Question

Anyone using the UD ISY994i controller for there Insteon setup? Thinking about going this route instead of Home Seer for my new setup? Feedback?  
https://www.smarthome.com/isy994i-c...DyM-4

Answer 1

I am using ISY994i. Every light and more in my home are on ISY994i.  

Comments

If you have any questions feel free to reach out.  

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@unexpected what else do you have interfaces to it? I’m having issues finding what else this controller interfaces with - thermostats, lights, etc. I really want to design a system similar to HomeSeer and HomeSeer makes it easy to look online and see all comparable devices and manufactures. Just really see the use of some extensive rules - like - if motion in garage after sunset turn on garage lights and entry room light, for example

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@avitzur You can with allot. I personally do not have the Z (ie ISY994iZ) but the Z model lets you interface with z wave which makes possibikities endless. Natively within the Insteon architecture you have Motion Sensors, Termastats, door sensors (in wall and via magnetic strips), insteon bulbs, and more. Insteon is also very good at interfacing with the Elk M1 secueity system. If you get the Z model it opens up the world to many manufacturers products that are zwave. Also if you utilize REST you can interface with other things outside of Insteon family. Me personally I only have light switches/keypads, some motion sensorsm door sensors etc. However I have plans to interfacenwith tstat? Doors, etc. Oh yeah I forgor the smoke bridge. i have a smoke bridge that interfaces with First Alert (i think that is the brand). i have 7 wireless and wired smoke alarms that tie into Insteon. There is more but that could give you some ideas

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@avitzur btw you can do what you said with motion.  

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@avitzur oh i forgot LEAK sensors. I got a whole bunch of those.  

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@avitzur you know you can handle those extensive rules with HomeSeer also. I have been running HS in multiple homes for several years and like the flexibility of the system. Not sure what your knock is.  

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@redblooded I like HS, but I don’t like all the paid nodes and honestly there 1990’s interface that they refuse to update - HS4 has been “coming soon” forever. Also, there hub pricing is just pure greed. I’m happy to pay a company and help them profit and line there pockets but I just don’t see the overall value to there product in its current state

Answer 2

Curious as to why you chose insteon?  

Comments

NOT wifi and does not require cloud control - can be setup on something like the ISY and controlled locally. Not set on it and willing to look at something else if there is a better option. Need 15 on/off switches, 5 dimmers, 3 motion, 1 door, and 2 multi scene controls (6 or 8 button).  

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@bohman not sure about Chris, but my reasoning behind choosing Insteon was for the dual band, RF and power line. @avitzur I chose HomeSeer, but I have a good friend who loves his ISY and tried to get me to go that route. And since this is my first foray into smarthome, I’m not 100% sure I made the right call, but who really knows.  

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@avitzur have you checked out hubitat?  

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@bohman briefly - my issue is there supported switches are wifi unless I’m wrong. Personally - I don’t want 50 items on wifi again in the new place. Granted, I’m doing a full Ubiquiti managed network, I still would like as little WiFi as possible.  

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@avitzur nope not at all. I will never get a wifi switch. I use only lutron, zwave, and zigbee

Answer 3

I am and really like it. Way better than the insteon hub.  

Answer 4

I have ISY and use it for x10, Insteon and I have the Zwave module in mine too!  

Answer 5

Yep. Big fan of it. Been using one for years and definitely recommend it.  

Comments

@wyatt do you have it interface with anything else? I’m having a problem finding out what else is compatible.  

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@avitzur only Alexa. I bought before the Zwave module was released so ended up getting a smartthings hub for my door locks.  

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I have my Isy directly talking to sonos, hue, Infrared (older tvs), denon avr, xbox (ir) and 7 DirecTV boxes. probably forgetting something.  

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The network module can pretty much talk to anything.  

Answer 6

ISY994iZW is the best hub in my opinion. I have it in my home as well as installed numerous for customers. Extremely reliable and with Zwave, there’s pretty much endless possibilities. Join our Insteon Facebook group for further info.  

Comments

If you use Zwave or Insteon thermostats, there is no integration necessary. You can trigger any event such as: If HVAC 1 is calling for cool, then turn on living room ceiling fan to 60% etc.  

Answer 7

Yep! By far the best HA hub out there.  

Answer 8

ISY is super limited compared to Homeseer. If you only want basic stuff it's fine but systems like Homeseer and Home Assistant are 1000x more capable (not exaggerating). I've had both ISY and Homeseer for years. ISY is only used as an insteon interface for Homeseer now. Save your money, get Homeseer or Home Assist, or Hubitat. Even if you decide to use insteon devices

Comments

@kaciekacy what's the actual limitation? Does homeseer offer CA certificates for trusted device authentication?  

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@cards your question is like asking what the limitation of having only $10 vs having a $1000. I'm not being sarcastic. If you want to do serious home automation I suggest you do some real research, download Homeseer and Home Assistant and test them

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I'm more interested in being secure. Does homeseer offer CA certs to ensure only authorized devices are able to access the controller?  

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@cards I don't know. I'm not worried about someone hacking my system. It's behind firewalls. If you understand security you know there are several ways to handle it, without certificates. VPN, MAC restrictions, etc. And is anyone really going to hack you? Why do they care about you. And what are they going to do. Turn off your lights? Funny how people are obsessed with security and think anyone would ever care to hack them.  

