Vera 3, or Vera Lite / Vera 2?

Community Playground General Discussions
1

Hello,

i am considering buying a vera3. Reading about those Problems i was wondering if it is may be to early. From what i heard the vera2 is a very reliable device. Can we expect the same from the vera3?

Would you suggest buying a vera2 or vera lite instead?

I am asking because i live in germany, and i dont want to test the return policy.

Many thanks,

Michael

2

Vera 3 and Vera 3 Lite are the same with the Vera Lite having a few less options. This issue has affected a small amount of People. Vera 2 is an older model and no longer being made.

  • Garrett
3

@Herr Stoeckler

I am a first time user of VERA (3), living in Europe(NL), bought it in December in the US. Arrived just after X-mas .
Setting up is easy and it is working great.
I started with domotica when the Fibaro switches became available.

When something is wrong, I can trace it to something specific I changed or simply did wrong.
Now thermostats and lights are controlled nicely and everything accessible through PC, Blackberry and IPad.
Alarm panel integration will be next for which I get a DCS panel from the US.
That will allow control based on presence of people and alarm integration.

VERA is very flexible and with the LUUP code and apps virtually anything is possible.
But therefor it is also more vulnerable to user handling. The system is not monkey proof (as system developers sometimes say)
In Europe, language issues sometimes may add to that.
Reading the forum will be helpful.

Reading the forum, I have not seen many devices being sent back.
Usually users get help to understand better and follow available guidelines consistently where this is lacking.

Of course VERA’s success is also that the user interface avoids a high level of involvement with the technology and allows complete newbies to use domotica.
For simple functionality, this works well but for more advanced scenes it is useful to understand the LUUP coding, concepts of variables, logical conditions, etcetera.

Usually, problems are solved by following instructions given by manuals and forum members and the cause lies with the handling, not the system or hardware.
Sometimes, new versions of firmware or user interface (UI) give rise to some problems but these seem to get solved over time.

I can only say that I am really happy with my VERA and all the nice features I am able to add to my house environment.

4

@Turk4U2

Many thanks for your kind reply. It was very helpful. I think i am going to buy a Vera3. Do have any recommendation where to buy z-wave components, while living in europe?

The alarm integration you mentioned also sounds interesting, what dcs panel are you going to buy?

Kind regards,

Michael

5

I find my devices by Googling on zwave and end up here:
http://www.ezhome.nl/
http://www.domotica-shop.nl/Z-wave-c-249.html
Both have supplied me with devices pretty fast.
I bought my VERA3 in the US directly from MCV.

In Germany, other companies may be active.
Prices do not differ much, so much for competition (:-).

Quite fond of the Fibero devices. Can be built behind already present switches. Keeps the harmony and the style one has chosen.
Particularly handy are the double switches. €60 euro for the ability to have 2 switched applicances/lights.
Not always are the switches physically together so doesn’t always work.
But I have 9 devices switching 15 lights, so a good average.

I bought the DCS1832 with IT-100, a DCS keypad in the US and a RS232-to-USB cable to connect to VERA.
(http://www.geminicomputersinc.com/dsc-kit32power5nt.html)

Recently ordered the first camera: FOSCAM FI8904W with IR-cut to get some experience with a camera.
Ultimately to be integrated in the set-up, hopefully adding an outdoor motion sensor to the alarm with VERA’s help.

Good luck with making your choices !

6

@M.Stoeckler, I have a Vera 2 which I am very happy with. But if I was going to get a new Vera now I would definitely get the Vera 3 over the Vera Light.

My understanding is that the Vera 2, Vera Lite, and Vera 3 have 32, 64, and 128 MB of ram respectively. I keep adding more devices to my Vera and I’m sure having that extra ram would come in handy.

7

I have many devices on my Vera 3 and I have about 82MB free out of the 128MB (minus any used for OS specific things). I am sure the Vera Lite will hold it’s own as well. But if you can shell out the extra cash for the Vera 3, it would be a good option.

  • Garrett
8

First post (but don’t hold it against me ;)), but as I’ve got a Vera Lite on order, I was wondering if it is possible to upgrade the memory on it?

9

I highly doubt it. It is most likely that the memory is soldered onto the pcb board of the Vera Lite. You should be fine with the 64MB of memory.

  • Garrett
10

Oh, I agree, the 64M should be ample, but it would be nice if it could be expanded… but SMD is beyond my capabilities :wink: