I am looking for a home automation that I can add to, access over the internet, and with mobile apps. (sounds like a great idea, right). I was ready to push the “confirm purchase button” with the Vera but thought I had better do some more research (I had just seen the great videos showing how easy it is).
WOW after reading many posts I am glad I did NOT. I am not interested in purchasing anything that is not what it is advertised to be, and apparently Vera is not what it is advertised to be.
The readers of this forum seem to be really knowledgeable on home security systems so I am asking on this forum (maybe not the right place) but does anyone have suggestions as to where I should go for a system that does what it says it does?
Seriously, Vera does all of those things for me. If you expect the glossy advertising to match reality, you have a long life of disappointment ahead of you. I can’t think of many products for sale in a competitive market that under-promise and over-deliver.
Maybe that is the answer I am looking for (compared to other brands I have been looking at Vera’s advertisements seem like it is a superior product), I just do not have any confidence when I read thinks like;
-So I got the vera2. I’m so confused
-Website must match User guides must match Vera Interface
-Vera is a simple concept that works and then just stops
-Vera locks up
Vera stops transmitting sms and email messages and then suddenly dumps them all hours later when it is done doing whatever delayed them.
Vera suddenly loses zwave devices after months of correctly using them.
Vera stops updating the status of sensors at random
Vera goofs up door lock status readings on schlage locks
Vera locks up during many firmware upgrades
Vera actually has three or more completely different interfaces and incompatible update paths in addition to two hardware platforms
A radically different Vera suddenly appeared in the retail chain with no notice and no instructions on how to use it
My vera, bought from micasaverde, came with european wall adaptor, they sent me the right one three weeks later
My Vera came with instructions for a different model and a different gui.
Vera has had some firmware upgrades that actually broke large components of the system.
-Vera’s mobile phone interface stops working at random, and often requires a reboot of the Vera
-Exactly what my post “Time to ditch Vera / Z-wave for good” a couple of weeks ago was saying. As an end-user who isn’t a programmer (and doesn’t want to learn), this product should NOT be advertised as “it just works” functionality, and should NOT be advertised as a solution including “Home Automation”, etc
-This has NEVER worked from the day the thing came out of the box!
Nice summary of the dark side gordo. Vera is way more fun than the analog intermatic timers I used to have and the community is awesome. I can’t afford real home automation.
Thanks for the response, it seems another “satisfied customer” I am looking for those also, I just am trying to get as much information as I can to make a good decision.
A lot of the posts you are listing are in regards to various beta version of the the Vera software, but often written by people that don’t understand they are using unreleased software.
SO are you calling Vera some imposter of " real " homeautomation.
Vera is Home AUtomation. With great hope with the new UI-4 once released a production will be the most inexpensive, vesatile home automation product on the market.
As for homeseer. It is a good product. it is however a bit too techy for some.
No I am not calling Vera an impostor, I do not own one so I can not call it anything. I am just trying to decide wether to buy one or not. If the majority of the users have little or no problems then I will likely buy one but if the majority have problems like;
-I am new to Vera and just received my new Vera2. Unfortunately…
-Seems to be a common bug…
-I just got my vera today and am having the same problem…
-I believe this is starting to become a common problem with units being shipped out recently…
-It sounds like you have exactly the problem that I had…
then it seems prudent to wait or go somewhere else. You guys are the ones on the front line and are the best source to provide that information.
