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kccustom
New Member
USA
21 Posts |
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mteator
Senior Member
USA
266 Posts |
 Posted - 04/27/2007 : 7:44:32 PM
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I was hoping that remote was just a bad dream. That is the ugliest home automation device in 50 years.
And wtf, is that post saying you have to replace your rflincs??? If that's true then we've all been had. |
~Michael |
Edited by - mteator on 04/27/2007 7:48:17 PM |
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MikeB
Advanced Member
USA
1753 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2007 : 04:41:04 AM
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| Fantastic! Can't wait until I can order and get the RF ball rolling... ;) |
Michael D. Boulanger
interfaceGO
www.interfaceGO.com
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jbauer
Average Member
USA
120 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2007 : 08:09:37 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by mteator
I was hoping that remote was just a bad dream. That is the ugliest home automation device in 50 years.
And wtf, is that post saying you have to replace your rflincs??? If that's true then we've all been had.
I think we've all been had :( |
http://www.efundies.com - Make electronics fun. |
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BLH
Advanced Member
1696 Posts |
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MikeB
Advanced Member
USA
1753 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2007 : 11:51:20 AM
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quote:
I think we've all been had :(
Seriously - lighten up, guys. |
Michael D. Boulanger
interfaceGO
www.interfaceGO.com
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Just Another Joe
Senior Member
Canada
219 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2007 : 6:51:08 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by mteator
is that post saying you have to replace your rflincs???
If they found they had to have new RFLincs in order to make the RemoteLinc (and other, future RF remotes?) work, then they certainly ought to include a pair of RFLincs with the RemoteLinc at no extra cost to anyone who has already bought RFLincs ! And new buyers should get the new RFLincs rather than the old ones, in the first place.
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Me? I'm just another Joe.
Symmetry, synergy, synchronicity, serendipity.
Why be politically correct, when you can be right?
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MikeB
Advanced Member
USA
1753 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2007 : 7:05:32 PM
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| Maybe they will offer a swap, we'll just have to wait and see. |
Michael D. Boulanger
interfaceGO
www.interfaceGO.com
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BLH
Advanced Member
1696 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2007 : 04:14:49 AM
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There isn't enough data on the new Accesspoint units. We don't even know if they talk to each other to do the phase thing. The photo I saw didn't have an external antenna and the user indicated that the Accesspoint linked. I believe the RFLincs do not.
Didn't see an FCC Tag either but the units where prototypes. |
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mteator
Senior Member
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2007 : 05:44:28 AM
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I wish Smarthome was more open so we didn't have to speculate all the time.
These trickles of information just are hard to put together and certainly don't make any sense.
The only thing that I know from all my years of experience is silence on issues like this usually is not a good thing, so that's why there's the negative speculation. If we knew that the RFLincs weren't compatible with the future Insteon RF products it would put a halt on sales and Smarthome is scared of that.
Again, that's just speculation. But that's what happens when you choose to be secretive.
All we've gotten so far from Smarthome is that current insteon products are compatible with the future RF products. That's very vague. That can just mean that the remote can control our current switches. That comment doesn't mean that the remote can communicate through the RFlincs. That begs the question if the RFLincs have anything to do with the supposed wireless Insteon mesh or are ONLY bridging phases. |
~Michael |
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MikeB
Advanced Member
USA
1753 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2007 : 5:45:19 PM
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Maybe we should just be patient, and we'll find out the answers when the product is complete. Maybe this is the exact reason Smarthome has taken on this company policy. Maybe they'd rather not speculate on something and have it thrown back in their face if the situation changes. Maybe they don't want people bitching non-stop because a product slipped 6 months past their planned release date. Maybe Smarthome intended on having the RF products work with existing RF Lincs. Maybe they had a problem and had to revise the RF Linc to make it work well. Maybe I'd rather have an RF product that works well, and if that means new RF Lincs then I'll accept it.
Maybe Smarthome will swap the existing RF Lincs for free. Maybe not.
Either way, with all this bickering I don't blame Smarthome for their new company policy. I sure wish Smarthome improved a few facets of their business, but some guys on this forum are just born to complain.
Please send me a link to the UPB/Lutron/Leviton-sponsored forum where they have reps openly discussing future products. I'd love to see it.
,,,, |
Michael D. Boulanger
interfaceGO
www.interfaceGO.com
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kurelgyer
Junior Member
33 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2007 : 10:07:47 AM
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Maybe some people can afford to replace all thier Insteon stuff as it breaks or as the products continue to be developed.
Maybe some of us should have waited for 5 or 10 years for Smarthome to come out with a complete line of proven products.
