X10 signal meter (e.g. ELK ESM1).

[neo11]

Anyone know of a replacement for the ELK ESM1 signal monitoring device ?
Trying to troubleshoot some maddening inermittent X10 signal problems.
This thing appears to be discontinued ( As is everything I really want lately).
Trying to avoid monkeying around with a Scope and the 120vac power line .

[HA Dave]

Anyone know of a replacement for the ELK ESM1 signal monitoring device ?
Trying to troubleshoot some maddening inermittent X10 signal problems.

Jeff Volp (from here at the forum) makes one! Knightrider (also from here at the forum) purchased [and assemabled] one. He asked me to review it for thisautomatedhouse.com which I was happy to do. I was impressed with the unit.

[systemdm]

Check this thread for links.  They still sell it or rent it......


http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=18494.0

[neo11]

Anyone know of a replacement for the ELK ESM1 signal monitoring device ?
Trying to troubleshoot some maddening inermittent X10 signal problems.

Jeff Volp (from here at the forum) makes one! Knightrider (also from here at the forum) purchased [and assemabled] one. He asked me to review it for thisautomatedhouse.com which I was happy to to. I was impressed with the unit.

Great. going to the site to check it out  Looks like this is the only affordable option. Thanks! 

[Brian H]

I also have an XTBM and I am very happy with it.
The only other X10 meter that maybe in production is much more costly. Monterrey was the name.

I also have an ELM ESM1 and though OK. The XTBM is much more versatile.

I believe Automated Outlet may still have the ESM1.

[neo11]

I also have an XTBM and I am very happy with it.
The only other X10 meter that maybe in production is much more costly. Monterrey was the name.

I also have an ELM ESM1 and though OK. The XTBM is much more versatile.

I believe Automated Outlet may still have the ESM1.

Thanks you are right the automated outlet still lists a ESM1 but if I go for a sig
meter , I think it'd be better to go with the XTBM kit. I aint afraid of a solder
pencil. Been fixing laptops for a long while. Can't be harder then that  . Plus
the ESM1 price is in the same range as the XTBM. Hope XTB  has the kit parts still.

[Brian H]

The XTBM s much easier to work on than a Laptop or Two Way Radio Portable.
I use to fix Two Way Radios of the mobile style. The portables where too small for me. 
I went the XTBM Kit route and it was not difficult at all to assemble.
I did an XTB-IIR Kit also.

I do like all the XTBM features and the ability to send a signal at power up to trigger a repeater really helps. You can plug it in and read a signal back all at the sametime. I have also found a EarthLed EvoLux S LED bulb so noisy it reads the full scale of .99 volts noise. I am sure it is even higher than that, as it causes a .3 volt noise reading in just about the whole house. The .99 volt noise being in the same outlet as the bulb is connected to.

[Charles Sullivan]

I have an Elk ESM1 and I'm not very impressed by it.  I'd definitely go with the XTBM if I needed to buy another X10 signal meter.

[dbemowsk]

I too went the route of purchasing and assembling the XTBM.  I agree that it is very easy to assemble.  The information that it presents is extremely helpful and has helped me trace down several issues. 

I do not have any of the other X10 metering equipment to make comparisons, but I can say that the XTBM was well worth the $$$.

[neo11]

As always in my experience, people on these forums have a wealth of information and
experience that they freely share with newbies. I find that this makes working with
X10 technology and equipment most enjoyable and gives great answers to questions.
You guys are the best  . Had to give thanks and acknowledge all who have
commented about your experiences. Bottom line . I would be an idiot not to go with
the XTBM device judging from the responses I have read so far.  I don't think I am
an idiot so.. I am going with what the group says is the best device XTBM.
Thanks U all 

[dave w]

I am going with what the group says is the best device XTBM.
Thanks U all 

Add my vote for the XTBM. It is a great unit.

I know it is disrespectful to bad mouth the dead, but compared to the XTBM, the old Elk meter is poo-poo. However when they first came out, back in the 90's, they were the greatest invention since the Dust Buster and the Coors "Cold Activated Can". 

[JeffVolp]

I bought an ESM1 back before it became an Elk product.  It was indeed a handy tool for those of us who were fighting X10 problems.  I just wish I had it when I started to expand my X10 system 20 years ago.

When the ESM1 and TesterLinc were discontinued, I originally set out to pretty much duplicate the ESM1 functionality.  However, like the way the XTB gradually evolved into the XTB-IIR, the simple LED bargraph tester evolved into the XTBM.  Since noise is such a serious problem today, much of the XTBM development went into identifying potential noise problems.

Jeff