HELP: Need alternative to HC2

[topolino 0]

Thanks for the great posts and recommendations so far.

I'm shipping my HC2 to the buyer today, and an Aeon z-stick is in the post office waiting for me to try it out with Indigo. A Vera Edge should also arrive tomorrow so that I can evaluate both options before returning one of them in a couple of weeks.

What a relief to no longer be part of the world's most expensive beta program and to be waiting for version 4!

[deanrparry 19]

Thanks for the great posts and recommendations so far.

I'm shipping my HC2 to the buyer today, and an Aeon z-stick is in the post office waiting for me to try it out with Indigo. A Vera Edge should also arrive tomorrow so that I can evaluate both options before returning one of them in a couple of weeks.

What a relief to no longer be part of the world's most expensive beta program and to be waiting for version 4!

Good luck buddy! You deserve a working solution... hope you did not lose to much on the HC!

[topolino 0]

Thanks! I guess I lost the equivalent of three wall plugs. I think Fibaro should send just that to me for good measures...

[Guest David R]

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[topolino 0]

I have now installed Indigo Domotics and moved most of my devices over. I think I'll be pretty happy with this solution. I have been able to do more complex stuff with this system in hours than I did in weeks with Home Center 2.

As for the Vera Edge, I still haven't even opened the box. I think it will be a cool thing, but I'm not sure I'm going to need it, so I'll either return it or keep it around in case I want to install a door lock. Indigo only supports this through a Vera bridge.

Connecting Fibaro devices to the Aeon Z-stick went smooth, except for the Wall Plugs, where triple clicking the on-off-switch is a royal pain to get right. Door/window and motion sensors worked fine.

Getting Indigo to set them up was not as smooth, as I had to have the devices close to wake them up while connecting. When they were finally connected, they seem to be fully supported and working really well.

To summarize, I think I have this to say about Fibaro:

– Battery operated door/window & motion sensors: Great stuff!

– Home Center 2 (or 3 or whatever is coming): Forget it, the alternatives are miles ahead

– Flood sensor: So so build quality, but quite ok.

– Smoke sensor: Stay away, really dangerous.

– 230V built-in units: I don't trust them not to burn the house down.

– Overall user interface: Looks good (but a little dated), not efficient or intuitive.

I think Fibaro has hired a good graphic designer to make it look good, but they have forgotten to hire a good interaction designer to make it work efficiently. The graphs are a good example - they are pure eye candy with no valuable insight whatsoever. And the tiny LUA script window that doesn't scale is just a joke.

I hope this helps someone.

[Guest Kuuno]

I have been able to do more complex stuff with this system in hours than I did in weeks with Home Center 2.

hi

can you describe what functionality you have at home?

heating, cooling, any special scenes?

thanks!

[topolino 0]

Not much yet. I currently only have door/window sensors and motion sensors active. What I did in a very short time here was to create zones in the house that each became active if one or more devices in the zone got triggered, and that fired specific notifications only if the alarm was set to armed. This wasn't an easy task in Fibaro.

I also quickly set up different timers and a standalone auto-off timer for my espresso machine that required a lot of work in Fibaro.

I'm not saying this couldn't be done with HC2, but it sure isn't straight forward.

[ScottM 3]

With respect, don't you think it's just a tad bit rude to run a thread advertising alternatives on Fibaro's own forum? I understand you have the #$@!s but seriously....

I don't think you'd do this kind of thing in person (i.e. go to someone's shop, stand inside the front door and hand out brochures for the store down the street) so why do it online?

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If you want to go, so be it.. but don't stand here smearing * on the walls before your departure. I presume you'll also stop flying on Boeing 737's because one crashed in Africa earlier this year?

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[deanrparry 19]

I see you have been on the forum less than a week... good luck with that sort of remark my friend! How long have you owned the Home Center?

[ Added: 2014-12-05, 21:23 ]

Not much yet. I currently only have door/window sensors and motion sensors active. What I did in a very short time here was to create zones in the house that each became active if one or more devices in the zone got triggered, and that fired specific notifications only if the alarm was set to armed. This wasn't an easy task in Fibaro.

I also quickly set up different timers and a standalone auto-off timer for my espresso machine that required a lot of work in Fibaro.

I'm not saying this couldn't be done with HC2, but it sure isn't straight forward.

And he does mention FIBARO DOOR AND WINDOW SENSORS being use with an alternative system so still Fibaro branded sir!

[ScottM 3]

Mate - it's just plain rude. Obviously not raised particularly well by his parents (you either). Of course if someone smears $%@! on the walls they are prone to throw it at people as well.

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I've owned an HC2 for around 12 months.

[deanrparry 19]

WOW! You are repulsive my friend! No need to drag my name through the dirt!

[Guest David R]

we tend to ignore dean he has got many deep rooted issues and channels it through fibaro bashing

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[deanrparry 19]

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[OnnoH 1]

Great to see you are so prejudicial ScottM. And completely missing the point as far as I'm concerned.

If Fibaro gets a run for their money here, it's because they brought it upon themselves.

And yes, I stepped away from the HC2 as well

And yes, I'm using Fibaro modules with great pleasure.

[deanrparry 19]

Great to see you are so prejudicial ScottM. And completely missing the point as far as I'm concerned.

If Fibaro gets a run for their money here, it's because they brought it upon themselves.

And yes, I stepped away from the HC2 as well

And yes, I'm using Fibaro modules with great pleasure.

At last someone with some common sense! Note the use of Fibaro modules!

[Guest fat]

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[Guest David R]

Nobody takes Dean serious here. Hes become a bit of Fibaro legend in a weird way.

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[deanrparry 19]

Nobody takes Dean serious here. Hes become a bit of Fibaro legend in a weird way.

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Your Mum took me serious after all I contributed towards your Home Automation!

[Guest David R]

Sigh.....You see he allways resorts to gays and mums jokes. We all just laugh at him. Its quite funny to see a grown man carry on like he does.

[deanrparry 19]

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