I think everyone would agree that there would be no complaining if there was an better alternative at a competitive price. |
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sloop
Advanced Member
USA
574 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2007 : 10:13:19 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Kremlar
Maybe we should just be patient, and we'll find out the answers when the product is complete. Maybe this is the exact reason Smarthome has taken on this company policy. Maybe they'd rather not speculate on something and have it thrown back in their face if the situation changes. Maybe they don't want people bitching non-stop because a product slipped 6 months past their planned release date. Maybe Smarthome intended on having the RF products work with existing RF Lincs. Maybe they had a problem and had to revise the RF Linc to make it work well. Maybe I'd rather have an RF product that works well, and if that means new RF Lincs then I'll accept it.
Maybe Smarthome will swap the existing RF Lincs for free. Maybe not.
Either way, with all this bickering I don't blame Smarthome for their new company policy. I sure wish Smarthome improved a few facets of their business, but some guys on this forum are just born to complain.
Please send me a link to the UPB/Lutron/Leviton-sponsored forum where they have reps openly discussing future products. I'd love to see it.
,,,,
i am not sure if upb/lutron/leviton has forum boards sponsored by the manufacturers - i do not have those products - but their products are discussed on other forum boards - insteon will be discussed too - here or on another forum board - i see customer experience and feedback as a learning opportunity for a business to improve - its always nice to hear praise but disappointment is equally valuable if not more important
i am guessing that the people that post here are good customers that mostly want new products - some (as in the case of installers) need the products - we are customers that have a choice of home automation products - most have chosen insteon
we are not malcontents
back to the topic - my guess is that the wall warts do not act as a phase repeater and that they only accept the rf signal and place the insteon command on the powerline - hopefully, they support the entire insteon command set and can be used by other manufacturers to produce a really nifty remote (are you listening simplehomenet and universal-devices?  )
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kccustom
New Member
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2007 : 4:56:05 PM
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Just my my Smarthome catalog and there is a RemoteLinc on the cover.
RemoteLinc 2440 $49.99
Access Point 2443 $39.99 or $69.99 for two |
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MikeB
Advanced Member
USA
1753 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2007 : 6:31:22 PM
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| nice.... :) |
Michael D. Boulanger
interfaceGO
www.interfaceGO.com
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mteator
Senior Member
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2007 : 04:48:43 AM
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kccustom, does it explain why/if you need an access point???
I can't think of any logical reason for this product to exist. The RFLincs are part of the Insteon RF mesh. Nearly every Insteon user has them. What is the purpose of an AccessPoint? |
~Michael |
Edited by - mteator on 05/01/2007 04:51:39 AM |
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kccustom
New Member
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2007 : 05:47:41 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by mteator
kccustom, does it explain why/if you need an access point???
I can't think of any logical reason for this product to exist. The RFLincs are part of the Insteon RF mesh. Nearly every Insteon user has them. What is the purpose of an AccessPoint?
I wish I knew but the catalog says:
"The RemoteLinc requires at least one Access Point (2443) to be placed in any outlet in the home. For more information on Access Points, see smarthome.com/2443.html"
But last time I checked the link was invalid. |
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MikeB
Advanced Member
USA
1753 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2007 : 06:43:53 AM
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| Sounds like our existing RF Lincs will not properly receive signals from the RemoteLinc. |
Michael D. Boulanger
interfaceGO
www.interfaceGO.com
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mteator
Senior Member
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2007 : 06:51:11 AM
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No kidding.
Remember when everyone used to tout having RF Lincs would be great cause the mesh would cover your house and you'd be all ready for the remote and such?
Yeah, not so much. Thanks, geniuses. |
~Michael |
Edited by - mteator on 05/01/2007 06:52:09 AM |
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MikeB
Advanced Member
USA
1753 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2007 : 08:03:18 AM
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I'd wait until we hear from SmartHome.
I didn't purchase RF Lincs because of potential future RF devices, and I'm not sure why anyone would have.
For me, it would be a nice bonus, but not the end of the world if I had to buy an access point. |
Michael D. Boulanger
interfaceGO
www.interfaceGO.com
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Stowaway
Average Member
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2007 : 08:09:48 AM
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I bet that they found they had to use a different RF frequency for the Remote to work satisfactorily.
Maybe the Lutron-Leviton patent fight is the reason!? |
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Just Another Joe
Senior Member
Canada
219 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2007 : 10:36:09 PM
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The http://www.smarthome.com/2443.html link is now up. AccessPoint $39.99 - "Now Accepting Preorders for Q2 Shipment."
Follow the link to "Upgrade Earlier Signal Enhancers to AccessPoints," which says "Purchase TWO refurbished Access Points - $59.99." Follow the link to "refurbished Access Points" and read "Now Accepting Preorders for Q2 Shipment."
Anyone else confused? 'Preorder' a refurb ?
The AccessPoints "couple the two different electrical phases of your home." But also, "The AccessPoint creates your dual-mesh INSTEON network." So the SignaLincs didn't do that, eh  ! I, for one was certainly under the impression, when I bought the SignaLincs, that they did do exactly that  !
