Couple of New Guy Questions

[Steve]

We are starting to plan our new home. Looking for some ideas in the
following areas:

- Hardwired lighting. Who are the major players and which if any integrated
controllers like Elk or HAI do they interface with?
- UPB vs Zwave Vs Zensys. Any thoughts? We really want integration and
those seem to be technologies outside of hardwired.
- Anyone have experience integrating thermostats with the Elk M-1Gold? It
looks much weaker than HAI in that area.
- Automated blinds. Anyone have any experience with current production
stuff?
- Electric Locks. Anything that fits well in residential use? Seco-Larm
has the SD-997 series. Looking for other options and alternatives.


Thanks,

Steve

[Tech-Home]

Steve wrote:
> We are starting to plan our new home. Looking for some ideas in the
> following areas:
>
> - Hardwired lighting. Who are the major players and which if any
integrated
> controllers like Elk or HAI do they interface with?
> - UPB vs Zwave Vs Zensys. Any thoughts? We really want integration
and
> those seem to be technologies outside of hardwired.
> - Anyone have experience integrating thermostats with the Elk
M-1Gold? It
> looks much weaker than HAI in that area.
> - Automated blinds. Anyone have any experience with current
production
> stuff?
> - Electric Locks. Anything that fits well in residential use?
Seco-Larm
> has the SD-997 series. Looking for other options and alternatives.
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve

- Electric Locks. Anything that fits well in residential use?
Seco-Larm
> has the SD-997 series. Looking for other options and alternatives.

I'm installing 24 volt electric door strikes. I'm intergrating these
with ELK M1-Gold.

> - Anyone have experience integrating thermostats with the Elk
M-1Gold? It
> looks much weaker than HAI in that area.

Why do you say this? What do you mean weak?

> - UPB vs Zwave Vs Zensys. Any thoughts? We really want integration
and
> those seem to be technologies outside of hardwired.

Elk is releasing a Zwave add on very soon. Zwave Vs Zensys Samething
UPB basically hybrid X10 PLC. Zwave RF solution No powerline.
Something else to look at is Zigbee when products start hitting the
market.

Hardwire is the best way to go when building but are not as flexible
when wanting to chage things around.


I'm biased on Zwave/Elk as I use them personaly and sell them.
I really think Elk M1 is the best panel out there for
HomeAutomation/Security.


Brian
http://tech-home.com

[Steve]

"Tech-Home" <brian@tech-home.com> wrote in message
news:1109501615.071453.54510@l41g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Steve wrote:
>> We are starting to plan our new home. Looking for some ideas in the
>> following areas:
>>
>> - Hardwired lighting. Who are the major players and which if any
> integrated
>> controllers like Elk or HAI do they interface with?
>> - UPB vs Zwave Vs Zensys. Any thoughts? We really want integration
> and
>> those seem to be technologies outside of hardwired.
>> - Anyone have experience integrating thermostats with the Elk
> M-1Gold? It
>> looks much weaker than HAI in that area.
>> - Automated blinds. Anyone have any experience with current
> production
>> stuff?
>> - Electric Locks. Anything that fits well in residential use?
> Seco-Larm
>> has the SD-997 series. Looking for other options and alternatives.
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Steve
>
> - Electric Locks. Anything that fits well in residential use?
> Seco-Larm
>> has the SD-997 series. Looking for other options and alternatives.
>
> I'm installing 24 volt electric door strikes. I'm intergrating these
> with ELK M1-Gold.
>
>> - Anyone have experience integrating thermostats with the Elk
> M-1Gold? It
>> looks much weaker than HAI in that area.
>
> Why do you say this? What do you mean weak?
>
>> - UPB vs Zwave Vs Zensys. Any thoughts? We really want integration
> and
>> those seem to be technologies outside of hardwired.
>
> Elk is releasing a Zwave add on very soon. Zwave Vs Zensys Samething
> UPB basically hybrid X10 PLC. Zwave RF solution No powerline.
> Something else to look at is Zigbee when products start hitting the
> market.
>
> Hardwire is the best way to go when building but are not as flexible
> when wanting to chage things around.
>
>
> I'm biased on Zwave/Elk as I use them personaly and sell them.
> I really think Elk M1 is the best panel out there for
> HomeAutomation/Security.

Thanks for the info.

I friend has an Omni and that is what got us originally interested in
integrated automation. He showed me how the thermostat is integrated. Very
nice. However, from what I can tell, the Elk is overall the newer and
superior panel (and my friend agrees). I can't seem to find much
information on how to tie thermostats into the Elk or which ones are
supported. Then again I may be looking in the wrong places.

The Elk looks like it can support a lot of relay outputs also, which is
another reason we like it. Would love to be able to control drapes and
other discrete items with it.

With lighting, from what I have read, you can never get the hardwiring
perfect when you build. You miss an outlet or some such, so additional and
changeable control like X10 etc will be needed. That's why I am looking for
a panel that can support both, at least by communications, if not directly.

What are the differences between Zwave and Zensys? Another item that I
can't seem to figure out. Also looking for multibutton wall switches like
the hard wired and X10 systems have. Are any of those being made yet?

Thanks,

Steve

[webmaster@automationmania.com]

Dear Steve,

I would be more than happy to help you. I am the owner of Automation
Mania, LLC. We sell home automation products at very competitive
prices. We have all of the items that you would need for your
implementation. Please feel free to call me at 609-471-6268 or visit
our website: http://www.automationmania.com. We offer 5% off all
customer orders.

Sincerely,

Christopher A. Inverso
Automation Mania, LLC

[Tech-Home]

Christopher
You don't even sell Elk Or HAI. How can you help??
Try helping in the forum instead of posting generic responses and
reading the charter.


Steve,
I provide you with more details for installation. Email me at
brian@tech-home.com and reference Elk.

Brian
http://tech-home.com

[webmaster@automationmania.com]

Dear Brian,

We do in fact sell both HAI and Elk products. They are not yet listed
on our site. However, we carry a full line of these products.

Sincerely,

Christopher A. Inverso
Automation Mania, LLC