X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Topic started by: roger1818 on May 19, 2005, 11:44:06 AM
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SteveRF: I tend to agree with you. My AHP <BR>setup is working quite well now. I have <BR>had problems in the past, but most (not <BR>all) of them have been solved. I do think <BR>there are some hardware limitations that I <BR>would like to see resolved, but for a low <BR>end system, it works quite well. In many <BR>ways I think it follows the Peter Principle <BR>in that it is trying to do more than it is <BR>capable of (would you drive a Smart Car in <BR>a stock car race or use it to carry gravel <BR>to a construction site?). <BR> <BR>As far as the 1132CUP, I think it will soon <BR>be replaced by SmartHome since they have <BR>just released Insteon. I don�t know if <BR>Insteon will fly or flop, but I am not sure <BR>if I would spend $180 on a CUP & a V572AB <BR>if it is all going to be replaced in 6 <BR>months(?). Spending $50 on AHP (or $100 <BR>for AHP+SmartMacros+$50 in X10 modules) is <BR>not such a risk in my mind but that is just <BR>my humble opinion.
Finally time to dive in? [1 of 5] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=4310.msg31607#msg31607)
Re: Finally time to dive in? [3 of 5] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=12308.msg31721#msg31721)
Re: Finally time to dive in? [4 of 5] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=12309.msg31772#msg31772)
Re: Finally time to dive in? [5 of 5] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=12310.msg31811#msg31811)
[TTA Edit: Experiment to determine whether or not SPLITTING 'Highly-Viewed' / 'Highly-Replied' but currently INACTIVE threads from LONG, LONG AGO (I'm starting with ~2 years) into parts will allow current ACTIVE threads to appear in the Top 10 Topics (by Replies) section of the Statistics Center (aka More Stats) (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?action=stats) Page.
NOTE: I *WILL* address the <BR> problem...]
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For me, because I travel often - it was
always about buying "set & forget"
reliability - so I had no choice but to
dump AHP/CM15a almost 6 mos. ago, for
1132CUP.
I'm sure it's gotten better recently - but
still not solid enough for my particular
circumstances. BTW - The non-plus (1132CU
essential) is limited re: macros - the
1132CU-PLUS is absolutely not.
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SteveRF
Hope the hurricane steer away from land,
when I hear about hurricane and twisters I
realize that it’s not so bad up here, just
the occasional snow storm in may.
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Roger H: The real question is - Do you want
to spend $180. on something that works very
well and has a potential of being surpassed
by another product sometime in the future
(sounds like most technology to me) or
spend $50. on something that has a dismal
history, high failure rate, lousy software,
spotty support (yes they do respond and fix
things but, well, read the forums, they are
in over their heads). I have no doubt that
some users have a working system with X10
AHP, I'm one of them, I paid my dues and
many months to get it there. My last straw
was X10's inability to fix the registration
problem. The problem is not on my end, I
even tried installing AHP on a machine that
has never had AHP installed on it, I've
restored my system using Drive Image to
back right before I installed my first copy
of AHP, I've never had any registration
problems in the several dozens of times I
have re-installed AHP. They still have yet
to fix the problem.
I'm more than computer litterate, I have
been building and using computers since my
first CPM system and IBM XT. My last job
in corporate America was 13 years at
Charles Schwab & Co, the last 4 as a VP in
charge of a product development group in
Electronic Brokerage.
These guys make good modules / switches,
motion sensors / etc. I will continue to
recommend those products to everyone,
getting them direct from X10 is very cost
effective. They make lousy Controllers
and their software is not ready for
production use !
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SteveRF: Take care, hope the bad weather
leaves you and yours without any grief or
harm ! I's rather be stuck in a room full
of angry X10 customers than be in bad
weather in the Gulf..... (:o}
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Bob: I agree technology is always
advancing and if you wait for it to stop
advancing before buying, you will never buy
anything. However there are times when
technology goes through a revolution and it
is prudent to buy intelligently around
those revolutions. If you desperately need
a high-end system now then go ahead and
spend the $180. Otherwise you would be
better off either waiting or getting AHP so
you have something to play with right away.
As for your comment about “their modules,
light switches, Keypads, other components,”
I don’t know if I would call them “great.”
