Hey guys,

I've been reading up on your board often lately. Having purchased (and returned) a Harmony 1000 I was looking for the professionals opinions on some remotes that allow some solid hardbutton customization. After reading I just recently purchased a MX950 and 350 base station. I'm trying to decide how to incorporate the remote into house functions such as lighting, thermostat control and our security system. I've played around and can program the remote decently.

I would like everything to be as customizable as possible from the remote from any part of the house, I believe this is the point of Zwave so hopefully I purchased wisely this time with the MX950.

I've only found one Zwave thermostat: [Link: smarthome.com]

For Zwave dimmers/light switches there seems to be plenty.

I can't find any security systems that can be armed or accept any commands via Zwave despite the demonstration on the Zensys website ( [Link: zen-sys.com] ) showing security system being turned on via Zwave.

Anyways would love some comments on these three areas and controlling via MX950.

Will I need anything additional (I keep reading about Zwave base stations and don't fully understand) to make the remote operate at least the thermostat and lights?

Does the MX950 have the codes or the ability to learn how to control the Zwave thermostat for instance?

Does anyone know of any other Zwave thermostats out there, or is this the only one?

My house has two "zone" air conditioning, one for upstairs and one for downstairs. And thus two seperate thermostats (one upstairs and one downstairs, this is why I need remote operation haha). How would this affect things if I purchased two of these Zwave thermostats. Would it be possible to control just one, or would signals go to both automatically?

Is there any security systems that accept Zwave commands to arm or anything? (that could be controlled via MX950?)

Any recommendations on the dimmer/light switches as far as Zwave goes?

Any responses and feedback is much appreciated!! Thanks again guys

The MX-950 cannot directly control Zwave via RF.

You'd have to have something incorporated with the Zwave that recieves IR. Then you could learn the IR codes to the MX-950.

Wow, had no idea. So best option is to get a Zwave base station or something and place it by the MRF 350? It can then rebroadcast the IR signals to Zwave (Zwave is RF right?) receivers no matter if they are light or thermostat? If the lights don't come with remotes though, how can you learn the commands to your 950? I'd think if they are not in the database you're out of luck then.

I was under the impression the MX950 was integrated with Zwave, I'd purchased a Harmony 1000 but it had very limited functionality in light controls so I'd returned it for just that reason... Is the MX950 integrated with any light controls other than IR? Would like the through walls of Zwave or RF

Thanks for the reply OTAHD

No, the 950 (or any of their remotes) will only control IR equipment. The RF is strictly for use with their RF base.

Have you looked at UPB for lighting control?

Just read up some after your post. UPB sounds a complex as I'm just a novice (as if my post didnt give that away haha). It also does not seem like control if it via MX950 would be done easily. Basically I'm just looking for lighting and thermostat control (security too if possible!) that can be operated with the MX950 remote. I don't mind installing a controller box or anything but the more simplistic the installation the better of course. And obviously the less expensive the better as well... any recommendations for simple and affordable with MX950 control of light+thermostat?

The simplest way is to just put in IR controlled lutron dimmers/switches, but then you have to point the remote at the actual switch to control. I've never messed with any zwafe stuff so I can't help there but you'll need some sort of IR-to-zwave gateway device and then will need to find the IR codes for it. UPB would work the same way, you'd need an IR-receiver-to-UPB converter. The only reason I mentioned UPB is that it communicates over the house power wiring instead of RF and could be more reliable than an RF lighting solution. I've done some other RF lighting units and depending on the house size you may need repeater units which will add to the cost.

I also don't know of any simple thermostats that you could control via IR. Aprilaire has a thermostat that will work with a lot of big home automation solutions, but you need the right hardware, I don't think you're going to find something you can control with the remote. Besides, the remote is a one-way device itself so with things like security and HVAC if you're just using the remote (as opposed to some sort of onscreen interface) then you're really not gaining much use since there won't be any sort of feedback on the remote. Unfortunately to get to the degree of simplicity and use that I think you want, requires a not so simple approach.

It's not the most elegant solution, but have you thought of X-10? They make a thermostat, but as stated by NickKO, I don't think you can get feedback to the remote. That being said, you could pick out a lighting package that suits your needs, add the thermostat, and an IR543 to interface the X-10 with the MX900. While I can't speak for the thermostat, I can say that I've been using X-10 for my lighting for a couple of years and have been quite happy with it. It can also be had for a fraction of the cost of other systems. Just a thought.

[Link: resconsys.com]

HAI would be the way to go.
Omni2 Pro Controller
Xantech IRS232 Interface
UPB Lighting
OmniStat T-stats

http://www.pulseworx.com/

http://www.pcslighting.com/

[Link: homeauto.com]

Thank you so much for the replies. Reading more and more it seems like I'm going to have to find someone local to talk to and install I suppose. Its frusterating as I'd really like one remote that could control not only tv and whole house audio/lighting but also thermostat and possibly security. I think with that criteria I'm going to have to step up to something more complicated than MX950. It's really disappointing as I hate to get a system professionally installed and then say I need the smallest tweek on my TV or audio REMOTE setup (such as adding a new component, etc) I'd have to call the installer to get it fixed up correct? Just wish there was a handheld remote like the 950 that could be seld programmed when necessary.