Which lighting switch do you prefer and why? GE switch or evolve. I will be using this for both single and three way applications.
I like the GE/Jasco because they are inexpensive and pretty reliable.
+1 for GE: good range and usually cheaper.
+1 for GE - I have some Intermatic ones as I got a deal on 6 for $100 but the GE ones are far quieter and need less pressure if using the switch itself. Also the GE units are all compatible with the secure protocol used for eg locks.
I have all Evolve switches.
Good quality and 0 issues. They come with a neutral connection which was necessary for me since I have all LEDs. They also support beaming which is important if you want them to repeat encrypted signals for your locks.
If I browse through the board there seem to be some people having issues with the GEs (breaking within a year).
+1 on Evolve…
Flo
If I understood the guys at Automated Outlet today, they were saying that if you are planning on adding a Kwikset Z-wave lock the Evolve switches/dimmers might be a better option than the Intermatics since the Evolve units will do the security beaming that the locks require. I’m not sure if the GE equipment supports the security beaming or not… or if you would even consider adding on the locks at some point, but I figured it was worth mentioning.
I have mostly Intermatic equipment for all my switches and outlets, but I have bought a few Evolve lamp dimmers since I can get them for roughly the same price as the GE lamp dimmers at Automated Outlet.
At first I had some complaints about the evolve in particular with that neutral wire on the dimmers. But it is starting to appear that the Evolve are slightly better.
The GE’s are having tendency to fall off the network and 3 have already failed.
All the evolves stay on the network and no a single failure.
Just my 2 cents 
they do.
I have installed some GE switches and dimmers and are very good…
but leviton I have problems…are difficulty to install with vera3 and no have clear instructions for that and vera3.
and are very expensive.
they do.[/quote]
Do they really?
I heard they have to have a certain type of firmware installed and that older stock might not have the beaming feature enabled???
kinda off topic, but does the LEd constantly light up on the evolve switches and if so, what color?
The LED light up when the switch is off.
Color is green. The LED is not too bright which is a good thing…
Argh! Just had a complaint about her baby spots not coming on. Sure enuff another GE has bought it. Can’t even use the switch and vera thinks its on (and cannot shut it off.)
Also she complained about 3 other lights that were not responding to vera, again GE’s all had fallen off the network. However a heal did cure this but with some interesting results.
Of the 3 lights that “dropped off” 2 of them only came back with 2 stars. 1 in particular has lots of neighbors and is no more than 20 feet from the controller - this is getting interesting.
they do.[/quote]
Do they really?
I heard they have to have a certain type of firmware installed and that older stock might not have the beaming feature enabled???[/quote]
They do; but it does depend on the (firmware) version. It’s my impression they were one of the firsts to have this when devices that require beaming came out. The GE’s that were sold by Radio Shack seem to have been manufactured in late 2009 and support beaming. (There’s some threads, and the Schlage wiki page, on the GE version numbers; I believe key is that the version has a letter suffix, like 2.0a.)
[quote=“turb0, post:7, topic:172899”]At first I had some complaints about the evolve in particular with that neutral wire on the dimmers. But it is starting to appear that the Evolve are slightly better.
The GE’s are having tendency to fall off the network and 3 have already failed.
All the evolves stay on the network and no a single failure.
Just my 2 cents :)[/quote]
I have about a dozen or so GE dimmers and on/off switches, including several 3-way, and going on 2 years without a single problem.
And they definitely support secure beaming. At least the new style (terminals rather than pigtail leads) do. And I wouldn’t buy old stock because the pigtail leads make it hard to fit into a standard box.
+1 For GE - They work well (but beware that they need a neutral connection) Lowes sells them, so I can just go over and pick them up - Just $34 for on/off switch. $44 for three way.
+1 for Evolve. More expensive, but good quality and range.
Not for the dimmers, that was one of the reasons I liked GE/Jasco over Evolve. But now that I’ve put in many of each, the evolves seems to have a bit better reliability factor and the range is good. One thing that I have noticed that does seem to be a problem with the evolves is they get rather hot. I’m not sure why tho, installed on various loads - could be a factory issue?
Hi, Where can you buy the switch for $34? I cannot find them on Lowes, can you help me with that? Thanks
Maybe its just me but I just got a $34 GE switch (on/off) from Lowes.
That thing constantly falls of my network which is driving me crazy!!!
It does not respond to any z-wave commands after a while and the only solution is the air gap switch…
It goes back next week and will be replaced with an Evolve switch… never had an issue with those!
Just my 2 cents…