X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Topic started by: SteveRF on April 21, 2005, 05:26:34 PM
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Why do some folks keep insisting that we <BR>abandon the CM15A and go with another <BR>companies product ? We get it! We have heard <BR>the arguments, technical specifications and <BR>solutions. We understand the problems and <BR>alternatives. Personally, I do not think it <BR>is appropriate to continually advertise <BR>another companies product on this forum. I <BR>think it is time for a rest. <BR>Regards, <BR>SteveRF
Hardware Differences between Reg and Diag. Units [1 of 3] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=4176.msg30192#msg30192)
Re: Hardware Differences between Reg and Diag. Units [2 of 3] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=12352.msg30820#msg30820)
[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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SteveRF:
You just misrepresented a lot of X10 users
on this forum. The complaint and demand is
to fix the critical anomalies that have not
been effectively addressed for over 8 months
by X10 on the AHP/CM15A. Your
statement “Why do some folks keep insisting
that we abandon the CM15A” totally
misrepresents what is being talked about.
Since X10 hasn’t taken any action to fix the
RF and hasn’t committed any timeline some
technically savvy users are proposing a
interim fix. Although the V572AB is
manufactured by WGL & Associates they
package it with a PSC05 WHICH IS AN X10 PRO
PRODUCT.
I believe you owe this forum an apology.
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Observer: It still costs money to make
junk. ;) Seriously though, the CM15a works
well for me. If it doesn’t work for you
and you want to buy a more expensive
solution that is fine. If you want to use
creative accounting to justify your
purchase to your wife, don’t get upset at
me for poking holes in your accounting.
Carmine: I am not emotionally attached to
the CM15a. I freely admit it has some
major shortcomings. Despite its
shortcomings though, it works reasonably
well for me. I would love to buy a 1132CUP
and a V572AB, but I can’t justify spending
the $200 Cdn. If you can, then go for it!
For me this is one of several hobbies.
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Observer
You have a choice, you can use CM15a or
purchase another product, nobody is forcing
you to use the CM15a.
I have 2 friends that decided switch, and
not bother trying to get money back, I am
sure they are many more.
I made my case on what I like to see in the
hardware, I believe the current CM15a is
junk, and will not work as advertised
unless hardware changes are made.
I provided more than enough information,
short of a schematic on how I would do it.
What more do you want?. X10 will not change
course just on my account, only if enough
customers stop buying and let them know
their feelings, but they have a loyal
followers (just like Apple computer, Linux
…) that they will purchase their product at
any cost and quality; some people put no
value on their time, I do, X10 stuff it’s
not a hobby to me, if it was I would have
made my own interface.
Ps: the $99 refund it’s not a big deal,
just the principle.
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Roger H:
I too am emotionally tied to the integrated
concept that the AHP/CM15A is sold as by
X10. I as well as the rest of the forum
WANT THE PRODUCT TO SUCCEED. I am very glad
that your AHP/CM15A works for you and you
see it as a hobby, however consider the
others as myself who work and travel and
expected to rely on the AHP/CM15A to work as
a reliable product… that is what the
advertising says. I looked everywhere
for “ works somewhat part of the time, and
RF range may be significantly less than
other X10 RF products” nope didn’t find any
disclaimers. I would apologize for
interfering with your hobby however it isn’t
a hobby or a career for me. You see I am a
X10 customer and I want to motivate an
unresponsive vendor to meet their
obligation. Surly you can understand that
and not begrudge us a bit of support since
it is also your product that will
improve. :-/
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Carmine:
I understand your position and applaud it.
I like the AHP/CM15A concept and my greatest
need is a reasonable range RF (so that my
previous configuration that worked before
CM15A would work under CM15A). That is why
what GeorgeP did by turning off the CM15A RF
and going to a V572AB was/is of so much
interest to me. I will probably do this
shortly. But I would like X10 to add V572AB
to their module selection (integrates a
transceiver as they currently do the TM571)
under Others. Other users have requested
other manufacturers Light switches and even
a generic user configurable module. That is
about a 5 minute change, a recompile and
relink, and zero test time since we end up
doing that anyway. This would at least keep
the RF transmit capability intact as well as
maintain product integrity as opposed to a
patchwork of components.
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Observer: I also would like a product that
works well. Improving the RF range and
increasing the stability would not ruin my
hobby. ;) I mentioned that to counter the
wasted time = money lost argument. If you
consider the time spent playing with AHP as
entertainment rather than wasted time it
makes your life much happier. There is no
joy in being unhappy. ;)
I too like the concept of an integrated
transceiver and controller. This was my
main reason for choosing AHP. One thing
that did disappoint me though was that they
didn’t take advantage of this integration
to allow macros to be sped up by not
transcieving the RF command to the
powerline and instead start running the
macro immediately. Some PC based
controllers will do this if you have an RF
receiver plugged directly into the PC. I
thought AHP would do this without requiring
a PC to be running, but I was wrong. :(
As for adding a module selection for the
V572AB, I am not sure what it would do
other than mark the “Transceived House
Codes” to None. You can do this manually,
so you don’t need to wait for X10 to add
this.
