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Subject Topic: Which Insteon controller should I be usin Post ReplyPost New Topic
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MrGibbage
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Posted: January 26 2014 at 08:47 | IP Logged Quote MrGibbage

I have been using a 2414U for several years, and I think it is working fine. I occasionally have
lights that don't go on or off with certain scenes, but other than that, it seems to be working
fine. I see that this controller is now discontinued with the recommended replacement the 2413 USB
and serial. (I think it is funny because years ago I had a PLC that was a serial device and they
were discontinued for the newer USB. And now we are back to serial again. Truth be told, I prefer
the serial anyway.)

So, my question for the team here, is which controller should I be using now? I see a lot of folks
using the ISYs, and those are crazy expensive. And it seems to me that if we are using powerhome
(that is why we are here, right), then we really don't need something like the ISY.

I am just trying to get the thoughts on which controller is the right one to use now, keeping future
use and compatibility in mind.

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grif091
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Posted: January 26 2014 at 14:23 | IP Logged Quote grif091

The 2414 PLC does not support Extended commands. Devices
such as Motion Sensors, TriggerLincs, just about all the
battery devices along with just about any device now being
delivered from Smarthome is I2CS which requires Extended
commands for link management.

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MrGibbage
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Posted: January 26 2014 at 15:59 | IP Logged Quote MrGibbage

If I do upgrade to the 2413, does PH support both the USB and Serial versions? I think I would prefer to
get the serial one if at all possible.

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grif091
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Posted: January 26 2014 at 16:07 | IP Logged Quote grif091

It does not matter from PH perspective.   Both are
accessed through a serial port number.

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TonyNo
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Posted: January 26 2014 at 18:08 | IP Logged Quote TonyNo

Historically, the USB versions were a bit wonky. Not sure if they fixed that.
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BeachBum
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Posted: January 26 2014 at 20:19 | IP Logged Quote BeachBum

I second that. I have the USB and it is a pain in the neck if not lower.

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dhoward
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Posted: January 26 2014 at 22:15 | IP Logged Quote dhoward

I would definitely get the serial version if its an option. The problem with the USB version is that the computer is usually on a UPS but the PLM is plugged directly in the wall. The USB versions get wonky (at least they used to) when they lose power but the USB stays powered on by the computer. Serial versions do not have this issue.

Dave.
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TonyNo
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Posted: January 27 2014 at 19:21 | IP Logged Quote TonyNo

Interesting. My server has no UPS and it was wonky anyway. :D
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BeachBum
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Posted: January 27 2014 at 20:04 | IP Logged Quote BeachBum

So back to the original question does that mean the serial PLM is the best Insteon controller? Like in reliability.

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dhoward
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Posted: January 28 2014 at 14:02 | IP Logged Quote dhoward

In my opinion...yes .

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Jaaay
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Posted: January 29 2014 at 00:25 | IP Logged Quote Jaaay

I agree the serial PLM is rock solid (best). But I would
also look at the networked hub version for the future. I
really like the hub now that I got past the wonky virtual
port issue. I think the response time is better also,
but that part could all be in my head. I have not really
come across anything the hub can not handle that the
serial PLM can. (I don't use the hub for anything other
than a PH insteon controller.) When I first started a
while back I had a USB controller, but had to switch to
serial because it was not reliable!! This is how I rank
them base on my experience with them.

1st serial (best)
2nd network hub (being put to the test as we speak)
3rd USB controllers
Not to be confused with the (Insteon Portable USB adapter
(2448A7) that Dave likes.)
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