We had been using Future Smart Panels for years, but last year both USTec and Grey Fox caught our eye at CEDIA. Long story short, The ProLan stuff from USTec really caught our eye so we went with them. Was this a mistake? We have used 2 ProLan 24 Panels and 2 16 Panels. They are no doubt the best looking panels on the market (IMO), but they company is one of the most vague out there. I hate that we end up with this gigantic awesome panel to house 30+ phone lines, 25+ cable line, 20+ network lines and now we're stuck trying to put a DSS module in the panel that has something like 10 open small blocks! They really need to get their act together and offer a more customizable solution. Good luck trying to find dealer info on their site - it's there but hard to find. Oh, and what the heck is up with all the freakin modulated cable inputs? who the h*ll is going to use 8 modulated inputs?? It's just a waste of space - they should offer separate modulators IF you want them! I get the impression that USTec is marketing more towards big builders and electricians who don't know what they are doing and simply offer generic packages.

Now Grey Fox, on the other hand, seems to have more solutions available and more customizing built into their panel. And the new Titan panels don't look too bad - not as nice as USec though. They also seem to have much more documentation on their site! Any word on the value of their circuit board implementation?

Anyone have any experience with these panels and how do you like them as far as customization, dealer support, documentation and value/pricing? Is there anyone else out there we should check out at CEDIA? Obviously I'm looking for a very open and customizable solution, but it should also look impressive - and work!

OX,

I have used Greyfox extensively, and I feel they are probably playing catchup to the big three (openhouse, onQ, and leviton) but they spend the most on R&D, and I think they have the best looking finished product (with the right amount of talented techincian time) on the market...

I have seen ALOT of USTec here in Denver, and would like to chalk up it's lackluster appearence to bad installers...unfortunately, it's been so hard for a NON-DEALER to get parts, that we rip em out and put in on-q or Greyfox!

IMHO

We have used USTec for years and they have given us top notch support and product. The Pro-Lan panel isn't for every job, only the big ones with many runs.

It sounds like you haven't been through training. Those inputs can accept modulated signals, they do not modulate themselves. We often use all eight inputs for the modulated cameras.

The panels are VERY customizable. The support is VERY good and the products perform VERY well.

You should take the training asap. That will clear up all of your questions. Until then, I wouldn't spec things in that you don't fully understand.

Once was a USTech dealer. But I am down on each and every one of these panels and perfer to obtain a back box and make my own.

CATV: Amp input as meaured in dbmu is so low that one needs to pad down the signal in order not to over drive the RF amp. Impossible to add extra db for longer runs ( rule of themb=3db/100ft for RG6) so in some cases then amp is insufficient to drive longer runs. So you give up db in order to use the crappy amp that comes with the product and you cannot get amps large enough to deal with longer runs. Does this not sound perfect: a RF distribution product that forces you to lose db.

Satellite: no problem unless you have a high def satellite system

Data: no problem

Voice: inability to cross-connect. Limited to 4 lines ( now no big deal but once it was.

Built on a stupid CBUs spec that never made it to prime time but was premissed on everything being the same on every run. You mean you might want a phone system ( pairs 1+2 ) and differnent analog (POTS) lines at different jacks: tough.

You mean you might need a bigger amp: " then find someone else's product." ( as told to me by a gentleman in USTech's CEDIA booth ). Need to cross connect ( "we do not provide that feature. You must send the same [POTS line] to every jack."

Why use a neat looking but poorly engineered product? profits and ignorence. The first is self-evident, and the product has always seemed to be intended for the builder/security company that does not understand voice and RF distribution.

Take all the training you would like but you would be better served ( as would your clients ) to build your own cabinets.

Alan

Been following this one. We have been doing "structured cabling" for about 9 years now. Have been running RG6Quad shield and CAT3 since then. Changed to CAT5 about 6 years ago. And have been using 350 CAT5e for about 2 or 3. In the beginning I made my own enclosures using an empty 200 amp electrical panel. Switched about 5 years ago to the Leviton stuff. ave also used Square D and OnQ. I can say that it all kind of sucks. I use very little of their modules. The manufacturers miss the physics behind digital cable & cable modem. They all pedal high priced bi-directional amps that typically dont work and certainly don't allow for runs that vary greatly in distance. These bi-directional amps dont correct the signal lost in the return path which is how interactive cable works. IMHO take anyones 42" panel and let it roll. If you have a big job use 2 or 3. I have done large jobs where CATV & SAT in one, phone and networking in another. It leaves plenty of room for routers, switches, surge suppresion, multiple splitters for varying distances. If anyone finds a company that actually has a product that is "Reality based" for what we need, then by all means let me know. Until then I'll keep creating my own with someone elses box.

Ugh, don't even get me started on the HD Sat issue. Why can't they build the 5x8 into the module?! And I realize that the modulated RF is for camera's but for the big jobs that require the USTec panels we are using a channel vision W1000 Web Cam server to view video on touch screen displays. Yes, If you want it on screen it would be nice and easy to modulate the input - assuming that the digital cable isnt a problem, but I'm ask that that be an option with a separate module rather than taking up all the space with something I don't need. For phone and data I'm ok - except that the jumps from the router to the hubs are only about 6 inches long when they need to be at least 18 inches, so they get replace automatically. I also can't figure out what engineer would construct such a horrible design of the module frame. We need more large openings or they need to make the cable and DSS modules fit into multiple small openings.

Keep in mind I'm talking specifically about the ProLan series, we have yet to use the cheaper versions - which aren't all that much cheaper by the way. Yes, I have had the training. We had someone come to our office and go over all the products and specs and how to configure them, I don't think that one of my dozen or so questions was even answered. They referred me to tech support who always had some run around answer. I still can't get over their 5x8 switch!!

oex, you asked for a recommendation on a company that creates structured wiring products for the real world. We have been using the Home Director products for almost two years now. You may want to take a peek. They make real world products that look great, and most importantly work without fail. They are different than the legacy companies, OnQ, Open House, Leviton and such; and I like it.

Thanks for the tip on the company Home Director. I have had UStec panel for a number of years now and I love the look of the panel, I even have the clear cover on it. . I have been looking to add a few security camers that USTec sells, you know the ones with the built in modulator, I have seen Home depot selling them now for $178.00 for a 350line 0.7lux in B\W, they dont sell the Color one but USTec and Home Director sells the color one, the color one is a 350line 5lux camera. now my question is should I get the Color one or the B\W one, and do any of you know someone that may sell it for less?

The UsTec camera's are made just for the UsTec panels, They output more DB than the others. Also, the power is run over the coax from a special UsTec module. Other camera's would not workwith it. Email me if you have more questions.

I do have a few more questions. I bought the B/W camera from Home Depot for $178.00. it works great if I don't conect it to the interal video input of the cable amp. if I put on a spiltter it works great too. I think the cable TV amp may have an internal problem. I have taken the whole panel apart and move the cabling around, but still no improvment on the picture. do you know of a company that sells the USTec equipment? the one I used to buy from was really expensive and they are nolonger there.

If I'm not clear on what I'm saying and you would like some pictures of the hardware I have just tell me and I will put them up for you.