There is also the VeraSecure. It combines the zwave/wifi/ZigBee/BT of the veraPlus with support for 400mhz security sensors, a cellular uplink and monitoring.
I don't have a vera secure so I can't comment directly.
I wish a modern solution was available that used my existing X10 310MHz sensors. My whole home is outfitted with them on doors, windows, and PIR motion. They work great but the hub is ancient and lacks any sort of internet-based communication (via a VOIP ATA, it is controlled through commands ala dialup, and notifies me by voice calls, not even text. It's pretty rudimentary.)
Another nit to pick, the vera3, released in 2012, was also a 4 port router/wifi access point as well a zwave HA controller. I am not sure if the Almond predates that.
Have you looked at an HA/security combo? Most of the other non-cloud appliance HA controllers (ISY, Homeseer, Vera) will talk to one or more prosumer security panels (DSC, Elk, Honeywell).
Monitoring on those panels can be had for $10 and they are more reliable than most HA controllers.
For once, I agree with ddriver. That is a ridiculous amount of non-functional frame. They could use a larger display, add physical buttons, a few simple indicator lights, a pointless larson scanner... ANYTHING but the "endless sea of beige plastic" look they went with.
If you're a "power user" I would recommend buying an Aeotec Gen 5 USB stick. It is a Z-Wave controller the size of a large flash drive. The device combined with any number of open-source controller apps (Domoticz, OpenHAB, Home Assistant) allow you to run your own home automation cloud... No subscription fees.
Yes, a lot of options for pure home automation. The difficult walls to jump over are the addition of professional monitoring / cellular backup / UPS (or battery) etc.
Also, Securifi doesn't charge for home automation cloud usage. Only for the cellular backup (if you use their own SIM) and professional monitoring.
As I mentioned in the article, I think they represent the right balance of local- and cloud- features. Unlike, say, something like SmartThings that is almost entirely cloud-reliant.
The home monitoring for $10 seems very attractive. I previously looked into Simplisafe, but it was more and very limited add ons.
I'm currently just using a Aeotec usb stick with a banana pi for home automation and basic security using domoticz and it works well. However, there's no monitoring so if I'm on an airplane there's not much I can do. It uses very little power so connected to a cheap $50 UPS will keep it running for over an hour if there's a power outage.
The home insurance discount for monitored security was very low, like only $25 reduction in home insurance cost.
Have you looked at an HA/security combo? Most of the other non-cloud appliance HA controllers (ISY, Homeseer, Vera) will talk to one or more prosumer security panels (DSC, Elk, Honeywell).
Monitoring on those panels can be had for $10 and they are more reliable than most HA controllers.
From memory, Vera and Homeseer do not charge for their cloud. UD does charge for the cloud on their ISY controllers, but it's like $50/yr.
Just fyi, the Wink Hub 2 supports Bluetooth LE, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Kidde, and Lutron Clear Connect. For connecting to your network it has 2.4GHz & 5GHz Wi-Fi as well as an ethernet port.
I'm not sure how well it can be used for security especially when it comes to remote monitoring and/or cell backup. Basic door/window sensors should work ok though.
The cloud was suppose to free us from NAS, instead it turned into a paywall for "convenience" even thought it cost the people zero dollars for such.
Its a pretty shitty business practice to not allow consumers to let them save whatever they want locally.
Its the main reason NEST stuff gets a bad rap. Then you got companies that have questionable business practices to try to force you to use CLoud...take Yi Cameras. Cheap, easy home monitoring 1080p cameras. Lets you use SD card to view stuff on. I bought 4 of them for house..but what would you guess was the first thing that broke with them? All FOUR cams SD card decided to to work..flat stopped worked after a firmware update. Countless tech support emails (about a week between responses..lol) they tell me i cams are not under warrenty anymore. But that i should subscribe to cloud service so don't need SD cards. wow, just wow.
I think they borked up SD card readers on purpose, so people have to use cloud from them. Though good luck proving it right..even then nothing to do if you can.
As for cloud being part of everything...I like many others would buy a Nest product if no cloud option was available.
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Kigmatzomat - Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - link
There is also the VeraSecure. It combines the zwave/wifi/ZigBee/BT of the veraPlus with support for 400mhz security sensors, a cellular uplink and monitoring.I don't have a vera secure so I can't comment directly.
ganeshts - Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - link
Very interesting. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.I have been pushing Securifi to support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices in the smart home segment, and I am hoping this product will push them to do it :)
Other than the 400 MHz sensor and BT support, I also see in-built Z-Wave support. The Almond 3S requires a USB dongle for this purpose.
