Comments on: The ISY-99 is the best thing that ever happend to my automated lights http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/ How good can it be, if it isn't HD? Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:30:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ben Drawbaugh http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-2013 Ben Drawbaugh Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:04:15 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/#comment-2013 I use Macs to get work done, but it is hard to beat a specific purpose built device like the ISY-99 at its intended task. I use Macs to get work done, but it is hard to beat a specific purpose built device like the ISY-99 at its intended task.

]]> By: uweb http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-2009 uweb Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:31:27 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/#comment-2009 good info., thanks. How come nobody tried Indigo (Mac)? I am presently trying to figure out whether to go with Indigo Pro first, before getting Isy 99. Any comments will be appreciated. good info., thanks.

How come nobody tried Indigo (Mac)? I am presently trying to figure out whether to go with Indigo Pro first, before getting Isy 99.

Any comments will be appreciated.

]]> By: Insteon http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-1969 Insteon Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:43:18 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/#comment-1969 Glad to find another isy-99i supporter - I tell people it will solve their issues and still get that doubting look that tells me they think it's too good to be true. Hardware > software in this case. Glad to find another isy-99i supporter – I tell people it will solve their issues and still get that doubting look that tells me they think it’s too good to be true.
Hardware > software in this case.

]]> By: Dennis M http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-1690 Dennis M Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:25:42 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/#comment-1690 I too am at a point where the ISY unit is the next step to get me where I want my system to be. I am also researching the Arduino microcontroller board and I am curious if anyone has been able to interface these two devices. The Arduino is a cool gadget that allows you to build your own electronic devices, robots, etc. You can use it to read sensors (temp, vibration, etc) and control lights, motors, etc. I bet with enough time you could build your own Insteon device with the Arduino. I noticed that the I/O plug-in units for Insteon are pretty one-dimensional... you connect a sensor or switch to the input and then program the unit to send an Insteon command based on the sensor feedback. That's pretty cool, but not if you want to include more advanced control logic like IF..Then statements. The Arduino seems perfect for the job... it just needs a link to the Insteon world. Would the ISY be that link? I too am at a point where the ISY unit is the next step to get me where I want my system to be.
I am also researching the Arduino microcontroller board and I am curious if anyone has been able to interface these two devices.
The Arduino is a cool gadget that allows you to build your own electronic devices, robots, etc. You can use it to read sensors (temp, vibration, etc) and control lights, motors, etc. I bet with enough time you could build your own Insteon device with the Arduino.
I noticed that the I/O plug-in units for Insteon are pretty one-dimensional… you connect a sensor or switch to the input and then program the unit to send an Insteon command based on the sensor feedback. That’s pretty cool, but not if you want to include more advanced control logic like IF..Then statements. The Arduino seems perfect for the job… it just needs a link to the Insteon world. Would the ISY be that link?

]]> By: Ben Drawbaugh http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-1234 Ben Drawbaugh Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:31:21 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/#comment-1234 Paul, Glad to hear you had the same experience, it really is amazing how much better it works than anything else out there. <br> Now if only I could find a better replacement for Mainlobby and I'd never have to fight with that terrible automation rules UI again. Paul,
Glad to hear you had the same experience, it really is amazing how much better it works than anything else out there.

Now if only I could find a better replacement for Mainlobby and I’d never have to fight with that terrible automation rules UI again.

]]> By: Paul Ferrara http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-1233 Paul Ferrara Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:28:02 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/#comment-1233 Hi All, I went through a very similar scenario. I'd been using X10 automation for 20 years (yes, it's been around that long), and decided to "Upgrade" to Insteon last year. I was doing this at the same time I was getting MainLobby set up to control it all by touchscreen. I spent a bunch of money on new switches and keypads, and then struggled for months trying to get it to work, first with the Main Lobby Insteon plugin, and then with a free app I found online. Nothing but headaches resulted. I started searching for a fix, and found so many glowing reviews about the ISY99 that I decided I'd give it a try (as a last ditch effort before tossing out my investment in Insteon hardware and switching to Zwave). I purchased it in Oct 08 (got a refurb unit for $100 off -great deal!) and Home Automation life has been good ever since. It really is as good as everyone says - I highly recommend it. BTW, there is a plugin available for MainLobby called MLISY. It is available at "bobsplace.com". It does everything I want and has been stable. Finally, Insteon's communication reliablity and added features really are a big step forward over old X10. It's unfortunate that it's release was hampered by poor programming and debugging capabilities, and poor reliability of micro-switches (in the 1st generation units). Fortunately, they appear to have fixed the reliability problems, and the ISY99 resolves most of the rest. Happy Automating, Paul Hi All,
I went through a very similar scenario. I’d been using X10 automation for 20 years (yes, it’s been around that long), and decided to “Upgrade” to Insteon last year. I was doing this at the same time I was getting MainLobby set up to control it all by touchscreen. I spent a bunch of money on new switches and keypads, and then struggled for months trying to get it to work, first with the Main Lobby Insteon plugin, and then with a free app I found online. Nothing but headaches resulted.

