Home Automation with Insteon

One of my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder issues is light switches. So I’ve been making heavy issue of remote home automation issues for years. In the last few years, I’ve dropped X10 and moved to Smarthome’s Insteon system. 

Compared to X10, Insteon is a dream. It works fairly well, pretty reliable, and a modern system. Plus the in-wall units look really good.

But (by default) to program switches with lights, you have to hold down switches, then run to another switch and press it, and then back and forth. It’s hard to get right, and in some cases I’ve never gotten right. Plus, it requires hitting light switches, rather than the controllers I have tucked away (including my iPhone).

I recently added the device they have that connects Insteon to an ethernet network. It displays a web interface, limited likely by the device limitations itself). But, while I can turn on and off light switches and such with my phone, I still need to run around and hit switches (shudder) to set it up. This makes no sense because each device has an ID that is similar to a MAC address. Why I can’t just enter these is a mystery.

Automating the Automation

I’ve been looking at solutions that allow you to do the scene creation (programming switches) without the undependable clicking and running method. Also, the ability to backup the setup in the case of loss would be great.

Smarthome sells a PC package that will do that would do what I want, but I don’t own a PC, or a copy of Windows. And, I think, you need a dedicated PC.

Perceptive Automation has a package called Indigo Pro that seems like it would do the same thing. I’ve had trouble groking their website. If you have experience with the product, I’d love some feedback. But this would also require a Mac that is on all the time, at least for some features. But it’s a native Mac package, and supporting one of our own would be awesome.

Smarthome also sells the ISY-99i Home Automation Controller. This seems to be a unit that does what both, through a web interface, but effectively acts as the computer as well as the controller. The UI seems very basic, whereas both the others are applications.

Why Bring This Up?

I’d like to hear from people who are using Indigo Pro, and the ISY-99i for creating scenes, and linking switches with plugs. My criteria is:

• Dead simple to link a switch to a LampLinc or related plugin item
• Dead simple to backup the network settings
• No running from switch to control
• Definitely needs iPhone integration

I already have the Insteon 2414u controller. So hooking up to the machine is simple. I know Indigo has a trial version, but I’m still looking for opinions.

So, hit me up on Twitter (@sanguish) or via the contact page.

Quick Followup

I sent a query to Perceptive Automation about some features of their product (I'm not ready to summarize the issues yet).

I got a detailed response about their product the next day (Thanksgiving in the US). That was an absolutely excellent response in my opinion.