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Smart Lighting: INSTEON vs. Z-Wave RF, X-10 and Others
 

X-10 technology-based products have been around for 15+ years. It uses the existing electrical wires (powerline) in the home. Z-wave has been made popular by LEVITON and others. It is based on radio-frequency (RF) wireless communication. INSTEON has become the best-selling, most-reliable home automation technology. Using both the existing electrical wires (powerline) in the home and radio-frequency (RF) communication, INSTEON adds remote control and automation to lighting, appliance and home control applications of all types. From lighting control to integrated security systems, the new home automation standard allows you to manage your home the way you want. Easy to install and setup, INSTEON offers the flexibility and dependability to make your life more convenient, safe and fun. INSTEON is the GOLD Standard of home automation technology.
  • INSTEON: Moderately priced, highly reliable Dual-mesh RF & Powerline technology
  • UPB: Expensive single-band technology
  • X10: Inexpensive but lacks the robustness, flexibility and reliability required by home-control applications
  • ZigBee & Z-Wave: Single-band (RF-only) wireless networks that require a network controller
 
INSTEON
UPB
X10
Zigbee
Z-wave
Retail Price $40+ $75+ $10+ $30+ $45+
Reliability Best Good Ok Good Good
Every Product Installed Makes Network Better Yes No No No No
Physical Media RF & Powerline Powerline Powerline RF RF
All Nodes Repeat? (True-mesh) Yes No No No No
Simple, Router Free Installation Yes No Yes No No
Maximum Unique Products Controlled Per Network 16,777,216 255 256 256 256
Can be Given X10 Address Yes No Yes No No

What makes INSTEON the most reliable home automation technology is its dual-mesh network. The "dual" part of the network refers to INSTEON devices using both radio frequency signals and the home's existing electrical wiring to talk to each other. Every message is confirmed as it is received, and if any errors are detected, the message is automatically resent.

Unlike all other mesh networks, INSTEON's "mesh" network has EVERY INSTEON DEVICE acting as a repeater -- receiving and sending every message to all other devices on the network. So instead of stressing the network by adding more INSTEON devices, you actually strengthen it. Other mesh networks use router tables, and only those products involved in routing the signal act as repeaters – creating a less reliable network.

INSTEON Signal Propagation

INSTEON Signal Propagation

With no central controller or networking setup required, setting up your INSTEON network is a simple plug and tap to link one INSTEON product to another. Best of all, every INSTEON device has its own unique ID, so neighbors and would-be hackers can't control your home.

ICING on the CAKE: INSTEON is backward compatible (i.e., it works with) X-10 devices!

NOTE: Netropolus sells only INSTEON and Z-Wave products