Home Automation???

[idratherbhuntin]

Getting ready to build new house and I really like the sound of home automation. Anyone have any experience? preferences between Crestron or HAI?

I am kind of a Gadget Guru.

[Dale Moser]

In my experience, home automation is fun to talk about, and tinker with for about a month (after you spend a month getting it to work right).......then it's just a bunch (the cheaper systems will never work) of wasted money that goes un-used.

But it's whatever.

[sitn_on_20s]

Not exactly sure of what all your interested in but Crestron has some good gadgets. Also, for WHM(whole house music) & surround sound check out Sonance, Niles, and Xantech. Yamaha makes a good reciever for SS. Lutron lighting is another thing you can do. you can program it to turn on lighting thru out the house when you pull into the garage or open the front door.

[hoythunter]

Expect to pay for Crestron and the programming and installation. Fewer companies selling Crestron means even fewer people who can program and help you out. HAI has been working pretty well and it's more accessible to a wider range of custom installers meaning more competition between installers and a lower price for you.

[Two 10's]

X10.com is what I put in and I used recepticals, switches, remotes, motion detectors, cameras and their soft ware and have been pleased with the investment. It controls everything in the house and I have a record of what goes on all the time, there or not.

[Mike D]

Crestron is top notch stuff but so is Lutron. What kind of automation are you considering? What do you want the system to do?

[JTS]

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/445498/robotic_beer_launching_refrigerator/

[Cameron]

I went to a training seminar in New Orleans last summer for HAI, it was kind of cool but I wouldn't recomend it unless you know way in advance exactly what you want.

I was supposed to learn the Crestron but I moved on to another job prior to my training. I have heard it was a lot more advanced and stable.

[Atfulldraw]

I'm with Moser on this one

[Cameron]

I'm with Moser on this one

I second that...

[JHT]

Would Dave Ramsey get one?



I agree. It will lose its "wow/bang" factor sooner than your done paying for it.

[Extremebowman]

IRBH - I have done several of the Crestron systems. For the most part Dmo is right. Like everything else, to do it right it costs $, in the case of Crestron, big $. I have had a client that went the cheap route (120K system) with a clueless programmer, system still does not function correctly (18 months). Had another client that put in an insane system (500K) that had a good programmer, and it is amazing! He can run everything, and i mean everything electrical or mechanical in the house right down to the doors and blinds. Email me and I can get you some contacts if you want.

Clarification - When I say "cheap route", I mean the lowest bidder. By no means is 120K cheap!

[doublearrow]

There are 2 houses where I work that have automated systems. Supposedly the best one out there (i have no idea what brand). Neither house works properly and has never worked properly. We fly guys in from Dallas once a week to fix problems they can't fix over the phone.