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Roger H:
Great point on macro execution without
superfluous transceiving to PLC thus
decreasing the latency to execution of the
macro.
Treating a module as a transmit only inhibit
to CM15A has much more potential in that
other transceivers and modules that receive
RF commands are still in the ball game
(CM15A can still transmit).
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Observer
I had just made 2 prototype boards one for
my system using CM11a as interface and the
other to replace my sprinkler system timer;
I started writing code when I was
introduced to the CM15a from my boss, it
looked like a great idea (and it is), I
only had it for less than a month when I
gave up, while browsing forums I came
across the 1132CU; I was hoping X10 would
refund my money, but it was not as
important as my sanity.
What I do not understand is why you need
X10 to add the V572 to AHP?
I believe you can use it as is:
The V572 broadcast any RF signal it
receives (any house code) trough the power
line;
If you have a motion detector programmed
for F1, the CM15 will get F1 On/Off from
power line, therefore is you use F1 On/Off
as a trigger it will work;
AHP is designed to be very user friendly,
so friendly that some of “Conditions” can
be confusing to a programmer but easy to a
non programmer, AHP does not need to know
about the V572 for the V572 to work, if you
need to block some house code use the
software that comes with the V572,
It’s a small inconvenience but it works,
AHP can not possibly activate or deactivate
house codes in the V572 unless the V572 is
connected to the computer via serial port,
to much of an effort to reproduce something
that is already supplied with the V572.
Unless you enjoy reprogramming motion
detectors, you will not need to change
house code very often.
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Carmine:
Treating a module as a transmit only
inhibit to CM15A has much more potential in
that other transceivers and modules that
receive RF commands are still in the ball
game (CM15A can still transmit).
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Observer
Yes, but the goal is to push X10 to
properly fix the CM15a, and to have a
workable solution for people who are
willing to wait. I believe X10 should
concentrate to get the CM15a working, after
all they vision of all in one is the best
solution.
I think if enough people request an RMA
instead of suffering with all the problems
or just putting the CM15a in a box and move
on; it could motivate X10
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Where can I buy the V572AB, and where can I
find more information on it?
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JP,
Stop by my forums and do a search on
V572AB. Lots of good information.
http://www.AccessX10.com
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You can buy the V572AB at SmartHome, but it
is much cheaper ($79.99) at Automated
Outlet
(http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php?
productid=114&cat=10&page=1). There are
other discount Home Automation retailers.
You may even find a better deal somewhere
else.
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Carmine: Right just like you did?
The Idea is buying time for X10 to fix it,
making AHP/CM15A less painful to the user by
providing solutions to overcome the defects,
while not impeding the products advance with
competitors “CM15A replacements” (i.e.
1132CUP) and a migration path to success in
case X10 fails to keep up.
Sitting and waiting for action from a non-
responsive vendor would be rather foolish
don't you think? Of course you have your
interim solution, so why not wait… are you
not connecting the dots or are you trying
for brownie points with X10 until you get
your refund?
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You can get the information straight from
the manufacturer WGL & Associates.
http://www.wgldesigns.com/v572.html
The prices are much better at the links
Roger H has provided below.
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Observer
I have moved on, my only problem was
collisions, thanks to X10 info I removed
the TM751 (useless transceiver), the rr501
is working great, smart macros on Smarthome
1132CUP are much more powerful, to me they
are easier to work with(programmer style) ,
when I will need more RF addresses I will
purchase the V572AB.
Even if X10 makes a new CM15a, I doubt they
will have a real hardware clock; I would
not waste my time, I am happy with what I
got, life goes on.
Some people enjoy having foot prints on
their back, judging by the number people
have been struggling with AHP and still
supporting it, I am not one of them.
Personally I think every one who has the
CM15a , smart macros is entitled of a
refund if he or she chooses, this product
has never worked well and probably never
will.
This is what my son thinks of X10 ever
getting the CM15a working properly, I trust
his judgement.
http://members.shaw.ca/anthony_p/Happy.wmv
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Carmine:
I have MultiView sitting on the shelf
waiting for it to be fixed now for over 2
YEARS!
Its been 8 months for AHP/CM15A. X10 needs
some help and motivation wouldn’t you say?
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Carmine:
Very cute and happy baby... take a hint dad,
life should be happy... I'm taking the hint.
Thanks
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Tony
As long they are fools who keep buying the
flawed products and accepting all they lame
excuses and promises, X10 has no
motivation, the only language X10
management understand is profits; reduce or
eliminate profit and they will listen.
I cut my losses and returned for a refund;
the last update should remind peoples that
the CM15a and AHP would be fixed the 12 of
never.