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[koalamotorsport]

Lets say you wake up one morning and decide to move your house out of the 1970's, and into the current state of technology.

Money is not an object, so you can peel out all your antique X10 crap and replace it with something that actually works.   

What would you buy?

I'm so tired of dealing with this garbage that I'm hunting for suggestions, even if it means pulling out more than 80 light fixtures to get rid of X10.

Brett

[Noam]

I'd put in a *wired* system (obviously, wireless remotes couldn't be wired), where every device has a secondary set of low voltage wires running back to a central controller. *THAT* should knock out most of the signal transmission issues.
Custom-written software for the controller (with a developer on standby to make changes as needed) would allow me to do whatever I wanted with it.

Of course, with unlimited money, I'd probably just buy Smarthome (the entire company), and put their engineers to work doing my bidding....

[Brian H]

Here is some information on varied automation systems.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgHb6Gq4ol2CcHEyUzhmdnUySlhFdjFOZTlUSVFoZEE&hl=en#gid=0

One thing to take into consideration.
Do you have a real neutral power connection in the electrical boxes where your automation modules will go?
Many use a neutral power connection. X10s stole power through the load and worked in switch loop wiring.

[dhouston]

If money were no object, I'd have scantily clad young ladies stationed at each switch who would respond to voice commands.

Or, I'd pick one of the hardwired systems listed at...

• http://davehouston.org/hardwire.htm

[JeffVolp]

Yes, if money was no object I'd go hardwired too.  I opted for that with our security system - all hidden sensors and wiring.

One thing to consider with a hardwired system is its longevity.  Years ago GE offered a hardwired system.  It was eventually discontinued, and I understand difficult to find replacement components today.

So if you choose a hardwired system, look for one that is manufactured by more than one company.  X10 was like that years ago, but several of the manufactures have jumped ship, and some of the devices have become difficult to find.

Jeff

[dhouston]

One thing to consider with a hardwired system is its longevity.  Years ago GE offered a hardwired system.  It was eventually discontinued, and I understand difficult to find replacement components today.

IIRC, there are 2-3 companies (CentraLite, LiteTouch, TouchPLate) that date from the '50s (when GE introduced their system) and are still around, the difference being that this is their sole or main business.

[Noam]

One thing to consider with a hardwired system is its longevity.  Years ago GE offered a hardwired system.  It was eventually discontinued, and I understand difficult to find replacement components today.

You might not be able to find replacement components, but at least the already-installed wiring *should* be re-usable if you switch to a new system.

[Noam]

If money were no object, I'd have scantily clad young ladies stationed at each switch who would respond to voice commands.

You might need some of them to be dressed warmly, especially for outdoor devices during the winter. ;-)

[dave w]

I'm going to play this from the "money is no object, but rebuilding my house is" angle.

I would go with Z-Wave. It seems to have the biggest backing/acceptance from control manufacturers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-Wave