and my memory is limited.

Most of the modules I'll need will be relay based, really wish there was something I could implement on my own. The components for these systems can't cost much since they sell the start sets so inexpensively.

10/22/2008 6:26:04 PM

security is really a non-issue... it uses your power lines... the one inside your house.

i think pretty much any system is going to have relay modules you can use. you could do something on your own but it would take a lot more work - i doubt it'd be worth it over the cost of a preexisting system

10/22/2008 8:04:52 PM

I use X10 here in the house and it works fine.

The only thing you really need to know is that youll probably need a repeater somewhere in your house to re-broadcast the commands on the other phase of power in your house.

10/22/2008 8:46:19 PM

Wolfmarsh that might be the biggest benefit of InsteOn then because they somehow repeat. That's where my concern comes in, does X10 and InsteOn only use the power system to transmit OR do they use RF in combination with the power grid?

10/23/2008 1:48:43 AM

x10 is purely powerline and isn't a mesh, you have to have repeaters for a large installation

there are some x10 components that allow the use of rf (for remotes and the like) but that's it

insteon is a mesh and uses both powerline and rf.



in summary, insteon is much better than x10... but x10 is much cheaper than insteon.

10/23/2008 2:02:36 AM

Hmm, okay, with that being said, how do you get the system to repeat?

I'd much rather use X10 since they are less than 1/2 the price of X10 modules.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/17/vera-home-automation-system-wants-to-be-the-greenest-of-them-all/

This is what caused me to start thinking about things. I've got a Windows XP box for NAS and iTunes sharing purposes that is always running. I think it might be fun to develop some home automation system that is seamless in the house (read I hate the plug in modules).

10/23/2008 5:00:11 AM

they sell repeater modules that do nothing but repeat

if i recall correctly, some of the 220vac modules (for washers/dryers and the like) also repeat

10/23/2008 11:25:12 AM

You only need one repeater, and they sell it as a module.

For example, I have the base controller hooked up to my home management PC. The base unit transmits all X10 commands over RF and the powerline.

Connected to the other phase of power in the house, I have a repeater hooked up. It is basically the same as the base unit, except its not hooked up to the PC. It transmits all X10 commands from that phase circuit back to the base unit so the base unit can rebroadcast them on its phase circuit. Does that make sense? Im horrible at explaining it.

The two "base units/repeaters" just make sure that the X10 commands on one phase circuit also make it to the other circuit.

They both receive RF commands from the keyfobs, remotes, etc...

I have two remotes that I use. One is a keyfob, and I use that only for seasonal stuff like the christmas tree, outdoor seasonal lighting, etc...

I have like a 10 button remote that I use for daily outdoor use, like the deck lighting, etc..

The home management PC I have set up handles issuing commands during the day for specific things I want to control (pool pump, fish tank lighting, etc..).

I have had issues in the past with X10 modules receiving the commands through power strips, etc.. My suggestion is to buy one of the starter kits and play with it and see what you think. I've enjoyed mine, but I really do consider it more of a toy than an actual way to do home automation (ie, i use it for non-critical applications only).

10/23/2008 1:26:10 PM

Since the few "starter" circuits I'm going to control are on the same breaker as the computer this shouldn't be a problem.

I'm looking around at one of the X10 control modules that takes simple ASCII RS-232 commands, does anybody have some recommendations?

I'll post a parts list later today when I'm back to my hotel (around 3p EDT).

10/24/2008 5:18:57 AM

Oh also, does anybody know the differences between the different "levels" of the X10 units?

I'd like to know which units have two way communication, or do they all? or only the X10 Pro units?

10/24/2008 5:19:46 AM

This thread is very relevant to my interests.

Has anyone ever done anything with ZigBee? (can read about it here http://home.howstuffworks.com/smart-home1.htm) Apparently it uses some IEEE standard and theoretically that could make it more widely supported in the future as opposed to proprietary standards.

Also, I can't find jack shit about security (of the network) for these things. Its like nobody even bothered with it. Anyone know how insecure X10, InsteOn, or ZigBee are?

Quote :

"security is really a non-issue... it uses your power lines... the one inside your house."

I had thought about this, but most houses have external electrical outlets you could plug into. It doesn't seem like it'd be too much of a stretch for someone to walk up to your house and plug into the outdoor outlet while you're on vacation and maybe fuck up your alarm or something so they can more easily break in. Also, could the signal from your X10 devices potentially travel over the lines to a neighbors house?

12/3/2008 9:54:47 PM

Quote :

"Also, could the signal from your X10 devices potentially travel over the lines to a neighbors house?"

Possible, but not likely.

12/3/2008 10:10:02 PM

Quote :

"It doesn't seem like it'd be too much of a stretch for someone to walk up to your house and plug into the outdoor outlet while you're on vacation and maybe fuck up your alarm or something so they can more easily break in."

first, they'd have to know you use X10

second, they'd have to bring an X10 transmitter with them

the chances of these two things happening simultaneously are pretty small, unless someone REALLY wants to break into your house and has been watching you for a while.

12/4/2008 9:35:31 AM