You certainly can’t beat the price but the
features and reliability are kind of
lacking. Don’t get me wrong, I do use a
lot of X10 modules, but it is only because
of the price. If I could get toggleLinc
switchs for the same price (or a little bit
higher) as wall switchs I would only buy
ToggleLincs, but the regular price of a
wall switch is 1/3 the price of the
cheapest ToggleLinc. If you wait for a
good promotion you can get them for about
1/10 the price.
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Thanks guys for the hurricane thoughts !
IVAN did a number here last year so we are
all better prepared now.
Maybe someone with some unusual or neat
macros will start a thread for sharing them.
I really enjoy new and unusual ways to use
AHP. (as long as it does not crap out on me...)
SteveRF
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RogerH: I agree, I should have
said "Great" because of price. Installing
a large system means big bucks if you buy
top of the line products. I bought a lot
of X10 modules / switches. had to return
two switches but all others have performed
as advertised.
Lrt's touch base after the next "technology
revolution" and after it settles in / etc.
I hope your right, it may be around the
corner, I'm betting we are still a ways
off before then. I need home control
solutions that work now. I had the
cheap / low end with X10 & AHP, for $180.
more I now have the high end ? A system
that actualy does what they advertise it
will do and it's reliable.
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Wow! Lots of stuff here....back to the
post topic....
My CM11A is performing very well these days
(3rd unit) and ver 3.186 AHP (I use a V572
for RF reception because it is SOOOOO
good). It works well connected or
disconnected from the computer and rarely
needs any adjustments or resets (I mean
like only one after a thunderstorm and to
be honest I reset once just to see if it
would help with SM problems, but was a
waste). It controls home lights and fish
tank items (very important but not life
threatening). I dove into iWitness and
SmartMacros later in the game. At this
time iWitness works fairly well if YOU
control the cameras. As far as SmartMacros
goes, I have YET to get a macro to perform
as I want due to bugs in the software - not
the hardware. I am sure that one of these
days (months more than likely if not years -
yes original purchase DEC 2004) X10 will
get the kinks out. If they do not then
they will undoubtedly be routed from
providing controllers on this end of the
business (just from the backlash on this
forum if nothing else).
If you want to run standard timers and
macros then I personnaly believe you will
do fine with AHP. I know I am keeping my
fingers crossed....
Luck
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My input is that the CM15A is ready for use.
I am now quite happy with my X10 CM15A
setup. I have a significant number of X10
devices/addresses (@60) and numerous smart
macro's and timers. I had a stable CM11A
setup so that probably helped. My initial
transition to the CM15A yeilded problems
that I could not figure out on my own with
so many modules. Using a Testerlinc, I
found the sources of my troubles to be (1)
an extra line repeater needed with my CM11A
was causing signal collision problems with
the CM15A, (2) the CM15A listens for RF
codes on all Housecodes but only transeives
the selected Housecodes. This allows the
CM15A to activate macro's on Housecodes not
being transeived. But if you have an
external transponder in use (which I did)
the line signal from the transponder will
interupt the CM15A macro signal which gets
started. This clips the X10 line signals
and yeilds a corrupted X10 line command
signal. By adding a 2 second delay at the
start of all macro's triggered by RF gives
the transponder signal enough time to arrive
before the CM15A would start its macro.
This completly fixed my CM15A setup. I use
my CM15A disconnected from my computer and
have no time problems. Reliability is key to
me as I use my CM15A to even control my hot
water tank. The only let-down I have with
the CM15A is its RF range.
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Sounds like all the ticked off users with
problematic systems have left the house.
Enjoy, I'm sitting back and relaxing now
with my SmartHome installation, took a few
hours to install and convert my timers /
macros.... Not a glitch. I should have
spent a few extra bucks up front, but what
the heck, what a learning process this past
several months, wish it had been more with
reliable software and hardware though......
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PS: Smarthome installation ran perfectly,
installed the current available version
from CD and it did not force me to register
online !!!!!!! Oh life can be grand when
things work the way they are supposed to.
Back to the original thread - Don't dive
into X10 CM15A with AHP software without
reading lots of stuff on the forums. The
forums will help you decide.
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PSS: Those of you that have not experienced
the software SmartHome Manager Plus
(installation / configuration / operation)
seriously need to and compare for
yourselves the difference between it and
AHP. It will blow your socks off. No
installation problems, it loads fast, it
has more features than AHP, it even has the
exact city for me to set my Dusk / Dawn
times with.... It even looks like a real
computer program, the interface does not
look like a cartoon show from TV..... This
is how software that is production ready is
supposed to behave.
