http://www.cepro.com/article/lutron_rf_could_disrupt_z-wave_in_low-cost_home_automation/
Just to be clear, as I struggled to understand that article, the new “low cost” Caséta equipment is NOT Z-Wave. (Correct me if I misunderstood.) The article is suggesting that it might be a threat to Z-Wave devices because of its new “low price”, but it is a completely proprietary(to Lutron) wireless technology.
I think that the industry is trying to redefine affordable and low price. But, it’s not working for me. $40 to $100 switches are not low priced and are only affordable to a fairly small group of the upper-middle-class and beyond. For the majority of Americans(at least) these switches are ludicrously priced and completely unjustifiable.
You would want it that way if you were Lutron, it is good for their business.
Buy in with a device that is under $200 and then sell them your
devices.
Looks like their security dealers have fed back that the initial cost of the controllers were preventing them from competing in that side of the house.
I would guess that many folks considering home automation, with so many options from which to choose, are likely to have access to Google and can research and compare.
This is all good, plus it makes me feel a lot better about getting onto the more open z-wave platform. 
Paradox encountered. My head just exploded.
I have a hard time believing that one manufacturer is going to be successful ‘disrupting’ the HA market.
One proprietary protocol vs. the Z-wave Alliance. (not to mention other older systems still on the market)
Remember when Sony built the superior Betamax when everyone else was selling VHS? Maybe you don’t, that’s the point…
Don’t disagree with anyone’s points made here, but people are overlooking that they will have an open API to allow integration with other platforms/devices.
The point being that people/the industry are finally “getting it”. More and more initiatives will have open APIs, meaning, that Vera keeps losing its once sought out “edge” over the competition. And Lutron is not some newly formed Kickstarter campaign with promises of delivery. They have the money, knowledge and distribution channels to actually launch products.
-TC
[quote=“TC1, post:6, topic:180656”]Don’t disagree with anyone’s points made here, but people are overlooking that they will have an open API to allow integration with other platforms/devices.
The point being that people/the industry are finally “getting it”. More and more initiatives will have open APIs, meaning, that Vera keeps losing its once sought out “edge” over the competition. And Lutron is not some newly formed Kickstarter campaign with promises of delivery. They have the money, knowledge and distribution channels to actually launch products.
-TC[/quote]
Definitely, and the name will probably attract a lot of people to them as well.
On the plus side, this may force the price of z-wave devices down as more and more controllers are being developed that has “multiple” radios that allows the integration of multiple platforms. So there’s no need to be stuck with zwave as you can opt for other platforms that fits your need, and this is just another one that can be added into the mix.
[quote=“NomisR, post:7, topic:180656”][quote=“TC1, post:6, topic:180656”]Don’t disagree with anyone’s points made here, but people are overlooking that they will have an open API to allow integration with other platforms/devices.
The point being that people/the industry are finally “getting it”. More and more initiatives will have open APIs, meaning, that Vera keeps losing its once sought out “edge” over the competition. And Lutron is not some newly formed Kickstarter campaign with promises of delivery. They have the money, knowledge and distribution channels to actually launch products.
-TC[/quote]
Definitely, and the name will probably attract a lot of people to them as well.
On the plus side, this may force the price of z-wave devices down as more and more controllers are being developed that has “multiple” radios that allows the integration of multiple platforms. So there’s no need to be stuck with zwave as you can opt for other platforms that fits your need, and this is just another one that can be added into the mix.[/quote]
Absolutely. All the new controllers out in the big box stores like Lowes, Staples, etc are multi radio. Many of the Kickstarter like devices like Revolv are multi radio. Multi radio support is the future, the question is, does MCV “get it”?
-TC
I don’t think Multi-radio is the future if you want to keep your house from having 4-9 different radio technologies in it. I mean even if it all works without interference, just having to remember how each behaves, is setup, their quirks, etc. I agree that you need expandability, like USB ports for a Zigbee dongle or a gateway like the box Tahoma uses from Bulogics which has expansion slots.
