Somfy are too loud. So are mechoshades. Lutron makes the only silent drive on the market in the US. I don't know of any made elsewhere either. 

In terms of lighting and shading, it's not like a new company is going to pop up out of nowhere with a viable solution. Lutron, as I see it, continues to be the best out there. They're going to market with several distinct tiers and most people can find some level of control within their budget. Even if it's just a few local IR dimmers or an occupancy sensor in the bathroom. 

As I see it, you're better off just picking up a few RA2 components and building the system over time. You'll be much happier in the long run as it's going to be like purchasing an appliance. If you use the stove every day it won't matter 5 years from now that you saved $250 on it. All you'll think about is how slow it is to bring water to a boil. 

TripEnglish wrote:

RA2 is a huge improvement over RadioRA and, as has been mentioned, the inclusion of HVAC makes it the best value out there. Anything cheaper would be more like an individual switch rather than a global control system.

Trip, Any experience with Crestron prodigy?

I looked at the crestron prodigy system extensively before I went with RA2.

The lutron is seemless, it works with B&O over my system because I have it connected to the MLGW.  When used in that set up it is very very cool.  I have SeeTouch controls in the home that control a combination of lights and B&O.  The MLGW lets you create macros with RA2 and B&O in combination.

I VERY strongly can recommend RA2.  I have had the system for about 7 months now and have never had 1 problem.  I actually have the software and am able to tinker with it myself.  Also, the app is very cool for it as well.

$0.02

StUrrock wrote:

TripEnglish wrote:

RA2 is a huge improvement over RadioRA and, as has been mentioned, the inclusion of HVAC makes it the best value out there. Anything cheaper would be more like an individual switch rather than a global control system.

 

Trip, Any experience with Crestron prodigy?

 

Yes. Clunkier and a bit more expensive. Crestron today, as I see the landscape of home automation, is where the Panasonic phone systems were 10 years ago. You couldn't see a high-end integrated home without one. Now you can't figure out why you'd need it. As integration gets easier and brands like Lutron take on more functionality at lower and lower price-points, I see Crestron being crowded out of its former wheelhouse. I don't think they're going anywhere any time soon, but in a world of iPads and small scale lighting and HVAC control off the shelf at your local hardware store, the threshold for "requiring" Crestron's level of control is receding. 

We recently installed a 6 channel Lutron Grafik Eye (B&O) into our open plan kitchen/dining/TV viewing area. It also controls wall wash lights along the hall from the front door that lead to the open plan area at the rear of the house. After two months of use we're extremely happy with it's functionalty and control.

Trip's point re: Lutron providing a solution at a range of price points is most relevant. Our Lutron controller is not part of a larger home automation system, so we have more of a "budget" solution, if you like, yet it provides an excellent level of lighting control for our house from a single unit (combined with two additional wall station controllers).

One button press after entering the house illuminates the entire downstairs common areas. Add to that the lighting scene capability and the integration with our Beo5 remote (which I program myself), and it provides for a great way to control your environment (lighting & AV) without going down the full home automation path.

The Grafik Eye is certainly not new, but applied to the right environment, and with a little planning, it remains a very good solution IMO.

TripEnglish wrote:

Crestron's level of control is receding. 

Thanks for that insight and I love the analogy.

Whenever I think of of my hairstyle (or as my daughter says lack of one), I will liken it to a Crestron system.

Make of that what you will folks!