I was speaking with one of the other members. Who else is doing x10 in their house? What do you use?

 

I actually ordered this X10 kit from www.x10.com a while back. It came with enough stuff to control two devices, with the software, transmitters and everything needed to control those two devices. It was a free offer, but I never installed this stuff mainly because I found it to be a solution that is search of a problem. I mean, if I want the light on, I just turn the light on.

Perhaps the lack of sophistication in the basic system that I have inspired me not to pursue the installation.

What has been your experience with it?

 

I've been doing X-10 for about 25 years, starting when it was owned by BSR.

I've moved the modules and controllers from home to home over the years. I'm currently using their PC interface that comes in the kit that Greg mentioned. I picked it up in the closeout bin at CompUSA for $20!

Sure I can turn a light on and off, but not when I'm on vacation! I've programmed macros in the computer interface to turn different lights on upstairs and downstairs when I'm on vacation.

The normal schedule is to start turning lights on randomnly downstairs in the living room about 1/2 hours before sunset (automatically adjusted for time of the year and DST), as well as the porch light and yard lights. Then, lights in the upstairs bedrooms come one around 7:00-8:00 PM, again adjusted for the season.

When we go to bed, one button turns everything off that I want off.

There are tons of applications for this technology. Also check out www.smarthome.com , for a much better Web site and more sophisticated devices than the ones that X-10 sells.

 

Greg, I have had NO experience with it. My buddy has some stuff, but he has problems - lights turn on and off at will, etc. I am going to get some stuff and see what happens!

 

As much as I hate to, I have to agree with greg

Being a bit of a geek, when I bought my new house I sat down and thought about all the cool ways I could use such technology. After about 15 minutes, I put the blank sheet of paper away as there was nothing I could find to do with it at was even vaguely useful.

I can turn on the iron, but I still have to do the ironing. I can turn on the microwave but I still have to put food in it.

 

I've been looking for a reason to use X10 for years.. and haven't found it. It's cool but I just can't match it up with a real need at my house.

 

hmmm... well I think I will at the least try the basics and see what happens!

 

I have been using them for the last 4 years.
Wait...make that 5 years.
They work great, especially for the xmas lights outside.
I love the all off button

 

Well I use them for things... like automating the front and rear porch lights to turn on when I dad comes home... also to turn on the nightlight for my son wen he is wondering around... they have a cool way to use the infrared to turn on an X10 camera so that when you hear noise in the back yard... you can see what is causing it!

 

I originally got it for my reef tank. I have a special purpose monitor/controller that regulates and monitors different aspects of the tank, it will even beep me and leave messages if there's a problem. I also use it for the standard lights on/off and holiday lights at dusk purposes. One thing that I like about my monitor/controller is that is makes sure that everything is in the correct state - you can specify how often to verify from seconds to hours to not at all.

Etgar