I started searching for a fix, and found so many glowing reviews about the ISY99 that I decided I’d give it a try (as a last ditch effort before tossing out my investment in Insteon hardware and switching to Zwave). I purchased it in Oct 08 (got a refurb unit for $100 off -great deal!) and Home Automation life has been good ever since. It really is as good as everyone says – I highly recommend it.

BTW, there is a plugin available for MainLobby called MLISY. It is available at “bobsplace.com”. It does everything I want and has been stable.

Finally, Insteon’s communication reliablity and added features really are a big step forward over old X10. It’s unfortunate that it’s release was hampered by poor programming and debugging capabilities, and poor reliability of micro-switches (in the 1st generation units). Fortunately, they appear to have fixed the reliability problems, and the ISY99 resolves most of the rest.
Happy Automating,
Paul

]]> By: Ben Drawbaugh http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-1088 Ben Drawbaugh Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:09:55 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/#comment-1088 Dave, There's no doubt in my mind that the ISY will solve all your problems. It truly is an amazing device and does things with Insteon that I long wrote off as impossible because of bad design years ago. Dave,
There’s no doubt in my mind that the ISY will solve all your problems. It truly is an amazing device and does things with Insteon that I long wrote off as impossible because of bad design years ago.

]]> By: Dave http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-1086 Dave Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:01:45 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/#comment-1086 Ben, Thanks for the write up I have an ELK M1 with the M1XEP with both Homeseer & Mainlobby. The Insteon hasn't been very reliable. This had me at a crossroad, trying to decide should I take the Insteon "Whole House". The ISY is my last hope for a stable system and what I have installed so far isn't very complicated. Just recieved my ISY-99 Pro/IR. Still waiting for the PLM - delayed until Feb 2nd - crap! If it works as well as you and several others have posted Smarthome should be funding UD development on the ISY. Wish me luck! Dave Ben,

Thanks for the write up I have an ELK M1 with the M1XEP with both Homeseer & Mainlobby. The Insteon hasn’t been very reliable. This had me at a crossroad, trying to decide should I take the Insteon “Whole House”.

The ISY is my last hope for a stable system and what I have installed so far isn’t very complicated.

Just recieved my ISY-99 Pro/IR. Still waiting for the PLM – delayed until Feb 2nd – crap!

If it works as well as you and several others have posted Smarthome should be funding UD development on the ISY.

Wish me luck!

Dave

]]> By: Ben Drawbaugh http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-1085 Ben Drawbaugh Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:43:45 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/#comment-1085 Brad, No I've never used it first hand, but I have a friend who has a few switches and am very happy with them. Honestly I'm not sure which I would go with if I was starting from scratch. <br> I'd have to do a lot of research. The only thing I can tell you is that I would recommend Insteon as long as you plan on buying an ISY. Brad,
No I’ve never used it first hand, but I have a friend who has a few switches and am very happy with them. Honestly I’m not sure which I would go with if I was starting from scratch.

I’d have to do a lot of research.
The only thing I can tell you is that I would recommend Insteon as long as you plan on buying an ISY.

]]> By: Brad http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-1084 Brad Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:11:41 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/05/13/the-isy-99-is-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-my-automated-lights/#comment-1084 Ben, do you have any experience with the Leviton z-wave equipment that you mentioned? I am trying to decide what would be best for me at my house. Based on your experience with this new controller, would you recommend Insteon for someone just starting out in home automation? Thanks Ben, do you have any experience with the Leviton z-wave equipment that you mentioned? I am trying to decide what would be best for me at my house. Based on your experience with this new controller, would you recommend Insteon for someone just starting out in home automation?

Thanks

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