This is backward thinking. It's scary that someone writing for a media source in our industry still thinks this way. There are plenty of centralized lighting systems out there if one goes out of business. Even Lutron suggests for Ra2 customers to put all the switches in one place and use keypads.

So I guess we need to start asking our clients how long they expect their systems to last? We'll be sure to put that in our contracts.

We're happy to take over projects from other dealers who can't/won't take care of older systems. If we are confident that we can keep it going, we will. We do it often. We advise upgrade path options along with repair options. 90% of the customers that go with repair will call us within a couple years for the upgrade. Point being, they call us... Not the guy that told them they HAD to upgrade.

The vnet house would be an exception. Since fixing would be a wast of time and it will be changing hands in the future, we'd provide a plan to replace and be ready to serve the seller or the buyer should they decide to proceed.

Some of the best and highest paid mechanics are the ones who are honest and can keep an old car going.

When I bought my $1200 washing machine at Lowes Hardware, they sure as f**k (Daniel won't let me say it how big boys would say it) didn't ask me how long I expected it to last. They asked me if I wanted the second year warranty and tried to make me feel like the first guy diagnosed with aids if I turned it down.

Would the owner of a beloved Ferrari be OK if the Ferrari dealer told him his tires and brake pads were worn out and the only course of action was to replace the car? Would he feel better if the Ferrari dealer explained that his new car will reach 60mph .7 seconds faster than his old one at a cost of only $287,000? I think not.

In the cases I'm referring to, clients are thrilled with the systems they already own and just want them to continue functioning as they have for years. In my case, that's 10 years or less. In an increasing number of cases, I cannot fulfill their request because parts and support do not exist to repair components that are [predictably] failing. Where whole-house integrated systems are concerned, the replacement costs quickly tally up to thousands or tens of thousands of dollars with labor included, all so the homeowner can continue using a system they already own. That is a bitter pill and many clients don't believe the convenience of automated and centralized systems outweighs the costs associated with repairing or replacing them every 7-10 years, regardless of the "performance enhancements" they may achieve in the process.

Additionally, as our product lines expand to include "mission critical" and safety-related items like light switches, thermostats, smoke detectors, etc. customers rightly hold heightened expectations for reliability and longevity. It's frustrating when a DTV receiver or spare bedroom TV remote freezes up. It's quite another scenario when the automated dimmer at the top of a darkened stairwell fails to respond...

I've seen electricians [up until the ARC Fault code mandate anyway] source replacement breakers for 35 year old Cutler-Hamer panels to conduct single circuit repairs. I've also seen A/V techs unable to source replacement Classic RA parts for switches installed in 2007. Where "physical plant" product is concerned, the integration brands had better start thinking more like the utility brands in-so-far-as longevity, reliability and replaceability if they want to continue expanding their market share.

Bottom line...Years of whizbangery and added convenience do not trump a few moments of frustration and expense of ownership for a growing number of our clients, rich or not.

Agreed.

Blame this mess on the early manufacturers who designed lifetime products -- raising expectations to unreasonable (for modern MBA's) levels. Now, advances in engineering allow us to design products with predictable warranty costs. After the (ever shorter) warranty expires, the manufacturer is off the hook and more than happy to sell us a new product with more features, rather than put us through the hassle of repair. ("would you like that delivered tomorrow?") Further, with much shorter market life ("new, improved!" designs every year or so) and more models in the line, stocking replacement parts is a big expense -- complicated by some local taxing authorities which tax the value of the inventory. I've had manufacturers tell me stories of sending perfectly good repair parts inventory to the crusher, simply to get it off the books.

When I was barely a toddler my parents bought a refrigerator. In my early teens we replaced the starter capacitor and door gasket. After all the kids were college educated and gone (I'm the oldest), that refrigerator was still cooling (but needed a new door gasket). As I recall, the washing machine only lasted about 30 years. In that time we had to replace the drum gasket (it was a front loader) and the rotary control.

Contrast this with modern landfill fodder that is unsupportable after a few years.

But Im still pissed my motorola flip phone wont play candy crush! WTF? I got screwed. Dang technology.

"But it mostly works....."

People have a hard time replacing something that is only partially broken. It's not so much the cost, as they feel wasteful. When they buy a new car every three to four years the old one doesn't get thrown out, someone else buys it and it's on the road being useful for another 10 years.

They look for a trade in on their old electronics, not for the cash, but to feel better, they recycled. Apple's phone distructo bot isn't about saving the planet, it's about helping new buyers feel ok about making another purchase. MY phone didn't end up in a landfill, it will become part of my next phone. Now where's my vegan organic free trade soy latte, of course I brought my own mug and it's made from recycled biodegradeable free range corn and cotton fibers.

Best Buy battery recycling is at the door so you walk by every time you go in, see we care about the planet, come buy another xyz, it's ok, we got your back.

Tires and brake pads are like speakers and amps. You can get tires from anywhere and you can get entire braking systems to replace whats there. This isn't a fair comparison. The engine being beyond repair is closer. If the Farrari owner really loves the car he ponies up what it would cost for a new engine or he...buys a new one.


They were thrilled with their Mercedes 10 years ago. They will be more thrilled with a new one.


Sell Lutron.


I have seen guys source drivers online for a few bucks for 50 year old speakers.


I stand by what i said. The same person who bought the system 10 years ago is either out of money or had a bad experience.

Had your parents just replaced the appliances they would have saved thousands in energy costs over that 30 years.

Lutron could have easily built a Bridge from RA to RA2. I am annoyed they didn't. Rather than thinking about short term sales upgrading clients with 5 year systems to RA2, they have built a generation of clients that will wont want to bother with lighting at all.

At least Lutron does still manufacturer limited quantities of classic/legacy product.

+1

We replaced a vnet system with Crestron. was able to install their DIN modules in the same spaces where the vnet hardware was.

Had to use the Cat5 that was run as cresnet but it all works.

I am 100% with Fins on that one....for a luxury home panelized lighting should be installed....I is the right practice, it is the right aesthetic, it is the way to do it...not with 10 gangs on the wall in the kitchen.

That said i would/will do that with Lutron or Vantage.

If we could agree on some standards, I'd like to see lighting fixtures, each with its own controller, connected to a simple loop of primary power (possibly low voltage for LED fixtures). Wall "switches" could be CAT-5 or PICO inspired full wireless. Higher initial fixture costs could be offset by lower installation costs and for control freaks, imagination would be the limit.

I do not agree with the wireless being a standard.
1st) You would have to agree on a wireless protocol, good luck with Lutron on that one. If it isn't theirs or they are not making money licensing it, will never happen with them.
2nd) Wireless doesn't always work or work for the situation. Any universal standard should be on a robust foundation. That means wired. Wireless could be a subset of the standard but again, good luck with Lutron on that - they would NEVER comply.