CEPro seems to be waging a war with DIY HA (Z-Wave especially), or its just that they are trying to defend and promote the many HA Installer and Dealers that see DIY HA as competition to their insanely over complicated, expensive, obsolete-tomorrow systems. Either way it is stupid and confusing to write articles like that, also known as “click bait”. There is only like a staff of 3 over there it seems and they all have this agenda. Anything “could” happen, but what is more likely to happen is that there is plenty of HA market to go around. I agree that people who go down the proprietary technology route will most definitely be disappointed, then come here asking for a better option.
[quote=“shady, post:9, topic:180656”]I don’t think Multi-radio is the future if you want to keep your house from having 4-9 different radio technologies in it. I mean even if it all works without interference, just having to remember how each behaves, is setup, their quirks, etc. I agree that you need expandability, like USB ports for a Zigbee dongle or a gateway like the box Tahoma uses from Bulogics which has expansion slots.
CEPro seems to be waging a war with DIY HA (Z-Wave especially), or its just that they are trying to defend and promote the many HA Installer and Dealers that see DIY HA as competition to their insanely over complicated, expensive, obsolete-tomorrow systems. Either way it is stupid and confusing to write articles like that, also known as “click bait”. There is only like a staff of 3 over there it seems and they all have this agenda. Anything “could” happen, but what is more likely to happen is that there is plenty of HA market to go around. I agree that people who go down the proprietary technology route will most definitely be disappointed, then come here asking for a better option.[/quote]
I think the point about multiple radio is really just having the option. For people going zwave, i’m sure they would probably stick with zwave because of the mesh network options and they may go with other devices due to whatever reasons they may have. Say, someone grabbed a bunch of Philips Hue light bulbs, they don’t have to suddenly abandon it or run multiple apps just to run a system. And I guess for some strange reason they want to go with Zigbee, they can providing it’s compatible… but simply having an option open is good.
Agree with both Shady and NomisR, the point is to have the option. So even if Vera has a free USB port, the core software still has to have the ability to support Zigbee. If I have a laptop that’s no big deal, plug in my Z-Wave or Zigbee dongle and then load up the appropriate protocol stack driver and application software. Vera tries to accomplish this example in the Insteon support, but some folks complain it’s lame so hence the existence of the Alsteon software?
It’s sad that there is fragmentation in the DIY HA market, I would have went with Insteon, until I found out Z-wave is the preferred protocol for the lock manufacturers. Then you have the smart bulbs with their own protocol. Etc, etc, etc… We as DIY folks need options which includes multiple radio support and open APIs or gateways to link everything together. Because it’s clear that no one product/protocol is going to dominate the market anytime soon.
-TC
Google, perhaps?
I forget that they can see every search for home automation products. So then, who would understand the market better than they would… certainly not me!
Imagine the advantage if you had access to all that information…
Google, perhaps?
I forget that they can see every search for home automation products. So then, who would understand the market better than they would… certainly not me!
Imagine the advantage if you had access to all that information…[/quote]
I’m pretty sure that’s somehow considered an unfair advantage… and perhaps getting the FTC/DOJ involved. I could be wrong. I’m sure the NSA will let me know since they’re reading these messages anyway…
Imagine the advantage if you had access to all that information...
Actually … you have access to all of that information … just use Google!
I can’t see every person in the world’s searches. That’s reserved for Google and the Almighty.
[quote=“RichardTSchaefer, post:14, topic:180656”]
Imagine the advantage if you had access to all that information…
Actually … you have access to all of that information … just use Google![/quote]
Actually, Richard is right. We use the tool all the time.
Hold mah beer and watch this: http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=z-wave
And NSA who’s hacking into Google right at this moment.
sorry
the 3G’s
Government, Google, God
Google, perhaps?
I forget that they can see every search for home automation products. So then, who would understand the market better than they would… certainly not me!
Imagine the advantage if you had access to all that information…[/quote]
I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Google is heading down this route. With their intergration of all different Android services, purchases of Nest and other stuff, they’ll probably look to promote a Google HA protocol that integrates with the Android system, and even Google Now where you can voice active your home with your voice. With things like always listening with MotoX that was introduced, it’s a possibility.