Only downside seems to be that monthly professional monitoring is $20/mo.
Samus - Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - link
I wish a modern solution was available that used my existing X10 310MHz sensors. My whole home is outfitted with them on doors, windows, and PIR motion. They work great but the hub is ancient and lacks any sort of internet-based communication (via a VOIP ATA, it is controlled through commands ala dialup, and notifies me by voice calls, not even text. It's pretty rudimentary.)Kigmatzomat - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - link
Insteon supports X10, more or less. Look at an isy 994 controller or a homeseer controller with Insteon plug in to see if they work with your devices.Then you can either add new insteon or zwave devices to your set up. Or link up a real security panel
Kigmatzomat - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - link
Another nit to pick, the vera3, released in 2012, was also a 4 port router/wifi access point as well a zwave HA controller. I am not sure if the Almond predates that.Kigmatzomat - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - link
Have you looked at an HA/security combo? Most of the other non-cloud appliance HA controllers (ISY, Homeseer, Vera) will talk to one or more prosumer security panels (DSC, Elk, Honeywell).Monitoring on those panels can be had for $10 and they are more reliable than most HA controllers.
Kigmatzomat - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - link
And as another note, all 3 of those have Alexa integration. I think they all talk to Google home as well, but that might be in beta or via an app.ddriver - Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - link
Needs moar bezel.Lord of the Bored - Monday, November 13, 2017 - link
For once, I agree with ddriver. That is a ridiculous amount of non-functional frame. They could use a larger display, add physical buttons, a few simple indicator lights, a pointless larson scanner... ANYTHING but the "endless sea of beige plastic" look they went with.mooninite - Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - link
If you're a "power user" I would recommend buying an Aeotec Gen 5 USB stick. It is a Z-Wave controller the size of a large flash drive. The device combined with any number of open-source controller apps (Domoticz, OpenHAB, Home Assistant) allow you to run your own home automation cloud... No subscription fees.ganeshts - Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - link
Yes, a lot of options for pure home automation. The difficult walls to jump over are the addition of professional monitoring / cellular backup / UPS (or battery) etc.Also, Securifi doesn't charge for home automation cloud usage. Only for the cellular backup (if you use their own SIM) and professional monitoring.
As I mentioned in the article, I think they represent the right balance of local- and cloud- features. Unlike, say, something like SmartThings that is almost entirely cloud-reliant.
webdoctors - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - link
The home monitoring for $10 seems very attractive. I previously looked into Simplisafe, but it was more and very limited add ons.I'm currently just using a Aeotec usb stick with a banana pi for home automation and basic security using domoticz and it works well. However, there's no monitoring so if I'm on an airplane there's not much I can do. It uses very little power so connected to a cheap $50 UPS will keep it running for over an hour if there's a power outage.
The home insurance discount for monitored security was very low, like only $25 reduction in home insurance cost.
Kigmatzomat - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - link
Have you looked at an HA/security combo? Most of the other non-cloud appliance HA controllers (ISY, Homeseer, Vera) will talk to one or more prosumer security panels (DSC, Elk, Honeywell).Monitoring on those panels can be had for $10 and they are more reliable than most HA controllers.
From memory, Vera and Homeseer do not charge for their cloud. UD does charge for the cloud on their ISY controllers, but it's like $50/yr.
mikepers - Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - link
Just fyi, the Wink Hub 2 supports Bluetooth LE, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Kidde, and Lutron Clear Connect. For connecting to your network it has 2.4GHz & 5GHz Wi-Fi as well as an ethernet port.I'm not sure how well it can be used for security especially when it comes to remote monitoring and/or cell backup. Basic door/window sensors should work ok though.
imaheadcase - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - link
The cloud was suppose to free us from NAS, instead it turned into a paywall for "convenience" even thought it cost the people zero dollars for such.Its a pretty shitty business practice to not allow consumers to let them save whatever they want locally.
Its the main reason NEST stuff gets a bad rap. Then you got companies that have questionable business practices to try to force you to use CLoud...take Yi Cameras. Cheap, easy home monitoring 1080p cameras. Lets you use SD card to view stuff on. I bought 4 of them for house..but what would you guess was the first thing that broke with them? All FOUR cams SD card decided to to work..flat stopped worked after a firmware update. Countless tech support emails (about a week between responses..lol) they tell me i cams are not under warrenty anymore. But that i should subscribe to cloud service so don't need SD cards. wow, just wow.
I think they borked up SD card readers on purpose, so people have to use cloud from them. Though good luck proving it right..even then nothing to do if you can.
As for cloud being part of everything...I like many others would buy a Nest product if no cloud option was available.