Has anyone got a list of the pros and cons of X10 over z-wave. I am looking to automate my home and intend to buy mControl. I want a source that I can buy the hardware from in Europe (Ireland).
Does anyone know where you can get light switches that look good (preferably stainless steel) because I need a high Wife acceptance factor :).
Initally I am looking to control two lights and my boiler. What hardware do I need for my PC (Vista using Media Centre as UI for control) and lights. Once this is working I will be moving on to cameras and anything else I can automate. I am calling this a proof of concept 🙂
Have you looked at http://www.h2m8.com and http://community.h2m8.com . They are more involved than x10, and require fixed wiring, but are an open technology – I have their gateway controller running on my home server.
I’ll apologise now as this has turned in to War and Peace, but hopefully it answers some questions.
I’ve been using X10 for just over a year now. I’d considered Z-Wave but ended up opting for X10 primarily due to cost, but also demand was a high factor.
The X10 equipment I’ve been using has been reasonably faithful. I’ve had the odd problem, but SimplyAutomate replaced the faulty items eventually. To be fair, I’ve had better service from the equipment than from the suppliers (problems each time I order items).
As for X10 vs Z-Wave, there are a few differences. Primarily cost and the way they operate.
X10 Pros. X10 is cheap, especially considering the ease of use and what they’re capable of with the right software. Most of the items available are plug and play. There are some more permanent options available which I chose to get an electrician in to fit and would recommend over the quick plug and play variety. X10 operates from two wheels (similar to those found on voltage adaptors) one for Alpha (A-P) and one for numerics (1-16), basically you set your house code, or codes if you have more than 16 devices, and do the same for the remotes. That’s it – you’re done. Plug them in where you need them and you’re set. Using the plug-in variety, I’d decided on the house codes, set it up and programmed three remotes while my ex got washed and dressed! It’s that quick.
X10 Cons. X10 is becoming more and more popular. Unless you live in a detached house it’s likely that your neighbour would interfere with your equipment if they chose to install it. It’s prone to electrical interference (but filters are available), and you need multiple RF receivers if you live in a larger house. The yanks also have X10 available and at a fraction of the price, but be mindful that their equipment won’t meet UK standards and (I’m almost certain) their frequencies are different.
Z-wave. Z-wave is more complex in the way it talks to devices. Each device you install becomes a transceiver, in other words you have far fewer range problems with remote controls. Result: you can get blanket coverage of your property. Z-wave doesn’t rely on your mains wiring, it’s completely RF and uses feedback so if the signal doesn’t get to a device, it repeats the signal (although in over a year I’ve only had two X10 drop-outs).
As for switches, any momentary switch capable of holding the load will be compatible with X10. Shop around for some, but I’d personally get them from http://www.letsautomate.com/brass.cfm
The important factor if you’re going to be running this kind of thing is the software to run it all. I’m guessing you don’t want this just to save walking upstairs to turn a light on.
There are two main packages that I’ve trialled, Harmony and HomeSeer. Harmony’s interface is nicer to look at, and reminds me of XP Home Edition – nice enough interface but designed as someone’s first step in to IT. HomeSeer (which came installed on a second hand PC I bought) has an interface that’s a bit more daunting, but much more rewarding and reminds me of Server 2003, capable of appearing nice but much more in the background. While I’m running an older version of HomeSeer (1.7) it’s capable of running X10, Z-Wave and more, has Text To Speech, voice recognition and web interface (LAN and WAN) as standard to name but a few, but best of all, HomeSeer gives you the full package as standard – none of this ‘home user’ and ‘pro’ rubbish!
Once again, sorry if this is long winded but I hope it helps.
If you have any questions, PM me and I’ll be happy to help.
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Hi,
Have you looked at http://www.h2m8.com and http://community.h2m8.com . They are more involved than x10, and require fixed wiring, but are an open technology – I have their gateway controller running on my home server.
Paul
Hi VengeantDuck,
I’ll apologise now as this has turned in to War and Peace, but hopefully it answers some questions.
I’ve been using X10 for just over a year now. I’d considered Z-Wave but ended up opting for X10 primarily due to cost, but also demand was a high factor.
The X10 equipment I’ve been using has been reasonably faithful. I’ve had the odd problem, but SimplyAutomate replaced the faulty items eventually. To be fair, I’ve had better service from the equipment than from the suppliers (problems each time I order items).
As for X10 vs Z-Wave, there are a few differences. Primarily cost and the way they operate.
X10 Pros.
X10 is cheap, especially considering the ease of use and what they’re capable of with the right software. Most of the items available are plug and play. There are some more permanent options available which I chose to get an electrician in to fit and would recommend over the quick plug and play variety. X10 operates from two wheels (similar to those found on voltage adaptors) one for Alpha (A-P) and one for numerics (1-16), basically you set your house code, or codes if you have more than 16 devices, and do the same for the remotes. That’s it – you’re done. Plug them in where you need them and you’re set. Using the plug-in variety, I’d decided on the house codes, set it up and programmed three remotes while my ex got washed and dressed! It’s that quick.
X10 Cons.
X10 is becoming more and more popular. Unless you live in a detached house it’s likely that your neighbour would interfere with your equipment if they chose to install it. It’s prone to electrical interference (but filters are available), and you need multiple RF receivers if you live in a larger house. The yanks also have X10 available and at a fraction of the price, but be mindful that their equipment won’t meet UK standards and (I’m almost certain) their frequencies are different.
Z-wave.
Z-wave is more complex in the way it talks to devices. Each device you install becomes a transceiver, in other words you have far fewer range problems with remote controls. Result: you can get blanket coverage of your property. Z-wave doesn’t rely on your mains wiring, it’s completely RF and uses feedback so if the signal doesn’t get to a device, it repeats the signal (although in over a year I’ve only had two X10 drop-outs).
As for switches, any momentary switch capable of holding the load will be compatible with X10. Shop around for some, but I’d personally get them from http://www.letsautomate.com/brass.cfm
The important factor if you’re going to be running this kind of thing is the software to run it all. I’m guessing you don’t want this just to save walking upstairs to turn a light on.
There are two main packages that I’ve trialled, Harmony and HomeSeer. Harmony’s interface is nicer to look at, and reminds me of XP Home Edition – nice enough interface but designed as someone’s first step in to IT. HomeSeer (which came installed on a second hand PC I bought) has an interface that’s a bit more daunting, but much more rewarding and reminds me of Server 2003, capable of appearing nice but much more in the background.
While I’m running an older version of HomeSeer (1.7) it’s capable of running X10, Z-Wave and more, has Text To Speech, voice recognition and web interface (LAN and WAN) as standard to name but a few, but best of all, HomeSeer gives you the full package as standard – none of this ‘home user’ and ‘pro’ rubbish!
Once again, sorry if this is long winded but I hope it helps.
If you have any questions, PM me and I’ll be happy to help.