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@kaciekacy I can log into my firewall at any time and see a massive cast net being thrown from multiple different IPs where people are looking to hack into systems. Don't be naive. If you think digital security is nonsense then that's just foolish.  

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@cards I do software security for a living. I know how important security is. The best way is to run VPN, have no open ports and don't worry about certificates for individual applications. Still, even if they hack your automation app user name and password then what? They control your lights. No biggie. I'm sure no hacker scripts are targeting Homeseer exploits, if there are any

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If you are running the ability to control your house remotely then you are punching a hole in your firewall. VPN isn't doing shit at that point. Lights are the least of my worries. How about the fireplace, garage door, front door, or set off the security system?  

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I just don't understand why people opt for products that don't have the best security when there are devices that do. A $300 box that controls every facet of your house and you don't want it as secure as can be? Just saying.  

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@cards VPN into your home is the most secure way, period as it will be the only point of entry and VPNs are FAR more secure than any communications with just a certificate. Having VPN as the only "entry point" vs open ports for each app (home automation or otherwise). If you are that concerned about security you def should read up on the multiple methods of doing what you are after. You are fooling yourself if you think someone will trying to hack your network to unlock your door or open your garage and steel your stuff. That's funny. It takes less than 1 minute for a professional thief to break into a window (locked or not) or kick in a door. which is over 99% of all break-ins.  

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@kaciekacy I design the networks for some of the DODs highest officials. I know full well about security. A VPN is opening multiple ports in your firewall, and let's be honest here, most of the people on this page are running COTS products from the likes of best buy. I'd even go so far as to say theres a high probability that many of them are running default passwords. I'm not. I'm asking a genuine question regarding security, that I for one, actually care about. (Which you never did answer) In a world where everyone wants what's not theirs, I'm willing to take a few extra steps to protect what's mine. Data, control, or otherwise.  

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@cards I did answer. Homeseer allows cert use. Google it. Also, OpenVPN (the most commonly used VPN in the world, requires only 1 port.  

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@kaciekacy than that's not a real VPN. Google how many ports are required for a VPN to establish.  

Answer 9

Yep. Love it. It was the only offering that had good security against hacking / doesn't use the internet, and it's not backed into a corner to only use one brand. Most of my devices are Insteon as they offer a dual communication channel, RF & line. You really can't go wrong here.  

Comments

That statements is so far from true. there are multiple HA systems that. 1. can use multiple "brands" (I assume you meant protocols because "brands" do not matter). wifi, zwave, zigbee, insteon 2. do not require internet: Homeseer, Hubitat, Home Assistant, OpenHAB, Vera, and several others @ @avitzur ISY is not bad but it is nothing special. It VERY limited in its functionality to pretty basic controls unless you write code yourself or hack-around with an external 'app' systems they connect to which is also not widely used and a 'hack' since ISY is super-duper limited by design. unlike all the ones I mentioned, and others, which have tons of plugins / extensions (some free, some paid) and also have far more built-in functionality than the ISY. I've used many systems. Most ppl on this forum have used 1 system, maybe 2. whatever they use now is "best" and "better than anything" . and they make up BS like the above reasons (which are not even close to tru) bcuz they have no clue what anything else does and in general people feel good when they think they made the "best choice". That choice might be fine for them but to tell you whats "best" for you without having a clue what you want to do, and what other systems can do, is arrogant and does you a disservice.  

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@kaciekacy thanks - I read though most of what is posted - I prefer real life examples and basically just discard all the “X is best cause it’s what I have” blanket statements. I want something that will schedule lighting schemes, turn on under cabinet lights at X time, of motion is detected in the garage after X time or garage door opens after X time and motion is detected (someone comes home) turn on kitchen lights and entry room light. Things like that - I want to be able to customize a lot of rules. After more research since my post I canceled my Insteon order and went with Hubitat and 20 Inovelli switches and 5 dimers. Really like the programmable status RGB lights - that was one thing I really liked about the home seer switches but they didn’t have the best reviews. Thanks for the candid comment!  

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@avitzur I've heard a lot of good things about Hubutat, almost bought one to play with and realized I already spent too much time on my Home Automation :) I had a few Inovelli switches too. they seemed good. Most people dont know but almost ALL Zwave switches are the same hardware with tweaks to cosmetics/leds and firmware. Zooz, Homeseer, Inovelli, GE -- all the same manufacture/designer. The only reason I dont use ZWave switches are they are too deep. cant find 3 or 4 in a panel like I can Insteon. Once the wave tech catches up I'll likely move to Zwave dimmers :)

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I've had too many issues with Z wave losing sync. That was the main reason for Insteon - powerline & RF both.  

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@cards I did too until I installed enough devices. The mesh network needs to be strong.  

Answer 10

At the time I chose this path this was the most universal diy friendly non subscribing option available to automate lighting mainly in my home.  

Answer 11

I've been using ISY for six years and very happy with it. I've had it in two of my homes and my son's and daughter's homes. I use Insteon and Z-wave with the ISYs. I've added their new Polisy that allows me to use Polyglot to connect to Hue, Lifx, Ring, and many others.