Home automation?

[fordman84]

Anyone here installed any home automation systems in their place? I have had probably a half-dozen close calls where I almost bought a "starter kit" of different brands and then back out at the last minute. Seems like everyone is always saying "improvements are coming, next gen is just around the corner". Of course with Apple about to reveal HomeKit, that might change things too. I really like the SmartThings layout and how it works with quite a few other brands, but there are so many choices that it's overwhelming when I'm surfing around trying to find my options.


So, anyone have REAL experience with using them? What platform? Z-wave seems to be the most common one I can find and gets good reviews.

 

[tabascojet]

you talking about home monitoring systems?

 

[fordman84]

you talking about home monitoring systems?

sorta. I'm talking about stuff like the Lowes IRIS systems or the Apple HomeKit that is supposed to be out soon. The stuff that you can control everything from your phone or tablet...lights, thermostat, video cameras, door locks, etc.

 

[WizardHawk]

I'm too poor to experiment with that stuff so I'm afraid I'm of no more use than google on this topic.

I do want to add a camera system at some point when I get around to it. That I can do in my sleep as I've worked with them for years, but the rest of the automation not so much.

 

[Win TWINS!!!]

The machines will rise up against us.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

sorta. I'm talking about stuff like the Lowes IRIS systems or the Apple HomeKit that is supposed to be out soon. The stuff that you can control everything from your phone or tablet...lights, thermostat, video cameras, door locks, etc.

Sounds interesting and I would love to give it a try, but I suspect it's going to be too $ for me. Love the idea of controlling every thing from my iPad.

 

[yourTEAMreallySUCKS]

i have a savant system. i can control my entire house from an iPad or iPhone. i love it, except surfing tv channels is aggravating on an iPad without hard buttons.