- Nicer looking keypads
- Fully integrated wireless components. Anything you can do from a wired
component, you can do from a wireless one. No system limits.
- All devices sit on a two conductor bus (including controllers, centralized
dimmers, local dimmers, RS-232 ports, etc)
- Dimmer modules and controller just plug into enclosure. No wire to
connect/disconnect.
- More new products being introduced each year (eg light sensor)
- Full control over LEDs on each button (ie they can show the status of
garage doors
- Full programming software (if/then/else statements, loops, etc).
Downloadable from Vantage's website.
- New features constantly being added to programming software.I recommend centralized dimming over local dimming for a few reasons (though
Vantage supports both):- Keypads won't get warm at all
- Larger higher quality components in the central dimmer
- Easier wiring
- No 120V and low voltage in the same box so the inspector has no excuse to
complain
- Multiple loads in a single room only require a single gang keypad, rather
than 1 gang per loadDisclaimer: I am a Vantage dealer, but not a Lutron dealer, so I may be
biased :)
Allan.
Intelligent Interiors
Installation, Sales, Service, Parts for Crestron, Vantage, Elan, Sonance,
Niles, Atlantic Technology, HAI, OnQ, and many others"Mike" wrote in message
news:wp1r9.44319$gr6.44721@rwcrnsc53...
- Nicer Looking keypads
As someone mentioned, it is personally preference. We have a newer keypad
(introduced within the last 2 years called seeTouch). Its button design and
backlit engraving allows you to see the buttons as well as the text on them
day or night at various viewing angles.-Fully integrated wireless components
If you haven't heard yet, we launched a major addition to the HomeWorks
line. We added the niceties of the RF products that we have for RadioRA to
the HomeWorks family. HomeWorks now has RF keypads, both in wall and table
top. We have a Car Visor Control that you can activate lights from your
car. We also have a lamp dimmer control that gives you dimming at the lamp
or from a keypad.-All devices sit on the same 2 conductor bus.
We have multiple busses for one main reason - system response time. With
each bus having its own processor we can keep resources spread evenly across
each bus. This greatly increases system response.- More new products being introduced each year.
I'm not sure how you figured this one out. We just introduced over a dozen
new products just for HomeWorks Interactive last month-Full control over LED status
We have this feature as well. I can have a button on a keypad that turns my
kitchen light on, but the LED follows the status of my Garage door.-Full programming software.
Not sure what this means, but we have a design and programming tool that
runs on a PC that is used to program the hardware- New features constantly being added to the software
I worked on developing the software tool for 4 years. We probably have 4 to
8 releases of the software each year. Most of the releases are due to the
fact that we are constantly getting feedback from our customers asking for
new features.
On the topic of central dimming versus local dimming... each one has its
advantagesCentral dimming
-----------------
- Minimizes wall clutter
- Maximum flexibility at wall stations
- You typically get higher wattage dimmers from modules than in-wall
versions
Local Dimming
----------------
- There is a familiar looking device on a wall. This is great if you have
guests over frequently. Most people who having been around keypads can be
intimidated by them... a dimmer is a dimmer. After you use it once, you
know exactly how it operates.
- Failsafe Operation... if the system stops responding, a local dimmer will
continue to operate the way a dimmer should
- Pre-wire capability. You can prewire for local dimmers... not for
modules. If you put some standard toggle switches in, run the low
voltage... you can always go back and put the dimmer in later.Someone else mentioned it, but its true, Lutron has been in the lighting
control business for over 40 years. The owner of our company invented the
solid-state dimmer.I know this was a long post, but I figured since Vantage got a good plug, we
should too.If you have any questions, feel free to email me personally, or post a
message here.Thanks,
Charlie Derk
Typically the software is distributed to our dealers. Most homeowners are
not interested in the programming software. We do have a download page for
our dealers, but if you are interested in it I can certainly send you some
software.
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