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Hello,

 

I have been using Z-wave home automation for a couple of years, having previously used X10 products. I currently have a VeraPlus, controlling a wide variety of Fibaro devices. I originally chose the VeraPlus since it was a low cost entry into Z-wave, and it had Z-wave+ whereas the HC2 (probably my ideal choice) did not, and still does not have. I have increasingly become fed up with the VeraPlus unit, since each firmware update turns it into a brick, which takes a lot of effort to recover from. Eventually, we have the HC3, which looks good, although it is disappointing to see that it has the Z500 chipset, rather than future proofing it with the Z700 chipset. As a former electronics engineer, I can appreciate why not. I suppose you could argue that it would have been a good idea to put the Z-wave hardware onto a daughter board, so that when available, you could swap from Z500 to Z700. However this would increase the unit cost, although probably a good selling feature.

 

I will wait to purchase the HC3 for at least 6 months, so that any initial bugs get sorted out.

 

Best regards, Barry