Anyone Have a home Automation system?

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
02/11/2014 at 16:36 • Filed to: None

Looking into this (again). Never been too sure which way I wanted to go because everyone had their own specific devices and I would like a bit of everything. Well this one company has been using a mix of devices for a while and I think I might give them a go.

This product is called Revolv and it currently works with Insteon, Z-wave, and wi-fi devices. They also plan to expand into other frequencies.

Just wondering if anyone has had any good / bad experiences with home automation either this brand or any in general.

DISCUSSION (16)

Casper > CAR_IS_MI
02/11/2014 at 16:40

I have an excitement/boredom cycle with home automation. Unfortunately, most of what I have done has been DIY so I can't offer opinions to the quality of those products specifically. I was using Netduinos for the most part, running a super simple web server to catch and parse HTTP requests, that look to a central server in my house that has an interface that I just customize to whatever I want to control, fed from a SQL server database.

When I'm all excited, I try to automate all the things... then I lose interest and ignore the idea for a while.

Brian, The Life of > CAR_IS_MI
02/11/2014 at 16:42

Do anything but AT&T's service ... I went to one of their stores and priced how much it would be to cover burglar alarm, a camera at the front door, an automated front door lock, and a few lights in a couple rooms to remotely turn on/off.

CRACK PIPE! Those guys are out of their minds on pricing.

Roberto G. > CAR_IS_MI
02/11/2014 at 16:49

I really hope not. Not in my life, at least. Notwithstanding my Company that's launching a robot vacuum cleaner that can be controlled by an iPhone app, and a whole range of appliances connected to the home WiFi network, I still believe that whoever can only think that he could exchange SMS with his refrigerator and washing machine is a total, utter imbecile with lotta time to waste and no real interests in life. And time will prove me right, since I've been first hearing of Domotica for a short times ten years ago, but so far no one who's sane of mind really felt the need for it.

CAR_IS_MI > Brian, The Life of
02/11/2014 at 16:50

lol yea. Not a fan of AT&T to start.

I like the idea of being able to do this modular-ly. The initial is $300, which gets you pretty much nothing but the hub, but you can start with a few switches and add on over time from there.

Brian, The Life of > CAR_IS_MI
02/11/2014 at 16:52

Which is fine as long as there is no monthly fee. This is where AT&T loses me completely. I already give those bastards enough money every month between a family plan with 6 smart phones and Uverse's "I have more dollars than sense" bundle.

desertdog5051 > CAR_IS_MI
02/11/2014 at 16:53

Lowe's sell systems you can install yourself.

CAR_IS_MI > Roberto G.
02/11/2014 at 16:54

Yea, I am all set with texting my fridge, but it would be nice to remotely monitor things, like did I leave the garage light on, or forget to lock the back door, or even adjust my thermostat if it is hotter / colder than expected.

The app for this one can also use my phones GPS signal to say turn on *X* light when I am within a certain distance from the house. i.e. coming home from work.

CAR_IS_MI > Brian, The Life of
02/11/2014 at 16:57

Yea, no fees. There are a few out there with monthly subscriptions. Thanks but no thanks.

PatBateman > CAR_IS_MI
02/11/2014 at 16:57

I have a great system in my house.

Voice activated. I say "close the shades ", the shades close. I say "turn on the TV, change the channel, turn off the lights", it happens. I can even ask when dinner will be done.

It's certainly expensive, though. Especially if she gets tired of me yelling orders and divorces me.

CAR_IS_MI > desertdog5051
02/11/2014 at 16:58

I install EVERYTHING myself.

except the satellite dish. The guy wouldn't let me do it. Jerk.

Roberto G. > CAR_IS_MI
02/11/2014 at 16:59

All nice and swell, till some pimpled boy in his mom's basement hacks your system, just for the sake of it. Please let me die with my manual switches. At least when I come home and the bathroom light is still on, I know who's to blame.

CAR_IS_MI > Casper
02/11/2014 at 16:59

I thought about going a similar route for a while, but I decided I don't want to spend my time working on scripts to get the devices to do what I want when I want.

jariten1781 > CAR_IS_MI
02/11/2014 at 17:04

Having worked for DirecTV in a previous life, customer installed dishes were the bane of my existence.

Casper > CAR_IS_MI
02/11/2014 at 17:06

That's why I went the Netduino route rather than Arduino. The .NET framework makes it relatively easy and quick, but it's the hardware side that takes longer. Getting the outputs stepped to whatever voltage and soldering is a pain.

CAR_IS_MI > Roberto G.
02/11/2014 at 17:08

Good thing we don't have basements out here...

I have security systems in place already, not that they are the greatest things ever, and I am sure if you wanted to hack my house and fuck with my lights you could...

Kailand09 > CAR_IS_MI
02/11/2014 at 18:17

I'd wait on it... tech and large companies are moving to do it, but that market hasn't blossomed yet.