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Me? I'm just another Joe.
Symmetry, synergy, synchronicity, serendipity.
Why be politically correct, when you can be right?
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Quixote
Average Member
61 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 01:17:25 AM
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OK, wait, let me get this straight:
You can buy two new Access Points for $69.99
or
you can save ten bucks and get the used ones, then spend that ten on shipping back your SignaLincs to recieve a RemoteLinc in their place. The SignaLincs go for $69.99, the RemoteLincs for $49.99.
All-in-all it seems like an OK compromise on Smarthome's part once you work out the math, as long as the refurbished units function properly and don't break after a few months. Bit of a PIA, though. The only reason I bought the RemoteLincs was in anticipation of the RF devices, since I have no need for a phase coupler at the moment.
Are these remotes secure? What I want to know is if it would be secure to use the remote to activate an appliancelinc rigged to a relay that buzzes open the front door, or would someone easily be able to catch your signal from outside and use it to let themselves in when you're not home?
Thanks. |
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mteator
Senior Member
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 04:54:38 AM
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How many times has Mike said that the SignalLincs were the only RF Insteon devices? LIAR. All those things do is couple phases, they aren't part of the Insteon mesh!!!
From the SignalLinc page:
You can also purchase SignaLinc RFs in a set of two. Installing them throughout the house eliminates RF "dead spots" and facilitates your INSTEON network to support large or complex installations.
!!!BULLSH*T.!!! As we see now, they don't create the RF mesh!!! I have four of these for no reason! |
~Michael |
Edited by - mteator on 05/02/2007 04:56:38 AM |
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cmhardwick
Senior Member
377 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 05:33:07 AM
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| And how do they couple phases? via RF. Probably, as someone else said, they found they needed a different frequency or something or what was in the signallincs turned out not to work with the remote rf, eitherway, CHILL Michael, sheesh! You're not helping ANYTHING. If you have them for no reason, pull them out. If your reliability plummits, put them back, if not, leave them out. |
Cicero
New to home auto and driving my wife CRAZY!! (well, not new to driving her crazy, but you know what I mean) |
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MikeB
Advanced Member
USA
1753 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 05:50:36 AM
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quote:
How many times has Mike said that the SignalLincs were the only RF Insteon devices? LIAR. All those things do is couple phases, they aren't part of the Insteon mesh!!!
You're being a bonehead. SmartHome is being more than accomodating by allowing us to trade-in our SignalLincs towards the new RF products. What more do you want??
If you bought SignalLincs ONLY because of FUTURE RF remote controls, you were foolish. Why in the world wouldn't you wait for the actual product to be released?
quote:
You can also purchase SignaLinc RFs in a set of two. Installing them throughout the house eliminates RF "dead spots" and facilitates your INSTEON network to support large or complex installations.
How is this not true??? RF is used for the phase bridging and repeating Insteon commands to the powerline.
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Michael D. Boulanger
interfaceGO
www.interfaceGO.com
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Edited by - MikeB on 05/02/2007 06:05:34 AM |
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MikeB
Advanced Member
USA
1753 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 05:54:02 AM
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quote:
Are these remotes secure? What I want to know is if it would be secure to use the remote to activate an appliancelinc rigged to a relay that buzzes open the front door, or would someone easily be able to catch your signal from outside and use it to let themselves in when you're not home?
I can't speak for SmartHome, but I wouldn't use Insteon for something like that. As far as I know, there aren't any encryption keys that you can define. If someone knows your Insteon address to open the door, technically they could do it (AFAIK).
quote:
Anyone else confused? 'Preorder' a refurb ?
I thought this was weird too. Maybe they're refurbished/updated pre-release units?
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Michael D. Boulanger
interfaceGO
www.interfaceGO.com
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AllanMar
New Member
27 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 06:06:45 AM
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| My guess is the refurb access points are upgraded signallinc's. Makes sense if that's what theyre offering to swap for our signallinc's. They would also have to do something with their old stock of signallincs, since they are pointless to buy now. |
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mteator
Senior Member
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 06:11:11 AM
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Maybe they're finally doing some Q/A and realize 30% of their stuff is broken from the get go so they're already refurbishing them.
Insteon and Smarthome are a joke. There's no way any reasonable person can continue to invest in this crap.
You'd get less funny looks from having a ***** sitting on your coffeetable than that stupid looking remotelinc. |
~Michael |
Edited by - mteator on 05/02/2007 06:12:42 AM |
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MikeB
Advanced Member
USA
1753 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 06:23:10 AM
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| lol - someone please can this guy. |
Michael D. Boulanger
interfaceGO
www.interfaceGO.com
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mteator
Senior Member
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2007 : 06:34:45 AM
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| You don't have to, I'll leave on my own. |
~Michael |
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Topic |
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Insteon RF
