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 | Upgrading from X10 to Insteon
entry by Avatar-X
10/9/2009 4:17 PM
| For over 15 years, my main home automation technology has been a product called X10. You may have heard of X10: They were famous for super-annoying popup ads involving spy cameras in the early part of this decade. But their home automation technology has actually been around since the 70's.
It's actually one of the most 'available' technologies: Over 15 companies rebrand it with their own name (IBM HomeDirector, Radio Shack Plug'n'Power) but the technology is the same and they're all compatible. However, there's one big problem: It sucks.
Why does it suck? There's really only one major reason: It's unreliable. There's no guarantee that when you push a button to turn a lamp on, that the lamp actually came on. This means that it's impossible to build any kind of system that makes something happen for sure. For example, in my home, my computer controls my curtains. With X10, there's no way to know for sure that the curtain did, in fact, open or close.
There's a bunch of new competitors that have come into the field recently. ZWave, Zigbee, Insteon, and a handful of others. I've spent a bit of time looking at each of them, and I decided to go with Insteon. Here are some reason why Insteon is the best choice:
- Insteon modules are available in a huge variety of styles: Plug-in, in-wall, appliance, lamp, in-wall. There's also a huge number of sensors available: Motion, door, darkness, wetness, etc.
- The prices are reasonable. A basic Insteon plug-in lamp module will run you about $26. Sure, that's 3 times more than X10, but keep reading.
- The technology is reliable. Each Insteon message is transmitted up to 4 times, and an acknowledgment is sent back by the receiving module. If the transmitter doesn't get the acknowledgment, he will send the message again up to 5 times. On top of that, all Insteon devices act as repeaters in an awesome simulcasting mesh network. They basically all talk at the same time, like voices in a choir, to make sure the message gets to the other side.
- Many of the modules have unswitched plugs in the front, so you don't lose the plug and you can daisy-chain them
- All Insteon modules can both transmit and receive. This means that not only can you ask an Insteon module a question (such as 'Are you on?') but it can tell you when it switches on and off.
- Insteon is backwards-compatible with X10, so you can upgrade your home one piece at a time, instead of having to do it all at once.
There's a ton of other good reasons why Insteon is superior. But I had to find out for myself -- I took the plunge and spent some cash on an initial startup kit and computer interface module.
After a few days of reading the protocol manual, I had created a new software called AvBrand Insteon PowerLinc. This software manages and automates the Insteon system, and allows my other software (such as my Touchscreen) to issue simple commands like "Kitchen On".
Working with Insteon has been like a breath of fresh air. Modules turn on almost immediately, and they do it every time. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but after years of dealing with "Press & Pray" X10, having a system that simply works is so nice.
I've got another order of Insteon stuff coming soon, so I will post an update when I am running 100% Insteon!
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So, for now, I'm stuck with X10, but one of these days I will rewire my home so that I can have reliable home automation. 