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Die-hard X10 / AHP Users: I was one !
You have to try the SmartHome Controler
with Manager Plus software. CM15A + AHP = 5
rating, SmartHome = 9 rating..... And
treat yourself to their 150ft range antena,
you deserve it.
You can purchase their stuff and if not
satisfied return whatever you want without
any questions. I've already tested this
with an audio product, it did not work well
in my environment, i sent it back and got a
full refund.
Order and install and return if not
satisfied..... I'll bet you will find what
I have, this stuff works when you pick the
right equipment and software.
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Gadgeinator,
putting a 2 second delay in a macro that is
triggered by a motion sensor and turns on a
light means you will be walking into a dark
area, how functional or acceptable is that.
T.
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I'm now getting over 150 ft range on my
SmartHome antena, just removed three
transcievers from my whole configuration.
I can RF anywhere in our home and backyard
patio now.......
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Tcassio,
It works great. It is just like my old
CM11A setup using just the transponders but
with about a half second or so longer delay
(not a full second.) It is very acceptable
to even my wife. And using smart macro logic
now is a great step beyond the CM11A.
My problem was that the CM15A would initiate
sending macro commands instantly when it
received an RF signal, then about a half-to-
full second later the line signal would
arrive from the transponder and interrupt
the CM15A macro line transmission causing
signal corruption. I tried a 1 second delay
and it seemed to work fine 75% of the time.
A 2 sec delay has worked 100% reliabily.
I love being able to use conditionals to set
different profiles.
I can now enjoy things I had only wished for
with my CM11A.
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Gadgenator: I will try your suggestion as it
sounds great! I have over 30 macros
triggered by RF. Will try with my Motion
Sensor triggered macros first and report
back.
My CM15A is pretty stable with some glitches
from time to time.
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Martin,
Just add the delay to macro's on Housecodes
that have an external transponder (including
the X10 Security System.) It is the signal
coming from them that is creating the signal
corruption with the CM15A.
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Bob: SmartHome antenna? Are you talking
about the antenna from the V572A made by
WGL or is this something new? If so, what
is the model number? Do you have the
antenna plugged into a modified CM15A or
are you using a V572AB?
Gadgenator: I assume the external
transceiver you are using is a TM741 since
the RR501 has collision protection and
shouldn’t cause this problem (though it
might cause your macro to trigger a second
time).
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Roger H: SmartHome 4831K All Housecode RF
Transciever & PowerLink.
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Roger H: Antena plugs into the PowerLinc,
the PowerLinc plugs into AC line.....
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Roger H,
In addition to the CM15A, I am using the
DS7000 security system and 4 TM751's.
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Bob taylor,
the 4831K All Housecode RF is a WGL V572A
transceiver. I bought 1 from Automated
outlet for $79. Instead of the powerlink I
got the PC05 powerline interface.
T.
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The PSC05 is an X10-Pro Part.
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I have been waiting for three days for
Michael from X10 to work on my registration
problem. I think he has decided I have
left the X10 AHP camp & has decided I'm not
worht his time.... Bad assumption if you
are trying to keep customers.
I've successfully converted my entire
system over to SmartHome and am running
error free. Everything works as
expected. Antena range is unbelievable in
comparison to what I had with X10 / AHP.
I found some architectural differences
between AHP and SmartHome Manager Plus. but
after a bit I had everything under control.
I got to be spoiled with the AHP Smart
Macros but have figured out how to do
everything in SmartHome Manager Plus.
I like their interface, they stick to the
WIndows Explorer / Windows User
presentation, cut / copy / paste work as
they should,
What a better implementation !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Those that are comitted to stick with AHP -
GOFORIT.
Those that want intermittant failures and
want to spend hours trying to figure out
the best way to re-install something, want
to update to a new version only to find out
it causes more problems than it fixes,
stick with AHP.
Those that want a system that works and is
reliable and is solid - switch to SmartHome
Manager plus with USB controller and antena.
Maybe the reason that my conversion was so
fast / error free is the experience I
gained working with X10 / AHP all these
past months..
Home Automation - Wow, it works.
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Geez I'm tired of the X10 adds, even in the
forum posts..... X10 - get a brain and
stop making certain keywords a link to your
products. It's not all about sales !!!!!
And if you ever send me another add trying
to sell product afte I have repeatedly
asked you to stop - I will continue to add
negative feedback to your forums.....