[ul]I’ve owned my Vera2 since about April 2010. I’ll say this much:
[list]
[li]I don’t regret purchasing Vera or the $1,500 worth of z-wave devices.[/li][/list][BR][list][li]User Interface 2 is the most stable and user friendly (IMHO)[/li][/list][BR][list][li]I never used UI3[/li][/list][BR][list][li]I’m currently using UI4 and expect that once all the bugs are worked out, it will be quite nice.[/li][/list][BR][list][li]Technical support is very nice. They always answer the phone. E-mail replies always come in less than 24hrs. Helpful MOST of the time. [/li][/list][BR][list][li]Currently, Micasaverde seems to be in a transition phase. I can’t tell exactly what the deal is, but they appear to be preparing for a Brand Name change (or not) to MiOS.[/li][/list][BR][list][li]There does seem to be some confusion between the advertised and documented Hardware (VERA1) versus what you actually receive (VERA2), but, essentially, they do the same thing.[/li][/list][BR][list][li]The claim that VERA “Just Works” is less than accurate but more than completely inaccurate. Sometimes it just works and sometimes it doesn’t.[/li][/list][BR][list][li]For the price, there is nothing better but you best be prepared to “Tinker.” The good news, for me, Z-Wave devices, under most circumstances, (Light switches, plugs, etc) still function manually (without VERA) in the event VERA is in a less than desirable state (A.K.A. My wife isn’t calling me an “Ass Hat” for going about another GEEKY project that affects her life negatively).[/li][/list][BR][list][li]As a project and service, Micasaverde has A LOT of potential. I’m really hoping it survives and am doing my best as an entrenched geek to contribute to their development. I encourage others to do the same.[/li][/list][BR]
Good luck in your decision!! ;D[/ul]
Hey Gordo, You also need to realize that most people that post to a forum are the ones having problems and not the ones that are working perfectly. I’ve had my Vera 1’s since April 2009 and did have some issues at first but they have been pretty reliable for about a year now. The only issue I’ve had ended up being my internet and not the fault of Vera. If I were to do it all over I’d buy one in a second. I have two at vacation rentals and plan to get one at home also but am waiting for UI 4 to come out first. I’m running UI 2 by the way because it seems to be the best most reliable non beta firmware I’ve tried.
Personally I am a bit done with anyone who is whining about Vera.
In my personal opinion it is very simple.
You buy vera is not too expensive and almost always works
You buy one or another KNX system is at least 20 times more expensive and works just as well as Vera.
So stop whining and let’s all agree with a better product from it.
Micasaverde: Keep up the good work, you are on the right track!
Sincerely,
Marco
PS,
My Vera is up and running for a Long Time and Do not have Any issue on-the-moment.
The door / motion sensors are working really good, heating (Will not neccesserly with 30 degrees celcius ouside), central system fan, lighting, etc.
Thank you for your response, and Marcos I am not whining just digging. Down deep I am hoping that most of the users out there are able to make Vera work right out of the box very simply just like the videos, but after reading so much about brand new units not working and units in service just stop working it makes someone looking for their first home automation project not too confident.
It seems they have released UI4 since those posts I read say after AUTOMATIC updates they are using UI4 so I assume MiCasaVerde would not AUTOMATICALLY update to a beta release. If I were to purchase one now would it be automatically updated to UI4? Also I use Mac’s and I assume since this is web based it will not make any difference?
You do not have to upgrade to UI4 if you do not want to. You can keep using UI2 version 1.0.996. I just received my vera2 last night and did have an issue with the zwave module not loading. I called them this morning and they had me up and running within 10 minutes. I do wish they would post the fix online. I asked them about telling me how they went about fixing the issue and they said doing so would avoid the warranty and support and to have them fix it. It is a one time fix. This would require going into the unit via ssh and running a few commands.
Now that I have the unit up and running. I have 7 devices hooked up and more coming. So far everything is looking positive and excited to have most of my home automated. I am also looking into making plugins for vera as well. Hopefully I can get some time to look through the code and search the forums for information.
If you are interested in vera2, I say buy a unit from one of the dealers that has a good return policy. Give it a go and see how you like it. If you do not like it, see about either returning it or selling it. This is definitely the cheapest option as others are hundreds of dollars more and require a full time computer.
I agree that the concerns expressed by the OP are completely legitimate. This is not like purchasing a washing machine or a Honda and expecting that it works, and having a simple service path when it doesn’t. I think FrankHill provided an excellent response.
I have been running Vera since the original release, now with primary control of my landscape lighting (two outdoor zones), pool pump, three separate indoor thermostats, and several indoor dimmers. Most of the time things work beautifully, either via the web and/or via SQ remote on mobile devices (iPhones/Pods/Pads). Everyone once in a while, they don’t, but the system seems to have gotten more reliable over time, and the fixes more simple. Like FH, I am also using UI2, and became wary of upgrades.
