Use Z-Wave version 3.20 instead of 2.78?

Vera Controllers, Services & Devices Vera Controllers & Cameras
1

I’m about to add 7 new light swithces to my z-wave network - would this be the time to consider upgrading to 3.2 or should I stay put on 2.78?

2

Although I can’t offer much advice on the subject, it would probably help to understand your hardware/firmware status.

See my sig for what I’m running… I never checked or unchecked the “Use Z-Wave version 3.20 instead of 2.78” box, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s been enabled (set to 3.20) since I bought my Vera 2 in May/June, unless a tech did it during a support session without telling me, which I can’t imagine would happen.

3

I am far from an expert on Vera at this point but I can tell you my personal experience. When I purchased my Vera II a few months ago I had nothing but trouble with it and almost returned it for a refund. Finally, after many battles with tech support, I decided to reset the unit to factory defaults and start over. At that point I also changed to 3.20 from 2.78 and have not had any problems with the system since. I don’t know if 3.20 fixed the problems or if the reset to factory defaults and rebuilding my network solved the problems but I’ve been working fine ever since.

4

Can you say specifically what issues you were having? I know little to nothing about the differences between the Z-wave versions; but using the hardware I have listed below, I’ve never encountered anything I could think to attribute to using v3.20.

5

Currently, just a few devices:

Kwikset Door Lock
HAI Omnistat
Motion Sensor
2 light controls (dimmers)
Door/Window lock sensor

I’ll actually have 8 on/off ge light switches getting installed next week

[quote=“DeltaNu1142, post:2, topic:169877”]Although I can’t offer much advice on the subject, it would probably help to understand your hardware/firmware status.

See my sig for what I’m running… I never checked or unchecked the “Use Z-Wave version 3.20 instead of 2.78” box, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s been enabled (set to 3.20) since I bought my Vera 2 in May/June, unless a tech did it during a support session without telling me, which I can’t imagine would happen.[/quote]

6

I’m guessing this was directed to my comments. My issues were many, but boiled down to 2 main issues. First, I would have communications problems with various nodes at various times; not consistently though. The system would report unknown errors so it was impossible to track them down. The other main issue I was having was that every time I lost power I would lose all my GE switches off the network. In other words, when power came back on none of my GE switches would work. They would show up in Vera on the network but you couldn’t communicate with them or configure them. I had to remove them from Vera and then reconnect them before they would work. Happened every time I lost power. Since the reset and move to 3.20 they work fine. Don’t know if 3.20 fixed the issues or if the factory reset fixed them but I just know they are working fine now under 3.20.

7

I’ve heard nothing but awful things about the GE hardware (I worked in their Power Systems division for 6 years, so I feel like I can say that without any bias ;D). I haven’t experienced any of those issues under 3.20.

8

Actually, like most GE consumer products these days, these devices aren’t made by GE. They are made by Jasco and sold under the GE name through, I assume, a license arrangement.

Since changing to 3.20 the GE/Jasco switches have worked very well.