So I have Housebot - now what do I buy?

Crashless · Post by **Crashless** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:46 am

So I bit, the $20 off got me. I was going to buy it anyways, but the sale got me.

Now I have to go spend more money, but what do I spend it on?

I want there to be a real switch on the wall for most everything. (read: future wife doesn't want "to be trapped in her own home") So I think if I'm understanding the way X10 works, I want wall switches that are both recievers and transmitters. Is that right? I also want the switch to respond to dim controls, so I can create 'scenes' easily with direct level dimming. Is there a switch that fits this bill?

Lamp modules should be able to carry a fairly respectable load (about 200w) and also respond to direct diming. Leviton Lamp module, from the smarthome.com site seems to fit the bill, but it's $46! Is that normal? I don't plan on needing a whole lot of them, but geez, is there another option that has this direct dimming?

USB x10 controller, compatible with housebot - what is everyone using? What's 'top-of-the-line'? I don't want to find out later I could have spend $20 more and gotten additional functionality. I don't think I need the ones with built-in memory because I already have housebot, is that right?

Wireless x10 transmitter/reciever, preferrably USB - not serial, I need this to talk with a...

Wireless motion detector, battery operated, inconspicuous (sp?), compatible with above.

Suggestions for the cheapest PPC w/ wifi. This one is far off, but I still would like to be able to track things on ebay in case of a deal. All the ones I seem to come across are $300. What are people using for s/w remotes? I'll need a dock for it too...

Overall advice, what's the most common mistake people make when they start?

Thanks so much for the advice. I realize some of these questions have been answered before, so feel free to post "search for it".

acheslow · Post by **acheslow** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:21 am

Depending on your requirements and your timing you may want to wait a bit and look at Z-Wave instead of X10. It is generally considered more robust and more reliable however there are not yet as many devices available. This should be changing soon though.

Crashless · Post by **Crashless** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:11 pm

I've always considered z-wave. But as you pointed out there aren't as many options if I go that route. Could you point me in the direction of a good retailer/etailer that carries z-wave products that are close to meeting the specs I'm looking for? I've gotten a couple of leads, but they haven't exactly gotten my blood running...

acheslow · Post by **acheslow** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:19 pm

Give Worthington Distribution a call. They don't have Z-Wave listed on their website but they do carry them. Or if you want to see some items try ASIHome.

As I mentioned, there are not as many Z-Wave devices available yet but judging by what has been announced over the last few months, there should be much more out there by the end of the year.