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is x10 home automation 'technology' worth trying?

We have our house setup with alot of x10 devices, we had a problem where when we had two of our computers on (or one) the lights in our kitchen would randomly come on.

We simply bought a apc ups, and hooked up the computers to it.. no more interference..

It's nice too, we got an rf remote and our pond is hooked up to it. I go outside and watch the neighbors cat sit on the pond, then i flip the waterfall on 🙂
 
our new house has a fair amount of x10, run by a computer with HAL2000 software. It controls the lighting, heating and security, and we can use voice commands also.

My favorite is being able to call home and tell it to turn on the heat.
 
Originally posted by: ijester
our new house has a fair amount of x10, run by a computer with HAL2000 software. It controls the lighting, heating and security, and we can use voice commands also.

My favorite is being able to call home and tell it to turn on the heat.
Click to expand...

How much $$ would you say you have into your x10 setup?
 
Originally posted by: sonoma1993
Originally posted by: zixxer
I looked into it a good bit mainly for HVAC purposes. Ended up deciding it wasn't worth it.
Click to expand...


what is HVAC?
Click to expand...

I had heard that x10 could 'balance' a house as well as can be done without dampers (valves that shut vents for you). In other words, yeah the thermostat in the hallway is set at like 72, but the bedroom might be 76 and the basement 68. I wanted a way of using sensors in rooms to keep things as comfy as possible.
 
Originally posted by: ijester
our new house has a fair amount of x10, run by a computer with HAL2000 software. It controls the lighting, heating and security, and we can use voice commands also.

My favorite is being able to call home and tell it to turn on the heat.
Click to expand...

Did you purchase directly from x10.com or do you know of another place?

Hard to setup?

Do you run wireless or through the power line?
 
In general x10 stuff is complete crap, so if you plan to do anything remotely advanced with it then you are wasting your money.
 
Originally posted by: doze
In general x10 stuff is complete crap, so if you plan to do anything remotely advanced with it then you are wasting your money.
Click to expand...

Suggestions for alternatives?
 
Smarthome.com and Radio Shack also sell X10 stuff - although it's getting harder and harder to find at Radio Shack.
 
Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Originally posted by: doze
In general x10 stuff is complete crap, so if you plan to do anything remotely advanced with it then you are wasting your money.
Click to expand...

Suggestions for alternatives?
Click to expand...

What do you want to do?
 
I have the remote, computer interface, probably a dozen switches and 2 dozen outlets. But not all from X10. I thought some were from GE, but I think my memory is going.

I don't use any, they are sitting in a box somewhere.
 
I use my x10 stuff to control my driveway lights, my front entrance lights, my home theater room lighting, and a display case in my home theater.

Their stuff is definitely not super high quality, but absolutely great for basic control.
 
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