Greg In The Desert

Smarthome has upgraded the Insteon Thermostat to version 2.0. The thermostat adapter requires the use of a Totaline / Venstar thermostat, it plugs into the bottom and communicates with the Insteon network with a INSTEON Access Point (& Wireless Phase Coupler) using a RF protocol.

The new features include:

• Reports changes in temp, temp setpoints, mode, and fan mode
• Controller functionality on heat call, cool call, and fan call (auto & manual ON)
• Supports +1, -1 degree on incremental bright/dim commands
• Off Button functionality – If you want a link to respond to an Off command instead of an On command, send an Off command from the INSTEON controller within 30 seconds of linking and before any other INSTEON commands are sent.

This previous version of adapter had to be asked what the current temperature is, the 2.0 adapter will now broadcast those changes. The 2.0 adapter will also indicate when a heat call has been made which makes it easy to calculate how long the current filter has been in use. I’m happy to see Smarthome making improvements in these products and they even provided an upgrade path for those with older versions.

My home automation software, Indigo, does not support these new features yet. The developers have promised to add them to a future version.

Smarthome has pre-released a few of dual band Insteon devices. These devices use the wired Insteon protocol and also broadcast and receive the wireless Insteon protocol. These devices also double as as an Access Point.

The new LampLinc also comes in a new housing with manual controls.

LampLinc – INSTEON Plug-In Lamp Dimmer Module (Dual-Band), 2-Pin Item# 2457D2 Price: $49.99

The INSTEON LampLinc Dimmer (Dual-Band) is a full-featured plug-in lamp dimmer that can be remotely controlled by a RemoteLinc, KeypadLinc, or any other INSTEON controller. This simple-to-use plug-in dimmer has advanced features like an adjustable ramp rate that slowly brings the lamp on, a preset dim level that stores your preferred choice of 32 brightness levels when turning the lamp on initially, as well as local control, so you can still use the lamp’s built-in switch to turn the light on and off. This LampLinc is made to be plugged into any wall outlet. This dimmer can control incandescent loads up to 300 watts.

There is also a dual band PowerLinc (PowerLinc – INSTEON USB Interface (Dual-Band) Item# 2413U Price: $99.99). I have no doubt that the remaining Smarthome Insteon devices will become dual band as well. While I think this is a great development, I really wish they would release a ceiling fan controller.

iHome Remote brings an 3rd party Indigo interface to your phone as a stand alone application. That’s interesting because there is a iPhone application available from developer of Indigo, Perceptive Automation, for free.

Why purchase iHome Remote? The official free app only works with 4.0, if you don’t want to pay the upgrade fee from 3.0 to 4.0, iHome Remote will work with 3.0. iHome Remote doesn’t have access to action groups but it does have access to Scenes which the official app does not. iHome Remote is $8.99 from the iTunes App Store.

Have you ever wondered if you left the lights on at home? Do you want to have everything just so before arriving home?

Used in conjunction with Indigo on your Mac, iHome will allow you to control your home lighting (Insteon and X10) using your iPhone or iPod Touch from anywhere.

** This app requires the Indigo Control Server from Perceptive Automation to be running on your Mac to work and is compatible with either version 3 or the soon to be released version 4 of Indigo.

FEATURES:
- View the status of your home lights and appliances
- Control lights and their dim level
- Turn appliances on and off
- Execute Scenes/Action Groups
- Access your home from anywhere
- Insteon and X10 control

Both Insteon and X10 allow you to add automation to your home without any rewiring required.

Insteon is a new standard in home control, which features true bidirectional communication to ensure that your iPhone knows the status of what you are controlling.

With iHome and Indigo, you can have full remote control of your home!

Users of the X10 PR511 floodlights may be interested in Insteon version recently announced by Smarthome. They are expecting to ship them by June 30th, 2009.

Here is the information available from Smarthome on the Bronze INSTEON Motion Sensor Floodlights:

Essential Info
Want to know when someone is on your property? The new INSTEON Floodlights not only turn on their lights when motion is detected but can also turn on additional lights and/or notify you that someone is outside your home. Uses your reliable INSTEON network, so you can also remotely control your floodlights from anywhere. Motion Sensor features adjustable time delay, night-only mode, and 110-degree detection zone. Bulbs sold separately.

Required Accessories
Light bulbs

What’s Included
Lighting control module (with sensor, lamp holders and cover plate)
Gasket
Mounting screws
Wire connectors
INSTEON In-LineLinc On / Off Module (Non-dimming) w/ Sense
6 Wire Nuts
Owner’s manual
Quick Start Guide
More Info
Avoid Aiming the INSTEON Motion Sensor Floodlight at:
Objects that change temperature rapidly, such as heating vents and air conditioners. These heat sources could cause false triggering.
Areas where pets or traffic may trigger the control.
Nearby large, light-colored objects reflecting light may trigger the shut-off feature. Do not point other lights at the sensor.

Looks like Smarthome is starting to crank out new Insteon products. Their newest is the NetLinc. The NetLink looks like a one of the computer interface or LampLinc wall warts. Instead of hooking up to your computer connects directly to your router via a ethernet port. It has basic timer support, device naming, IP camera support and a user upgradable web server. It’s basically a mini computer with basic control features. The description from Smarthome:

NetLinc – INSTEON Central Controller is an affordable and flexible central controller perfect for enhancing any INSTEON home automation network. NetLinc integrates INSTEON technology with any web-enabled mobile device through Wi-Fi and cellular communication, allowing you to control or create timers for INSTEON devices or scenes from inside your home, in the backyard, at work, in the car or on vacation halfway around the world! Whether you are a DIYer, an electrician, or a home automation integrator, you will enjoy the ease with which programming and discovering of INSTEON devices is accomplished. A simple plug-in installation sets up in minutes and will allow a web-enabled phone or PDA to control your INSTEON network from almost anywhere. NetLinc has been designed for optimal use with an iPhone or iPod Touch as a mobile touch screen; however, there are customizable user-downloadable server applications that provide a flexible interface for any web-enabled device. As and added feature, NetLinc includes IP camera support, giving you the versatility to incorporate watching and controlling your IP enabled surveillance cameras through you web-enabled interface. NetLinc puts the power of managing your entire INSTEON home automation network in the palm of your hands.

According to their website ”For a limited time, each kit will feature discounted INSTEON products and a free iPod Touch”. Wow, and the NetLinc is only $119 (Available 08/15/08).

Smarthome is also offering two starter kits.

Smarthome’s RemoteLinc is now available for pre order. The RemoteLinc is a RF remote for Insteon. The bad news is the RemoteLinc is not compatable with the current SignaLinc RF to Insteon bridge. They are replaced with a new product called the Access Point. The good news, Smarthome is offering a “free” upgrade to the access point if you have SignaLincs. If you buy a 2 pack of refurbished access points and send in your old signal lincs, they will refund your money and send you a free RemoteLinc.

This certainly makes it easier to speculate that SmartLabs was having technical problems with their RF protocol, causing the delays in releasing the Remote. Also see this thread on the smarthome message boards.

Update: I’m mistaken on how the return works. You don’t get a refund on the cost of the access points. You simply get a $49.99 remotelinc for each pair of signalincs you send in. Not quite as good as I had thought.