Third Party Control Systems Summary

[Guest]

I have been using X10 to control lighting and appliances from Comfort for some years but it has never been very reliable or comprehensive and it now seems there are some doubts about its future.

Is there a brief summary of the third party systems supported by Comfort (Z-wave, KNX, Velbus etc) detailing wired/wireless, one way/two way, functionality, modules available, relative cost etc that would help me (and maybe others) decide which route to take?

[wexfordman]

Hi,

My experience moving from x10 to velbus,.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1zlDoq...nY3WGtYamM

[tech07]

As far as Comfort UCM Interface capability the most complete and functional are Cbus and KNX

[Guest]

Thank you for your excellent account of your move to velbus. My requirements are a bit different as I\'m keen not to have to install any wiring. I think that points to Z-wave but I understand I would need a primary controller so after any transition phase would the Comfort system become redundant? Can someone advise what can be done with Comfort/X10/Z_wave that could not be done with just a Z-wave system?

Another alternative seems to be LightwaveRF. Can Comfort control LightwaveRF kit and again is there an advantage in taking this route after the transition rather than moving entirely to LightwaveRF.

Cbus (and velbus) are I understand wired systems. KNX does seem to have a wireless mode so is KNX wireless devices with the controller wired to the Comfort interface a possibility? Again would Comfort then be redundant?

I\'m reluctant to move away from Comfort as it is an excellent system and the support is absolutely superb but I want to move way from X10 but I don\'t want to install any wiring.

Any advice appreciated.

[wexfordman]

Why keep comfort as a controller ?
Reliability, stability, functionality, and no need for duplication
Above all, the ability to seamlessly integrate security and automation is invaluable. Your automation set up needs to know the status of your house, is it armed etx, in order to perform actions. If you go for a separate co trolled, you will have to interface to comfort somehow.
For example, arming to away mode, should have an automation response such as turning off lights, and making the sensors react to motion differently.
My system simply would be far more complex if I hand no shared system such as comfort.

[slychiu]

Lightwave RF is a one way interface ie no status possibleThe advantage is that it is quitte inexpensive
There is an interface from Comfort to Lightwave using Universal UCM + ETH03see http://www.comfortforums.com/view_topic.php?id=3066&forum_id=94
The registrartion code changes quite often which is very iritating because we need to fdoind the new code to conect from the UCM
A better alternative for wireless may be ZwaveThe UCM/Zwave is a two way interface and many manufacturers make Zwave
However it is recommended to stick to the normal appliance and lighting modules (which are similar to X10 anyway)
Some of the more complex modules like Fibaros Universal Sensors are problematic. They have not been certified and they seem to work wel only with their own controller. Also the software like HC2 seems not welll supported by the manufacturer if you see the forums
Stick to simple Zwave controllers and modules as X10 replacements is my advice
Also avoid ACT as they are manufacrured using the old libraries which have compatibility problems

[Guest]

A very helpful summary. Thank you.