I have been an X10 fan now for about 20 years and have enjoyed the convenience very much. Granted, I have had problems but have acquired enough troubleshooting experience to deal with whatever issue pops up - and most of the issues have been my fault, not the X10 equipment.
I live in a modest house on the Big Island of Hawai'i and would characterize my X10 system as relatively complex - a true X10-wired home. This includes a security system with four cameras including the professional pan/tilt XC21A, contact and moition detection alarms and over 35 modules, all controlled by Active Home Pro on my laptop. Oh, I've had the usual interference issues, inoperative modules, phase problem, etc. all of which I carefully worked through and solved by myself. I even use Vanguard and Active Home Remote My House on the internet which can be slow at times but generally works great.
I think the biggest problem I have had is the door/window sensors in the security system which occasionally malfunction. They are cheap enough to just replace - the postage being more to return the defective units. Overall, the price for individual units and those that are on sale frequently is extremely reasonable. The most expense item I have in my system is the Pro Pan/Tilt Camera for which I paid $499 and is now being offered at $299. It was worth $499 in my opinion. I have demonstrated my system to many neighbors and visitors most of whom now have X10 equipment themselves.
My recommendation, whenever you have a problem, is to carefully and logically go over the entire system asking yourself what changes on additions you have made in your house since the last time the system was working fine. Yes, 2.4 ghz telephones play havoc with the security system, and that's why I switched to 5.8 ghz telephones. I suddenly noticed about five light fixtures that stopped responding to X10 commands and narrowed it down to the battery charger in a new Black and Decker portable drill I had just purchased. Well, a filter solved the problem with that (I use about 6 other filters in the house to eliminate problems).
So, am I happy with X10. Yes, I am very happy with it. It's cheap, fun to use, and very convenient. Folks, just be patient and take a logical look at your system whenever you have problems. Nothing's perfect in life you know!
Aloha!
I've also been playing with X-10 for ~30 years - YEAH dave w, I *KNOW* it's only 27½ or 28½; I like to ROUND (*AND* it takes a LOT of fingers, along with lifting up my glasses, to create the '½' :P ). ;)
(YEAH, I'm an 'old fart with bifocals'. 8) ) .
I've also been playing with X-10 for ~30 years - YEAH dave w, I *KNOW* it's only 27½ or 28½; I like to ROUND (*AND* it takes a LOT of fingers, along with lifting up my glasses, to create the '½' :P ). ;)
(YEAH, I'm an 'old fart with bifocals'. 8) ) .
Yeah, I am too. But I wear those little reading glasses and look up over the top of them. This leaves my hands free which permits the use of fingers for counting...
...Some proof of ownership must be submitted for this concession.
BSR & RS REMOTES:
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_REMOTES_V.JPG)
Bring back any memories? :( :'( ;)
BSR & RS REMOTES:
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_REMOTES_V.JPG)
Bring back any memories? :( :'( ;)
I believe I recall that BSR remote.
Wasn't it ultra sonic?
...Why aren't you still using it???...Might of lost it in a move but I believe it and/or its remote finally died.
... can I join the old geezer group too???? Sorry I couldn't resist...
Wow, TakeTheActive, you really ARE a Senior Member!!! :-)
I'm impressed with your collection!!! Did you acquire the components new at the time or have you been picking up antiques on eBay?
My antique collection (acquired new at the time) consists only of a CP290 and one each of the sidewheel Lamp and Appliance Modules.
What's the story on the Sears "Ultrasonic" controller?
>"As to??? Huh Grill, transducer, clicking sounds, line-of-sight..."
Did it talk directly to modules or to a powerline trnansceiver?
>"BTW, just to be sure you know, I'm kidding with you above! Smiley [Remember what happened "that other time", eh? Shocked Embarrassed ]
Kidding with respect to the ultrasonic? Or something else? I don't remember much anymore :-(
...I bet you even remember life before TV or at least before color TV, and tube radios with analog tuning....I think my dad was the last one on the block to buy a color TV and he had a tube shortwave radio that we used to sync our watches.
he had a tube shortwave radio that we used to sync our watches
Thanks for sharing the photo's with us. They sure did bring back some old memories.
I bet you even remember life before TV or at least before color TV, and tube radios with analog tuning. ;D ;) :)
TaketheActive (stern reply follows)
Sorry, this rather meager display of "X10 in brown plastic" does not constitute a valid submission for consession of owning X10 "technology" for 30 years. As noted in my original post, this consession will only be granted if proof of ownership of the BSR Accu-Trac 4000 is submitted. The submittal is rejected.[/b] ;)
BTW I have many of the same "customized socket" version appliance module, that you have setting on the battery storage box in the first picture... :D
Is the black and white object to the right of the appliance module a wall controller? Who made it?
(Insert SFX: groveling, humility, and light sobbing)
Finally, what are the two open cased units below and to right of your battery box. They look too big and code wheels are not right for newer app/lamp modules, the code wheels do not look right for X10 2-way modules. Are they modules from the old Regency Regulator system? If they are"Regulators", I bet they do not work...neither do mine.
You have stumped me, and are now sitting on top of my pedestal, having toppled Phil Kingery[/b] (this is only a temporary dethroning, Phil and I are friends, and he would be mortified to know he has been toppled. He will probably be re-instated by tomorrow) :D
Great collection - Thanks for sharing!!!