Potencial Buyer - Hesitant Buyer

Community Playground General Discussions
1

Hello All,

I’ve read some good reviews on the Vera controller and few bad opinions.

I’m in doubt to buy a Vera 3 Lite, just because from what I’ve read we aren’t able to control it directly, only through the MiCasaVerde Servers. Does this make sense?

We are limit to 1 sms per day (or month…I’ve read both version), also limited on e-mail, etc. Is there any work around this? Don’t you guys feel the need of sms/emails?

Regards,
Johny

2

Understand your hesitance as I would likely feel the same if I was newly introduced to these forums. It is true that Vera has had a few growing pains, but as a long time user, and owner of every version on the market, I can sincerely say Vera has been exteremly useful, and about the most fun I’ve ever had from a gadget. Also I’ve have had mostly solid function from her (yes she is frustrating at times but worth it just like the other woman in my life! lol). The current trouble is that the introduction of a new UI has brought a few problems to sort out, and though MCV is hard at correcting same there have been some understandable frustrations. The items you mention, however, I do not see as problems at all.
Your first concern is whether one can run Vera without MCV’s servers, and the answer is yes if one has the technical skills needed, however for most of us my question would be why? The service MCV is offering for FREE (may change in the future) is valuable enough that every other home automation service is charging a monthly fee for it. When I read posts about this complaining like they are holding us hostage I find it ironic. One can always switch to another less capable product and pay the monthly fee if desired. ???

The second concern you have is misinformation, the official limit is 20 per day and (if I understand correctly) there is a future plan to offer higher levels for a small fee. But as it stands now I do not believe that any real limit is being enforced, and there are ways (search forums) to use your own resources for these. I use sms and email alerts for several conditions and though there have been some temporary service outages they have been mostly quite reliable. I am not on MCV’s payroll and am a vocal critic when things need attention, but overall I can highly recommend this product. Cheers!
Paul

3

Answer to question 1:

You can control Vera directly on the local network. There is no need to access MCV’s remote servers for local access. For remote access, you can use their remote servers or you can use multiple remote access options you can setup yourself via, ssh, vpn, etc.

  • Garrett
4

i too agree that the Vera is a very good purchase.
I bought it two weeks ago and it is value for money. It does what i want it to do.
I understand that there may always be small trouble and after the user interface upgrade there are still some issues but i really admire suppliers like Vera that put in efforts to continously improve their product and pay attention to forums like these.

To my opinion best buy at this moment and really very flexible in programming and possibilities.

If there is anything you will also get great support from the people here at the forum