Once, I had a complete crash of Vera, and had to haul the primary unit in to work (I have a Mac-centric home) to rescue the crash via direct connection to a PC. It was a royal pain, and I’ve never had another analogous experience with any other consumer electronics device. But like many here, I’m in this with the expectation that we’re still in the phase where tinkering is required. Fortunately, this was over a year ago, and I’ve experienced nothing of the sort since. Customer service is now quite responsive (not always so in the early days).
I think if you want relatively robust home automation and stability, but aren’t afraid to get a little dirty fixing the occasional problem, then I think you’ll be more than satisfied. If you think this is like buying a Timex (“keeps a licking and…”) then you’ll either need to spend much more (and likely have some $200/hr local service person on call) and/or wait until reality catches up with your expectations.
[quote=“ksquared, post:15, topic:166254”]I have been running Vera since the original release, now with primary control of my landscape lighting (two outdoor zones), pool pump, three separate indoor thermostats, and several indoor dimmers. Most of the time things work beautifully, either via the web and/or via SQ remote on mobile devices (iPhones/Pods/Pads). Everyone once in a while, they don’t, but the system seems to have gotten more reliable over time, and the fixes more simple. Like FH, I am also using UI2, and became wary of upgrades.
Once, I had a complete crash of Vera, and had to haul the primary unit in to work (I have a Mac-centric home) to rescue the crash via direct connection to a PC. It was a royal pain, and I’ve never had another analogous experience with any other consumer electronics device. But like many here, I’m in this with the expectation that we’re still in the phase where tinkering is required. Fortunately, this was over a year ago, and I’ve experienced nothing of the sort since. Customer service is now quite responsive (not always so in the early days).
Best of luck![/quote]
The problem is that MCV “IS” selling this product like it does not need tinkering. …
Th e problem is now now Vera will be bundled with a major product like Kwikset and those customers will not be as happy to tinker.
Hopefully very soon the much waited for UI-4 will be out. It is supposed to be crash proof and other lots of great features.
I have to chime in as well. Been using Vera (1) and UI2 for about 8 months. Initially I had very little problem with it but then made the mistake of trying each new UI2 release and then trying UI3. That got frustrating quickly. I suspect I’m not the only one that did so and not the only one that paid a price for it. In MVCs defense, it was all beta which should have meant 'proceed with patience and caution if at all. The handling of UI4 seems far, far better.
Bottom line, since reverting to UI2 1.0.996, I have a very stable environment now that always works (and having come from X10, that’s a huge improvement). I’m using it mostly for lights and have not jumped in with cameras or locks (yet). The iVera iPhone app is great as is the SQ Remote (albeit a bit pricey).
I suspect that the very best home automation is that which is purchased, installed and configured by those that know what they’re doing or have the patience to learn. From my experience, doing that on the zwave platform and with Vera is a great way to go.
Though relatively new to this, I have been running UI4 for a bit now.
I haven’t really had any problems. Currently running a thermostat and several switches.
I have scenes set up and everything runs when its supposed to.
This is exactly what I wanted…stand alone DIY zwave platform…so I’m very happy.
One reason for all of the chatter and confusion on the forums is that Vera has been constantly evolving since its beginning. Unlike Apple, who likes to hold back features and make you pay for them later or decide for their customers what they “want”, MCV and Vera are working to give us exactly what we want on-the-fly, in real time. It is rare to see that kind of dedication and appreciation of us customers. Granted, some people can feel rejected, but MCV has to prioritize their efforts and let’s face it…they’re busy.
I’d jump in and get the Vera. Enjoy this special attention while it lasts, because we all know as companies grow bigger, they tend to grow away from their customer base.
zmistro–I agree completely with your comments (both critical and hopeful). In fact, apologists for the current approach should recognize that for this product to reach an even moderately larger market, it will have to get much more stable and “ordinary” consumer-friendly.
Shady–I would argue that most companies evolve substantially from their roots, but the ones that quickly streamline processes and aim for stability survive. I appreciate that MCV is trying to provide something for every consumer right now, but hope that they can reach the next plateau of stability and user-friendliness (even to novices and not DIYers) soon, so I don’t have to worry about them disappearing in the night and can count on my Vera (or subsequent iterations) for years to come.